RUNANGA NOTES

Grey River Argus, 8 February 1941, Page 2

RUNANGA NOTES

[Our own correspondent] In the absence of the Chairman, Mr. C. R. Kennedy presided at the monthly meeting of the School Committee. Also present were Mesdames W. Wright, R. Barker, Messrs J. W. Patterson W. Duggan, R. JEwen (Secretary) and J. H. Martin (Acting-Headmaster). Apologies were received from Messrs R. J. Armstrong and F. Oakley. In reply to an application by the committee for an extension of time for the men on the No. 13 Scheme working in the school grounds, advice was received from the Social Security Department and the Canterbury Education Board that an additional'£37 had been allotted to cover four weeks. The Education Board also advised that an independent report was to be made on the work in the school grounds and additional time would be granted if required. The Board also advised that the School Caretaker was not eligible for the subsidy bonus. in reply to an inquiry from the committee regarding holiday pay for the men working on the school grounds, and in regard to ordinary rate of pay for No. 13 Scheme workers, the Education Board referred the Committee to the memorandum issued by the Board. They also advised that a further sum of £93 had been allocated for a further period of ten weeks for work on the grounds, expiring on March 27. A request from the Runanga Branch of the Democratic Labour Party for the loan of the N.Z. flag on the occasion of a by Mr. J'ohn A. Lee, was granted. The Secretary reported that the revenue from the Swimming Baths for the past month had been £l6 10s Id, less £8 for Caretaker’s wages, leaving a credit balance of £8 10s Id. It was decided to close the school for half a day on the day of the Hokitika picnic to Runanga, and that the swimming baths be open for the occasion. The^Secretary was instructed to ask the Canterbury Education Board if the services of another teacher might be procured. It was decided that the lawn-mowers be attended to, and that three new brooms be bought.. Mention was made of the destruction of vegetables, etc. at the Headmaster’s residence, and’ it was resolved to take steps to put an end to the matter. The Acting-Headmaster’s report read as follows: I take pleasure in presenting my report for the first week of/the new school year which began on Tuesday, 4th. February, with a roll of 138 boys and 132 girls, giving a total of 270 pupils. The actual attendance on Tuesday was 247, but several children have not returned from holidays and certain others have probably left. The attendance on Tuesday was 92 per cent, of the roll. Since last year we have lost the services of a most capable headmaster in the person of Mr. J. A. McLeod, while the P.A’s., Mr. H. Hooper and Miss'M. Phillips, also completed their course of training. This year only one Probationery Assistant, Miss H. White, of Greymouth, ha's been appointed while Mr. T. Judkins is acting as relieving teacher. I would like to stress to I he Committee the urgent need of another P.A. or Supernumerary teacher, as an extra teacher is most essential. The whole position will be made more clear from the stud • of the organisation. I have already written to the Canterbury Education Board explaining the need of a supernumerary teacher, but I think the committee should also take up the matter. Miss Munson, School Dental Nurse, began duties on Tuesday, 4th. February. As Form I commence instruction in woodwork and cookery at Greymouth Technical School tomorrow morning, I have placed Mr. Judkins in charge to supervise the class on the train. During this month a definite attempt will be made to

teach all the children to swim. With this aim in view, each class will be taken for an hour’s swimming on every day that the weather is suitable. I notice that a' water pipe under the baths has been broken, with the result that there is a steady stream of water down the northwest corner of the school grounds where the two No. 13 Scheme men are working at present. I wish to draw the attention of the Committee to the fact that the lawn mowers need overhauling, especially the “Heavy Duty Massport.’’ In fact Ina men have recently been compelled to recommission the “Viking’’ which, I believe, has been condemned. The picket fence from the baths to the Ward Street corner of the grounds also needs attention as several pickets are missing and the railing is rotten in places. During the holidays, several youths broke into the groun u s of the Schoolmaster’s residence and wantonly destroyed fruit and vegetables. Not content with helping themselves to vegetables, they threw carrots, etc., all over the property and broke several branches of the fruit trees. I believe there is a suggestion that the Home Guard should be allowed the use of the playground for drilling. So -far I have heard nothing official, but as far as I can see there need be no objections, provided due care is taken not to leave litter, etc., lying around. I would like to recommend that the committee purchase two medium sized and one large, hair brooms for use by the caretaker, as the present brooms are almost worn out. One pane of glass is needed for the main doorway to replace a pane broken on Sports Day iast year. The zip water heater and radio are also out of commission, due, I think to a blown fuse.