FEILDING

Manawatu Standard, Volume L, Issue 221, 14 August 1930, Page 8

FEILDING

AERO CLUB. (Special to “Standard.”) FEILDING, Aug. 14. A meeting of the committee of the Feilding Aero Club was held yesterday evening, Mr E. E. Short presiding. Also present were Messrs E. Burrell, C. V. Newton-Broad, T. Collins, R. Linklater, M. G. Thomas, G. Pettigrew, D. C. Cullinane, M. Andrews, W. H. McLean and TV. E. Carthew. The chairman referred to the neceseity for a ground for the club and suggested the setting up of a committee to confer with the trustees of the Short Estate in this connection. On the motion of Mr Burrell it was decided that Messrs Thomas, Cullinane, Andrews and McLean be appointed to act in this matter. . Reporting for the ball committee, Mr Thomas stated that the total receipts from the recent Coster ball amounted to £BB 14s sd, while the expenditure was £27 11s 4d, leaving a balance of over £6O. There were still a few minor accounts to be paid, but against this certain receipts were outstanding. The committee considered the balance very satisfactory, the chairman stating that figure was far above their most sanguine expectations. It was decided to convey the committee’s thanks to Mrs Broad and her lady helpers for the splendid assistance they had given. The question of electing another member to the committee in place of Mr Andrews, who was elected club captain, was held over till the next meeting. . , . Mr Thomas, treasurer, reported that the club’s account was in credit to the amount of £159 to which had to be added the ball profits. The chairman Stated that, although this was very satisfactory, the club was still in need of finance as in all probability it would cost about £2OO for the federation with the Western Federated North Island Flying Club. He suggested an immediate canvass for donations. Mr Andrews proposed that the first week in September be set aside for a canvass for funds, this being agreed upon. AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL. The monthly meeting of the Board of Managers of the Feilding Agricultural High School was held last night, Mr H. Tolley presiding. Also present wero Mrs J. E. Barltrop, Messrs A. C. Buist, A. H. Atkinson, Jas Knight, H. Mclntyre, E. H. Brewer and the principal, Mr L. J. Wild. Apologies for absence were received from Mrs J. S. Tingey and Messrs A. Campbell, W. Andrews and 0. Aldis. A circular letter was received from the Department of Education asking that the board assist in every possible way to reduce expenditure during, the present period of depression the country is passing through, although it was not suggested that this be carried out to such an extent as to impair the efficiency of the school staff. It was suggested that maintenance costs in particular could be minimised.—The letter was received. The board confirmed the action of the chairman in sending a telegram to Hon. J. G. Cobbe stressing the urgency of the need for the additions authorised to be carried out at the school. The chairman stated that the work had been authorised some months ago, but up to the present not even the plans of the new rooms had been seen, and new pupils were still being enrolled. In this connection a telegraphed reply was received from Mr Cobbe stating that he had placed the matter before the Ministor of Education. The matter of the board being represented at the annual conference of the New Zealand Technical Teachers’ Institute in Wellington on September 9 wa3 left to the chairman and the principal. A letter was read from Messrs Kelly and Cullinane in connection with the purchase of additional property for the school farm, the chairman reporting that everything was in order and that any further action lay ■with the department which was purchasing the land. * Reporting for the agricultural committee Sir Wild stated that lambing was in progress at tho school farm and draining and other seasonal work was also being carried out. HEADMASTER’S REPORT. The report of the headmaster was adopted as follows:—“The winter term now rapidly coming to an end has, until lately, been very dry and tho school unusually free from sickness. Half-year examinations were held during July and the results of these will be issued in tho second term reports going out next week. During this term we always hold the inter-house debates, and to supplement these trials we have also held elocutionary contests which bring more pupils into the competition and undoubtedly help to raise the standard of such efforts in the school. Five new boarders have been entered for next term, and some are already enrolled for next year. An important event in July was Commemoration Day. The service this year was held in St. John’s Church which was filled to overflowing by pupils, old pupils, members of the board and friends of the school. Since our last meeting Part 1 of the report of the education committee of Parliament has been published. It appears to differ, from some other reports of recent years in that it gives practical and, for the most part, precise recommendations as to changes in administration and organisation. One such recommendation is ‘that intermediate classes should form part of tho education system.’ Th 9 practical application of this recommendation is that junior high schools of tho Kowhai type be established ‘for all areas in which a sufficient number of 12 to 15-year-old pupils are available’; while ‘in towns too small to provide these numbers, where high or technical schools are already in existence, there seems no other course open but to attach the intermediate school to ' 6uch schools, as has been done at Oamaru, Blenheim Rotorua and Whangarei.’ The case of Feilding is, of course, comprehended in this latter group. Elsewhere the report states, after reviewing at length the evidence obtained here: ‘The committee was so impressed with the success of tho Feilding and Rangiora Schools that . it gave serious consideration to tho question of the establishment of additional schools of this type, and arrived at the conclusion that there is room for about six such 6chool, situated at convenient centres. This conclusion, however, does not mean that there should be only six schools offering specialised practical agricultural courses of secondary grade, but that that would be a sufficient number of residential agricultural high schools with fully-equipped farms.’ This apparently leaves it an open question whether this school should become one of a group of special ‘residential agricultural high school’ or whether it should continue to function as at present as a general post-primary school with a highly specialised agricultural department, to which in the new order of things all pupils over standard IV would be added. Other important recommendations relato to tho unification of tho system of administration of primary and post-primary schools, under 18 boards, of which that for the district in which Feilding is located, namely, Manawhenua, would be at Palmerston North, the senior inspector or district superintendent to be chief executive officer. It is proposed, howover, to continue tho existing post-pri-mary boards, such ns this board, as school councils for their respective schools. The school committees for primary schools also remain. The function of the Central Department of Education are clearly denned and includes, among others, the appointment of teachers ‘The powers and responsibilities of the school committees and councils will cover all matters relating to the care of the grounds, buildings, and equipment of the sihool’, the. provision of libraries,. playing-areas, swimming-pools, as-smnbly-hafis, and all those innumerable things 7 which create about a school ihat atmosphere and that tradition without which it is a formal, lifeless thing. It is clear from the above that the Feilding Board would yield to the department such. powers as it now has in regard to the appointment . of teachers; it is not clear, however whas power it would, as a school council, be called ujion to yield to the Manawhenua In moving the adoption of the headmaster's report the chairman congratulated the school on tho success of CommcmoraMon Day and thought it excellent that the

