Foxton

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6853, 7 March 1929, Page 5

Foxton

From Our Own Correspondent, School Committee.

The monthly meeting of the Foxton school committee was held on Monday, and was presided over by Mr. J. K. Hornblow (chairman). Also present were: Messrs. A. W. O. Stevenson, _S. E. Cowley, A. G. Huntley and D. Christie, and Mr. R. Rangiheua (secretary). Correspondent was read and dealt with, as follows: — From Mr. W. Trueman, accepting the postion of hon. auditor, vice Mr. J. S. Moir (resigned). —Received. From tho Education Board, regarding subsidy not yet claimed. —It was resolved” on the motion of Messrs. Christie and Cowley, to leave the matter of claiming outstanding subsidies in tho hands of the secretary and headmastcr. The Board also advised that the committee’s application for a library subsidy had been approved by the department. —Received. Accounts amounting to £52 14s 3d were passed for payment. It was resolved to endorse the chairman’s action in applying for an incinerator, to thank the Board for consenting to pay half the cost and to ask the architect to furnish plan and estimates for tho committee’s information. Messrs. Cowley and JJuntley moved and it was decided to Te-draft the janitor’s schedule of duties. Thanks to the staff for tho manner in which the picnic details had been arranged were conveyed. On the motion of Messrs. Huntley and Stevenson, it was agreed to leave tho matter of introducing the Nelson system of Bible instructions in school in the hands of the headmaster. Tho headmaster’s report stated that tho school re-opened on Monday, February 4 and tho purged rolls and average attendances to date were as follow:—Primary (roll), 394; average attendance, 368; secondary (roll), 48; average attendance, 47, side school (roll), 61; average attendance, 52; total, 503. On the whole, there appears to bo little variation from tho numbers attending this time last year. There had been several changes in the personnel of the staff. Teachers who left at the end of the year were: Mrs. E. M. Baillie, Miss J. Thompson, Miss A. Holst and M. V. Moore. New teachers on the staff were: Miss J. Mountfort, Miss E. Bindon, Mr. D. M. Scott, Miss 0. Yorke and Miss E. Crowe, the two latter being probationers and were last year pupils in the secondary department. The school would lose another member of the staff at the end of April in the person of Miss Williams, infant mistress, who would be retiring on superannuation after a long period of faithful service. The committee would have noted from reports appearing from time to time in the press of tho success which attonded the teachers’ efforts during last year, which stood out pre-eminently as the most successful year in the history of the school.

During the month the school was visited by Mr. F. Eoydhouse, physical instructor, who reported most favourably upon the work of the school in the matter of physical training. Inspectors Crawford, Adams and Crosby also inspocted the school and have given the headmaster to understand that they were well pleased; One factor which was handicapping

the work was the lack of text-books. The new syllabus of instruction which came into force with the New Year had necessitated a change in text books, a change which was pressing hard upon tho pockets of parents. Old books were to be discarded and an entirely new set was being substituted. These new issues were not yet in full circulation with the result that teachers and pupils both were at present working under difficulties. The efforts of the committee to lighten the cost of writing material had culminated in the school being able to supply parents with writing pads 25 per cent, cheaper. The willing co-operation of the teachers in retailing these goods was making the effort practicable. The sports side of school work was again receiving attention, and teams had been selected from among tho many boys and girls who had been training to defend the four shields at present in the school’s custody. The conveyance of children who had passed Std. IV at the side school had been arranged for, Mr. R. Hart having undertaken to carry out the work. The conveyance of children from tho Motuiti-Himatangi area was at present receiving consideration and the headmaster trusted that as a result something definite would eventuate. Municipal Library.

Tho contractors for the new library room had practically finished their work and the books have been removed to their new home, next to the Council Chambers in Main street. The front of the building has yet to be painted and when this is completed, the building should suffice for several years. Pilot’s Services. The Mayor has written thanking the chairman of the Foxton Harbour'Board for his action in retaining the services of Mr. C. A. Larsen, a certificated pilot, for the port. It has previously been pointed out that unless the services of a qualified pilot are available, it is unlikely that shipping will use the port. Personal. Mrs. Hobbs and her two daughters, of Eongotea, who have been spending a holiday at the seaside, have returned home. The Mayor (Mr. M. E. Pfcrrcau) and Town Clerk (Mr. Wm. Trueman) are attending the municipal conference at Wanganui. Mr. C. L. Barnard, of Helensvillc, who was for several years in business in Foxton, visited the scene of his former activities last week. , Mr. M. E. Perreau has agreed to act as organiser for the forthcoming Plunket Baby Carnival. The object of the carnival is to raise funds to build Plunket rooms. The baby candidates are as follows: Citizens, Mrs. S. Barber's Bryan; Country, Mrs. Hunter’s Joan; Sports, Mrs. C. Alexander’s Joy. Mr. Wm. Aldridge, who was recently severely gored by a bull, is making a favourable recovery. Mrs. D. Christie left on Tuesday for Auckland, where she will attend the wedding of her second son, James, to Miss Clodagh Barnard, formerly of Foxton.