THE SCHOOLS

Southland Times, Issue 20667, 24 April 1929, Page 11

THE SCHOOLS

END OF YEAH ANNUAL MEETINGS OF HOUSEHOLDERS COMMITTEES ELECTED The annual meetings of householders of the primary schools were held last evening when the work of the.year came under review and committees were appointed for the ensuing "twelve months. Only one meeting (Otautau) failed to appoint a committee. ST. GEORGE COMMITTEE ELECTED UNOPPOSED. The annual meeting of householders in the St. George School district, held last evening in the school, was attended by ten householders. Mr G. R. Brown was elected to the chair. Annual Report. The annual report stated: — ‘‘The following changes in the staff took place last year: Miss Glass received an appointment in Christchurch, her position being filled by the appointment of Mr J. B. Cut-t. Miss' Pringle left to be married and was succeeded by Miss Willett. With the exception of these two changes and of the customary annual change of probationary assistants and probationers, the staff throughout the year has remained the same. Your committee has effected considerable improvements throughout the year. A handsome and substantial concrete fence has been erected along the front of the new school and the asphalt, where necessary, has been repaired and top-dressed. All _ the rooms in both schools have been furnished with wall blackboards and the necessary fittings. Cupboards for the library books have, been provided in five of the rooms. A duplicator was purchased for the use of the teachers and it has considerably lightened their work. The school re-opened at the beginning of 1928 with a roll of 615 and at the end of the year this number had increased to 684. The average attendance for the year was 590. An average of ten more pupils would have entitled the school to an additional teacher. Once more your committee would urge upon parents the necessity of sending their children to school more regularly. The school penny savings ban£ is much used by the pupils. The sum of £l2B stands to the credit of 197 depositors in the Post Office Savings Bank. The boys were successful in winning the junior cricket competition and the girls won the junior basketball tournament and were also runners-up in that and in the baseball competition. In the essay competition for the Anzac Banner our school, for the second time in succession, gained second place, and the prize for the best essay in Standard VI. was won by a pupil of our school with the very high percentage of 95. At the Winter Show eleven firsts, twelve seconds and nine third-class prizes were won in the different competitions. The balance-sheet shows the finances of the committee to be in a healthy condition, the credit balance standing at £3l 9/9. The school has maintained its high standing in school work and the inspector’s report has been most pleasing. It has been a pleasure to the committee to work in conjunction with Mr Robertson and the teaching staff and we wish to convey to them our hearty congratulations on the year's work. We regret that our headmaster, Mr Robertson, has retired after being in charge since the school opened in 1915, and we tru-pt he will be spared many years to enjoy his well-earned leisure. A public farewell and presentation will be held on May 10. To his successor, Mr G. Menzies. who has very high credentials, we extend a hearty welcome and assure him that the committee and householders will do their best to make his sojourn with us a pleasant one.” In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet, thr chairman said the report showed the position of the school from every' point of view. The main point of the report was the good work that had been carried on in the school; the last examination was a proof of that.

The report was adopted without further comment.

Hearty votes of thanks were passed to the retiring committeemen, the retiring secretary (Mr G. Mehaffey) and the retiring headmaster and teaching staff. The following committee was elected unopposed:—Messrs E. H. Ball, G. R. Brown, T. J. Daniel, S. Dickey. L. Fretwell, E. J. Race, T. Walker, H. F. R. Wilcox and the Rev. E. Gardiner.

At a subsequent meeting of the committee Mr G. R. Brown was re-elected chairman, Mr T. Walker was elected secretary, and Mr T. J. Daniel re-elected treasurer.

Subsequent meetings of the committee were fixed for the last Monday in the month.

WAIIIOPAI

Mr R. M. Strang (chairman), presided at the Waihopai School meeting, there being present a fair attendance of householders.

