MEETINGS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIV, Issue 13490, 17 May 1907, Page 3

MEETINGS.

' " POVERTY AND WAE> ( A MEETING was held in the Society of Arts' building last evening, underthe auspices of the International Arbitration'and Peace Association. There was only a moderate attendance, but an " address 'by 'Mr. " James Aggers was listened to with the keenest interest. Mr. Aggers chose for nis;> subject, "Poverty-and War," and instanced the part •war: played in the poverty of a nation. He quoted figures to show that three million people in. England were below the poverty line. During the past 16 years England had spent upon the up-keep of its army .and navy £893,849,924. He suggested that it would have been better had the money been utilised in : cultivating the now unused lands of England which would have found employment for those poverty-stricken people, besides producing supplies of food now imported. At the conclusion of his address Mr. Aggers was ac--1 corded a vote of thanks. s NEWTON SCHOOLS COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Newton Schools Committee was held on Wednesday evening, when there were present: Messrs. O. H. Sexton (chairman),. Smith,.,VVMt«, Jameu, Schofield, Heed, Healey, Holdaworth, Waddingh&m. A vote of thanks was passes to Messrs Botterill and Lee for their past services on the committee. The headmaster of the Newton East School repvrteu the roll number for the past month as 875, with an average attendance of 804. Mr.' Webber reported the number oh the roli at Newton West and Richmond side school as 820, with an average attendance of 7«4. The attendance at all the schools was below the average on account of sickness. The committee decided to call the attention of the Board of Education to the great laxity of many parents in sending children to school front homes > where other members of the family were. laid up with measles, and to ask that public attention be drawn to this important matter. The committee had under consideration the question of providing swimming baths for the use of the children attending the schools. This matter was mentioned at the recent meeting of householders, and the committee was requested to take some steps in the matter. The chairman has been in communication -with the member for the district, the Hon. G. Fowlds, on the question, and a letter was read to the committee from ! the Minister, warmly supporting the scheme, and offering to contribute £25 towards this desirable object. The chairman was instructs ed to call a public meeting of householders at an early date, to consider the subject. A letter was read from the residents of Richmond, thanking the committee for ' their efforts in securing a school for their district. Several matters requiring attention in the iNewton East and «Vest schools were referred to the sub-committees. It was decided that ! the committee should make an official visit to the different schools during the month.