HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETINGS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 119, 16 April 1930, Page 5

HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETINGS.

TIAKITAHUNA SCHOOL. (From Our Own Correspondent.) TIAKITAHUNA, April 15. A meeting of the school committee was held in the school on Monday evening before the householders’ meeting. The following were present; Messrs M. Richardson (chairman), M. Voss (secretary), E. Nielsen, D. Rowland and W. Rowland. Only tho end of the term business was discussed. ’ At the general meeting of householders the attendance was only fair. Mr M. Richardson was elected to the chair. The annual report and balance-sheet were read and adopted. The chairman’s report was read as follows: —“It gives me pleasure to submit a brief report of school for year just past. The prize-giving was duly held on the breaking-up of the school for the summer vacation. Mr Linklatcr, M.P., was present and presented the prizes won during the year. The parents kindly provided the refreshments and a pleasant afternoon was spent. The picnic was this year held at Foxton and was attended by parents and friends in large numbers. This year, owing to the generous - response, we were enabled to provide the prizes and fruit and other items at Foxton from the one list. The recommendation given to my committee on assuming office was to complete cindering. By a kind effort by Mrs De Cleene in promoting a concert our special funds were made up to £ls, which with subsidy amounts to £3O. We were anxious to do this work before we went out of office, and I am pleased to say that this- work is now complete. The back part, of the playground was overgrown with fescue and we decided to have it. ploughed and re-sown with grass. It is our hope that now the ground is level it will be easy to havo it mown at intervals. The seed was sown by Mr N. P. Nielsen and our thanks are due to him for his work.”

On behalf of the householders’ Mr N. P. Nielsen thanked the outgoing committee for their past services and congratulated them on their work on playground improvement, the playground beng now in excellent order, fie also remarked on the good work done by the teacher in regard to discipline and' school work. He also thought the meeting should show their appreciation to Mrs W. De Cleene for her past efforts in organising a concert from which a substantial amount was added to tho funds and permitted of the extenSivo cindering and improvement. Mr L. Dampney also spoke in a similar strain. Mr Richardson, chairman of the outgoing committee, and Mr Garner (teacher) suitably replied. A letter which had been received from the Education Board, commending the committee and teacher for their efforts in improving the environment of the school, was read.

The question of an alteration of the school vacations was discussed and a resolution was passed protesting against any alteration of the holidays. The old committee was re-elected unopposed, viz., Messrs M. Richardson, M. Voss, D. Rowland, E. Nielsen and W. Rowland. At a subsequent meeting Mr M. Richardson was elected chairman and Mr Voss secretary. RONGOTEA SCHOOL. (From Our Own Correspondent). RONGOTEA, April 15. At the annual meeting of the Rongotea householders in addition to the school committee a fair number of householders were present. The balance-sheet, which showed a satisfactory credit, was adopted. Tho chairman, Mr W. J. Amies, stated that Mr Linklater, M.P., had been approached regarding free transit of country pupils to high schools and technical colleges, and that the matter had not received the support of the department. Mr J. C. Glover stated that the director of the Technical School in Palmerston North was in sympathy with the movement for free transit for. country children, .and, Mr Glover expressed the opinion that a charge should be made upon those pupils using the railways, which arc the property of the whole community, and should not bo used for the benefit of a section thereof. (

Mr Saxton stated that, in his opinion, the amount of money the Government would need to provide would be fully justified in being spent on such a cause, and he moved that a petition be sent to Parliament asking for free transport. Mr Yarrall, in seconding the motion, stated that he failed to ; see liow a shortage of funds could bo given as the reason for refusing the request, especially since the majority of the members of Parliament saw fit to accept a bonus of £IOO each last Christmas.

