SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LII, Issue 119, 20 April 1932, Page 12

SCHOOL COMMITTEES

KAIRANGA SCHOOL. At the meeting of householders at the Kairanga School on Monday, tho following annual report was read and adopted: “There has been nothing outstanding to report. Wo have experienced a year marked by a good attendance. Of an average roll of 61, tho average attendance has been 58, no loss than 21 children gaining attendance certificates. The school and district has suffered a severe loes in the passing of Mr P. J. Small, who devoted much time and energy in the interests of the school and was for nine years chairman of the committee. The committee has met roguarly each month, the hoadmaster being present at all mootings. Arising out ol a recommendation from the last householders’ mooting the children were supplied with cocoa during the winter months, which was much appreciated. Tho committee desire to thank Miss Ward for her supervision of the scheme, making it a success. The school has again been to tho foro in the calf club competitions, having gained distinction in both rearing and dairy type sections. Of a possible of six first, second and third places, no less than four first, five second and throe third places came to our school, tho most outstanding honour being when, from 250 calves in the championship class, Trevor Terry secured first place and Fred Eglinton second. The committee congratulates these children on their succoss and hopes that "all will benefit by tho experience gained. As no subsidies have been available from the Education Board, tho committee have worked on capitation only. Wo are grateful to tho parents for their generosity to the prize and picnic fund. All tho functions held have been a success. In connection with the ball and break-up ceremony much credit is duo to Miss Ward and Mr Martin for the entertainments provided. The annual picnic was held under ideal conditions at the Awapuni racecourse and was much enjoyed. Miss Ward, who has been assistant at the school for two and a-half years, leaves at tho end of April to take up work undor the Wellington Education Board at Petone. We wish to thank all who havo donated trophies and helped in any way to the success of the school.” TE ARAKURA SCHOOL.. „ The report of tho chairman (Mr J. J. Hume) presented to the meeting of householders of To Arakura was an follows: — “Referring to the financial position, we have been successful in ending the year with a fair credit balance of £lB Is 6d. This has come about by careful handling of our finance, and becauso wo have had very little expenno over our maintenance work to attend to. The average attendance during the past year was 61.05. It is very gratifying that, with the assistanco of the teachers and the children, tho grounds havo boen kept in good order. Underground draining work was finished under the unemployment scheme, which has proved a big improvement during tho winter months which were unusually wet. Hedges were cut back and suitable timber was cut up and stacked for firewood. Repair work was carried out under tho unemployment scheme to tho fences and also a bicyclo shed erected for tho pupils bicycles. A Calf Club was formed at the school this last year, great interest being taken. Some 12 scholars took part, and a very favourable percentage won prizes. Great interest was also shown by tho residents of the district, the ladies lending very appreciated assistance in preparaing and arranging refreshments on the various occasions. A field day was held at Newbury, and lectures wore given by officers of the Department of Agriculture on tho feeding and care of the cow to be and were listened to with interest by the scholars and appreciated. We were successful in getting the board to put a new double window on tho west side of tho school which has added considerably to the comfort of the teachers and pupils during the long hot summer. This committee also wishes to express their sincere thanks to all those who have always come forward and lent a willing, hand whenever tho necessity arose. Our sincere thanks are given to Mrs Carr for the very thorough way she has attended to tho duties of cleaning the school. It has also been a pleasure to this committee to work with the teachers, Miss Bailey and Miss Parker, who have always shown co-operation and keen interost in tho children of this school.” Tho report of the head teacher, MUs W. Bailey, was as follows: “Tho school has passed through another year of its historv. During 1931 wo had an average roll number of 72 so that tho rooms were crowded and conditions for working not ideal. The results were on tho whole quite good. A largo standard 6, numbering 1U children, was presented for proficiency examination. Of those 5 obtained proficiency, 3 competency, while 2 failed. This is tho largest class presented in the history of the school. Our roll number of this year is only 56, which makes it doubtful whether tho school will ho able to maintain its grade. Much good work was done on the grounds during tho year of which we are now feeling the benefit. Our thanks are due to tho outgoing committee for their help during tho year, and wo hopo to see them continue for yet another period.

