SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 111, 10 April 1934, Page 10

SCHOOL COMMITTEES

COLLEGE STREET SCHOOL. MONTHLY MEETING. The College Street School Committee met last evening. Those present were Colonel J. H. Whyte (chairman) Messrs W. F. Cutler, A. D. H. Worboys, F. N. Andrews, F. H. Tucker, C. L. Turnbull and E. Pcrsson. Ihe report of the headmaster (Mr W. A. Swinbourn) was adopted as follows: “The roll to-day is 456, the average last week being 394. The outbreak of measles is still affecting the attendance considerably. Miss Gibbs resumed teaching after Easter and Mr Biel completed his relieving term on March 29. On March 27 Miss Kennedy, infant mistress, and Miss Blackbourne, physical instructor of the Auckland Training College, visited the school in the morning and demonstrated work in their respective branches. Other visitors were Mr E. R. Hodge (\Va.nganui Education Board architect), the school nurse and Mr E. H. Lange (agricultural supervisor). The school swimming sports wore held on March 22 and were very successful. The athletic sports were favoured with a fine afternoon and the proceeds amounted to £1 3s. The Manawatu Swimming Centre’s school swimming championships were held on March 17, but though our representatives swam keenly and creditably we were unable to hold the cup which we won last year.”

On the motion of Mr Cutler, it was decided that a second-hand English oak piano be purchased for £25 and a piano at present in use sold for £5, provided the interior and the mechanism of the proposed purchase were passed as satisfactory by an expert. The chairman of the Wanganui Education Boa.rd (Mr E. F. Hemingway) wrote expressing his whole-hearted appreciation of the valuable work carried out by the committee. It had been a great pleasure to him on his recent tour of the board’s wide district to ‘find so much being done to make the schools and their surroundings brighter for the children.—Received. The Mairawatu executive of the Farmers’ Union advised that there was no branch in the Manawatu district making donations toward the prize funds for catching white butterflies.—Received. Mr C. N. Clausen forwarded a donation of 5s toward the prize fund for the competitions conducted for the catching of white butterflies. Mr Clauisen said tha.t the results showed special effort, energy and self-reliance on the part of the children. —It was decided to write to Mr Clausen thanking him for his donation. On behalf of the committee, Mr Cutler expressed the appreciation of the members to the chairman for the excellent and most fair way in which he had conducted the meetings. No one could have worked harder for a new school, said Mr Cutler, and if a new school was not built it would not be the chairman’s fault. Mr Worboys supported the remarks of Mr Cutler. The chairman expressed his thanks for the remarks made. HOKOWHITU SCHOOL. DROP IN BATHS RECEIPTS. The monthly meeting of the Hokowhitu School Committee was held last evening, Mr P. V. Burns presiding. Others present were Messrs C. K. Lane, J. B. Flack, G. Richardson, A. W. Yortt, H. C. Medway, H. W. Cox and W. E. Cooper (lion, secretary). The headmaster (Mr L. J. Plank), in his report, stated that the average attendance had been 291 out of a roll number of 312. A few cases of measles had been recorded. The school had been visited by Misses Kennedy and Blaclcbourn, lecturers on the staff of the Auckland Training College, also by Miss Ashton (Y.W.C.A.), and Messrs Wood and Cross (Y.M.C.A.). Last week, Mr E. H. Lange, agricultural and science supervisor, also visited the school in connection with his work. The school was represented in the annual swimming championships and Herbert Smith Cup events. They congratulated the Terrace End and Central Schools, winners of the boys’ and girls’ cups respectively. Hokowhitu were fortunate in being the runners-up in each event. This being the final , meeting of the 1933-34 committee, he wished, on behalf of the staff, to express his appreciation of their hearty co-operation in the smooth working ol the school. They had lived up to the fine record of their predecessors, and he trusted that each one, whether reelected or not, would continue to have the welfare of the school at heart. — The report was adopted. The chairman returned thanks on l>eha]f of the committee for the sentiments expressed by Mr Plank. He paid a tribute to the support given and enthusiasm shown by the staff on every occasion that an effort had l>een made on behalf of the school. He congratulated the staff and children on the winning of the Cunningham Shield (the second time in succession) and Gretchen Sigley Cup life-saving competitions. The baths custodian (Mr H. A. Spencer) reported that the total takings for the season amounted to £55 10s Bd. All the pool had been cleaned down, and the diving boards, seats, etc., would be put under cover next week. Matting on the low diving l>oard would have to he renewed. There was still a good display of blooms and the lawns generally were in good order, though they would benefit from top-dressing. Thanks were due to donors of annuals, particularly Messrs Kingsbeer who had been most generous and consistently obliging. The concrete required repairs, but, generally speaking, the condition of all the appointments was good. The chairman commented that the bath takings were about £SO less than for the previous season. It was decided to forward a letter to Mr and Mrs L. Gill, who are now in Masterton, expressing appreciation of their services to the school and to place these on record. CENTRAL SCHOOL. COMMITTEE’S ~FINAL MEETING. The 1933-34 Central School Committee held its final meeting last evening, Mr W. G. Black presiding. Others present were Messrs R.. Tait, G. H. Jarrett, C. E. Taylor, W. H. Cadwallader, A. Gordon, L. D. Simmonds and A. E. Kerslake (hon. secretary). An apology for absence was received from Mr W. Garden.

