GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 94, 21 March 1931, Page 15

GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL.

PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL AIEETING HELD. There was ah enthusiastic gathering at the annual meeting of the Parents' Association of the Girls’ High School last evening. Air R. H. Billens presided. Apologies for absenoe were received from Alesdames Grigor and Aitchison, and Air and Airs Wright. The report submitted by the chairman stated that the committee had delayed the annual meeting until early this year with the object of promoting the keenest interest of parents from the beginning of the year, but the calamitous earthquake and other adverse circumstances could not be foreseen, and these bad forced a postponement. Consequents it had been impossible to arrange an organised effort which would call on the finances of parents, and the earliest opportunity had been taken to call them together. The activities of the association had centred on the annual garden party, and the 1930 effort was one of tlie most successful school functions held in Palmerston North, yielding a net profit of £93. It had been intended to hold another fete, but the Napier earthquake and other unfavourable circumstances had intervened, and the matter had been deferred. The committee were keenly sensible of the manner in which narents had responded to appeals for help. Through the efforts of the association the girls had been placed on the same level as the boys in the matter of prize awards for. work at school. AVithout discussing the wisdom or otherwise of prize-giving, it had been felt that it was hard on the girls to have to be content with a very uninspiring piece of card as the only reminder of their prowess. It was felt that suitably bound awards were as much a part of the school year as that of the boys. Appreciation was expressed to the principal (Airs AI. Rhodes) and the staff for the splendid manner in which tliey had seconded the efforts of the association, particularly in connection with the garden fete, which would have been impossible without their co-opera-tion.

The lion, treasurer (Mr F. J. Oakley) commented upon the improved financial position of the association and urged parents to become active members. The chairman spoke in appreciative terms of the work of the lion, secretary (Air J. Louisson) and' lion, treasurer (Air Oakley). The annual report and balance-sheet were adopted and Mr AV. Hunter was elected, hon. auditor. He was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his services in that capacity following the death of Mr Fuller. The committee was elected as follows : Alesdames H. Thorburn, M. Aitchison, A. H. Al. Wright, W. A. Watters, A. Grigor, L. Al. Bristow, AV. Macpherson, C. A. L. Boag, AI. Rhodes, A. Andrews, R. H. Billens,'D. Alorrison and J. B. Sankey; Messrs F. J. Oakley. R. H. Billens. J. AValker, AV. Macpherson, AV. G. AVilby, A. H. M. AVriglit, A. E. Blackbourn, J. B. Sankey, C. R. Luke and S. J. Parkes. The parents passed a resolution expressing their appreciation of the work done by the principal and stall of the school, the chairman stating that the school provided excellent educational facilities,' and was one of which they could justly feel proud, while the teaching staff was most enthusiastic. Subsequently supper was provided and the following programme was presented : Piano solo, Miss Molly Oakiey; Grecian dance trio, Misses Barbara Farraher, Bettv Olliver and Alargarette Oram; duet, Misses Sylvia Morrison and Alargaret AValker; dance, Aliss Jean Scott; ’cello solo, Aliss. A 7 era Wycherley. There was a delightful play reading of a scene from John Drinkwater’s “Oliver Cromwell,” preceded hv an explanatory statement by the .producer, Aliss Hume. The characters were as follow: King Charles, Marjorie Stewart; Oliver Cromwell, Marjorie Simmons; Ireton, Dorothy Sankey; Neal (Charles’s secretary), Mary Godfrey. .