SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Northern Advocate, 13 February 1912, Page 5

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

MONTHLY MEETING

The usual monthly meeting of the Whangarei School Committee was held ''in the Mayor's room last night, when there were present: Messrs-.T. Wilkinson (chairman), C. R. Fricker, F. Cutforth, F. Pear.-c, J. Horn, C. Strugnell and Rev. J. H. Hawkes. SCHOOL-HOUSE TO BE RENOVATED. A communication received from the Auckland Education Board referred to Mr A. McGregor's request to have the Whangarei school-house renovated and re-papered. Mr Fricker said that the work had been authorised, and would be put in hand by him next week. FREE CLASS BOOKS. The chairman read the concessions and conditions regarding the free provision of class books to be given by the Board, and which have been previously publish.!].

In speaking of the,contents of the circular, the chairman said that an erroneous idea was abroad to the effect that the giants included exercise and drawing Looks. It was particularly emphasised that only class books would bf provided. The regulations, if adopted, meant that the cost of scribbling paper, which now almost generally took the place of slates, would In-, reduced to 50 per cent., in that Is per capita was allowed for purchasing this requirement.

Rev. Hawkcs moved, and Mr Wilkinson seconded: "Thar the conditions required bo fulfilled, and that a certificate, as desired, be forwarded by the CommitN."? to the Board."— Carried. THE DRILLING OF SENIOR CADETS Sergt.-Major McDonnell, district area officer, applied for permission to use the Whaiigarei around on moonlight nights for holding parades.

On Mr Pearce's motion it was decided to grant the request, provided that only senior carets wc-e drilled on +hf, grounds, md tint the technical school work be not interfered with.

CHANGE OP SCHOOL HOURS. Mr F. Higginson wrote stating that it was the almost unanimous wish of the parents, and the scheme had the ■whole-hearted support of the teachers, that school should commence at 8.30 o'clock in the morning, and close an hour earlier in the afternoon during the summer months. Mr McGregor, writing to the same effect, said that the first day's trial of the scheme had been most successful. The chairman's action in granting permission to the headmasters of both schools to adopt the scheme, was endoresd. STREET CROSSING. The secretary's action, in forwarding a request from the Borough Council to the Board of Education, regarding the placing of a crossing from the street to the Whangarei school, received approval. AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE. In his report to the committee, Mr McGregor stated that the Whangarei school won the prize of £5, awarded by Mr C. J. Parr, of Auckland, by obtaining the highest number of marks in agricultural science in the northeastern district of Auckland. The money would be devoted to further promoting the teaching of agricultural science. SCHOOL-TEACHERS COMPLIMENTED. The chairman moved that the teachers of the local school be complimented on the very satisfactory results of the recent examinations. — Seconded by Mr Hawkes and carried. DEFECTIVE TIMEKEEPERS. Two clocks at the Whangarei school needing repairs were authorised to be attended to by the secretary. VISITORS. The Rev. Hawkes was appointed visitor for the Whangarei school and Mr Horn visitor for the Hora Hora school during the ensuing month.