NESON COLLEGES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 30 March 1938, Page 2

NESON COLLEGES

COUNCIL OF GOVERNORS THE FORTNIGHTLY MEETING At the monthly meeting of the Council of Governors of the Nelson Colleges last evening there were present Mr C. R. Fell (chairman). Mrs E. R. M. Childs. Messrs F. V. Knapp. S Kenninu. W. Lock. F. J. Cullen. C. Milner. C. M. Collins. F. W. Hamilton. Dr. W. D. 3. Johnston. Accounts amounting to £3Bll Os Id were passed for payment. The report of the supervisor (Mr T. Milne) on the Nelson College evening I classes and manual training for the month of March showed that the total attendance was 626 as against 566 in 1937. ‘The totals show a satisfactory increase on last year and we are still enrolling students. The general class average roll number is now' 17.1 against 14.6 last year. The classes generally have all filled well, and with the above average w’c can have two more classes and still retain the necessary ]6 class average. I would recommend that an extra class in dressmaking be formed as, the two classes in this subject are very i large and we have only four sewing ' machines available, the other one <s practically useless. The work of the j classes, now that preliminary arrange-! ments are complete, is progressing very J satisfactorily.” The Lady Principal of the Girls’ Col- j 1 lege. Miss J. Stewart, reported that the roll number in the secondary dr>- ' 1 partment at Ist March was 420. Several senior girls had left to take up occu- , pations. After a period in w’hich several pupils were absent ow-ing to influenza. 1 there had been a general improvement j in the attendances. Visitors to the College had been Mrs Flynn, who had given an address on the work in the Inland; while Mrs R. J. Tillyard had given an address on health. The Principal of the Boys’ College (Mr H. V. Searle) referring to the new football ground, said that the Minister of Employment had approved of a payment of £4 per w'eek per man for work done on the College grounds. This w'ould cover the concrete w'ork and carpenters’ w’ork in connection with the new baths; and it should also cover the laying down of new hard tennis courts. It would be worth while, however. to have the excavation work fo; baths and tennis courts done by a "bull-dozer.” By getting this done expeditiously it would allow of the taking advantage of the offer of £4 per man per week for the rest of the labour. As regards the second football field, j the cost of which would be approxi- , mately £2500, this arrangement would not help a great deal. It would take 10 years or more to do the work by : pick and shovel. A “bull-dozer” could do the levelling in 15 weeks, but under this arrangement £6O towards the £2500 would be all that could be expected. Although the Minister of Employment thought that money spent on school football grounds was money well spent, it would not be reasonable to expect the money to come from the Employment Fund if the work were done by machinery. The Principal therefore suggested that the Minister of Public Works be asked for a grsnt to do the whole of the second football field. The report was adopted, the above matter being referred to a committee. The Education Department notified that free school books for necessitous cases would again be granted this year. It was resolved to w'rite to the Min-j ister in reference to the retirement by effluxion of time of Mrs Childs from the Council cf Governors, suggesting her re-appointment. The Education Department writing regarding film projectors, said that the matter was held up pending further investigations into the subject. It was resolved that the chairman rc- 1 present the Council at the secondary schools conference; and if possible, the technical conference. It was resolved to advertise the Colleges in the Progress League’s new booklet. Appointments to staff are: Mr T. Austin. B.Sc.. engineering instructor i for Nelson College day classes. Miss M. H. Hooton and Miss M. S. Stewart, full time teachers to fill the vacancy at the Girls’ College caused by the resignation of Miss D. Lane, and to fill a new position consequent on the increased roll of the College. The above teachers commence their ! duties after Easter.