HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETINGS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 119, 16 April 1930, Page 10

HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETINGS.

LYTTON STREET SCHOOL. At the meeting ut Lytton Street School, Feilding. the headmaster, Mr H. C. Hall, presented his annual report. At the commencement ho remarked that “from every point of view except one, the roll number, the past school year has been very successful indeed, and the success has been largely duo to the splendid manner in which children, pnrents and stuff have worked together or the common good. Wo have also again been vory fortunate in the personnel of the School Committee who have done splendid worjr.” Mr Hall continued that the roil number! had unfortunately fallen steadily for some time, and » w ft result Miss >\ 'lkinson had to leave on March 31. Although reorganisation had to be made, in no caso had any child lowered its status. He reminded parents that irregular attendance made the teachers’ work more difficult. Tho scholastic work of tho school had maintained a high standard and was highly coinmended by the inspectors. Thirty-two children obtained their proficiency certificates, five reached the competency standard, and only one failed. During tho year parties of children under the care of the headmaster visited tho Palmerston North and Wellington Shows. Mr Hall added that one of the outstanding events of tho sohoo year was undoubtedly the second annual Parents’ Day on October 23. Over 4UO adults visited the school on that day and gained some insight into tho working of the modern primary school und the methods employed.” He expressed the opinion that such day, if arranged on the right lines, was undoubtedly of great value in promoting co-operation between parents and the school. The New Zealand album compiled by Standard VI. pupils for a London school, and which was placed before the' Parliamentary Educational Commission in Wellington, was commented upon very favourably. As a result of the school concert the school grounds benefited to the extent of £7O. The school swimming sports held last month were very satisfactory. Gifts to the school during tho year wero made by Mr T. Collins, honours board; Masters McCorkindalo and Mr Weston J. Smith, swimming cup; and library book case and books. During tho past school year, extensive improvements have been effected to the school grounds.” In conclusion, Mr Hall expressed his thanks to. tho staff and children for their co-operation. The monljhly report of the school wa3 also submitted by Mr Hall, who stated as under:—“The roll shows a tendency to drop a little, but the attendance has been satisfactory on the whole with little sickness. A few cases of chicken-pox have occurred during the week and a careful watch is being kept for signs of the complaint. The attendance figures lor the month showed an averago of 296.8 out of a roll of 319.” —The report was adopted.

