KAPONGA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXIV, Issue LXXIV, 4 March 1919, Page 8

KAPONGA.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

SCHOOL COMMITTEE

The monthly meeting of the School Committee was held in the school last night. Present: Messrs Geo. " Death (chairman), A. H. Guy, J. Guy, C. Hill (secretary), and the headmaster (Mr Lyall). Mr Williams' apology for non-attendance was received. Correspondence—Taranaki Education Board wrote that they had considered the question of the wellbeing of the children who were compelled owing to distance to remain at school for luncheon, especially during the winter months. The Board felt that with the co-operation of school committees and teacners the comfort of the children can be added to very considerably by the supply of cocoa for the midday meal. The Board had decided to refund the cost of necessary utensils up to a reasonable amount, provided cocoa is supplied to the children free of charge, and, further, the Board will subsidise the parents £ for £ on amounts raised for cost of cocoa, subject td raHous provisions.—The committee decided to apply for the subsidy, and to point out that they had ; already adopted this scheme during the i last winter, and had found it a great benefit to the children. Master Williams was appointed caretaker of the school temporarily Until tenders were called. The Audit Department returned the books and balance-sheet of the committee certified as correct, the same showing a credit balance of £10 5s 9d. Headmaster's Report^-The year 1918 finished with 169 pupils on the roll. Since school reopened 29 have been admitted and 21 withdrawn. The roll number at present is therefore 177. The average attendance for last month was 162. These figures call attention to the overcrowded state of the school. This will become more serious when I bad weather comes to put an end to ■ classes being taken outside (at present } there are two or more classes being j taken outside). —The committee decidj ed to ask Mr Eaves, the member repre- ' eenting the ward in which the school is situated, to visit the school and see j the overcrowded state in which it is j placed. Re Red Cross potatoes, it was [ decided, as the Red Cross Fund was now extinct, that the proceeds go towards the school funds. On the chairman's motion it was de- } cided that a suitable cupboard for the 1 senior class room be procured, the i same to be left in the hands of the headmaster. New netting fence was authorised to bejplaced round the tennis courts. The question of the centralisation of schools was brought up and discussed at length. With the good roads, motor lorries, etc., in Taranaki, the committee were of the unanimous opinion that the time was not far distant when this question would have, to be gone into thoroughly, as it would be distinctly beneficial to the education of the children, and would result in more hygienic buildings being erected. j Accounts amounting to £14 10s 9d I were passed for payment.