SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20235, 20 April 1929, Page 17

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

WORK DURING THE YEAR. GENERAL PROGRESS REPORTEDProgress made during the past ynar- is re« corded in additional reports of school committees as follows: Mount Eden.—Many improvements had been effected at the Mount Edeii SchooL The past year was an eventful one. Tha whole cf the buildings had been :repainted and presented a greatly-improved appearance. Earnest attempts had been made to establish a dental clinio and it was hoped beforo long a building would be erected for the purpose. As a result of the conservation of funds and of the generouii beauesi of the late Mr. J. M.- Johnstone separate libraries had been established for each standard. An expenditure of about £65 enabled 600 volumes to be purchased. These were available for the free use of scholars. To commemorate the generosity of Mr* Johnstone a handsome glass book cabinet, suitably inscribed, had been installed in the headmaster's room. A piano had been purchased for the school, while two gramophones were in constant use. The improvement of the cricket and football _ playing areas was a matter requiring attention. Lhe report closes with an appeal fcr contributions to enable further improvements to ba made for the benefit of the children. Ponsonby Schools— Steady progress had been maintained at the Ponsonby schools. Each of the schools, Ponsonby, Richmond Road, Bayfield and Curran Street, had .a record in scholastic effort and success in sport. A matter which was causing the committee serious thought was th© gradual falling-off in attendance, whereby both the Ponsonby and Curran Street Schools lost their status as first-grade schools. Receipts for the year totalled £lO3l and expenditure £395. leaving a balance of £36, agamafc which were outstanding liabilities amountting to £35. Helped by voluntary contribution the committee was able to continue the services of an instructor in swimming when Government grants ceased. Throughout the season classes of beys and girls, under the control of teachers, bad attended Point Erin baths for instruction. Splendid work was being done at the dental clinic at the Curran Street School. Total attendances amounted to 2593 and_ it had been necessary to engage an additional dental nurse. Royal Oak.—The whole of the grounds at. the back of the school had been levelled and sown in grass and all the paths _ had again been tarred and sanded. Additional seating had been placed in the playgrounds and a tender accepted for a further 160 ft. The roll number was now 610, bringing the school to grade 7—the top grade. Accommodation was so severely taxed that children peeking admission to tho standard classes were being turned away. The question of additional accommodation _ was at present held up. pending the' Minister's decision regarding post-primary education. The committee had liad to abandon the scheme of constructing swimming baths, as the cost of maintenance pioved prohibitive, and the money in hand had been diverted to a general improvement fund, with the approval of the Education Board. Te Papapa.—The health of the children remained good and tho inspector's report showed satisfactory progress. "With the help of the teachers and scholars over £SO wins raise.l toward the dental clinic established at Onehunga. ADDITIONAL NOMINATIONS, SEVERAL ELECTIONS AVOIDED. As onlv the required number of nominations have been received, there will be no necessity for elections of school committees at Grafton, Remuera and Te Papapa. Annual meetings of householders wil] ba held on Monday evening. Additional lists of nominations received are:— Grafton.—Mesdames W. Childs. L. Smith, E. C. Harvey and Messrs. "W\ ,T. Edwards, F. Atkins. J. Burton. "W. Bsurchier, J. Mattson. W. Marshall. Matamata.—Mrs. Annio Stanley. Messrs. W L Pirie R. McCreadie, A. S. Tlnrlwall. J. L. Morris. J. Letisk V. C. Knight. ,T Buchanan. A. B'. Jaeger, L. Flower, W. A. Turkindon A. J. Long. F. Banks and Rev. A. C. Hampton. „ _ Remuera.—Messrs. B. L. Bagnall. Cr* Brownlce, A'. V- Burcher, "\V. ,T. Culpan. \V. E. M. Harp. E. W. Inder. \V. E. Lewisham. \V. \V. Mnrrttv. A. M. Paterson. Te Papapa—Mrs. Rtacey, Messrs. H. Da-r----son. C. Garside. F. Langton C. Marks. G. Bonson {sitting members). Mra. Bentley. Messrs. R. G. Barnes and C. C. Sandford.