GREY MAIN SCHOOL

Greymouth Evening Star, 20 September 1940, Page 4

GREY MAIN SCHOOL

COMMITTEE MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Grey Main School Committee was held last evening, and was attended by Messrs. W. Williams, E. Smith, A. Dalziel, G. Batty, H. Smith, R. Anderson and C. F. Shapcott (secretary). In the absence of the chairman (Mr. J. W. Greenslade), from whom an apology was received, Mr. Williams was voted to the chair. The Canterbury Education Board wrote approving the grant of the use of school to the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand in connection 1 with the annual Summer conference, adding that the same conditions would be imposed as on the Church of Christ Youth organisation. The secretary said that all would be in order when confirmation of the .acceptance, of the conditions was received from the Presbyterian Church authorities. -

The Church of Christ Youth Department wrote accepting the conditions laid down by the Board for the use of the school for the Easter camp, i.e., the taking out of a fire insurance policy for £7,940 for the period during which the school would be occupied, the depositing of £lO as an indemnity against breakages, and the making of private arrangements regarding cleaning. A telegram was received from Mr. J. .O’Brien, M.P., advising that Cabinet had approved of a grant for the acquisition of an area adjoining Rugby Park, Greymouth, for use as a future school site. Similar advice was received from the Education Board,' which pointed out that the details of the ground had not yet come to hand, but as soon as they were received, the transfer would be put in hand.

The secretary said that the telegram from Mr. O’Brien had come as a “bolt from the blue” and he (the secretary) thought they were very lucky to have secured the area. Certainly, they did not have a school on it yet, but it was there for the future. The Education Board advised that the West Coast foreman had been authorised to effect repairs to the downpipes and spouting at the school. In regard to. the blockage of the handbasins, there should be no trouble in the future if waste material was prevented from passing down the drains, and it was understood that the headmaster was paying attention to that aspect. Accounts amounting to £l7/15/4 were passed for payment. The secretary said that, by the end of the month, the Committee would be able to pay the outstanding coal bill of £9, and would be all square, but then .the finances would be “right down to the bones.” The Debating Club had paid £4/15/- for the rent of the meeting room for the year, which had assisted. On top of the accounts that had been passed for payment, there was one from the Girl Guides’ Association for the rent of the Scouts Hall for four weeks. The hall had been used as a special classroom for the period and he (the secretary) suggested that the account should be forwarded to the Education Board. It was decided to give effect to the secretary’s suggestion in regard to the account from the Girl Guides’ Association. HEADMASTER’S REPORT The headmaster (Mr. J. Graham) submitted the following monthly report: Roll number: boys 280, girls 241, total 521; average attendance: boys 257, girls 222, total 479. At the commencement of this term 28 new pupils were enrolled, 21 being five-year-olds. During the Winter term the sum of £46/6/- was raised towards the cost of a motor ambulance for our armed forces, the total contributions from Canterbury and Westland schools reaching the fine total of £3,500. Last Tuesday and Wednes- ! day the school was visited by Dr. Davies (school Medical Officer) who reported very favourably on the health of the pupils. On September 26, owing to a shortage of important metals, a collecting campaign will commence, the school being asked to assist.

The secretary said that, judging by the roll numbers, the Committee’s capitation would probably be down a little next year. Mr. Williams said he thought it was very gratifying to see that the pupils and teachers had raised such a large sum of money for the ambulance fund. He had noticed in a Christchurch paper that the Education Board had said what a wonderful effort had been made by the Canterbury schools, but there was no mention of the, West Coast schools at all. He thought it should be known • that the Coast schools were in it too, and what they had done.

Mr. Dalziel suggested that the Board may not have been aware what had been raised on the West Coast when the statement was made.

Mr. Williams: The fund had been closed some time then. I just mentioned the matter as I think the schools should get credit for what they do.

The report was received. Messrs. Anderson and Greenslade .were appointed as the Visiting Committee for the ensuing month. The secretary said ' that, as the members were aware, the caretaker was not covered by an award, but the National Security tax applied to those outside of awards and he (the secretary) had had the unpleasant duty of deducting the double wages tax from the caretaker’s wages. It was for the Committee to decide whether the caretaker should receive the 5 per cent, increase granted to those under awards. The Committee had no money, but if it was decided to grant, the increase they would have to find Jt some way.

On the motion of Messrs. Anderson and Shapcott, it was decided to increase the caretaker’s wages by 5 per cent.

The secretary said that last season the tennis courts in the school grounds were let for the season at a rental of £ 5 and he had already been approached regarding a similar arrangement by one of the parties. Last year it had been suggested that the Committee might have received a higher rental if tenders had been called, and it was a matter for consideration. This year they had lost the £lO rental for the basketball courts, but probably there would be three tennis courts available. On the motion of Messrs. Dalziel and Batty it was decided to call tenders for the use of the tennis courts for the season? .

Mr. Batty suggested that if the tenders received were about the same amount, the people who held, them last year should get preference. _ The Secretary: That is a matter that can be discussed when we are, considering the tenders.

It was decided that the question of raising money for the school funds be deferred for consideration at the next meeting, owing to the absence of the chairman.