The annual report stated:—The school opened at the beginning of 1928 with a roll of 489, which increased during the year to 545, with an average attendance of 462.4 The reports of the medical officer, dental nurses, and the physical instructors show that the health and physical development of the children have been excellent, and there have been no epidemics serious enough to affect the attendance to any great extent during the year. Several changes in the staff occurred during the year. Miss Salmond, infant mistress, resigned after nine years of devoted service, to take up a similar position in the South School, Miss Cockerill being appointed in her place. Miss Robertson completed her term as probationary assistant, and Miss Crawford and Miss Kirkpatrick entered the training college. The inspector's annual report was highly commendatory, and the efficiency of the teaching has been decidedly good, as evidenced by the small number of pupils who failed to gain promotion at the end of the year. The results- achieved by Standard 6 were especially gratifying, no fewer than 66 pupils of this class having gained proficiency or competency certificates; while at the scholarship examination, one pupil, John NichoLson, had the honour of winning one of the two Junior National Scholarships awarded to Southland, and six pupils gained junior free places. In the Anzac Day Essay Competition, the school was also successful in winning the banner presented by the Returned Soldiers’ Association to the school securing the highest aggregate of marks in essays written by Standard 4, Standard 5, and Standard 6 pupils. During the year the athletic portion of the school life has been entered into by teachers and scholars with enthusiasm. At the annual tournament, the girls were successful in annexing the basketball cup, and were also runners-up in both the basketball and baseball competitions, being beaten in both by a very narrow margin of points. At the Annual School Sports, the girls won the solo skipping cup. For the first time in the history of the school, two soccer teams played in the competition, with the result that the A team now holds the soccer cup. In Rugby the boys displayed good form, but had to be content as runners-up for grade 3 seven-a-side. From the front, the Waihopai grounds present a very neat appearance, thanks to the outdoor caretaker’s good work, and that of the boys in keeping the grass cut. The sports area at the back, however, is far from satisfactory, owing to its rough state and lack of drainage. Your committee, is anxious to improve this state of affairs, so that the ground may be available for recreation whenever the weather is fine. A system of draining,.levelling and planting is under consideration, and Messrs E. R, Wilson and

J. A. McPherson have drawn up a plan and specifications of the proposed work. Our very best thanks are due to these gentlemen for the expert assistance thus voluntarily given. An appeal will shortly be made to parents and well-wishers to‘subscribe the necessary funds, the amount collected being no doubt due for the Department’s usual £ for £ subsidy. When this work is done, the children attending the Waihopai School will be fortunate in having splendid playing grounds, a large asphalted area round the school, neat gardens and attractive surroundings and situation. Recently the school was visited by the Hon. Harry Atmore, Minister of Education, who expressed himself well pleased with the work of the school and the appearance of the children. On March 1 the Chairman of the Education Board opened the new Dryburgh Special School for backward children which the Department has recently erected on the Park School site. The charge of this school has also been placed in the hands of your committee, but the question of a suitable grant for cleaning, fuel, and maintenance, has not yet been settled by the parties concerned. The school would appear to be in every way up-to-date, the lighting and ventilation being especially admirable. On the opening day, Mr R. J. Gilmour, managing director of the Southland Times, announced that his firm would donate a sewing machine or a gramophone to the school, whichever Miss Macdonald would care to have. Miss Macdonald chose the sewing machine as likely to prove of great practical use in the work of the school. Your committee takes this opportunity of placing on record its appreciation of the splendid generosity of the Southland Times in making such a fine gift. To that paper also, through Cousin Betty and her band of Little Southlanders, is very largely due the establishment of the school, as the Cousins’ assiduous efforts were successful in raising £250 towards the cost of erection. We understand also that an anonymous donor promised the school a piano. We take this opportunity of thanking him for his great kindness.

