HOKOWHITU SCHOOL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 200, 14 July 1936, Page 9

HOKOWHITU SCHOOL.

MEETING OF COAIAIITTEE. A meeting of the Hokowhitu School committee was held last evening, Air H. Shields presiding. Also present were Messrs S; Collier, R. Olds, J. E. Larsen, G. A. Alelville, P. E. Crowtlier, J. H. McKenzie, and the secretary (Air AV. E. Cooper). The acting headmaster (Air C. Haydon) was also in attendance. The acting headmaster reported that the average roll number for the month had been 319.2, the average attendance being 262.2. On June 25 an official visit had been paid the school by Hon. P. Fraser, Minister of Education. The school and grounds had been inspected and favourable comment passed on their condition. On the afternoons of June 17 and 18, luilfholidays had been granted to allow the children to attend the A. and P. Show. Folk-dancing in preparation for ihe school ball was well in hand and giving every promise of a highly successful function. The term examinations were being conducted throughout the school and would be completed shortly.

In explaining the reason for the low average attendance, Air Ha.vdon stated that during the month some very wet weather had been experienced, resulting in a big falling off in the lower standards and the infant department. The attendance had on occasions fallen to 82 per cent, of the total. If it had fallen 2 per cent, more it would have been possible, under the rules, to have observed a half-holiday, but the required figure had not quite been reached.

The report was adopted. The town clerk (Air J. R. Hardie) wrote to the committee, as follows: “With reference to your request that a further portion of the Hokowhitu Domain he vested in the Wanganui Education Board, I have to advise you that the council is now prepared to lease to the board part of the section situated between the baths and the school and having a frontage of 110 links to Albeit Street by a depth of ten chains, for a term of twentyone years at a peppercorn rental, subject to the council obtaining the necessary authority.”—The letter was received.

In reply to a question from the committee, the Education Board advised that there was no liability on the board, the school committee or the Government for any accidents which occur to children in the school grounds unless negligence on the part of the board or its servants is proved.—Received.

The board, in a circular, requested that Arbor Day be observed on a date suitable to local conditions. It was suggested that tlia morning be devoted to lessons dealing with trees and their value to mankind, particular attention to be paid to native trees and shrubs, and the afternoon to planting and addresses.—lt was decided to leave the matter to next month’s visiting committee. In regard to police interviews with children, the board advised that it did not approve of children being interviewed by officers of the Police Department at school except in the case of an offence alleged to have been committed at the school. The hoard was of tho oninion that children should bo interviewed at tlieir homes in the presence of tlieir parents. The Mayor and Mayoress (Air and Airs A. E. Alansford) wrote accepting with thanks an invitation to he present at tlie school ball.—Received.

The visiting committee reported on several minor renairs needed at the school and these were satisfactorily arranged for.