AUCKLAND POINT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXI, 3 May 1938, Page 6

AUCKLAND POINT

PROPOSED GROUND EXTENSION PROGRESS OF PAST TWO YEARS At the bi-annual meeting of householders held in the Auckland Point, school last evening for the purpose of electing the school committee for the' ensuing two years there was a comparatively small attendance. Mr C. G. Cullen was elected chairman for the meeting. An apology for absence was received from the secretary (Mr W. Beveridge) who was absent with the R.S.A contingent. The committee's report was as follows.

COMMITTEE S REPORT The school roll every year continues to show a steady increase, the number on Ihe roll now being at 441. During the month of February 1937, the headmaster, Mr J. Masefield, was farewelled by the committee, on his transfer on promotion to the Nelson Central School, and a welcome was extended to our present headmaster, Mr A. W. Alloo, M.A. A considerable amount of work and improvements have been made during the past two years. This was made possible only by the increased grants in capitation monies given to the school committee by the present Government and assisted by funds raised by school and committee activities. A longfelt want has at last been established in that two tennis courts are now complete on the school grounds. It is pleasing to note that the teaching ,;taff adapt themselves in their spare time in coaching the pupils in this healthy pastime. Keeping up with present day events, the committee lias installed wireless, the radio being situated in the headmaster's office with a control board that connects every classroom in the building. The pupils are now able to hear the educational broadcasts and items of special events. Special reference should be made In regard to the flowerbeds, not only from a school point of view, as many of the public who pass by are noticed to stop and admire this attractive and pleasing sight. Credit goes to the girl pupils, who, under the supervision of certain teachers, look after the gardens as part of their horticultural education. It is certainly a credit to the school. It is pleasing to note in connection with the dental services, that, whereas in the past the committee has always had to face heavy liabilities to keep this essential service to the children it is now self-supporting. During the summer vacation, the painters renovated the interior of the building and under the new system, the dull, drab appearance of the classrooms has now vanished, each room being treated with different special colours. creating a very pleasing atmosphere.

Parents’ Day funct : ons have been held at the close of each year and the committee’s efforts on each occasion have been well rewarded. The tiny tots and a well decorated tree with Father Christmas in attendance, was the usual main attraction. Last year the usual event of prize giving was eliminated. After careful consideration the committee decided to concentrate on tennis courts and wireless for the school, the expenses of those two items being of a heavy nature. It is pleasing to note that the attendances on Parents' Day continue to increase, and thus the parents and children once a year gather at the school where the classrooms and exhibition of work on display is seen and enjoyed by all. To the ladies of the progress committee. sincere appreciation and thanks I are extended for their ever loyal and ; willing services connected with parents j day functions and special school events.! The success of those functions is due. j entirely, to their efforts. Our thanks are j extended to the Education Board for j their timely assistance financially in [ giving grants or subsidies for grounds ! improvements, tennis courts and wire- I less. Without their assistance it would not have been possible to accomplish ! what has already been done. Special mention should be made of j the clean and tidy appearance, both } inside and outside of the school, the credit being due to the caretaker. Mrs | Hennig. who continues in her pains- | taking manner to carry out her duties! efficiently. For some considerable time, my committee has realised the smallness of the playing area and at present this item is under consideration by the Education Board and the Government. SWIMMING REPORT The committee is pleased to note j that there has been a marked increase j in the interest taken in swimming and life-saving activities. In’ the upper j classes only a few pupils are unable to j swim. Fourteen candidates were successful | in the water examination for the In- : termediate Life-Saving Certificate. ! This is the first occasion on which Auckland Point School has had a life- ! saving class. The number of pupils who qualified for certificates issued by the N.Z.A.S A. were as follow: 50 yards. 52; 1 220 yards, 27; 880 yards, 4. Annual sports: A.P.S. pupils scored eight firsts besides several seconds and thirds at the annual sports held by the Nelson schools. In conclusion we are indebted to our secretary, Mr W. B. Beveridge, for his ever willing services and to his organising abilities for concerts and Parents’ Day functions. The report was adopted. Following the report Mr L. H. Bull explained that unfortunately there was , no financial statement owing to the ab- [ sence of the secretary but he could say that the schools fund were in a very satisfactory position. There were three accounts-capitation, special and library all of which showed a credit. In the Hounsell bequest library they still had £46 in hand.

r At the present time the committee i was negotiating with the Education i Board and the government in an en- * deavour to obtain a portion of the i land now held under Maori lease, adj jacent to the school. There had been j talk of forming a school playing area on the reclaimed land opposite the i school, but the committee did not fav- ' our this proposal as it would necessitate the children crossing the road or using an overhead bridge, neither of which was desirable.

Mr A. W. Alloo spoke in appreciation of the old committee saying that they had never refused him their cooperation and had always been willing to grant his requests, even when they had involved considerable expense. He made special reference to the secretary, Mr W. B. Beveridge, who had done yeomen service. NEW COMMITTEE Eleven nominations were received for nine vacancies on the committee, the following being elected: Messrs N. C. Fowler, R. L. Black, L. H. Bull, G. W. Gatwood. C. J. Flanagan, W. B. Beveridge, A. McConchie, P. H. Dodson and S. D. Westrupp. A short meeting of the new committee was then held to elect the officers. Messrs L. H. Bull and W. B. Beveridge being re-elected chairman and secretary respectively.