ELTHAM.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 28 March 1922, Page 8

ELTHAM.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

CHAMBER OF COMMERCE. , A meeting of the Chamber of Commerce '•" was held in the library rooms on Monday night. Present: Messrs J. Taylor (chair), C. L. Wilson, E. Clare, W. H. Shipton, and R. Gow. A letter was received from the Hawera Chamber of Commerce in regard to the inconvenience caused by the alteration of the early closing of the banks on Saturdays.—lt was decided that a letter be sent to the local | banks protesting against the Saturday early closing; also a letter be sent to the Central Chamber on the matter.

It was resolved that the nightwatehman's hours be left with the chairman with a view of perhaps making a slight alteration; also that the nightwatchman's report be forwarded to the Borough Council, as in the opinion of several business men the Borough Council should subsidise the nightwatchman and control of his duties. It was decided that the number of doors under the control of the. nightwatchman should be obtained, with a view of charging a fee according to the number he has to attend to nightly. The postmaster reported to the chamber that the lines engineer would be in the district within the next few days, and if the chamber had any suggestion to make he would be pleased to meet them.

With regard to the rural mail delivery, it was decided to request the postmaster to ascertain the situation, and, i? possible, to assist ' the postmaster in any way.

It was moved that if possible a map be obtained from the Postal Department showing the area in which the telephone service is directly connected with Eltham.—Carried.

A resolution was passed that all moneys collected for the nightwatchman be paid into the chamber; that the weekly wage of the nightwatchman be £4 from April 1; and that an accident and sickness policy be taken out. It was decided that a letter be sent to the Underwriters' Association, requesting it to subsidise the nightwatchman's salary.

Mr Shipton said this would be the last occasion on which he would be present, and that he wished to tender his resignation. He took the opportunity of thanking the chamber for the consideration he had received at the hands of the chamber.

The chairman remarked that he was sorry Mr Shipton was leaving the district, as he had been a good worker. Messrs Clare, Gow and Wilson also expressed regret, as Mr Shipton had been of great service to the town.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The monthly meeting of the Eltham Scnool Committee was held last evening in Mr Sheafs office. Present: Rev. J. G. Castle (chair), Messrs J. H Sheat (secretary), C. R. K. Cumming, W. O'Neill, TV! Hodson, 0. Manley and H. Bunn.

The headmaster, in his report, stated that more play room was greatly needed for the infant classes, and suggested the advisability of taking down the fence of the garden near the bicycle shed. The materials in the fence could be well made use of again to protect the bicycles from interference.

The chairman moved that, in the opinion of the committee, the ground in front of the school at present set apart for gardens should be kept for the purpose, and the committee suggest that it be kept in proper order.

Numerous "wanteds" were included in the report from the headmaster, most of which were granted. One member thought the wanteds were so

numerous that a new school should be built. The chairman said he noted there were some windows bioken, no less than ten for the month, as compared with 28 the previous month The school still had the refutation of having more broken windows than any other school in the province. The report was referred to the visiting committee for the month with power to act. It was decided to apply to -he Taranaki Education Board for some additional desks, as there were insufficient; for the pupils. Messrs Sheat, O'Neill, and Eunn were appointed a visiting committee for the ensuing month. The secretary reported there was a credit balance of £39 13s 8d and accounts amounting to £10 13s 5d were passed for payment. The roll number at the school is now 375, and the average attendance last week was 344, while 350 were present yesterday.

Early in the season Mr. E. Crabtree offered two gold medals to the Eltham SehfigJ Committee for girls and boys respectively who displayed me most progress in swimming during the season. The headmaster recommended that the medals be awarded to Hazel Slater and Leonard Cooper. The committee confirmed the recommendation. The chairman mentioned that the

committee were losing the services of two members, Messrs Cumming and the Rev. Hoskinjr, both of whom were leaving the district. Both had been useful members and had done good service for the school. He regretted their resignations, and wished them health and prosperity in their new sphere.

BREAKING AND ENTERING

The Chinamen's fruit shop near the Farmers' Co-op, was broken into on Saturday night. The entrance was made through a very small window by someone who evidently knew the run of the ropes, as the Chinaman was sleeping on the premises and was not disturbed. It is thought that over £20 was taken.

VALEDICTORY. A meeting held in connection witft the farewell to Mr. and Mrs. G. W Bennett was held in Mr. J. Taylor's office last night. After some discussion it was decided to approach, the committee of the C.E.M.S. Club, who have arranged for a social on Friday, April 7, with a view to amalgamating and , presenting Mr. Bennett with an illumin-1 ated address. Mr. T. Stanners (presi- ' dent) was present, and thought the movement would be a good one. The meeting then terminated to allow Mr. Stanners time to confer with his committee.