RUNANGA PLAYGROUND “USELESS”

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 September 1946, Page 10

RUNANGA PLAYGROUND “USELESS”

REPRESENTATIONS by school COMMITTEE The Runanga School Committee is dissatisfied with the condition of the school playground, and intends to press for. improvements to be made during the summer. At a meeting of the committee last evening it was decided to invite the West Coast representative on the Canterbury Education Board (Mr. F. L. Turley) to visit the school and discuss the matter with the committee. The condition of the ground was mentioned in the headmaster’s report, and amplifying his report, the headmaster (Mr. E. M. Todd) said that with the heavy rains the playing area was becoming progressively worse. In one area over an inch and a half of top soil had been washed away. The ground was now useless as a playground in summer or winter. It .meant that children were confined to the tar-sealed area, ,which was far too small lor the number of children. The chairman (Mr. R. J. Armstrong) said the ground had a papa foundation and before it would carry grass, a large amount of soil would have to be spread. It would be expensive. ~ Present at the meeting were the chairman, and Mesdames R. Barker and AV. Wright, and Messrs. F. Oakley, C. Kennedy, and I. Cairney (secretary). Headmasters P.eport. The headmaster reported as followsi —At the end of Inst term the roll stood at 228. To datp this term nine pupils have been enrolled, giving a present total of 237. This is sufficient to raise the grading back to 58, if this total is maintained for the next three weeks. The attendance has been very satisfactory for the period, standing around 90 per cent. Owing to illness, Miss Kennedy was unable to commence duty until yesterday, her class being taken by Miss Henderson for the'first week, a relieving teacher being unavailable. Mr. Brettell, sen., has commenced to cultivate the plot in front of the baths, and is making good progress. A fair portion of the playing area, denuded of grass, has suffered progressive erosion during the wet weather, and this deterioration is likely to become aggravated. The caretaker, Mrs. Hodgson, made an excellent job of the cleaning during the holidays, the clean floors being a credit to her and- much more attractive than if they had been oiled. Mr. Hornsby, the board’s foreman, visited the school last week and reported that the school is shortly to be painted inside and placed on the list for painting outside. The report was received.

The Canterbury Education Board advised the appointment of Miss C. J. Kennedy, of Canterbury, and lately of the Cobden school, as assistant mistress.

Sports Equipment. The Education. Department wrote concerning the committee’s appeal for sports equipment, stating that the department could not assist financially. Mr. Oakley said the matter should be pursued. It Jiad been stated a year ago that schools would be supplied with sports equipment. It was decided to write again to the Minister of Internal Affairs reminding him of the earlier statement about, the supply of equipment to schools.

Mr. Oakley reported that as a result of the children’s ball, the sum of £62/8/2 was available, and the ball committee had met and decided to make £45 available to the State school, £l5 to the Convent school, and £2/8/2 to the children’s play centre. .

Tramwaymen will soon have their own cafeteria in Wellington. Alterations are projected by the city council to the old revenue office at the Lambton Quay terminal which will make this possible.