function was becoming so traditional with former and present pupils. Referring to the points raised in the roport regarding the formation of the Manawhenua Board, the chairman suggested that Hon. J. G. Cobbo be written to asking what powors this board would have. To him it seemed as if the Feilding Board was in danger of losing its identity under such a formation being carried out, and ho would be extremely reluctant to seo any other body take over tho jurisdiction of tho Feilding High School. Mr Atkinson supported the chairman's remarks and thought the board should record its strong disapproval of tho contemplated action. Mr Mclntyre also spoke strongly on the subject, declaring himself as directly opposed to the formation of a central board and it having the appointment of teachers. If a board was not allowed to select its own teachin gstaff the school it controlled lost the local influence and knowledge which wero so necessary in theso matters. Mr Buist thought also that the proposals wero not designed on tho right lines, but following a short discussion any action in the matter was held over pending the bringing down of the Education Bill by Hon. H. Atmorc. PERSONAL. Tho many. friends of Mr 0. Aldis, of Feilding, will regret to learn that, he was taken suddenly ill whilst at business on Tuesday evening, but after receiving medical attention ho was taken to his home where he is now reported to bo progressing favourably. SOCIAL AFTERNOON. Mosdames J. W. Bramwell and G. L. Ewen wero hostesses at an afternoon at “Linwood,” tho home of Mrs Ewen, in aid of the funds of tho Feilding Bowling Club, of which Mr J. W. Bramwell was recently' elected president. Tho drawingroom had been daintily decorated for tho occasion with violets and primroses, set off with rose pink camellias. The trophies won during the past season by Mesdames Bramwell and Ewen at the Feilding Croquet Club were the centre of iryich interest, that of Mrs Bramwell being a handsome silver cup and those of Mrs Ewen comprising a lovely crystal rose bowl and gold mallet brooch. Pleasant entertainment was afforded the guests by a putting competition, the winner of which proved to be Mrs Moore, a guessing competition in which Mrs Melvillo Andrews and Miss E. Shortall came first and second respectively, and a third amusing competition won by Miss Chappell. Two recitations" by little Betty Moore and a pianoforte solo by Dawn, tho small daughter of Mrs Ewen, contributed greatly to tho enjoyment of the guests. A dainty afternoon tea was provided by tho hostesses, and much regret was expressed when tho hour of departure arrived. Mrs Bramwell for the occasion was attired in navy satin beaute with vostco of beige. Mrs Ewen wore a frock of black satia beaute relieved with royal blue. Among those present wero Mesdames Murch, T. Burne, Clifford,'J. Ncilson, W. Quayle, Do\ve, Davidson, J. E. Barltrop, M. Andrews, Lawson, Ramsay, ■Way, Humphrey, Moore, Eddlestono, A. Kingston, W. Norris and Misses M. Shortall, E. Shortall, Chappell, I. Bartholomew, Davidson (2), Jefferies, E. Ewan and A. Ewen.

BRIDGE PARTY. A very pleasant bridge party was given by Mrs F. H. Billing, at her residence, “Rosella,” York Street, on Tuesday afternoon. The drawing room had been arranged with lavender, sweet peas and freesias which lent a charming touch of colour. Afternoon tea was later dispensed in the dining room which was gay with pink and mauve statice. Mrs Billing received her guests in a chiffon velvet frock figured in shades of green and beige. Those present included Mrs W. H. McLean, Mrs G B. Dixon, Mrs Weaver, Mrs A. C. St. Paul, Mrs A. H. Sutton, Mrs L. J. Carmine, Mrs Thomas, Mrs Robinson and Mrs Gee. Mrs Carmine received the first prize for bridge and each of the four ladies at the winning table, namely Mesdames St Paul, Dixon, Robinson and Weaver, was presented by tho hostess with a dainty little gift. CARD TOURNEY. The Feilding Friendly Societies’ card tournament, played this, week, resulted as followsLadies’ trophies, Mrs J. Noble 1, Mrs C. Wickham 2. Men: Mr G. Grindrod 1 and Mr Watson 2. Bro F. M. Mitchell, vice-president of the Friendly Societies Council, presented the Challenge Shield, won by Manchester Unity, to Bnp. A. G. Fidler (captain) who suitably responded. The aggregate winners during the card season were: Sisters J. Malcolmson and W. Abbott (K.R.), 39 games each; Bro. W. Todd (A.0.F.), 38 games; Bro. J. E. Barltrop (U.A.0.D.), 31 games; Bros. H. Christensen (M.U.), 36 games. PERSONAL. Mrs J. Stalker has refurned to Feilding after a holiday spent in Wellington with her sister, Mrs Petherick, Kelburn. Miss Adeline Hare, Awahuri Road, has returned home from the north to bid farewell to her brother. Mr H. Hare, who is leaving the Feilding district to take up a position on D’Urville Island.