WHANGAREI SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Northern Advocate, 11 April 1911, Page 5

WHANGAREI SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

FINAL MONTHLY MEETING,

The Whangarei School Committee met on Monday night for its final monthly meeting prior to the election of a new committee, which takes place ■on the 24th inst. in the Whangarei School. There were present: Messrs. J. Wilkinson (chairman), C. R. Lovatt, W. S. Taylor, D. M. McLeod, H. Weaver, J. McKinnon, Rev. J. H. Hawkes .and-the secretary, Mr W. Chadwin. . ..Y MR. HIGGINSON'S REPORT. Mr F. Higginson's usual monthly report was read, in which he asked the •committee ! f they would declare 'Thursday, the 13th inst., a school holiday, on account of the opening of the Towai-Kawakawa railway section. He stated that the cadets had been invited to form a guard of honor to the Hon. J as. Carroll at Kawakawa, and with a view of accepting, about 150 cadets from Whangarei and Hikurangi schools intended to make the trip. The chairman moved and Mr Weaver seconded: "That the Easter holidays commence on Wednesday, the 12th inst., instead of Thursday."—Carried.

A discussion took place on the question of charging the cadets their fares to Kawakawa on Thursday next, the chairman contended that as the boys were invited it did not appear fanthat they should pay their fares. It was ultimately decided, on the motion •of Mr Weaver: "That the chairman -wire to the Hon. J. Carroll, asking that all boys in uniform should travel free ■on Thursday next."

Considerable dissatisfaction was expressed in the report at the manner in which the Hora Hora School had I been cleaned. A letter which accompanied the report, detailed the matter, and with the monthly visitor's report 3t was manifest that the work had been disgracefully slummed. Mr Weaver moved, and Rev. Hawkes seconded: -"That the present cleaner's services be dispensed with from Friday next, and that applications be called for a successor, and the matter be left in the Tiands of the chairman and teacher repayment." The report contained a request to liave a lock of one of the school gates attended to. Some adverse comment ■was passed in reference to the matter, one member asking what was the use of hoys attending the Technical School if they did not put their knowledge to a little practical use on occasion. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. The attendance at the Hora Hora School during the past month was 202, and the average .181.3. The chairman apologised for not bringing with him the Whangarei "School report, which he inadvertently left behind him. It did not contain anything of special interest. In reference'to the attendances, the chairman said that the averages had been *well maintained. A remarkable fact in this connection was that Whangarei -was going ahead in every direction, and the population was greatly increasing, still the attendance at both Whangarei schools this year was considerably lower than that of last year. The chairman said, in explanation that a large number of sixth standard pupils had left, and that the reduction in number had not been made up by juveniles. ' AN OVERDUE ACCOUNT. The chairman drew attention to the lact that an account amounting to £20, which had been owing by the committee for a considerable period, had not been paid. He moved: "That £10 of the sum be paid as soon as the capitation grant was to hand."—■ Carried, ■ . , . H- '•' ' FINALE. v "In reference to the meeting of householders on the 24th inst. for the purpose of electing a new Committee, the chairman, in a short speech, said that he sincerely hoped that there would be a representative gathering present ;at the Whangarei school on that night. :He remarked that the people of Wha.ngarei were really most apathetic, '.though education was the most important factor in a person's career, and a school committee was really a more important body than the Borough Council. He said in the .first instance. it was difficult to get as many as twenty householders to turn up to an •election, whereas in the second place over two hundred would muster and vote at the Borough Council elections. YHe thanked all for their regular attendance and for the manner in which they had. all helped him in the administration of both schools. V Mr Weaver, in reply, credited Mr •Wilkinson for the business-like manner in which he had carried on his ■duties as chairman, and for the firm.ness and courtesy he had always *-Shown in the execution of h?s work. Messrs Lovatt and Taylor also spoke -of the good qualities of Mr Wilkinson ,AS chairman of the committee. 'VA vote of thanks was unanimously alccorded the chairman, and concluded . ifte final general meeting of the present Committee.