TECHNICAL SCHOOL

Grey River Argus, 6 December 1938, Page 12

TECHNICAL SCHOOL

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Board of Governors of the Greymouth Technical High School was held last evening, when there were present: Mr T. E. Coates (chairman), Mrs C. H. Lindsay Hon. J. Goodall, IM.L.C., and Messrs A. Adams, W. JI. Parfitt, J. B. Kent, C. F. Shapcott, A. H. McKane, J. North, Raymond Ferner, S.M., G. Kear, and the Principal, Mr W. M. Stewart. J . Accounts totalling £207 0s Id were passed for payment. Mr Parfitt reported that following an interview with the Fire Inspector it was suggested that rope ladders and three iron ladders be installed at the hostel. There was a fire extinguisher there which required overhaul. They should also have somebody who understood hbw to work it. It was decided to have the ladders installed. . . .

The Principal reported that the Railway Department had promised to put down a drain to obviate flooding of an area of ground at the hostel. The work would be started as soon as a gang was available. It was suggested by Mr McKane that a hedge, with a fence on both sides, be placed between the school and the Recreation Ground. The matter of carrying out this Work was referred to the Grounds Committee. The Principal reported that the profit from the annual fete and exhibition would be in the vicinity of £2lO. The Education Department advised that the Minister had decided that machine tools used for educational purposes were to be free from sales tax. 1 Mr W. A. Johnston Wrote offering to donate tools as woodwork prizes. The Education Department advised of the granting of £73 13s 2d for plumbing equipment. , - The Employment Bureau advised or the extension of time for grounds grant and the approval for additional work ’ for six men to the extent of £2OO. A Mr T. Hornsby, foreman, Canterbury Education Board, wrote stating that his report on the board’s two cottages had been forwarded to the Canterbury Education Board. The Principal said that it would no doubt go from there to the Department and then back to them. Mr J. O’Brien, M.P., wrote stating that he was taking up the matter of expediting the plans f6r the Assembly Hall. The Principal said there was now £llOO in this fund. The Principal stated that he had extended an invitation to the Minister of Education to attend the break-up ceremony on December 16. The Visiting Committee, Mrs Lindsay and Mr Parfitt, reported that everything was satisfactory at both the hostel and school, except the drainage required on a certain area on the hostel grounds. The Principal reported that there were 1750 volumes in the school library. The reference section was stated by the Inspector to be one of the best in New Zealand. Authority was given the Principal to expend a maximum of £5O on sports and school activities. The Principal reported as follows:— The number of pupils bn the roll is now 280—139 boys and 141 girls. The average percentage of attendance for the month is 80 per cent., which is rather lower than the usual figure for this time of the year. This is accounted for partly by the fact that there is still a certain amount of sickness among pupils, and partly by the fact that several pupils have apparently left school whose names must still be kept on the roll, owing to the failure of parents to notify withdrawal in spite of requests for information. The half-yearly examinations have been held, and teachers are in process of assigning marks and places for the year’s work. The’ Public Service Entrance Examinations, fob which seven pupils were candidates, have just concluded, and the University Entrance Examination is being held, thirteen candidates having entered from the day school. The condition of grounds and playing field continues to show improvement, and progress is being made with the erection of the engineering and woodwork block. The Department has given assent to the board’s request for a further grant for grounds improvement. No reply has been received to the application made in connection with staff accommodation and repairs to the buildings, nor has any further information been given as to how matters stand with regard to the plans of the domestic science block. • The Department has not yet forwarded a reply to the request for approval of the . proposed plan of the Assembly Hall. A meeting of old pupils was recently held with a view to reviving the Old Pupils’ Association, and it is pleasing to report that this very useful body is to be brought once more intb active existence. Tennis and cricket continue to function healthily. In cricket, four elevens are flourishing, of which the first eleven is playing well in the senior grade, and the second and third elevens in the second grade. Matches will shortly be played against other schools, in tennis against Hokitika District High School, and in cricket against Hokitika and Nelson College second eleven. Sports and school activities subscriptions received since my last report amount to £4 9s 6d, making a total to date of £125 15s. Other receipts amount to £3 11s 6d, Accounts have been paid to the amount of £4 18s lid. Accounts contingent or outstanding are: Magazine £3B (approx.), library £4O cricket £2 'los. The, balance in hand is £l3l 3s Id, made up as follows: Drama Club £l3 13s 9d, library* £6O, travelling fund £l4 9s 3d, tree-planting £l2 Is, general £42 Bs. The School Magazine for 1938 has just been issued, and once more reflects credit on those teachers and pupils responsible for its publication. A large number of the school pupils took part in the massed physical drill display in connection with the recent successful gymnkhana At Victoria Park. The annual school, procession, postponed from the exhibition of work and fete on account of bad weather, was held on Wednesday, November 16, and was very successful.. 'A collection taken up by permission bf the Borough Council resulted in a sum of £4 ,5e for the Assembly Hall Fund,- The annual prize-giving and t , break-up ceremony will take place on Friday, December 16, and the school will resume after the holidays oh February 6, 1939. The number of pupils in residence at the hostel remains at 22—12 boys and 10 girls. The evening classes, after a useful year’s work, concluded

for the session at the end of November. The report was adopted. p ,