GREYMOUTH MAIN SCHOOL

Greymouth Evening Star, 8 December 1939, Page 3

GREYMOUTH MAIN SCHOOL

MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The Greymouth Main School Committee met last evening, there beingpresent: Messrs G. Batty (chairman), W. Williams, L. Patterson, H. Smith, A. Dalziel, R. R. Dawber. and C. F. Shapcott (secretary). The Headmaster, Mr. J. Graham was also present. An apology for absence was received from Mr. W. A. Clarke.

The Canterbubry Education. Board forwarded a copy of a letter sent to the Greymouth Borough Council stating that the Board was unable to consider remedying the storm-water drainage trouble, at present. The Canterbury Education Board advised that authority had been given for connecting the caretaker's cottages to the Borough water supply. In reply to the Committee’s application for assistance in providing additional basketball courts at the school, the Canterbury Education Board advised that it could not regard the proposed work as urgent, and could not recommend it to the Public Works Department to be carried out immediately. The West Coast School Committees’ Association wrote stating that it. was proposed to entertain Christchurch school children at Greymouth during the West Coast Centennial Week, commencing on February 10. the children to stay about, a week. The Association asked the co-operation of the Headmaster and the Committee in arranging billets. From conversation with Christchurch headmasters, it was understood that about 200 sixth standard boys and girls would make the trip, and would require to be billeted. The Secretary ( who is also secretary of the Association) said that all schools within a reasonable distance of Greymouth had received a similar communication. It had been taken up enthusiastically at Cobden, where Mr. Barrett had arranged billets, and had also arranged for visits io the State mine, and also to a dredge. Ngahere and Blaketown had also arranged billets. School opened on February 6. so (hat all arrangements would have to be made before the vacation. He thought there? would be no difficulty in securing the billets. The Headmaster said he would advise the Secretary within, a couple of days as to how man'.' billets the school could provide. .Accounts amounting to £l6 2/S wcr passed for payment. The secretary said that would leave a credit balanc

of £24 14/9. When the £l6 12/7 outstanding came to hand, there would be a credit balance of £4l 7/4. The Headmaster in his report stated that everything was going satisfactorily at the school. The school roll had climbed to 565, and the attendance had been good.—The report was approved. Messrs J. W. Greenslade and W. A. Clarke were appointed the VisitingCommittee for the February meeting.

The Chairman said that members would be pleased to learn that this year the school had won the two Seddon medals. This reflected great credit not only on the successful pupils, but also on the Headmaster and staff. He moved a vote of thanks to the Headmaster and staff on their- training of the children, and congratulations on the splendid achievement. The motion was seconded by the secretary and carried, by acclamation. The secretary said that the Seddon medals and the Watkins medals would be presented at the break up ceremony on Thursday evening next. Mr. O’Brien. M.P.. would present the Seddon Medals. The 1938 Watkins medals, in the manufacture of which there had been an unavoidable delav, would also be presented al the ceremony.

Mr. Dalziel was appointed delegate to a meeting of the Mawhera group boys and girls agricultural club. The Chairman extended the season's greetings to members of the Committee. the Headmaster, and staff, and the Press, members and the Headmaster reciprocating.