In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the chairman complimented the secretary (Mr F. K. Tucker) on his excellent and comprehensive report. He suggested that the . McKinnon Trust might be approached in connection with the grounds at the Park School. There was a scheme in hand for improving the playing area proper at the Waihopai School, and it was absolutely essential to get the ground in order. The report was adopted. No election was necessary, nine nominations being received for the nine members required. They were: Messrs R. M. Strang (re-elected chairman), F. K. Tucker (reelecteel hon. secretarj' and treasurer), W. Agnew, W. J. Brown, W. Grieve, J. C. McKenzie, W. Alexander, T. A. Nicholson and T. S. Tomlinson. /MIDDLE There was an attendance of approximately 200 householders at the Middle School, the chairman of the committee, the Rev. J. Lawson Robinson, presiding. At the opening of the meeting, the chairman said it was refreshing to see so much interest taken in the Middle School. He said he hoped it would be possible for the committee in the future to count on the assistance of the householders more than in the past. In moving the adoption of the annual report (previously published) the chairman said that at the beginning of the year a scheme had been launched with, a view to assisting the grounds funds and parents had been requested to contribute a small sum monthly for this purpose. The grounds had been badly cut up by the recent re.modelling of the school and to put them in good order would cost in the vicinity of £BOO. The response had been particularly poor. A certain amount of work had been done, but a great deal more was necessary. At present the children had no shelter provided for' wet weather except in the school building. A sum of £lB2 had been collected and he asked that further contributions be made. There were 14 nominations for the committee, namely the Rev. J. Lawson Robinson, Messrs J. E. Thomas. J. A. B. Walker, F. Henderson, G. C. Batchelor. J. J. Hynd, W. Stewart, W. P. Wicks, H. Kerr (sitting members' J. J.' Moore, .1. England, T. Brown, F. Johnston and C. Hopgood. Owing to a doubt about Mr Hopgood’s eligibility, he withdrew from the election. On a ballot being taken the retiring committee was reelected. • The discussion which 'centred around, the election is reported in another column.

A vote of thanks was accorjled to thv committee.

SOUTH

Twenty-four householders attended at the South School and Mr C. W. I’attou was elected to the chair. The annual report was read and the balance sheet showing a credit balance of £7 was presented. Mr Patton said that they had had their hands fairly lull during the year, but the committee had worked most harmoniously and they had received a great deal of support from the staff. About £6OO had been spent on the grounds and about another £6OO would have to be spent. He was pleased to see so many present and hoped that still more householders would come forward and work for the school. He moved the adoption of the report and this was seconded and carried without discussion.

Mr J. Manson moved that the balancesheet should be adopted and in doing so said that the grants from the board were not large enough. The cleaning, heating, lighting and water service used up the grants and any work outside that had to depend on money donated. The motion was seconded by Mrs Garrett. The chairman, in speaking to the motion, said that compared with past years, the finances of the committee were in a very sound state. The improvements required in the grounds would necessitate the raising of a considerable sum of money during the coming year. Mr F. G. Stevenson said that the board was not to be blamed for the amount of t.he grant because the amount was fixed by the Government and merely passed through the hands of the board. The balance-sheet was adopted. Ten nominations were received for the committee and a ballot was taken to eliminate the 1 ' extra nominee. The following were elected: —Mesdames Garrett and Parkin Messrs F. G. Stevenson, C. Dixon, J. Manson, A. F. Clark, L. Alsweiler, 11. J. Farrant and C. W. Patton. Messrs Farrant, Alsweiler and Stevenson, the new members, returned thanks for their election and the old committee was accorded a vote of thanks. A hearty vote of thanks was also accorded to the headmaster and his assistants and to the secretary of the committee, Mrs Garrett. The first meeting of the new committee was held at the conclusion of the meeting and Mr C. W. Patton was elected chairman, Mrs Garrett secretary and Mr J. Manson treasurer. Junior High Schools. Mr Patton mentioned references which had been circulated Tn the Press regarding some alteration in the education system. A great deal of objection had been raised to the junior high school suggestion and it was possible that it would be dropped. The introduction of a junior high school system would mean an enormous expense. The secondary schools would benefit and the primary schools would suffer. The parents should fight for their primary schools which were not getting all that ihey should have. Secondary education was a good thing, but it was useless without a good foundation, and parents and committees should fight to get the best equipment for the primary schools, where the foundation was laid. The classes were too large and the expense of providing more teachers would not be as great as that of establishing junior high schools. The parents should consider whether the Minister of Education should go on with the junior high school scheme or increase the staffs of the primary schools.’ Mr I. L. Petrie said that they should do all in their power to keep the fifth and sixth classes in their. schools and moved

