FEILDING NEWS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVIII, Issue 205, 28 July 1928, Page 10

FEILDING NEWS

JOCKEY CLUB MEETING. (Special to “Standard.”) FEILDING, July 28. Mr A. E. Sandford presided over the 49th annual general meeting of members of the Eeildtng Jockey Club last night. In speaking to tii 0 report (alreauy published,) Mr Haiidiord considered it a matter for congratulation that the club had got satisfactorily through a momentous year notwithstanding the fact that it had lirst to accept tho resignation of its secretary (Mr is. Goodboliere) alter 3t> years service with tho club, and shortly after that the president, Mr 13. N. Sandilands, resigned to take up a position with tho New Zealand Racing Conference as stipendiary steward, and tho club was the loser by the breaking away of both these gentlemen. Mr Sandford then went on to enumerate tho various items as sot out in tho profit and loss account. Tho club had shown a very 6mall profit for the year, but against this it had written off depreciation on its buildings very heavily so that the position was really better than the balance-sheet would indicate. The improvements being done at tho course were making rapid headway, and tho club was determined to race on its own course next November. Mr Sandford paid a tribute to the work of tho committee which was watching the welfare of the club very closely, and on behalf of the club ho desired to, thank them for their services. Mr Sandford then formally moved the adoption of tho report and balance-sheet. In seconding the motion, Mr E: E. Short complimented tho president for tho very comprehensive report he had given and also on his work for the club during tho past year. He agreed with the chairman that it was highly desirable that the club should have its own course ready in time for the November meeting and thought that at tho present rate of progress of the work it should easily bo possible. After a few questions relating to tho assets of the club had been answered, tho motion was carried. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The eloction of officers for tho ensuing year resulted as follows:—President, Mr A. E. Sandlord (re-elected); Vice-president, Mr E. E. Short (ro-olected); committee, Messrs R. J. Harper, E. Twigg, W. G. Fry, E. Burrell, ii. Cornfoot; lion, treasurer, Mr G. 11. Wayinouth. Messrs Maguire and Wackrill were appointed auditors to the club. Both Messrs Sandford and Short briefly returned thanks for their unopposed reelection, as did also the hon. treasurer, Mr Waymouth. LIFE MEMBER. In recognition ot his sol vices to tho clud, Mr Xj. Uorton, was elected a hte memoor. In bringing forward tlie motion, tho president stated that Mr Gorton had bec'u assistant clerk of scales for nine years and clerk of scales for 17 years and ■ during his total of 2b years’ arduous duties lie had made a name for himself among racing patrons Irom one end of the island to the other. The particular position Mr Gorton had filled was one of the drudgeries of racing, but he had never complained or attempted to evade liis work. Mr E. Goodbohere seconded tho motion, and agreed with tho president that appointing Mr Gorton a life member of tne club was only a just recognition of his services. The motion was carried with acclamation and Mr Gorton appreciatively responded. GENERAL. It was decideo Uiui it uu a recommendation to the committee that m luturo tlie ballot box be closed at o p.m. oi tlio day ot tlie general meeting aim that tho committee appoint two scrutineers to count the votes. Mr B. N. Sandilands congratulated tho committee oil tlie progressive work it was doing on the course and expressed the opinion that with tho completion oi the present improvements, lending would have one ot tlio linest courses of any club running four day meetings in Now Zealand.

-■ HIGH SCHOOL BOARD OF MANAGERS. The monthly meeting of tho Feilding High School Board of Managers was held on Thursday night, Mr H. x'olley presiding. Others present were- Mesdaines Xingey and Baritrop, Messrs AtTunson, Brower, Kellow, Andrews, Mclntyre, Williamson and Knight. The report of tho principal Mr L. J. Wild, was read and adopted as follows: “The examinations for tho second term have been held, and reports of. progress based on these will bo sent out at tho end of the term. Further inter-house debates have also been held, won by Kiwitea House' ori the girls’ side and Manawatu on the boys’ side. The debating, however, notably among the boys, is not of a very high standard this year. The board’s application for additional assistance has been granted and Mr Stevens will take up duty sometime in the vacation. He will give me much nooded assistance in connection with outsido work and also taking a share in theoretical instruction, especially in animal husbandry. Mr McClure will join the staff next term. It is unfortunate that Miss Blaikio ban decided to move to her home town of Gore, as the loss of a home science teacher at the end of the second term without any good prospect of replacement is a very severe hardship to girl candidates for matriculation this year. The great uncertainty about tho sujiply of reliable teachers in homo science, coinbinod with the ridiculous syllabus home science (so called) as a mariculation subject, makes me doubt the advisableness of trying to carry the subject for matriculation at all. It will result in our reverting to mathematics for girls also despite what Mr La Trobe has said on the subject: ‘ln view of the fact that some 85 per cent, of the women of tho country are engaged in occupations for which a training in home science is probably best preparation, we should probably lnako some offer to avoid tho necessity for changing over to mathematics and chemistry for girls.’ In this connection tho main hope lies in the prospect of getting re-lease tairly soon from the present system of external examinations. The latest condemnation comes from the very representative committee set up for the revision of the syllabus. Referring to the proficiency certificates and matriculation examinations the report says: —‘In the primary school the proficiency certificate, and in tho secondary school tho matriculation examination, have too long. dominated the educational activities of our school's. They have limited the content, conlined and cramped tho methods of teaching, intensified the strain and generally developed a system of cram. Lnder the pressure to secure' these certificates many children have suffered in mental and physical health, have acquired a knowledge frequently of little value and have left school or college with a dislike for learning of any kind.’ Yet one daily marvels at the hold these certificates have on the imagination of the public. Even among people who have what is generally regarded as an education ono finds those who would have their children study no subject at school except those required for matriculation and of those subjects nothing except what lies clearly within the limits of the matriculation syllabus. The chief event of tho month was Commemoration Day. I formally placo on record the address of Sir Apirana In gat a, M.P., the great gathering of old members and friends of the school which indicated once again the need of an assembly hall, and the wonderful reunion of old pupils! for tlie homecoming tea and their annual meeting in tho evening attended by some 160 old pupils. Thus Commemoration Day becomes! year by year a source of inspiration to the school. Mr Hector Booth, on behalf of Mr Maurice Guthrie, presented tho school with an enlarged photograph of the late Hon D. 11. Guthrie, and fhis was accepted for the school by Mr Tolley.”

GENERAL. The secretary was instructed to ascertain if tho Education Department approved of the transfer of teachers from one position to another before rendering adequate service and to point out the inconvenience caused to schools by such changes. Messrs. Mclntyre and Williamson wore appointed a committee to report on the new typo of post -primary school in aeco'd-

anco with a letter recoivcd from tho dcTolley and Knight wero appointed tho board’s representatives to tho comwenco on technical education to be held next August. , , , , , ' Several members of tho board spoko appreciatively of tho success of Commemoration Day and expressed satisfaction-at tho large attendance of ex-pupils at tho celebrations.