NEWBURY SCHOOL. At the meeting of householders at Newbury, over which Mr E. W. Collins presided, tho following annual report was adopted :-The roll (62) was slightly bolow last year’s. The average attendance ot 56 was, nevertheless, an improvement on that of tho previous year. Much interest had been taken by pupils, parents and staff in tho calf-rearing and mangold-grow-ing competitions. The following prize-win-ners were congratulated on their success: N. Lord, M. Paul, P. Collins, G. Linklater (calf-rearing), and M. Dalefield (mangoldgrowing). Of tho three pupils presented for the proficiency examination, two were successful. Tho ladies’ committoe once again had arranged a very successful concert £8 4s 6d being raised to augment tho funds. The annual picnic was held at the Esplanade on February 19. Special thanks were due to Mr Small, junr., who arranged the transport, and to all thoso who had assisted with donations and prizes. At the the end of February Mr J. Galland, headmaster for the last ten years, had retirod on. superannuation. Tjie committee placed on record an appreciation of the sterling service he had rendered. Mr D. P. McMurray had acted ns relieving headmaster pending the arrival of Mr R. P. Callaway who would commence duty on May “. The balance-sheet disclosed a credit of £6l Is 2d.

SHANNON SCHOOL. Tho chairman (Mr P. W. Bass) presided at tho annual meeting of householders of tho Shnnnon School district on Monday, there being an attendance of approximately 100. chairman, in his report, stated that tho committeo started tho year with no funds in hand. A street stall was held and £l9 raised. Tho main constructional work decided on for tho year was the improvement .of the school grounds, the most important itom being tho permanent surfacing of the. tennis court and drill ground. Tho committeo recognised that work at tho school offered an opportunity of employment to men undor tho No. 5 scheme and arrangements wore made accordingly. Thanks were duo to Mr H. Easton for gift of firewood and tho committeo wero able to provide sufficient firing for the year and wo still havo six cords, cut into'small blocks, which would provido tho incoming committee with sufficient firing for tho coming winter. In' Juno last the Government advised that a chargo of £3O a year would bo made for tho dental clinic, nn d tho dommittoo, if they so desired, were authorised to make a chargo on tho parents of children treated. Tho amount of £3O was divided among tho schools concerned, Shannon’s portion being fixed at £l9 5s 4d. ;It was considered that a chargo on the children treated would havo tho offoot of I tho children most in need of treatment not gotting tho bonofit of tho clinic, and it. was therefore decided to raiso the amount by other means, The school concert was a success, tho proceeds boing £2l 13s 9d. Fresh tenders for tho school cleaning were called and a saving of £7 effected. Tho funds woro considerably holped by donations from tho. Labour Party, Mr A. E Hydo and tho Mangaoro Social Club. Representations to tho power board resulted in a reduction of 50 per cent, in the chargo for electricity. Tho credit balance at tho end of the year was £52 11s 3d this being due to a refund of £59

from tho Education Board for monies raised locally for tho soptio tank but not expended by tho board. Without this amount tho committeo would not have finished tho year in such a favourable position. Mr Robinson, tho retiring treasurer, had kept tho committeo well advised as to tho financial position, and it was largely duo to his sorvicos that they had been ablo to carry out tho works mentioned with tho finances at their disposal# Tho following wore elected tho committeo for tho ensuing year: —Messrs J. S. Moir, 11. V. Hudson, P. W. Bass, R. R. Lind, L. H. Best W. Radford, P. Ventry-Smith, Mrs Elvines, and Mr C. P. Grey.