SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 14101, 29 April 1919, Page 5

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

COLLEGE STREET. There was an attendance of over 1200 at tho annual meeting of houscsolders at the College Street School district. Mr W. Park was voted to the chair. Thet minutes of the last- meeting were read and confirmed. The annual report, a copy of which has already appeared in this paper, was read by the chairman of committee (Rev. A. D. Doull, M.A.). The abstract of the School Fund was road by the secretary. Mr H. C. Le Grange. The statement of accounts showed a credit balance of £B7 13/7. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the Rev. A. Doull referred in feeling terms to the death of Mr H. J. Keys, who was chiefly responsible for the formation of the Manawatu Public Schools- Association. He also referred to the plans submitted for the erection of a new infant school in brick. These plans provided for a very line school, but owing to the antipathy of the Education Department to a central meeting hall in the school, the plans wore sent back to the committee for alteration. Mr Doull pointed out the-advantage to be gained by having a large hall in which the scholars could meet on wet days, also its usefulness for householders’ meetings, school concert, etc. Reference was also made to the efforts being made by the committee in securing a section ox>posite the present school for the erection of the proposed new infants’ school. Ho thanked the Mayor (Mr Nash, M.P.) for his efforts on their behalf in securing an option over tho section, and hoped that arrangements would be made by tho incoming committee to secure the section. In connection with the overcrowding at the school, the Rev. Doull read over a list of the number of scholars the rooms were supposed to hold on a 12ft square basis for each pupil, showing that the school was overcrowded to the extent of 173, which included the "shack” built on the playgrounds. He asked that the meeting should again pass a resolution protesting against the overcrowding that was going on. Tn concluding his remarks, the chairman referred in glowing terms to the good work done by Air H. E. Bennett, Miss Hancock, and all those who had assisted at the concert hold during the past year, which had augmented the funds to such an extent, and had enabled some very necessary improvements to tho grounds being carried out.

MOTIONS PASSED. "That this meeting protest most emphatically against the delay being caused by the Education Department in providing accommodation for the infants; also pointing out that the school roll number was (SIS, and the average attendance 550. ’’ "That this meeting of householders pass a similar motion to that passed last year in connection -with, the increased grant for education." "That, this meeting agrees to the recommendation of the Manawatu School Committees’ Association in connection with holding a combined sports meeting and picnic for all schools in this district." "That this meeting of householders approves that Palmerston North be formed into an urban school district, and that the incoming committee be instructed to do all in their power to further the scheme." "That a vote of thanks be passed to the Headmaster and his staff for the excellent services rendered during the past year." Mr D. W. Low replied on behalf of the staff.

4 4 That this meeting accord its hearty thanks to the local Press for the assistance given during the past year.” 4 4 That this meeting accord its thanks and appreciation for the splendid efforts put forth by the ehanrman and committee on the householders’ behalf during the past year. ” 4 4 That this meeting place on record its deepest sympathy with Mrs H. J. Keys and family on the loss they have sustained through the death of Mr Keys. ’ ’ ELECTION OF COMMITTEE. The election of the new committee resulted as follows: —Messrs. H. C. Le Grange 174, J. A. Lissington 153. Mrs Z. Gill 133, Rev. A. Doull 122, X B. Gcrrand 114, H. C. Baker 110, C. X Gill 108, P. Carville 96.. S. Sanson 94 (elected). Others nominated polled as follows: T. E. French 91, Mrs E. H. Orabb 84. A. C. Bradfield 75. Mr Walter Turner, on behalf of the scrutineers, raised the question of a better system of voting, and gave it as their opinion that a day should be set apart for taking the poll for school committees in such large meetings as those usually held in Palmerston. The Rev. A. Doull pointed out that if the proposed urban district scheme, which the meeting had favoured that evening, was brought into force, the method of voting suggested by Mr Turner would be adopted. The meeting, which was the largest yet held at College Street, terminated with a vote of thanks to the scrutineers and the chairman of the meeting (Mr W. Park). At a subsequent meeting of the committee the Rev. A. Doull was re-elected chairman, and Mr H. C. Le Grange secretary.

CAMPBELL STREET. i . i Mr A. J. Mahon presided over a rej cord attendance of householders of the j Campbell Street School district, at the j school. The meeting overflowed into < the passages. Tho chairman congratuI laded tho staff on the results of a year ’a work. Ho referred feelingly to the death of Mr H. M. Payne, after a brief occupation of the position of headmas- ; tor at the school. He regretted that 1 the committee’s efforts had not been } successful in providing a new school. It * was not the committee’s fault nor that j of the Education Board or local mem- ! bers of the board. The Minister for i Education and the secretary of the I board had both visited the school and i had been impressed with the urgent t need for a school. Mr P. Fraser had 'J also visited the school and had proi mised to do his utmost to get a new I one, commenting that its condition was S the worst he had seen in any school in | tho Dominion. j On the motion of the Rev. Ashworth, a vote of condolence was accorded the i' relatives of the late headmaster, Mr H. f M. Payne, whom the mover charaetcr- | ised as a ‘' thorough-going gentleman.” * On tho motion of the same gentlet man, votes of thanks were accorded the | committee and tho staff for the work [ they had done during the past year. | The Rev. Ashworth referred particu- ! larly to the work the committee had

done in respect to acquiring a new .school. A vote of condolence was also accorded the relatives of the late Mr M. Withell, a former member of the school committee.