“that this meeting views with alarm any system that will deprive the primary schools of the fifth and sixth standards and also thinks that a better idea would be to reduce the number of pupils in the class rooms to no more than 35 or 45.” The motion was not seconded and lapsed. Several members spoke on the subject and the general opinion expressed was that the matter was too indefinite to warrant definite action at present. NORTH INVERCARGILL At the annual meeting of the North Invercargill School Committee Mr J. Holland presided over a small gathering of householders. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £l6 5/9. The annual report stated that the work carried out in the school for the year by the headmaster and staff was very creditable indeed. Special mention was made of Miss. McDougall’s fine effort with the Sixth Standard children. The newly appointed first assistant, Mr Gazzard, took up his duties at the. beginning of November, 1928, and was carrying out the work in a most satisfactory manner. Mr Gazzard had had to shoulder the' responsibility of acting headmaster owing to the illness of Mr Soar, but under such unfortunate circumstances the work of the school generally was not lacking. During the recent visit to Southland of the Minister of Education the committee took the opportunity of appointing a deputation to meet him with the object of having the old wooden school building and the headmaster’s residence removed and new and up-to-date class rooms erected where they at present stood. It was hoped to have a favourable reply in the near future. The report expressed thanks to the householders for the splendid response received always by the committee on each and every appeal for funds. The committee thanked the headmaster and his staff for their splendid work during the years gone by throughout the school. The committee algo , wished to show its appreciation of the caretaker, Mr J. P. Scott, for the excellent manner in' which he had carried out his duties. Mr J. Holland, last year’s chairman, is not seeking re-election this year and the following members were appointed to the committee: Messrs A. W. Anderson, A. Gray, J. Pedler, L. H. Holmes, D. Meredith, J. F. Kennedy, R. A. Maus, J. S. Dodds and R. Grieve. Mr Holmes made reference to the good work done by Mr Holland during his term as chairman.' At the first committee meeting which was then held Mr A. W. Anderson was elected chairman and Mr J. S. Dodds was re-elected secretary., WAIKIWI At the meeting of householders in the Waikiwi School district, the Rev. W. J. Robertson presided over an attendance of eight. Annual Report.