—Shannon correspondent. ASH-HURST SCHOOL. ' Tho annual meeting of the householders of the Ashhurst School district was hold in tho school on. Monday. Mr W. N. Brower was appointed to tho chair. Tho chairman’s roport for 1931 was given. Tho work of tho committeo for tho past year had been, mainly, tho general enro of the buildings and grounds. It was very cyijdent early in tho year that tho financial j position was going to, bo difficult, and | tho committee had used every endeavour to keep down expenditure. Tho loss of subsidies usually granted _ by tho board mado sorious differences in tho receipts I for the year, and compelled tho committee 'to Jcavo any new. work, till bettor times came along. Even with tho maintenance work, which was necessary at all times, a fair amount had boon spent, and that was reflected in the balance-shoot. Tho committeo organised various “working hoes,” and work such as ro-levolling tho lawns, erecting new fences and . tho liko, had been carried out. Ho wished to thank, on behalf of tho committee, tho Asshurst Football Club. This club had •lately boon disbanded and they had devoted something liko £5 of their funds i to tho school library. This was a very fine : gift and came at a tjmo when it was most j acceptable, for they could now pr.ovido tho reading matter which was needed by tho children. Tho fancy dress ball was held in August, and proved a success. Though the net profit wa3 not as largo as in tho previous year, tho committeo was very I pleased with the result, and their thanks were duo to all tho willing workers who gavo their assistance. The annual picnic was held in tho Domain, and was attended by a largo number of parents as well as children. This was gratifying to tho committee, for it seemed to show that their labours in this direction were appreciated. Affairs with regard to the dental clinio seemed to be improving. After many years of persistent effort they seemed to bo .approaching their object, for. a short time ago they had received unofficial word that Ashhurst would bo included with tho town ! schools. Though it w-as entirely unofficial, ; they wero confident that the near future would sdo tho fruition of their work. Tho Christmas treo provided to tho infant room at tho closo of 1931 had been a success and given tho little ones much pleasure. In common with other school committees, thoy had entered their vigorous protests against tho proposed cuts in capitation and other grants made by tho board and tho department. Tho Economy Commission had proposed several rather severo cuts and if tho Government passed these recommendations, tho effect would bo very farreaching as regards country schools. A reduced capitation would mako it difficult for committees to carry on, but tho more serious proposed cuts would affect tho children and parents personally. Tlioso proposals had been discussed by. tho combined committees, and emphatic protests against their adoption had been sent to tho Parliamentary representatives of tho district. Tho averago roll of tho school for tho year was 144.8 and tho averago attendance 134.7.. Tho results of tho proficiency examination wero also very satisfactory. Ho wished to record his sincero appreciation and thanks to tho secretary, tho' committeo and tho headmaster .-or their wliolo-hoarted help and co-operation. It had been a pleasuro to him to presido over mootings where such a fino spirit of fricndlinoss had ever prevailed and where the welfare of tho school was the main object of the committee’s endeavours. The chairman’s numerous duties, had been made oasy by tho evor-ready assistanco and help of tho committee and ho trusted that tho housoholders would show their appreciation by returning all who could see their way clear to offer themselves for ro-olection. The result of tho election was as follows: Chairman, Mr W. N. Brewer; secretary, Mr Sumnor; committeo, Messrs Wilkin, Bristow, Woodroofe, Davis, Kerrigan. Ashhurst correspondent. FOXTON SCHOOL. The last meeting of tho Foxton school committeo was held on Monday, presided over,by Mr J. K. Hornblow (chairman). Tho report and balance-sheet wero read and approved. The Shannon committeo wrote offering facilities to Foxton. pupils to attend tho Shannon dental clinic condition on a payment of 2s 6d per child per annum and a sum of £6 from tho committee as its quota for furnishings. It was decided to thank tho Shannon committeo for its offor but to inform it that distance would bar tho committee accepting it. Mr Howctt was deputed to wait on the Foxton Plunkot Society to ascertain