The following remits from the Manawatu School Committees’ Association received unanimous support: (I) That the time has arrived when the education grant be increased to £3,000,000. (S) That the status of the teaching profession should be raised and salaries paid in keeping with the work. (3) That greater inducements should be given to young people to take up the teaching profession. It was decided to send a copy of the resolution on to each member of the Cabinet. It was decided to fall in with a suggestion from tho School Committees’ Association, that the schools hold a combined sports meeting. It was decided to ask the incoming school committee to suggest boundaries to the Wanganui Education Board for the school district, the boundaries to be confirmed by the board. COMMITTEE ELECTED. J. W . Runnier 161, A. J. Mahon (chairman) 152, A. Clark 137, P. T. Robinson (secretary) 128, H. N. Vivian 116, A. W. Gallichan .109, A. E. Mellor 109, A.* H. Mills 101, C. W. Penman 100. The other nominees polled as follows: C. Tavlor 94, G. Allman 86, F. W. Jewell 85, A. E. Wright 77, A. Stcnberg 68, G. Hampson 47, J. D. Party 42. TERRACE END, At the householders’ annual meeting at Terrace End 9 School there ewro about 140 present. Mr J. A. Nash was voted to the chair. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report, which was read and adopted, stated that the roll number was 647, which was a slight increase over the preceding year. E. Budden had gained the junior scholarship, also the Lieutenant Gray scholarship, but the Board later had awarded the latter to T. Attwood. Special attention had been devoted by Mr Thompson, in conjunction with the boys of the school, to the care of shrubs and ornamental trees recently planted. As a result of the visit to the school by the Hon. the Minister for Education, further classrooms had been erected, which had enabled the headmaster to dispense with the temporary classrooms at the Coronation Hall. Nothing further had been done to provide playing areas, but negotiations with the Education Department by the Borough Council for an exchange of land were taking place. This, however, would not provide all that would be required, and it was hoped the Board would seriously consider the acquisition of further land adjoining the school. In conclusion, tho committee thanked the headmaster (Mr Fairbrother), and Mr Thompson, and the rest of the staff, for their loyalty and the interest they had taken in the welfare of the children attending the school. Mr Nash said it was hoped that before long additional classrooms and improvements around the school would be provided. It was impossible to carry on with the limited playing area they had, and he trusted that additional land would be acquired. (Applause.) They had had a hard climb last year, but managed to come out with a credit balance of £l4 6/7. Jt was resolved to support the suggestion from the Manawatu School Committees * Association in connection with the holding of a combined school sports gathering. Reference was made to the great work performed by the late Mr Keys in this matter. The Manawatu School Committees’ Association’s motion in reference to the educational grant being increased to £3,000,000, etc., was unanimously supported. Mr S. H. Snell brought up the matter of the school playing area. He said that for the attendance at the Terrace End School (647) the grounds were only one-third the size they should be. He urged that additional playing ground be acquired. It was decided to suggest to the incoming committee the advisability of making immediate representation to the Board on the matter.

A motion put by Mr Parlane requesting the incoming committee to take the necessary steps in order to form a School Board to govern all the schools of Palmerston in place of committees was lost.

Mr Stiles opened up afresh the longdebated question of school books, stationery, etc. He said the time had arrived when the books, etc., should be purchased at wholesale prices, which, of course, would have to be made possible by the Government. Mr Sutton read a memo he had received from the Minister of Education, in which it was pointed out that what should be done was to start a central store for the distribution of books, etc., at reduced prices* Rev. Griffiths, an ex-teacher of Now South Wales, said that New Zealand was the first country he had been in which did noti have free school books, on his motion it was enthusiastically decided: “That this meeting requests the Government to do something in the matter of purchase of books and educational utensils, in view of the -high cost of living at the present time., as is done in Australian States. 55 ELECTION OF COMMITTEE,

The election of a committee of nine for the ensuing year resulted as follows: J. A. Nash, W. S. Kaye, S. H. Snell, A. W. Sutton, R. Michie, G. H. Stiles, H .Hardy, J. Davidson and A. J. Yortt (elected); those defeated being Mrs Murray, Messrs. N. H. Nash, G. P. Jarrett, J. Hodgens and J. H. Howarth. At a subsequent meeting of the new committee Mr J. A. Nash was reelected chairman, and Mr A. J. Yortt, secretary. Mr Stiles was elected treasurer. KELVIN GROVE. Messrs M. Rosanoski, chairman; H. Townshcnd, secretary; T. Richardson, J. Beech and J. Watson. BUNNYTHORPE. The following committee was elected by the householders at last night's meeting: Messrs Robert Currie, chairman; J. 11. Dixon, John Scheldt, P. M*. McGrath, John Wood, Hudson Little and Thomas Chandler. WHAKARONGA. At a largo meeting of householders, the following were elected: Messrs R. l.loyd, chairman; J. I ’ye, secretary; R. Burke, G. Friend and G. Longhurst, COLYTON. There was a poor attendance at the meeting. The following were elected: Messrs A. Funston, chairman and secre-

tary; H. E. Hoeker, E. C. Lankshcar, J. Williamson, and W. C. Arnold. K AIR AN GA. There was a small meeting of householders at Kairanga last night. Tho election resulted as follows: Messrs A. Lancaster, chairman and treasurer; P* J. Small, N. Benton, Cook, and G* Cohr. AOKAUTEEE, A Targe number of householders attended the meeting last night, and of the nine nominated, the following were elected: Messrs A. Chatfield, chairman; W F. Field, secretary; W. Andrews, A, Kibble, and W. Hopcroft. TIAKITAHUNA. There was a small attendance at the householders ’ meeting last night. Tho following were elected: Messrs N. C. Neilscn, chairman; S. E. EieLardston, secretary; W. T. Lovelock, A. C. Lane and D. Rowlands. NEWBURY. The following committee was elected: Messrs E. W. Collins, chairman; J. Liuklatcr, secretary; F. Harris, ’ Jv shaw and B. Ferguson.