PROVISION OF BATHS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 94, 21 March 1931, Page 5

PROVISION OF BATHS.

GIRLS’ HIGH SCHOOL. DECISION BY PARENTS, • Unanimous endorsement of the proposal by_ the committee of the Parents’ Association of the Palmerston North Girls’ High School to apply part of the assembly hall funds to the construction of school baths was given at the annual meeting of that body last evening. Dealing with the matter in the course of his annual report tho chairman (Mr R. H. Billens) stated: “During the year the committee made various efforts to clarify the position regarding the assembly hall, and we are indebted to Mr W. R. Birnie, exchairman of the Board of Governors, •for attending meetings and enlightening us on Obscure points regarding funds held in trust by the board, and our own relation thereto. There are two funds in existence—one raised mainly by the different lady principals and other staffs- —which amounts to about £SOO- and is held in trust by Messrs Birnie and. Durward. This is called the assembly hall fund, for which purpose it was undoubtedly raised. The other is the Parents’ Association fund, amounting to £230. The aim of the teachers and the association in the past has been-to secure sufficient funds to build, a hall in keeping with the standing and prestige of the school._ It was hoped to apply to the Education Department before long for a subsidy, but even before the depression was felt it was evident that the Government had ceased to view with favour the erection of assembly halls. With these facts in view, the committee decided to make a momentous change.in its policy with the object ofapplying money from the assembly hall fund towards the. installation and equipment of. school baths, subject to the parents’ approval,” ". /. . .. (Subsequently, Mr Billens moved a resolution to the effect that the meet-' ihg eudorse the action taken by the Parents’ Association’s committee to install baths at the - Girls’ High School. Explaining the reason for the change of policy, the chairman stated that the committee had come to the' conclusion that it had a long way to go towards the consummation of its ideal of. an assembly ball. Much as many would like to see that desirable adjunct added to the school facilities, at least five years would elapse before that could be brought about, owing to the changed policy of tjie Education Department arid the finaricial stress prevailing. The . Education Department would be put to. heavy expense in modifying schools on what might be regarded asthe luxury, side. It had been estimated that a brick assembly hall would cost ' £3OOO and a wooden one from £2OOO to £2500, and that meant that they would have to wait a verylong time. Mrs Rhodes - had suggested that, if it was possible to use •part of the funds for school baths, they could take advantage of .the Unemployment Board’s labour scheme and construct the baths for a- third of what the' cost would' otherwise ' be. The committee had decided, to take steps to divert part of the hall funds, even if only temporarily, to the baths, concerning the value of which none needed to be told. Swimming provided a perfect physical exercise for growing • girls. The teachers were unanimously in favour of proceeding with the baths, without which tlie school suffered practically the limit of inconvenience. It was felt that they should grasp the opportunity when it offered under. such favourable terms and seek the endorsement of the parents. All the labour required for excavating, concreting and fencing would be available under the Unemployment Board’s scheme. . The baths would be 75 feet long; and' almost identical in construction ■ with those of the West End School. Complete ■ with cubicles and diving boards, they would cost from £IOOO to £llOO, and the Parents’ Association’s proportion of the cost would be about £4OO. There was £230 in hand arid ail Amount WOuld have to be secured from the assembly hall fund. The board had been approached and its solicitors had ■ investigated the position, with the result that.he was pleased to state that no difficulty was seen in the way of transferring money from the fund. Consequently it was proposed to take iminediate steps to proceed with the work. It was anticipated- that all the .labour under the No. 5 scheme could be done before the term for that expired. . . Mr H. B. Reid seconded the motion proposed by the chairman. He stated that the Wairarapa High School Baird of Governors had been recently confronted with an identical problem, and had overcome it,in a similar manner. The chairman said the money, transferred jrom the’hall fund would, be repaid''at. the earliest opportunity. Almost-' £175 ivould be required. The ' resolution to proceed with the baths was carried unanimously.