The annual report stated that since las election one member of the committee had resigned. Mr Thomas Todd, owing to his leaving the district, retired after a long term of service on the committee. On the committee’s recommendation Mr H. Irwin was appointed to fill the vacancy. Since the commencement of the year there had been several . changes in the staff. The fourth assistant, Miss Williamson, resigned, and Miss R. Wakeling was appointed in her place. . Mr W. O. Hormann, . substitute assistant, completed his year of service and was succeeded by Miss R. Prendergast, probationary assistant, who filled a similar term. Miss S. Todd, probationer, proceeded to the training college and Miss W. Bell took her place. The committee congratulated the headmaster, Mr M. J. Leith, and his staff upon the high standard maintained by the school, and felt that they should receive every encouragement and assistance from the parents and residents in the. district. The average attendance for the year ending September 30 last was 230 for Waikiwi and six for the Hospital, to the children in which one of the assistants gives half her day. On closing for the year the roll number stood at 262, but owing to the exit of a large VI. Standard and the fluctuation of population, at the opening of the present session the number on the roll was 229. Since then the loss of several large families reduced that number still further, and at present the roll stood at 227.' The buildings were in good order except that two of the rooms were so congested as to make it very trying for teachers and scholars. A very slight increase in average attendance would, however, force the hand of the authorities. Some considerable improvement had been made to the grounds. The playing area to the south of the school was graded and a portion laid down in bitumen asphalt. The committee hoped to have the whole of the playing area to the south and west of the school asphalted. It was suggested that in the near future a considerable sum should be raised for this and other improvements to the buildings, grounds and equipment. The balance-sheet for the year showeel a credit balance of £2l 4/1. The sum of £6O 4/- had been spent on asphalting and other improvements. The report was adopted. The present chairman, the Rev. W. J. Robertson, retired in favour of Mr W. Carswell, who was duly elected. The following committee was elected:— Mr W. Carswell (chairman), Rev. W. J. Robertson, Messrs W. George, J. Forde, R. C. Buckingham, H. C. Kelly, B. Sievwright, H. Irwin. Mr Metcalfe was recommended to the board for re-appointment to the committee, this course was taken as he was not present. The appointment of a secretary was held over till the next meeting. OTAUTAU NO COMMITTEE ELECTED. V Sixteen householders were present at the annual meeting held in the Otautau School last evening, Mr G. Sinclair presiding. Tho balance-sheet showed receipts amounting to £135 18/8 and expenditure to £ll3 1/6, leaving a debit of £lB 17/2. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. A resolution was carrier] that a letter be forwarded to the Education Board stating that at the meeting of householders it. Was found impossible to procure a committee, the reason being that through lack of sufficient financial support in'the way of a grant, the present meeting did not feel justified in electing a committee. It was resolved that a protest be forwarded to the Education Board concerning the present school grading which necessitated so many changes in the staff. The following report was presented by the chairman (Mr G. Sinclair): Since last annual meeting improvements had been made to the school building, which was now thoroughly up-to-date. The new heating system in the infant rooms had been a great success, and the lighting and heating of the other rooms was all that could be desired. The school garden was now situated on the main ground, which was in good working order to enable the necessary instruction in agriculture to be carried out. The committee wished to thank parents for sending their children regularly to school. Though the roll number was small, the average was sufficient to maintain the full staff. The present roll strength was 217. It was pleasing to note that some parents in the outlying districts were recognizing the benefits of consolidation, and it was hoped in the near future that a large number of children would be conveyed to and from the school by motor. During the year the sum of approximately £35 had been spent on books for the school library. The .amount of the grant from the Education Board for incidentals required adjusting. During the past year the amount granted (£88) .was wholly spent. ■ for cleaning (£6O), sanitary (£10) and heating, and the committee had to find about £2O extra for working expenses. Mr T. Walker and staff had done very good work, and it was very pleasing to record that all the pupils of Standard VI.

passed the proficiency test, this, reflecting most creditably on Mr R. A. Cox. The many changes in the staff were against the best interests of the school, and a strong protest should be forwarded to the Education Department, asking that the system be altered. Nurse Winton continued to carry out her work in the dental clinic in a very efficient manner. The chairman appealed for financial support for this institution. He wished to thank the members of the outgoing committee, and especially the secretary (Mr R. Buchanan) for the able manner in which they had discharged their duties. RAYMOND’S GAP Five were present at the annual meeting of householders at Raymond’s Gap last evening, Mr Thomas Gill presiding. The roll number for the school is 10, the average attendance for the year being 10.1. The annual statement showed a credit balance of £5 4/3. The following were elected a committee for the ensuing year: Chairman, Mr T. Gill; secretary, Mr J. T. Rabbitt; committee, Messrs N. McAra, J. Jefferies and W. Ridder. BLUFF There was a good attendance at the meeting of householders in the Bluff School district, the Rev. Moses Ayrton presiding. The annual report stated that the present roll number was 293, the average attendance being 90 jser cent. The equipment was being gradually brought up-to-date. A projecting lantern had been acquired at a cost of £34, also a gramophone and records. The Bluff Ladies’ Glee Club had staged a concert during the year which added £lO, while a picture benefit brought in £4 10/6. The committee had a credit balance in hand of £2 19/3. The report concluded with thanks to the head teacher, Mr G. F. Griffiths, and his staff.