WHAKARONGO SCHOOL. There was a fair attendance at tho householders’' meeting at Vvhukarongo, Mr W. Wood occupying the chair. The following resolutions were carried:— That the Education Hoard be again approached for a new school building as the present one is very old; that this meeting of householders strongly supports the proposed dental clinic; tnat this meeting does not approve of the proposed change ot time in the summer holidays. A hearty vote ot tnanka was accorded Mr Jennings -tor again auditing the school books; also a vote of thanks was accorded Mr Vautier for allowing school children tho free use of the swimming pool; Mr Sheppard a vote of thanks for allowing the use of football ground, and Mr Russel for coaching the boys. The tollowing committee was elected:— Messrs M. E. Knudson (chairman), W. K. Woodd (secretary), R. Vautier, E. Johansen, A. Harrowtield. The report of the chairman (Mr W. K. Woodd) was as follows: —“The school attendance for tho past year averaged 65.5 and for the preceding year 65. Nine children sat for their proficiency examination, and all passed. The present committee has held 12 meetings since the last householders’ meeting, which meetings showed a very good attendance, the secretary, Mr M. E. Knudson, attending 12 times, Mr Johanson 10, Mr Harrowfield 12, Mr Hodgson Id and the chairman 11 times, during which period certain improvements have been carried out. Mr Lange, the agricultural inspector, visited the school at various times and reported most favourably on general ground conditions and improvements, especially the new plantation of trees and shrubs in the north corner of the school grounds, which ha 3 been very unsightly tor some time. This piece of ground has been dug over; part has been planted with ornamental trees, part is being used for experimental plots, and part has been sown in lawn adjoining tho drill area. These improvements have been carried out partly through a generous donation lrom the Ladies’ Dance Committee, but chiefly through tho united efforts of Mrs Eggers, the head teacher, and her assistants m organising a most successful fancy dress ball. Our united thanks are due to them, and, all those who helped to make the dance such a success. Another improvement is the girls’ playground which was in a very wild state, but thanks to Mr Johanson, who undertook this work on his own shoulders, it presents a much better appearance; the whole piece has been ploughed and re-sown in lawn grass. Next I should like to draw your attention to the new asphalt basket ball area, which I think you will agree is ono if not the biggest undertaking tor some years and was only accomplished through the united efforts of the Tennis Club, the School Committee and the head teacher, the former, contributing very handsomely towards tho expenses and thus making a much better and dryer drill area and playground for the children in wet weather, besides reducing the lawn cutting to a minimum, which ■was becoming more than could bo properly managed. Another matter I should like to remind you of is the Education Board's habit of supplying us with single lady teachers, and so long as this occurs we shall have changes in the teaching staff, and though this may be detrimental to the scholars, it cannot be to the district as they all seem to be much in demand in other spheres of life. I. am referring to. Mrs Newdick, nee Miss Lange, who resigned, ffut whose place (in the school) has been well filled by Miss O’Brien. The distribution of books to the children, was able to bo. accomplished by tho vory generous donations of tho settlers of the district, which • wero so' satisfactory that wo wore able to hold a picnic and sports- day in tho summer, which proved a great success for all; also, which was a blessing to most mothers, the catering was able to be carried out by tho committee. I should liko to see this method carriod out next year and hopo everyone will assist .-in a ' like manner. The Dairy Co. very kindly lent their lorry for transport and also supplied some ot tho farmers’ milk for the picnic. The chief reason for you all being urgod to bo prosent, and an object which is vital to the wholo of New Zealand, is tho health of the future generations. You are probably aware that for some time past the childron in schools of tho borough of Palmerston North havo received free dental treatment at the dental clinic. Now tho. committees of those schools are endeavouring to havo tho surrounding country schools included in this dental scheme and have for that object held several meetings, all of which havo been attended by members of this committee and reports have been published in the local papers. The Combined School Committees’ Association have hold a conference with the Minister for Health 'and Colonel Hunter (tho head of tho Dental Department) and. havo their definito promise that tnoy will do their best to establish a central dental clinic in Palmerston North with four nursos. capablo of handling far more children than now receive treatment, on condition that wo do our share of tho financing. But they will make no move in tho matter unless they receive the assurance of tho 1 surrounding schools that, should this" contral clinic bo started, the naronts will make use of the opportunity when thoir turn arrives This is a " <W )r ; tvinity of a lifetime which, if we do not make use of it, others very spoed.ly will; it is an opportunity which should bo rocoivedwithopen arms. There is onei other matter winch concerns you all and that is «tir T K. Sidoy’s new departure (now that he has gained the Daylight Bill) and that is his idea to have tho Christmas holidays altered from January to February on account of the finer or more settled weather hi that month. In conclusion, I should like

