BALCLUTHA DISTRICT NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20222, 7 October 1927, Page 7

BALCLUTHA DISTRICT NEWS.

(Fbom Ode Own Coreespondbnt.) BALCLUTHA, October 6. SCHOOL COMMITTEE. The monthly meeting of the primary scuool committee was hold last night, when there were present —Messrs J. L. Cormack (chairman), Ash, Algie, Stephens, Wood, Guest Culbert, and Rev. Hedley White. Mr W J. Chappell wrote resigning as a member of the committee, owing to his departure for Oamaru.—Resignation accepted, a letter of appreciation to bo forwarded to Mr Chappell.—lt was further decided to forward the name of Mr J. I’. Lyall to the Education Board, with a recommendation that ho bo appointed to fill the vacancy. Mr t Bogg, headmaster, reported: The school reopened after the spring holidays with a much improved attendance, the average for the past month being 400. There are still some cases of mumps, but the health of the children has very much improved, to-day’s (sth inst.) attendance being 404, with a roll number of 421. Miss Gillespie left the school on August 26. after four years of splendid service as infant mistress, and Miss Dooguo acted as relieving teacher during September. Miss Durward, the newly-appointed infant mistress, commenced duty on Monday morning, and I am sure she will prove herself a competent teacher Quite a number of books have recently been added to the various libraries, and a number of pictures have been bought for the infant room, those being p rovidod by the proceeds of the afternoon concert given by the pupils two mouths ago. During the holidays we .bad a visit from the Albany Street School Band, which gave a concert in aid of the school funds and the boys’ band. The concert was a great success, and I would suggest that the proceeds bo devoted to improving the school grounds, particularly tho area that is being set aside for the infants' playground. I would like to take this opportunity of thanking the chairman (Mr Gnrmack), and Messrs (.vest, Ash, and Culbert, for their efforts to make the visit of the Dunedin boys a pleasant one. Mr Sprout, headmaster of the Albany Street School, has written mo expressing his and the committee’s appreciation of the hospitality extended to their boys. Thanks arc also duo to Mr James Guest for presenting a handsome flag (the Now Zealand flag) to the school, the summer sports (cricket and tennis) are now being played, anti wo hope soon to have these games in full swing. Wo trust that matches may bo arranged with Milton. Owaka, and Kaitangata Schools The report was adopted and a vote - f thanks passed to Mr Guest for his gilt of a flag. It was decided to send a letter of thanks to the Albany Street School Band, and to devote tho £5 derived from tho concert lo top-dressing asphalt in the school grounds.

application to bo made to the Education Board for the customary subsidy on same. Tho Chairman and tho Rev. M. While reported the result of their visit of inspection to the school, and recommended that a playground for the infant department be formed in tho area formerly used for experimental plots by tho district high school. The Visiting Committee recommended removing the shrubs and trees and planting with lawn grass. —Considerable discussion followed, during which the Secretary pointed out that the committee s funds would not permit undertaking such a work at present. The committee’s account was. in fact, overdrawn some £SO at the bank.—After various motions and amendments, it was finally decided, on the motion of Messrs Algie and Wood, that the committee keep tho matter of utilising the ground as an infants’ playground steadily in view.—lt was further agreed that the chairman furnish a report for next meeting as to the value of tho trees and shrubs for removal. Messrs Algic and Ash were appointed a Visiting Committee for October. GENERAL. September was a fairly wet month in Bnlclutha and neighbourhood, the rainfall measuring 4.49 in. Rain fell on 11 days, the maximum fall (1.82 in) occurring on tho 6th. Quite a number of sales of businesses, both largo and small, have taken place in Balclutha during the past few weeks. But tho business changes have by no means ceased, and it is believed that several more will shortly be announced.