Mr Glover proposed that a hearty vote of thanks be passed to the retiring committee for the work done during tho past year in connection with tho school grounds, which were in excellent order, and in his opinion are a credit to the teachers and the district generally. The headmaster, Mr C. W. Liggins, reported that Mr Roydhouse had visited the school on the 14th inst. and had stressed tho importance' of providing swimming facilities in the schools. It was decided that the incoming committee take steps to secure same prior to next swimming season. Those present expressed hearty support to the proposal. On the motion of Mr L. H. Yarrall, it was decided to support the proposal to change the school summer vacation from the month of December to February. The election of members of the committee for the ensuing year resulted as follows: —Messrs W. J. Amies, J. Duke, H. O. Caverhill, W. Matheson, J. Mossop, A. Hill .and R. Buchanan. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chair. At a subsequent meeting of the school committee,. Mr W. J. Amies was re-elected chairman, and Mr H. O. Caverhill secretary and treasurer. Tho chairman and treasurer were authorised to operate on the banking account. The headmaster’s report read as follows: “The school roll is at present 102, and the average attendance is very satisfactory. Recently a communication was received from the Bunnythorpe Sports Association, requesting that we appoint a date for representatives from that association to visit the Rongotea School in order to present, the Faulkner Cup, won by a team from this school at their hist annual sports. I would suggest that tho incoming committee take immediate stops to complete the concreting around the school, both to obviate the muddy entrance from tho horse paddock and also !to preserve the paint of the school building which in wet weather is-kept in a dirty condition by the spellings from the bare ground. _ While this work is being carried out, it . would be advisable to concrete the floor of the new bicycle shed. I desire to express the appreciation of the staff for the constant assistance of the school -committtee in all matters pertaining to the welfare of the school generally.” It was decided that th'e headmaster be requested to take tho measurements of the concrete path required, land that a letter stating the requirements be forwarded to tho Education’ Board immediately as the paths are needed ' before, the weather breaks. . , ‘ * ' -

A letter is to be forwarded, to the Bunnythorpo Sports Aseociation, suggesting that the afternoon of. Tuesday,. 29th inst., be fixed as a suitable date for the presentation of-the Faulkner Cup. ■

LINTON SCHOOL. .. - The annual' report .stated: The. balance brought from last ye4r was £36 9s lid and. the credit balance at tho end of February >was £35 18s.: During tho winter months free cocoa and milk were provided for the children. Tho. plan ting of the rose garden has been complfetlSd 4t a cost of 335. Fuel for school pUrppses has been provided by having', .the dead trees in the grounds cut out. In addition only one cord of firew.ood was - bought, The annual picnic was held-at-Elimmertpn on February 14th, parents ' and'pupils journeying by special train. The weather conditions were not of the best, but everything passed off satisfactorily. Milk, hot water, tea, sugar, ice cream, sweets and fruit were proyided free from the: picnic fund;, also, the committee subsidised ‘ pupils’ • -fares at. the' rate of Is per head. The annual conceit' aqd ; prize-giving were held, in the half on December 20th when Mr J. Linklater, M.P., presented tho prizes won during the year.

In addition to the usual awards, every pupil received a prize. The concert was a great success and was followed by supper' provided by the ladies, and a dance. The resignation of Mrs Murdoch from tho position of caretaker was received and Mrs C. Heap was in her stead. The balance of the piano fund, £3 19s, has been set apart for tree planting during the coming year, in which the board has granted a subsidy. A concert was given in the school by the juniors and the sum of £1 16s was raised for school purposes. Donations amounting to £7 10s 2d were received from the social club on which 16s 8d and £1 2s 6d has been granted subsidies for music books and piano and l>inds respectively; the balance, £5 11s, has been sent forward for the board for subsidy on tennis court repairs. Tho sum of £6 19s has been spent on court repairs to date and, although tho court is now in fair order, it is considered that the extra money will be necessary to effect a permanent job. The headmaster reported: The average for the year 1929 was 66 out of a roll of 70. Unfortunately, there has been , a drop in the roll number to 63. The average now is under 60. Very few primers have been admitted this year. A good year’s work has been done at the school and in nearly every case we were able to promote pupils to higher 6tandards_ at the end cf the year. Five pupils gained 'proficiency certificates and one competency. In the mangold growing competition Linton secured first place in its group; also first and second prizes for exhibits of mangolds at the winter Show. Two merit cards were secured for writing and drawing at tho Spring Show. The usual gathering of parents and friends was held for Anzac Day and Arbor Day ceremonies and everything passed off satisfactorily. There was a good response to the siibscrpition lists for the prize and picnic funds and when all accounts aro paid there will be a balance in hand. Miss Blake prepared in songs and recitations, etc.,' for a special afternoon for parents. A small charge was made and tho proceeds made a welcome addition to the school funds. The picnic at Plimmcrton, although not quite so largely attended as formerly, was a very enjoyable one. The committee lias worked well in the interests of the schooL