to thank Mr Jennings,. who ktnuly audited the school books this year as he has done for some years past. Also, I should liko to thank my committee, both personally .and collectively, for tho past year’s scrvicos, more especially tho secretary whoso duties are more numerous and arduous than those of tho rest of us, and who has carried them out efficiently and well. I should also liko to thank Mrs Eggors, tho head teacher, for her able assistance; in fact, sho has boon the instigator of many plans and also the spur to greater efforts to carry them out. I should like to thank ono and all for tho manner in which they havo assisted mo and each other in carrying out the work which has been undertaken; in every possiblo way they have all contributed to successful harmonious mootings and undertakings." BULLS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) BULLS, April 16. Mr J. Campion presided over an attendance of about thirty householders at Bulls, when tho report and balanco-shcct were adopted, ana the following committco elected:—Messrs J. Campion (chairman), C. H. Thorby, F. A. Holland, V. Edhouso (secretary), C. L. Anderson, Rev, B. R. White and Mr J. Ellery. APITI. SCHOOL. (From Our Own Correspondent.) APITI, April 16. About thirty persons attended the householders’ meeting at Apiti. Mr J. Cantwell was voted to tho chair, [hero woro nino nominations for tho committco, those elected being. Mr C. M. Stanley (chairman) ro-clccted, Mrs Murray (secretary) reeloctod, Mrs Pratt re-elected, Messrs Williarnson and Paton. Votes of thanks were passod to Mr W, Wilson for the dotailcd report submitted; Mr Cowan for interest in mangold growing; Messrs Wilson, and Cantwell, retiring members of committee; Mr Churchill for his report of tho work of tho school. FIRTZHERBERT EAST. (From Our Own Correspondent.) FITZHERBERT EAST, April 16. At tho annual meeting of householders there was a very small attendance, only 11 householders being present. Tho annual roport and balance-sheet presented by .the outgoing committee wero read and adopted. The balance-sheet showed a credit of 4.111 7s, which was considered very satisfactory. On taking the chair for the annual meeting Mr’ S. Lankshcar congratulated the committee on its report and balance-sheot and said that the small attendance of householders was to bo deplored as it. showed that many of tho settlers, especially the younger married men and women, took little or no interest in the . affairs of [he school. At tho same time it showed that the district generally was satisfied with the doings of last year’s committee. there was no discussion on the report and balancesheet Mr Lankshcar then called for nominations for a new committee. Two members, Mrs Cox and Mr Gough, declined to accept nomination for election on tho new committee, Messrs Brill and Lankshcar consenting to act in their stead, so the committee is'as follows: Mr J. A. Smith (chairman), Mrs W. F. Field (secretary), and Messrs Francis, Brill and Lankshcar. Mr Lankshcar expressed the thanks and appreciation of householders to the retiring membors and made special montion of Mr Gough, who had been a valued member of tno committeo for tho past six years, for two years of which ho had acted as secretary. All. present regretted Mr Gough s decision not to accept nomination again this year, and he was accorded a hearty voto of thanks for past sorvides. The householders are also grateful to all who donated special prizes during the year, to the Palmorston North Junior Orchestral Society for bringing out a concert party in aid of. tho school: to Mrs F. Androws for arranging an afternoon at her rcsidonco in aid of the prize fund; to Mr Smith for having dono a large amount oi work in making garden seats, etc., for the school grounds; to Mrs W. F. J&old for having carried out her duties as secretary in a capablo manner; and to Mr W. R. Hopcroft who had audited tho committee s books. Cheltenham.—Messrs A. B. Shannon (chairman), W. Ward, C. Anderson, Athol Shannon and R. Christensen.

TAIKCREA SCHOOL. (From Our Own Correspondent.) TAIKOREA, April 16. At the annual householders’ mooting at Taikoroa the committee resigned, but was re-elected unanimously. The committee for the following year is as follows: Messrs H. Sexton (chairman), E. C. Print (secretary), R. Hill, W. Prier and Johnston. WAITUNA WEST. Mr J. W. Batohelar was voted to the chair at Waituna Wost and tho following were elected unopposed to tho committeo: Messrs Batchelar (chairman), T. Mayhew, T. D. Stokes, J. H. Williamson and E. G. England. Mr F. Eggers and Mrs Johnson moved a vote of thanks tp the retiring committeo. Tondors were received for the lease of the school paddock for grazing, ono being accepted. Tho report stated that five pupils of tho school were presented for tho proficiency examination and all passed. Tho number of pupils on tho roll at tho beginning of the year was ,34 and at present was 33. The annual ball proved a great success both socially and financially. Tho school picnic was to have been hold at Almadalo, but owing to unfavourable weather conditions was hold in tho hall and tho sports events were run off in Mr Minson’s paddock. Tho school was again awarded the Education Board’s environment certificate. , Improvements to the grounds were detailed. Tho committee congratulated the teacher, Mr Peek, on tho very successful year of school work. IN OTHER CENTRES. Rewa.—Messrs A. E. Lane (chairman), E. Fairbrother, A. S. .Burne, A. Harre, W. C. Watt (secretary). Aratika. —Messrs J. A. Woalleans (chairman), J. Walker (treasurer), G. P. Burr, J. M. Edhouso, J. R. Whittaker. Kakariki. —Messrs W. McLennan (chairman and secretary), T. Ferguson, J. Fuller, J. Blunden, T. Mason. Tokorangi.—Messrs W. S. Page (chairman and secrotary), J. Morrison (treasurer), T. F. Iwikau, B. Prior, J. Fergusson; auditor, Mr A. Hutton. Halocmbc.—Rev.' To Ponga (chairman). Messrs I. McLennon, McKay, L. L. Siegel and W. B. Faulding (secretary and treasurer). Spur Road. —Mr R. Shortall presided at tho meeting of householders, but no committco was olccted. Utuwai.—Messrs John Enwright, James McEwen, R. O. Batchelar, Frederick Harvey and J. A. Coup (chairman).