MANCHESTER ST. SCHOOL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 8, 8 December 1936, Page 4

MANCHESTER ST. SCHOOL.

MEETING OF COMMUTE!

The Manchester Street School Committee met last night, when there were present:—Mr G. J. Fitzpatrick (chairman), Mrs P. G. Guy, Messrs Jas. Campbell (secretary), 11. Burne, Z. McLeod and L. J. Carmine. An apology for absence was received from Mr G. Watts. The committee of the Parents' Association waited on the committee and reported that they had £45 nett profit from the gala day held recently and they asked that this money be used to augment the school library. The committee congratulated the Parents' Association on the success of tlie effort. It was agreed that the money should be expended as suggested and tlie co-operation of the headmaster was secured in making purchases of books. A letter from the Wanganui Education Board informed the committee that tlie first term next year would begin on Tuesday, February 2. The letter further stated that the committee would receive £72 extra grant this year out of the substantial increase made by the Government for the school committees' incidental expenses.—The chairman said the committee usually received about £l2 from tho extra grant, therefore this year they would get £CO extra._ This sum would be a wonderful relief to the committee's finances. Ho could not remember the time when the capitation grant was sufficient to meet the committee's ordinary expenditure—they had always to raise special funds to meet their expenses. It was satisfactory to find that tlie Government had at last recognised the work of school committees, which work was carried on vcar by year with little recognition. The committee must feel grateful to the Government for this recognition of their work.

The headmaster reported that the roll stood at 382 with an average attendance of 344. The school would close for the Christmas holidays on

December 17. It was proposed to hold the quadrangle concert during the week and the closing day ceremony on December 16. Tho school hanking system continued to run smoothly and thu children were banking an average of £3 weekly. The total bankings for the fifteen months were £162. The committee decided to invite Hon. J. G. Cobbe, M.P., to preside at the breaking-up ceremony and to present the dux medal, Miss J. M. Wilson tendered her resignation as a teacher owing to her approaching niarriags. Tlie committee thanked Miss AVilson for her loyalty as a teacher and wished her every

happiness. A lengthy discussion took place on the matter of dental locs to be paid by parents for tlie treatment of their children. It was stated that at present the fee charged by the dental clinic was 2s per child. Owing to the fact that last year a number of parents had not paid, the amount due to the clinic was not fully met. Mr Carmine proposed that the committee charge the parents 3s for the first child with slight reductions nor child for two or more in the same family. This was seconded by Mr Burne. Tlie motion was strongly opposed by the chairman, who pointed out that such a charge would place the school in the position of making the highest levy in the district. The country schools charged 2s 6d and the other town school only Is, the committee raising tho balance by special effort. The Manchester Street School parents were now paying the 2s in advance .and there should he no further deficits. Mr Carmine said there was hound to bo some deficit as sonicwould not be in a position to pay and the committee should build up u reserve fund. The motion was carried, the chairman and Mr Campbell voting against it.