TECHNICAL SCHOOL

Grey River Argus, 18 March 1941, Page 10

TECHNICAL SCHOOL

BOARD OF MANAGERS. At the monthly meeting of the Board of Managers of the Greymouth Technical School, last evening... there were present Messrs T. E. Coates (Chairman), P J. McLean, J. B. White. C. F. Sliapcott, E. B. E. Taylor, J. B. Kent, A. A. Adams, W. H. Parfitt, Mrs C H. Lindsay and the Principal (Mr W. M. Stewart). The Church of Christ applied for use of two gas cookers from the cookery block on April 10 and 15. The application was granted on the motion of Messrs McLean and Kent. The New Zealand Railways Department ’bus manager, in regard to complaint about children waiting in rain for the ’bus, wrote, stating that the pupils were often making noise under Mrs Devlin’s verandah. The pupils were asked to wait in the Brunner Station for the ’bus. Mr Shapcott asked if the pupils in question could travel by the ’bus up to the school in wet weather. It was stated that an application would have to be made, by the proprietors to the Licensing Authority for an extended license. The Education Department wrote stating that the period for territorial training had been extended and outlining the procedure for teachers’ affected. The Principal said that there was one man on the staff concerned. A letter was received from the Education Department, stating that an apple a day per child would be issued for three months during the present year. The Principal stated that Mr F Wickes would look after the scheme in the school. The Education Department wrote asking that the Board conserve petrol as much as possible. Mr McLean, for the visiting committee, stated that the manual block needed ventilation as all the windows were closed. Incinerators in the grounds caused much smoke. The ground at the Manual Block needed cleaning up, as there were blackberries growing there. He moved that the matter be referred to the one of the Board’s carpenters, such as body responsible.,and suggested that Mr Judkins, do the work of fixing up the ventilation. Mr Kent moved that the Education Department be asked to refrain from burning rubbish. Mr McLean moved that the matter be referred to the Chairman and the motion was carried.

Mr McLean reported that -the blackout regulations had been complied with efficiently in all the buildings. Everything was satisfactory at the Hostel, except that the roof needed painting. He moved that tenders be called for the painting of the roof of the Hostel, and the motion was carried. Messrs Adams and Taylor were appointed as the Visiting Committee for the ensuing month Mr Adams referred to the danger arising from the practice of girls dt the school riding cycles lour abreast along High Street. Mr McLean moved that a room be made available for the Women’s War Service Auxiliary and the motion was carried. The Principal said that in the year 1948, the school would celebrate its 25th birthday, and suggested many improvements to the school which he hoped would be 'made when the celebrations took place. He suggested that, as a start, the children begin a war savings account into which would go proceeds from concerts, collections, etc. In 1945 about £lOO would have been raised. He would act as trustee to the fund. After the war, a public drive could be made. The account had been opened and £8 had been raised. A motion was carried expressing appreciation of the Principal’s foresight. and of the action of the Committee and senior pupils who had blacked out the school windows. The Principal said that conditions for a cadet company at the school were now excellent, and he had sent a circular to parents of boy pupils and to the Defence Department, asking their co-operation and support. A very small number of parents objected to their sons taking part in the movement. Mr Ormondy was incharge of the company. Pie would like to see the company set up on a military basis, and it was possible, that cadet uniforms would be supplied. The Principal’s action was approved.

It was reported that the School Hostel had a credit balance of £l7l Os lOd. The School had one of £147 17c 2d. Accounts passed for payment were:—School £B5 18s 2d; Hostel £155 Is 6d. There 'are now in residence at the Hostel 38 pupils—2l boys and 17 girls. Fourteen of there are in full time residence, while twenty-four go home at the week-qpds. The Principal’s report stated The number of pupils on the school' roll as on Ist. March (the date' on which the staffing ratio for the year is determined) was 360, comprising 178 boys and 182 girls. Since that date, 2 pupils have been admitted and 8 have been withdrawn, all of these having secured positions in the district, and most of them having enrolled in the evening classes. Of th<> present roll of 354, 175 are boys and 179 girls. Owing to shortages in local staffs caused by the departure of men for military duties and Air: Force or overseas or territorial—it| is to be expected that in the near future and thereafter, withdrawals will be made in sharp bursts to fill the gaps. If this proves: correct, it is to be hoped that employ-1 ers will consult the best interests of I the pupils—and ultimately their own' interests also —by engaging those who are in their later years and therefore more ready for employment, so that the unavoidable interruption to the training of the pupils may be as little harmful as possible. The average attendance for the period of four weeks has been 91.6 per cent. Owing i to shipping conditions, some delay has J occurred in the arrival of text-books i from overseas, but this has been mini-; mised by extra care taken in securing supplies of second-hand books. The, arrival of supplies from overseas is expected very shortly. The resigna-1 tion of Mr R. 'G. Pilling to accept an appointment with the R.N.Z.A.F. Educational Service made it necessary to advertise the position, which is a war-time vacancy vice Mr L E. Tweedie, who is on! active service abroad. I hope to be in a position very shortly to recommend an appointment. Mr D. J. Kr. app, who was appointed to the war-time vacancy' caused by the departure lof Mr J. D.

Lyon, of the manual training staff, for Air Force camp, has tendered his resignation, but we have been fortunate in securing the services fo another suitable instructor, so that no interruption will occur in the work.