The following committee was elected for the ensuing year:—Messrs H. W. Newman (chairman), John Walker (secretary), C. Beaton, A. C. McKillop, A. .1. Brown, W. K. Grant, J. J. Wishard, F. Pearce and, Captain Schofield. GORE The annual meeting of householders o: the Gore School was held last evening Mr D. A. Dunn presiding over a fair attendance. ' The annual report of the Gore School Committee refers to the changes in the staff during the year and proceeds:—The attendance for the year has been generally good; the average roll being 440 and the average attendance 402, making the percentage 91.37 of the possible. On account of the increased attendance the school has been advanced in grade, that is from 6A to 68, and this entitles it to an additional teacher. The inspector’s report received during the year showed that the headmaster and staff were carrying out their duties in a highly efficient manner, and that the grounds and buildings had been receiving careful attention. Early in June a Post Office savings bank scheme was inaugurated at the school. The first deposit was made on June 30 last, and the headmaster reported at the last meeting of the committee that the total number of depositors was 145, and the deposits amounted to £lOl 16/10. In regard to the activities of the pupils, the headmaster reports that 12 of the boys have shown keen interest in the Boys’ Agricultural. Club, and have done very good work in their plots. In addition to this, very good results have been obtained from the school garden. One of the features of this department this year has been the'correlating of the garden work with the domestic course under Miss MeHutcheson. Quite an amount of expense has been incurred and met by the committee in connection with repair and upkeep about the school buildings, and in addition to this a bicycle shelter has been built which is much appreciated by the pupils. The jubilee of the school was celebrated in October last year and proved a most successful function. The annual sports day was held prior to the break-up ceremony, and largely owing to the thoughtfulnss and liberality of the Ex-Pupils’ Association, will be a day long remembered by the pupils. The annual excursion was held at the Bluff and proved a very pleasant outing for all concerned. The balance-sheet shows that on March 1, 1928, there was a balance of £34 2/6.

In moving the adoption of the report gnd balance-sheet the chairman stated that the average roll for the year was 427 with an average attendance of 94.1. The sport of the school had been carried on with success and several functions, including the jubilee celebrations, had been conducted. During the year the committee had paid approximately £l6 as its contribution towards the dental clinic. The only improvement made to the school appointments was a bicycle shed erected at a cost of £32, and it would be necessary for the new committee to consider the advisability of carrying out further improvements in this direction by concreting the floor of the shed. The committee had taken a keen interest in several matters actually outside of the school and had lodged a strong protest against the introduction of the junior high schools system. It had also represented to the Minister of Education that the primary schools were understaffed and should receive a capitation fee more in keeping with that granted to secondary schools.

Mr H. C. Mac Gibbon seconded the motion and the report and balance-sheet were adopted.

The following were elected to the new committee: Messrs A. L. Dolamore, 11. 11. Robertson, J. P. Wylie, If. C. Mac Gibbon, W. K. Hamilton, 11. T. Weir, D. A. Dunn, J. Harper and Dr. J. J. Gresham. On the motion of Mr J. Harper, seconded by Dr. J. J. Gresham, the following resolution was carried unanimously: “That this meeting of Gore householders recommend to the Minister of Education such an alteration in the grading system of the teaching profession as would enable teachers to obtain an annual increment and higher status without having to leave the school in which they were employed.’' Votes of thanks were passed to the retiring committee and to the staff for its work during the year. At a subsequent meeting of the committee Mr D. A. Dunn was elected chairman and Mr H. R. Robertson secretary.

EAST GOKE

At the annual meeting of householders of the East Gore School held last evening Mr A. T. Newman presided over a good attendance. The annual report states:

The school opened at the beginning of 1928 with a roll of 192 (97 boys and 95 girls), and at the end of the year the roll had reached 199 (96 boys and 103 girls). The average attendance for the year was 166.7, and the percentage of attendance was 91.8. During the year the school lost the services of one of its oldest and most valued teachers, Mrs M. A. Anderson, second assistant, who retired from the teaching profession on February 19 after a service of nearly 20 years in the East Gore School. Her place has been taken by Miss M. Morris. Mr W. Burgess completed his term as substitute assistant on January .31, 1929, and his place has been taken by Miss M. Carroll. Miss M. Collins completed her term as probationer on January 31, and entered the Dunedin Training College. This year two probationers have been appointed to the staff. The buildings and grounds are in excellent order. At the beginning of 1929 a school savings bank was inaugurated, and, although the bank has been established only eight weeks, there are already 64 dej>ositors, the total amount to the credit of depositors being £l5 7/4. Seven boys, from the school entered for the potato-growing competition conducted by the Department of Agriculture. One boy’s plot worked out at the phenomenal yield of 31 tons 4 cwt to the acre. After dealing with the school’s sporting activities the report mentions other events

of the year and concludes with a statement of receipts and expenditure showing that there was a credit balance of £6 15/4.

