LOWGARTH.

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

LOWGARTH.

Our Own Correspondent). The annual meeting of householders tor the Fmnerty Road School was held in the schoolroom on Monday evening Again considerable interest was taken L n ij «lection, some fourteen householders being present. Mr E A Gray was voted to the chair. The balancesheet was read, which showed a good ! credit balance and should greatly asssist' the new committee to carry on further improvements to the grounds. The chairman's annual report, which was j read and adopted, was as follows- "The ' year ending to-night has, in most re-I spects, been very successful so far as the working of the school is concerned. On taking office Mr L. Babington mfinned, and Mr C. Candy was put on in j hi* stead. An inspection of the school and grounds was made by the new com- I mittee, ; aud it was decided to rearrange

the ground. This was done by a working bee, and to those who assisted I tender my sincere thanks. Owing to the increase in the number of children It was decided to enlarge the playing area consequently the centre, fence was* shifted further back, which made the horse paddock smaller and enlarged the playground considerably. The barberry hedge round the ground was cleaned and trimmed and gam filled in. The boys' shelter shed has been shifted and a new one built for the girls, and both have been concreted. The other outbuildings have also been attended to. 1 would like to suggest to the incoming committee that all the outhouses be painted, which would greatly add to the attraction of the school. The school has been thoroughly scrubbed out and disinfected periodically. The big gate and concrete posts have been shifted to the western side of the ground and has proved a decided improvement. Mr •J. Carlson at this time left the district and his place on the committee was filled by Mr W. A. Styles, who has proved himself a very useful and energetic member. We are fortunate in still having our two teachers, Misses Rountree and Belcher, with us, who, by devotion and strict attention to the children, have gained the respect of all householders. During the year this school has entered into the calf-rearing competitions and carrot and mangold growing in connection with the Boys' and Girls' Agricultural Club. For the calf-rearing the local children's calves compared very favourably with other schools, while in the root growing competitions the plots were quite satisfactory, considering this is the school's firs attempt, but with this year's experience and the increased interest, especially by the parents, should compare more than favourably with neighbouring schools next year. Tooth brush drill has been carried on very successfully during the year with good results and it is to be regretted that mare parents do not avail themselves, of this opportunity for the sake of their children, but with the advent of this drill ber^nv ing compulsory this difficulty will be overcome. The finances of the committee must also be considered satisfactory, as the balance-sheet shows. In going out of office I wish to thank the members of my committee for the loyal way they assisted in the discharge *of my duties as chairman. I trust that the report will be considered a satisfactory account of my committee's efforts in trying to carry out the work of the school."

The following gentlemen were elected a committee for the ensuing year: Messrs H. TV-:- ',- ' re-elected), W A Styles (re-pV.-U-^ -\ W. Walker .). Jones and II ,j.. t e..

At a .subsequent meeting Mr H Thrush was re-elected chairman and secretary.