PATUMAHOE

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 167, 20 April 1916, Page 3

PATUMAHOE

HOUSEHOLDERS' MEETING. < —- SCHOOL ACCOMMODATION CONDEMNED. The annual meeting of householders took place in the Public Hall on Monday evening last, when the following were elected as the Bchool Committee, viz :—Messrs J. B. Goldsworthy (chairman), J. Henry, W. Howe, W. G. Pleydell (treasurer) andE. C Cuff (seeratary). The annual report anl balance sheet was read and passed, and differed little from previous reports, with the exception that particular stress was laid on the waut of proper building acebmmodation for school purposes, and the failure of the Board of Education to provide additions and alterations to the school building, although such had been promised by the chairman and other members of the Board. Householders considered that the uie of a tent for accommodating the children was scandalous in an-old, well-settled and prosperous district like Patumahoe, and was more fitting for the initial settlement of the backblocks than for a district settled over fifty years. Besides, the heat of the- tent during the late sultry summer was very detrimental to the children's health, the temperature being practically unbearable. The outcome of the discussion was the unanimous passing of the following resolution, with the instruction that a copy of the same should be sent to the chairman of the Board of Education, viz.:—" That this annual meeting of householders wishes to place on record its dissatisfactiou at the want of action on the part of the Board of Education in providing suitable building accommodation for the children, attending the Patumahoe School, and in the opinion of this meeting the tent provided is utterly unsuitable, insanitary and detrimental to the health of the children, especially during the heat of the summer months.' This lack of proper accommodation has been detrimental to the school attendance, several parents preferring to send their children to school outside of the district rather than risk endangering their health by having tbem confined in the structure provided by the Board for teaching purposes. That this meeting again urges upon the Board to provide suitable and necessary accommodation by additions and alterations to the present school building at the earliest possible date, and that this meeting expresses surprise at the promise of the Chairman and members of the .Board of Education made, on their recent visit to the school in August last, to have the school building altered and enlarged has not been fulfilled." v

Mr J. Henry has now a large staff of men at work making extensive alterations to his business premises and dwelling. The new store will have two frontages, one to the Pukekohe road anc( the other to, the Waiuku. road, together with an overhanging verandah and six bay windows fitted up with plate glass. The site of the present goods-shed will be occupied by a packing room, and a right-of-way will be provided for the speedy despatch of country ofdere. The of the work is estimated at about £I6OO, the plate flasi alone running into over £IOO. he reckons it will be, when completed, one of the most up-to-datp stores, this side of Auckland. Mr Henry must be congratulated on his enterprise as a building of the kind will be a great acquisition to Fatumahoe.

Most of the turnip crops, especially swedes, hav« been practically a failure this season on account of the dry autumn and the fly. Some farmers have sown the same field over three times with no result. However, as most farmers have good supply of hay no shortage of winter feed is anticipated. A large area of young grass has been sown this autumn, and some paddocks which are already a green tinge should, with occasional showers of rain, be well forward for grazing in the early spring. Mr and Mrs H. Hay had the misfortune to meet with an accident while driving home from church on Sunday evening last. Through the horse stumbling both were thrown, out of the' (jig Mr Hay sustained two 'broken ribs "and Mrs Hay got a severe shaking. Mr Hay is now progressing very favourably, but will be incapacitated for some considerable time.