In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet, the chairman referred to the changes made in the staff during the year and made special reference to the excellent services rendered to the school over a period of years by the late infant mistress, Miss Anderson. He also congratulated (he headmaster and tho staff upon the very pleasing appearance of the school grounds and of the success obtained by the Boys’ Agricultural Club. In referring to the finances of the committee the chairman said that the fact it had a credit balance of £6 after carrying out a number of very necessary improvements, reflected a great deal of credit upon the parents who had generously contributed towards the funds.

Votes of thanks were passed to the retiring committee and to the staff for its work during the year. 'Fhe annual report and balance-sheet were adopted.

Tho following were appointed to the new committee: Messrs A. G. Valentine, C. J. Burrows, A. T. Newman, J. G. Cruickshanks, W. J. Trebilcock, S. W. Smith and E. J. McDowell.

At a subsequent meeting of the committee Mr Newman was re-elected chairman and Mr McDowell secretary.

MATAURA

The annual report of the Mataura School Committee states that the outstanding social event of the year was the celebration of the jubilee of the school. Early in the year, the committee convened a meeting of ex-pupils. This meeting was addressed by Mr J. McK. Miller, of Gore, who was present by invitation of the committee. As an outcome of the meeting an ex-pupils’ association was formed. During the year several social evenings were spent at the residences of Messrs A. Coombes and L. McVicar. Tfyese were well patronised by the public, and resulted in a nett gain of £9 10/3 to the school funds. The school concert organized by the staff was again well supported, and the funds available for the purchase of library books, etc., were augmented by the sum of £l4 2/6. This amount will carry the usual subsidy. The annual school excursion was held at Bluff on January 30, and was attended by some 600 persons. A school sports meeting was inaugurated in December in aid of school sports material, and the function was so successful that it would appear to warrant its establishment as an annual fixture. The annual break-up took place on December 21. The committee was indebted to Mr D. McDougall, M.P., and Rev. R. Mackie, who assisted at the function, and it also expresses its thanks to those who contributed to the fund for the purchase of fruit and nuts, which were distributed to the children. The committee would like to place on record its indebtedness to the following ladies and gentlemen for their generous donations to the break-up, sports, and other funds; Dr Woodhouse, Sister Scott, Mr J.- S. Corbet, Mataura R.S.A., and the business people of Mataura. The following changes in the teaching staff occurred during the committee’s term of office: The position of fifth assistant, rendered vacant by the resignation of Miss Lauren, was filled by Miss L. M. Gilfedder, from the Auckland district. The substitute assistant for 1928 was Mr S. Slocombe, who, on serving his year, was replaced by Miss K. Foster. Mr C. M. Lockhart completed his period as probationer at the end of 1928, and entered upon his training college course at Dunedin at the beginning of the year. Miss I. M. Haywood, fourth assistant, having accepted a similar position in Palmerston North, severed her connection with the school at the end of last year, her position here being filled by Mr E. R. Darracott, from Dunedin. Thanks to the generosity of a giving public, the committee recorded a successful financial year. After deducting unpaid accounts, the credit balance stood at £l2 17/-. The committee had been active in the matter of having the infant school accommodation provided at the main school. Early in the year a petition with 370 signatures was forwarded to the Department through the Education Board, which has been helpfully sympathetic towards our aspirations. At later dates deputations waited on Hon. Downie Stewart, then Minister for Finance, and Hon. H. Atmore, Minister for Education. On both occasions the strongest representations were made to impress the Ministers with the urgency of the problem of infant school accommodation. During the year a collection was made to meet the quota of the annual expense of maintaining the dental clinic at Gore—a matter of £9 10/-. The committee had inquired into the cost of establishing and maintaining a sub-base clinic at Mataura. As a result of these inquiries and a consideration of the benefits which would accrue to the children, the committee recommends that steps should be taken to establish a sub-base at Mataura.