"Owing to the epidemic of measles the attendances for the past month (644.1, 628.3, 609.2, 635.1) have been very low,” stated the headmaster, Mr E. Bary, in his report. "Last week the attendance showed some improvement, but still measles are prevalent. The present roll is 747.” The baths had been closed on March 25, and during the swimming season 143 school certificates for width and length swimming had been issued, including 68 learners (50 yards), 24 proficiency (220 yards), and five merit (880 yards) certificates. Added to this were a number of life-saving certificates. Thanks were due to the Manawatu Racing Club for the use of the rncecourse for the annual picnic. All the requests for exemption from payment of fees

for the dental clinic had been dealt with. There were still on the roll a number of names of children whose subscriptions were outstanding. On behalf of the staff he wished to express thanks to both the women’s and the men’s committee for the valuable work and assistance they had rendered during the year. The report was adopted and it was resolved to forward the letter of thanks to the Manawatu Racing Club. The Central Old Boys’ Hockey Club made application for the use of the grounds for hockey purposes and for the use of the hall for a dance.—lt was resolved not to grant the use. of the grounds, as the school’s playing areas were already congested. It was also felt that they were not yet in a state to be used for hockey purposes, despite the fact that it was desired to help the club as much as possible, and the matter would be considered again if application were made next year. The other . matter was left in the hands of the incoming committee. A letter of thanks was received from a parent for the manner in which her children had been treated at the school picnic.—The chairman commented that it was pleasing to receive such appreciation. Regret was expressed that there were a number of parents, who had children on the dental roll, who had not paid their subscription, and it was f minted out that such children were iab'e to be struck off the list. The chairman thanked the members for their work in the interests of the children during the year. Mr Black was accorded a, motion of thanks for his chairmanship by the committee. MILSON SCHOOL. The final meeting- of the present Milson School Committee was held in the schoolroom last evening, Mr F. G. Murphy (chairfnan) presiding. The headmaster (Mr M. R. McEwen) reported the school roll at 105. The attendance had been very seriously affected by an epidemic of measles, less than 75 per cent of the pupils being present on some days. The school picnic was held at the Esplanade on March 13 and nroved a great success. The races to decide the holders of the Herbert Smith Trust cups provided a good deal of interest. The winners were Gordon Johanson and Phyllis Chalk. The swimmingsports were held at the Terrace End baths and the two cups donated by the Herbert Smith Trust were won by Sydney ITiompson and Lois McKenzie. During Inc season several pupils were successful in gaining certificates for swimming 50 yards and a lifesaving "team trained by Miss Duncalf (assistant teacher) was successful in passing the tost. The sewing machine purchased by the committee was delivered and placed in service during the month and pad proved a boon. Handwork supplies for the infants and lower standards had also been received. The headmaster sought the assistance of the committee in procuring a punch for handwork, and a new post and Lai! for the basketball team. A school cricket team was entered in the competitions, and several matches were played. Although the team did not meet with the success hoped for, the members enjoyed themselves, and profited by their experience. He proposed to enter a midget football team in tile competitions later. In concluding, the headmaster wished the committee to accept his thanks for thenready and valuable assistance at all times. . cijoi-i was adopted.

The committee decided to purchase a puncii and ttie procuring of a new basketball was held over. A letter was received from the secretary of the Wanganui Education Board advising that . the application of the committee for assistance in asphalting the inner area of the school grounds had been referred to the architect for a report. , ~ , The balance-sheet, made up to the end of Feb’-nary, was presented by the secretary. Tlie credit balance was £33 7s 7d. Accounts amounting to £3 14s were passed for payment. , , , r The chairman thanked the members ot the committee for their loyal co-operation and assistance during the past year. Mil* son correspondent.