GREY TECHNICAL SCHOOL

Greymouth Evening Star, 17 September 1940, Page 4

GREY TECHNICAL SCHOOL

BOARD OF GOVERNORS MEET The Board of Governors of the Greymouth Technical High School met last evening, there being present. Messrs J. B. Kent (acting-chairman), J. Goodall, M.L.C., C. F. Shapcott A. H. McKane, A. A. Adams, P. J. ■ McLean, J. E. White, E.B.E. Taylor Mrs. C. W. Lindsay and the Principal, Mr. W. M. Stewart. <■> nn /-? m Accounts amounting to (school) and £B6/7/10 (hostel) were passed for payment. The school accounts showed a credit balance of £135/4/1. , The Education Department advised approval of the granting‘of new coal ranges for the Greymouth and Hokitika manual training centres. The Oil Fuel Controller wrote granting an application for an increase from six to 10 gallons of the petrol allowance for the Board’s motor mower. ' Mr. P. J. McLean reporting for the Visiting Committee, said that he and Mrs. Lindsay visited the School and the Hostel and found everything satisfactory. The fine new furniture at the school would be a credit to any school in New Zealand. He paid a tribute to the work of the caretaker for his work and interest in the school and in the grounds, adding that the caretaker took a keen interest in his job, and worked long-hours. A recommendation from the Visiting Committee that though the caretaker is not working under an award he be granted a five per cent, increase in wages as from October 1, was approved, as also was the report of the Visiting Committee. The question of assistance for the caretaker was referred to the Ground Committee for a report. Messrs Shapcott and White were appointed a Visiting Committee for the month. PRINCIPAL’S REPORT

The following report from the Principal, covering the activities of the school for the last week of the second term, and the first week of the third term, was approved:—Since the date of my last report to the Board, two boys have been admitted, and four girls and two boys withdrawn, leaving the number of pupils at 292, comprising 140 boys and 152 girls. The average attendance for the two weeks has been 90.5 per cent. The four retiring members of the Board have been reelected, Mr? T. Eldon Coates representing Associations of Employers, Messrs J. B. Kent and A. H. McKane Local Authorities, and Mr. W. H. Parfitt the Canterbury Education Board. School resumed for the third term on September 10. Twenty pupils have entered for the Public Service Entrance Examination. At the end of the term, the total of the pupils’ contributions. to Patriotic efforts amounted to over £26. The annual Prefects’ Dance was held at the end of the term and once more proved a very enjoyable function. I have to express the School’s sincere thanks to the Principal, staff and pupils of the Papanui Technical High School for the hospitality extended to the School’s Rugby and Basket-ball teams during their annual visit at the end of the term. The trip proved most successful in every way, and was thoroughly enjoyed by everyone. It is proposed, weather permitting, to give the ground a thorough harrowing and rolling, and if possible a top-dressing of fertiliser, so that an early start may be made with cricket. School subscriptions received since August 12 amount to £3, making a progress total for the year of £ll4/14/6, and other receipts 10/-. Payments have totalled £5/18/5, leaving a balance in hand of £B4/10/6. Thirty-seven pupils of the School are in residence at the Hostel, comprising 23 boys and 14 girls. Of this total, 12 are fulltime boarders, and 25 go home at the week-ends. Evening School classes resumed on the same date as the day school. The Education Department has given permission for the formation of the proposed class in applied mechanics for candidates for various engineers’ certificates. This class will therefore bescommenced, provided the tentative enrolments remain effective as soon as arrangements can be made for instruction. The extended programme in woodwork and cookery for primary schools is now in operation, the new teachers, Miss G. M. Ramsay and, Mr. D. P. Fraser, having commenced duty at the beginning of the term. The extension, and the bringing in to three centres of so many additional small schools, together with the problems of ensuring transport, in some cases by motor, for the pupils, has made an already complicated time table much more complex, and there will doubtless be a few minor hitches at first, but it is hoped the programme will soon shake down into a smoothly working routine. The question of securing top-dress-ing for the school ground was referred to the Chairman, Mr. T. E. Coates, with power to act.