MOKOIA.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 27 April 1922, Page 6

MOKOIA.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

A,t the householders' meeting oil Monday there was a fair representation of trie aistrict, and more interest and enthusiasm was displayed in educational matters than has been the case for some years. Mr. D. Campbell was voted to the chair, and called upon Mr. D. S. Richardson, secretary of the old committee, to read out the balance sheet for the year ending February 28, showing a credit balance of £10 5s sd.

The chairman, in making his annual report said: —' 'Before adopting the balance sheet, which has just been submitted for your approval, and which explains itself, I would like to make a few remarks as to the general work of your committee during the past year. The school attendance during the period under review has been very satisfactory, and we are thankful to report that the -school has nob been closed for one day owing to sickness. This is exceptional, as:for some years previously a certain amount of forced closing of the school had to be considered. No doubt this record is dve —partly at least—to a judicious proportion of outdoor sports and exercises 1 and it is worth noting these sports have been favourably commented on. by the board's inspectors. The committee have undertaken, and successfully carried out, some important improvements internally and externally, among others being the purchase of an organ to assist ■in the singing instruction, and it is doing good service. v Two substantial concrete posts were erected by a working bee, and the hedges and fences have been put into proper order. The j last improvement made in the grounds ' was the supplying and erecting of. a flagstaff, the official opening of which | took place a few days ago. Mr. Lees, | our representative on the Education Board, who gave an address on the occasion of the unfurling of the flag, expressed the opinion that the flagstaff, j with its three-tier concrete octagonal i base, was a very handsome asset to the j school grounds, and one ot the best jhe had had the privilege to see. Our j thanks are due to the settlers of the j district, who take great interest in any schemes connected with the welfare of the .school, and their generous response ;to our appeals for funds are much i appreciated. A word of appreciation is j also due to our two teachers for the i sympathy and interest they evince in v pushing forward any project that is to be beneficial to the children in any and every direction. The relations between the teachers an-d the committee are of a very cordial nature, and their opinions and suggestions a great help. On several occasions during the year the children were taken to town to attend entertainments which were of an educational nature. These entertainments were recommended to the school • committees by the Education Board, and there was no hesitation on our part in giving the children full advantages. Our thanks are due to those members of the committee who used their cars to convey the children to and from town on these occasions, and especially are the thanks of the community due to Mr. Bickford and Mr. Jones, who voluntarily and geuerously came to the assistance of the committee. My personal thanks are due to my fellow committeemen for their support and the genial way in which the business was conducted at all our meetings." Mr. Main moved and Mr. Lee seconded that the report and balance sheet be adopted as read.—Carried.

I The meeting unanimously passed a resolution of thanks to the committee for their efforts during the past year and for the progressive spirit shown by them for the welfare of the school. Mrs. Lander also received a hearty vote of thanks for her kindness in granting playground space in her paddock, and Mr. Jones and Miss Norman also received votes of appreciation. - Mr. D. S. Richardson moved: "That the householders of the Mokoia school district urge upon the Education Department, through the Taranaki Education Board, the great necessity of increased accommodation at the school, and that, while they sympathise with the department at this time of financial stringency the present cramped conditions are detrimental to the health of the children and against all chance of j teachers gaining best results." Mr. Richardson, in speaking regarding the standardising of school books moved: "That this meeting of householders of the Mokoia school district heartily endorses the Hawera School Committee's resolution forwarded to the School Committees' Association re .standardising of school books, and that every effort be made to bring this into force."

Mr. Main seconded both motions, and they were carried unanimously. The chairman then called for nominations, and twelve names were submitted, among them being, for the first time in the history of the school, a l ad 7s; As the result of the poll the following ,were elected: Mrs. Main Messrs Campbell, Bell, Tidswell, and Richardson.

At a subsequent meeting of the new committee Mr. D. Campbell and Mr. D b. Richardson were re-elected as chairman and secretary respectively.