if its rooms could be used for the purpose. Tho question of financial economies was hold over until next meeting. Messrs Howett and Mayer wero appointed visitors for tho month. It w-as decided to hold a special service at tho school on Anzac Day. Tho annual householders’ meeting was also held. Tho following committeo was ro-elcctcd unopposed: Messrs J. K..Hornblow (chairman), C. M. Hewctt, G. F. Smith, M. E. Perrcau, I. W. Mudford, H. J. Reid, F. Robinson, R. Mayer and R. Rangihcuea. It was decided to protest against raising tho age of admission of school children from 5 to 6 years and to support tho New Zealand Educational Institute’s efforts to this end—Foxton Correspondent. SANDON SCHOOL. A fair number assembled for tho annual meeting of housoholders at Sandon. Mr H. V. Bond presided. In his report the chairman said that during tho year 14 meetings of tho committee had been hold and sovcral “working bees” at the school. Tho attendances at the mootings had been good. Tho result of tho year’s work had been satisfactory, both from a financial iflid school improvement point of view. Tho staff had romaindod unchanged and tho roll number was now 57. Tho picnic and Parents Day wore very successful functions. Tho school teams had been successful in their sports, particularly football, and in this connection much credit was duo to Mr Koster for the interest ho had taken in the team. Tho various improvements mado during tho year would bo appreciated. Tho finances showed a credit of £l7 13s 5d in tho spocial account, and £4 17s 9d in tho general account. Tho report concluded with thanks to tho staff, tho committeo, tho Sandon Old Boys Association and Mr H. F. Fagan for work in connection with rootgrowing and calf-rearing competition, and to tho ladies for their assistance at social functions. Tho report and balance sheet wero adopted. Appreciative references. to the work dono by tho committeo during tho year were mado by Rev. P. J. Cossum, Mossrs A. K. Drew and J. W. Masters. A hearty voto of thanks was accorded tho staff of tho school, Mr G. F. Francis and Miss Day, and to Mr J. Kostor for his interest lu tho football team. Tho retiring committee wero also accorded a hearty voto of thanks. Nino nominations were received for the election of now committeo. Tho ballot resulted in tho olection of Messrs E. J. D&voy, E. J. Bowator, I. Edwards, E. Wilcock and J. Currie. At a subsequent meeting of the committee, Mr E. .T. Bowator was elocted chairman and Mr I. Edwards secretary.—Sandon Correspondent. OTHER SCHOOLS. Beaconsfiold. —Committee elected : Messrs M. Richardson (chairman), S. C. Sandbrook (secretary and treasurer). R. E. Stuart, S. O. Small, W. ■ J. Entwisle. Kimbolton. —Messrs Lawson (chairman, secretary and treasurer) D. Everiss, C. Martiq, W. Dorward, Mrs Gerke. Colyton.—Messrs J. W. Crook (chairman), H. B. Woodman (secretary), P. R. Mitchell, J. M. Edhouse, G. Parker. Aratiko.—Messrs J. A. Wealleans (chairman), J. Walker (secretary), J. R. Whittaker, H. M. Gray, G. P. Burr. Valley Road. —Messrs R. Schmidt (chairman and secretary), R. 11. Knox (treasurer), W. T. Loudon, S. H. Gunning, Mrs A. E. Knox) Bluff Road.—There wero seven present at tho annual householders’ meeting. The following committee was electedj. Messrs E.

11. Haythorne (chairman nnd secretary), J. Hewison, W. Edney, R. G. Beard, S. B Wai’tunn West.—Messrs J. W. Datclielor (chairman), J. H. Wiljiamsoh (®*-. jand treasurer), M. Bernman, T. Stokes, E. G Che’ltl a ham.-Messrs A. B Shannon (chairman), A. E. Shannon, C. J. C. Corkill, T. Ireland. The outgoing committeo was reelected. , Makino. —Messrs P. R. Simpson (chair man), E. Mitchell (secretary and treae urer). P. G. Fraser, R. Gavigan, S Kiwltea.—At tho Kiwitea housoholders meeting there was an attendance of wThe following committee was electea . Messrs W. 11. Gibson (chairman), VV. y* Clapham (secrotary), L. Cranston, b. «• Lodge and L. E. Craine. , T Eketahuna.—Messrs 11. E. Groathead, J. E. Nicholson, C. F. Comlarn T. Josson, A. Ross, C. McLaughlin, R. B. McLennan, O. Bowen, Dr. E. M. Simmers. Pahiatua.—Messrs W. Barrett, Burr, L. Lett, J. Lister, P. J. Matthews, W. J. Mills, W. H. Murch, W. R. Richardson and G. Godfrey Taylor.