SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 244, 12 September 1933, Page 10

SCHOOL COMMITTEES

COLLEGE STREET SCHOOL. MONTHLY MEETING HELD. The monthly meeting of the College Street School Committee was held Inst night, when Colonel J. H. AVhyte presided. Others present were Messrs AV. F. Cutler, A. D. H. AVorboys, H. F. A. AVollerman, C. L. Turnbull, F. H. Tucker and F. N. Andrews. The headmaster Mr AV. A. Swinbourn, was also present. The acting Minister of Education (Hon. J. Bitchener), in acknowledging a letter from Mr J. A. Nash, M.P., covering a resolution from the committee asking that the subsidy on moneys raised voluntarily should be restored, stated: “I regret to say that the request of the committee cannot receive favourable consideration at least during the present financial year.” —Received.

The chairman reported that Mr D. MacPherson, conservator of the State Forest Department, had consented to give an address at the Arbor Day function to-morrow.

The action of the chairman in procuring gravel for spreading in the school play areas was confirmed.

Messrs AVollerman and AVorboys were appointed the visiting committee for the month.

In moving that an ornamental archway bo installed at the entrance to the infant school, Mr Cutler stressed the danger of people studying economy too much for unemployment to-day was largely attributable to people restricting their expenditure. However, it was the consensus of opinion that there were other matters more deserving of attention and the motion lapsed for want of a seconder.

Later in the meeting, Mr Cutler moved that the work of concreting the 4ft. pathway and the circle be proceeded with, provision to be made for the erection of a sundial in the future. Mr AVollerman seconded the motion and it was decided to secure prices for the work.

The headmaster reported.—“ The roll is 504, plus 18 newcomers, making a total of 522. The average attendance last week was 491. The school resumed on the 4th inst. Miss M. M. Thomson continued on the staff, this term as a relieving assistant, and Miss C. M. Gunter as a rationed probationary assistant. Miss C. M. Laurenson commenced duty as a rationed probationary assistant, whereas Miss S. L. Hills finished her appointment at the end of the term. Inspectors McMurtrie, Herrington and Crosby paid their annual visit to the school on the stli and 6th inst.’ HOKOAVHITU SCHOOL. The Hokowhitu School Committee met last evening, those present being Messrs P. V. Burns (chairman), H. Medway, L. G. Gill, J. B. Fleck, C. Lane, A. AV. Yortt and AV. E. Cooper (secretary); also Mr L. J. Plank (headmaster).

The chairman reported that two members of the Tennis Club had waited on the secretary and himself suggesting the extension of the present hard courts. He had told them that the committee could not entertain the expense of hard courts, but might be able to entertain the construction of two grass courts if given assistance. No. 5 scheme labour was available and the cost of grass seed would be between £2 and £1 10s. The Tennis Club had written saying that it would be willing to assist in laying down grass courts provided the courts were ready for play next season. Assistance would be given in the way of purchasing grass seed and wire netting. The general view of the committee was that the courts would be a good investment.

Mr Fleck moved that arrangements be put in train to have two grass courts laid down. Mr Gill seconded the motion.

Mr Yortt raised the matter of the upkeep of the courts. He thought that the committee should ensure that satisfactory arrangements were made with the club that it would contribute adequately towards the upkeep. The chairman said the committee would be in a very healthy financial position next year and in a few years there would be no reason why the school should not have its own janitor, who would attend to everything.

The chairman moved that the committee make arrangements for laying down two" grass courts provided the Tennis Club found the necessary finance for grass seed and wire netting and accepted the responsibility of keeping the courts in order to the satisfaction of the committee. The first motion was withdrawn and the second passed rinanimously. A letter was received from the College Street School Committee advising that it was thought too late in the year to hold the proposed combined school committees’ ball now, but stating that it was thought that the matter should he reconsidered next year. The AVest End School Committee advised that it would be willing to attend a meeting of committees as suggested to discuss the matter of the ball.

The committee decided that the chairman should bring up the subject of the continuance of the exclusion oi five-year-old children from school, and protesting against the measure, at the next meeting of the Combined School Committees’ Association.

The chairman said the capitation grant, £4l 6s Bd, had come to hand from the Education Board.

It was decided to write to Mr V. E. Daniell, asking him if lie would accept office as a member of the committee consequent upon the resignation ot Mr F. E. AVilson. It was explained that Mr Daniell had been the nextcandidate on the list at the election of the committee.

Mr/Fleck reported that a donation of £4 9s had been received from the ladies’ committee as proceeds from tire “hard-up” dance held recently. A motion was passed expressing thanks for the donation. The baths sub-committee was given authority to have the high dive painted. if this was thought necessary. The report of the headmaster (Mr Plank) stated that the attendance for the term just ended had been ver,y good, averaging 95 per cent, of the; roll number. Unfortunately, owing to the exclusion of the five-year class and a falling in the school population, the average attendance necessary to keep the school in its present grade had fallen short of the required number by two. Consequently the school would be reduced a sub-grade on February 1 and would lose one oi its Grade II teachers. That was unfortunate as the school was in the pleasant position of having a very efficient staff. Mrs M. Howell, relieving probationary assistant, had left at the end of the term and had been replaced by Miss K. I. Park. Mrs Howell had proved herself a keen, energetic worker and the school had been sorry to lose her. Tho school had been Visited on the previous week by members of the inspectorate, Messrs A. F. McMurtrie (senior inspector), E. Crosby, and A. R. Merrington. The trophy donated by the Kia Toa Rugby Football Club for the most improved player in the school team had been awarded to Colin Hepburn. It was the intention of the

staff to hold a concert in aid of school funds towards the end of October. —The report was adopted. Accounts totalling £l2 4s 2d were passed for payment.

Ml LSON SCHOOL COMMITTEE. The monthly meeting of. the Milson School Committee was held in the schoolroom last evening, Mr F. G. Murphy presiding. Apologies for unavoidable absence wore received from Messrs Campbell and Franklyn. A letter was received from tho Wanganui Education Board granting the committee’!? request, for 400 ft of field tiles for drainage purposes. The tiles are now to hund.

Tho headmaster, Mr M. R. McEwen, submitted his monthly report: “The school reopened on 4th inst. with a roll number of 105. During tho last term four new pupils were enrolled and one left. The attendance during the last week was not good, as some pupils had not returned from holidays and sickness is prevalent in the district. I have received word from the board that the shelter trees will arrive during tho week. I would like to oxpress my appreciation of the work of Mrs Murphy in connection with the recent school ball, both while preparing for it and during the evening.” The balance-sheet in connection with the school ball disclosed a profit of £4 13s 9d. Accounts amounting to £1 5s lOd wore passed for payment. The headmaster reported that a pane of glass in one of the doors was broken during the holidays. Repairs are to be effected at once. The need of a wheelbarrow was stressed by members and a request for one is to he made to the board. —Milson correspondent.