MORNINGTON.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11397, 14 April 1899, Page 8

MORNINGTON.

The following is the annual report: — At the first meeting of the newly-elected committee Mr Joachim was chosen as chairman for the, year, and Mr Kyle secretary and treasurer. Shortly after election Sir Caldow, finding that he was unable to attend the committee's meetings, resigned'office, and Mr Moody, by request, consented to fill the vacancy thus caused. ... The Education Board's architect having prepared plans and specifications of the gymnasium building, the committee called for tenders .for the erection of1 the same, but as the prices ranged from £385 to £434 they felt that even the lowest sum was i quite beyond their means, as they had at that1 time only about £125; there was^besides, the Education Board's promised subsidy of £150 when the district should raise an equal sum. After very careful consideration the committee decided not to reduce the dimensions of the proposed building, but "to erect it according to the original design and leato the interior unfinished in the meantime. Consequently fresh tenders were called for, and the prices this time ranged from £313 to £348 10b. The contract was finally let to Messrs Foster arid George, and the work was begun about the Ist December, and finished the first week in March. The total cost up to the present time has been about £330, as ■ there have be.en a few extras. Of* this sum, £300 has been already paid, and to make this payment the committee were obliged to borrow £5. The debt on the building alone- is now about £35. This debt the committee hope to be able to wipe off by the net profit from the entertainment which is to be given on the 21st inst. :• but even when this liability is got rid of it will be' necessary to raise about £100 more in order to provide gymnastic apparatus, and to finish the inside of the building. The committee have t-p thank the Mornington Orchestral Society, and the Mornington Minstrels also, for having made a free gift to them of the net proceeds of two concerts. Before using the building in the evening for entertainments of .any kind it will.be necessary to have it lighted with gas. This can be done at, a cost-of about £15. The committee congratulate the people of Mornington on having procured a really cheap, comfortable, and serviceable building. The floor space, not including the stage,, and two large ante-rooms, measures 1920 square feet, and-the walls'are j 16ft high. • ■ ' ' ' / I Another work not less useful has just been completed by the Education Board—namely, a large concrete tank, with a, filter on top. A supply of clean drinking water for the children is now provided. During the summer holidays, the infant'J' room has been brightened up by having the ) inside woodwork painted and the walls distempered. For some time continuous efforts have been made, to get a path formed from .Hawthorn road, near the school,,to Kaikorai V alley, near Eutherglen. Cess than three months ago about £20 was raised by subscription from a few residents' in Mornington, 'and this sum, together with a subsidy of £12 10s from the Mornington Borough Council, has been sufficient to pay for the formation of the path, which is a good serviceable track; fenced on both sides. The facilities' for saving money which the school penny "bank" affords those who arc inclined to be thrifty are still appreciated. Savings -Bank-interest is allowed on sums even so small as 5s if deposited for a whole year or on 10s if deposited for, six months. The amount standing to the.credit of depositors at • the end of the year was £66 17s 7d.. The number of depositors is now 184, and the number of accounts opened since the bank was started is-349'. .. The annual examination of the-school took place in.the last week in.June, and was con ducted by Messrs Fitzgerald and Richardson. Out of 323 children who; were present at the examination of Standards I to VI, inclusive, 310 passed, which left only 13 failurr in the whole school." The"inspectors reported that ; the order and attention of the children were excellent. The average number of children : on the roll for the year ended the 31st March was 512, and ,the ay.erage., attendance for the : same time was 456. : The committee heartily thank the parents ' and "friends who contributed so liberally to i the fund for purchasing prizes and good at- ' tendance-awards. The total sum subscribed ' was £13 2s, and the expenditure was £12 9s ' 7d. i The annual picnic was held at Fuketeraki. About 500 people took advantage of the cheap ] excursion; and' a 'very "enjoyable day was \ spent. ■ The committee's income this'year from all sources was £437 12s lOd, and their oxpendi- ' lure £410 2s 5,, which leaves a. credit balance 3 of £27 10s sd; but no part of this balance can < be used in liquidating the debt on the gymnahium, as it belongs to tho ordinary revenue, 1 and can only be used for ordinary purp.oses. ' ; t