KOPANE SCHOOL. The report of the chairman of the retiring committee (Mr F. J. Boddy) presented at the meeting of householders at Kopane was as follows: —“A review of the past year will show that it has been a busy one for your committee. A lot of work has been' done by working bees, as well as by paid labour. The most important work was the installation of the septic tank and sewerage system for which your committee had to find £55 in cash and a considerable amount in labour. This is a very important job at any achool and your committee had to fight very hard to get this work put through. Lawns have been laid down on both sides of the concrete path leading to the school and securely fenced. A small plot for experimental purposes was lcerbed with concrete and filled with roadside soil. Fences have been repaired qnd grass and thistles cut at intervals on the school property; the approach and surroundings of the' school aro now attractive and neat. Cupboards bookshelves and a rotor roll havo been provided for the inside of the school; a breakwind and self-dosing gate havo been erected to shelter the concrete assembly square-at the back of the school. We wish to thank all who attended "working bees for help with all thsse works. Your committee suffered a loss by the

departure of Mr Brook from the district; his work for the 6cliool will always be remembered by parents and children. Mr W. A. Thomson was elected in Mr Brooks’s place and has proved a keen and capable worker. The work of the ladies’, committee has been splendid, and my

committee are greatly indebted to them for financial help towards the drainage system, the purchase of the lawn mower, gramophone and sewing machine for the school; we wish to thank one and all for their help. Wo thank Mr Wall for the concrete trough and piping installed in the playground. A pleasant afternoon was organised by the teachers at tho Christmas breakup when folk songs and dances, recitations and drill were given by pupils of all ages. Proficiency prizes were given, also special prizes donated by parents and teachers. Mr Tingey presented the. prizes and also addressed the children. Cheers were given for Mr and Mrs Tingey and the teachers. Afternoon tea was then served by the ladies’ committee and the children dispersed for the holidays. The annual picnic was held in glorious weather in the beautiful ground kindly lent by Mr B. K. Thomson. A full sports programme, organised .and carried out without a hitch by t l *: sports committee, was greatly enjoyed by tho children and parents. The annual prizes to all school children were kindly distributed by Mr J. Linklater, M.P., the setting being blue sky, canopy of native cabbage trees, animated children and interested adults. Cheers were given for Mr and Mrs Linklater, Mr B. K. Thomson and the-deachers, Misses Pattle and .Nickless, and thus ended a most enjoyable day. There were four pupils presented for proficiency and all passed; we heartily congratulate teacher and pupils on their work. During the year special holidays were given for the Manawatu and Feilding shows. A team of boys and girls, organised and coached by the teachers and Messrs Morgan and Hill, were taken to Feilding to compete in the primary schools’ sports. Our athletes did well, but were defeated by ono point for the cup by Manganoho School. We heartily congratulate Manganoho on their win. Our children also competed at Sandon and were successful in holding the Hornblow Shield. These two days are Bplendid outings where you can see children of different ages doing their level best for tho joy of running and the honour of their school. We have had • visits from the dental nurse periodically. The clinic at Feilding has attended to 25 children at a cost of about Is 3d each, a satisfactory and cheap service for which we are very thankful. Tho balance in the bank at date is £22 4s Id, with no liabilities outstanding. The roll stands at 70. My thanks are due to all members of tho committee for loyalty and help during the past year.”

OROUA DOWNS. At Oroua Downs there was a fair attendance of parents. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £ll Is 7d. During the year donations and subscriptions of £57 8s were given by the aid of which a piano and lawn mower were purchased for the school. The average attendance at tho beginning of year was 67' and it has increased until at present it stands at 81, there being 88 pupils on tho roll. At the yearly examinations there were five candidates for proficiency, all of whom passed successfully. Two retiring members of the committee, Mr R. J. Witton and Mr J. Gray, did not seek reolection, the new committee elected being Messrs F. C. Raikes, O. W. Berg, H. H. Procter, W. Gordon, W. Caithness. Mr Raikes was elected chairman and Mr Caithness was appointed secretary. A 1 special vote of thanks was accorded tho retiring chairman (Mr R. J. Witton) for his long and untiring services on the committee.