LONGBURN

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIV, Issue 118, 18 April 1934, Page 12

LONGBURN

(From Our Own Correspondent.) LONGBURN. April 17. The following report was read and adopted at the annual meeting of householders held in the school on Monday evening, Mr Sterling being in the chair: “Appreciation is due for the work done by tho preceding committee. I have great pleasure in saying that the usual high efficiency of the school has been maintained. The inspectors’ report and the examination results are satisfactory. Excellent discipline has been maintained and a better behaved lot of children would be hard to find. The ball was a pronounced success; a profit of £9 11s was made and this was nearly all spent in securing a sound supply of firewood to ensure comfort in the coming winter. Tho practice of interesting the pupils in philanthropic work is useful training for their future. The pupils gathered a large number of eggs for the Willard Home and the Young Helpers’ League, under Miss Reeve, raised the sum of £4 for Dr Barnardo’s Homes. Such activities are the best possible methods of impressing upon the children that they have community- duties. The Calf Club and Mangold Club received generous support from the headmaster and pupils and both theeo clubs deserve praise. Topdressing of the tennis court was carried out and the stormwater drain was improved and old pipes relaid. A contribution of £lO was received from the Tennis Club and a further £3 has been received since the year ended. The total cost of this work was £2B 16s 3d. A number of families were assited in securing free books. I feel sure all members of the committee are with me in expressing the hope that the financial depression which made this necessary will improve. Hedges have been trimmed and the grounds generally kept in order. The committee feel that a triangular raised bed in front of the school would further improve the grounds. This could be inexpensively made by using the bricks from the broken chimneys as edging while an offer of free cartage of earth has been received. I am directed by the committee to recommend this to the incoming committee. The committee suffered a severe los3 in the resignation of Mr Hearle, who was transferred to another district, but were fortunate 'in securing Mr C. Wilson in his stead. The school buildings have been painted and an improvement made to the out-offices by the Education Board. The recent earthquake broke all the chimneys above the roof. Together with Mr Weddel and Mr Hills I made an examination of the chimneys following the ’quake and took the precaution to keep the school closed until the beard removed the broken tops. These tops weighed not less than five tons. The headmaster states that in 1927 the school roll was 150. This year it is 90. This is an extraordinary- drop. It mean; a reduction in grade, a reduction in committee men from seven to five and a reduction in capitation. For 6ome years there has been little building activity in the township. Something like 300 men work at Longburn during the height of the summer and I feel sure that many of these men would be only too glad to live nearer to their work if the right class of house was offered to them. It will be recollected that, following the diphtheria epidemic of last year, tho committee approached the Kairanga County Council to have a sanitarv collection made possible. This, unfortunately-, was not accomplished. I am quite aware that such is a poor substitute, but it would have been an inexpensive start leading to something better. My opinion is that lack of sanitation is the root cause of lack of building activity. During recent years I have constantly seen how rapidlybuilding has taken place in the western portion of Palmerston North and I feel sure that if some of the persons who have so enthusiastically built there would turn their attention to Longburn they could readily place 50 homes. In conclusion, I must thank all members of the late committee for the easy task they gave me; to the secretary (Mr Lernberg) and the treasurer (Mr Mahoney), who did the great bulk of the committee work my thanks are especially due.” A credit balance of £2B 11s Id was shown.

The following scores were registered at the weekly shoot of the Miniature Rifle Club, held on Monday- evening:—X". Woodill, 69—69—133; H. Barlow, 68—69 137; C. Cookslev, 68 —69 —137; TV. Grace, 68—69—137; W. Birch, 63—63—136; XV. Matheson, 63—68—136; W. Salmon, 66—70 —136; H. Mabey, 63 —66—134; A. Reed, 66 —68 —134; G. Hoffman, 65—69—134; XV. Cook, 66—67 —133; J. Aldersley, 64—69 133; T. Searancke, 65—63—133; J. MeAvenue, 66 —67-—133; TV. Francis, 66 —66 — 132- A. Sanson, 64 —67 —131; H. Richardson, 63—63—131; C. Shirriffs, 64—67—131; R. Cookslev, 67 —64—131; F. Mahoney, 61—69 —130; TV. Bainbridge, 65—65—130; D. Boldt, 65 —64 —129; T. Cooksley, 65—64 — 129; J. Mardon, 64 —64 —123; TV. Kells, 61 —65 —126: I. Davey, 61—64 —125; A. Fisher, 61—64—125: TV. Vickers, 63—61—124; TV. Marshall, 53—62 —120; C. Francis, 60 —58— 118; R. Chisholm, 62—54—116; E. Jewell, 37 —60 —97; J. McKav, 39 —50—89; H. Lepper, 31—57—83. The friends of Miss J. Foss will regret to learn that she has had to re-enter hospital for further treatment. Mrs Smerdon, of Christchurch, is visiting her mother, Mrs H. Bowler. Mrs C. O. Hills has returned from Cambridge. Mr and Mrs J. Geary and Miss Geary, of Hawera, are visiting Mrs TV. Johnston.