Otautau SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Southland Times, Issue 23183, 26 April 1937, Page 13

Otautau SCHOOL COMMITTEE

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Otautau School Committee was attended by Messrs G. Sinclair (chairman), A. A. Liddell, J. G. C. Baker, A. Fisher and E. Jellyman (secretary). The headmaster (Mr H. W. D. Gazzard) was also in attendance, while Mr H. Rountree (Department of Agriculture) was present by invitation. The head master reported that the roll number at the end of last year was 197, and the average attendance 176. During the year 22 had been admitted and 32 withdrawn, the present roll number being 187. Miss Couper had finished up as probationary assistant at the end of last year, and Miss Turner had been appointed in her place. Because of the epidemic of infantile paralysis the school had closed a week earlier, and did not reopen until March 15. The year ended very successfully, Miss Dorothy Baker being dux of the school and all the pupils in Form II received their proficiency certificates. The school prize list had already been published, merit certificates being awarded to the first, second and third pupils in their respective standards. The school bank still continued to be well patronized and a further donation of £1 10/- had been received from the Postal Department for library or sports funds.

The report was received, and it was decided to forward a letter of congratulation to Miss Dorothy Baker on being dux of the school, and wishing her success in the future. The Director of Accounts of the Post and Telegraph Department notified that it had not been provided by regulation for the profits earned in the school savings bank branch to be credited to school committees. In consideration of the good results obtained by the school during the year the Postmaster-General had approved of the payment of £1 10/- towards the school library. If this was at present well stocked with books the money could be used for sports. Mr C. Campbell, secretary of the Southland Electric Power, Supply, notified that the Minister of Public Works (the Hon. R. Semple) had approved of there being no annual guarantee for electricity in respect of churches, public halls and schools A circular letter was received from the Education- Board about the committee’s allowances and the wages of caretakers. It was resolved to increase the salary of the caretaker. The Southland Education Board advised that the board had under consideration the extension of the town schools library to include country schools. Members considered that the Otautau school library was well stocked, and they decided not to avail themselves of the offer. The Director-General of Health (Dr M. H. Watt) forwarded a letter with reference to the supply of milk for schools. Mr H. Rountree, of the Department of Agriculture, briefly outlined the scheme, and stated that the contractor’s cows had been tested, a sterilizing plant had been installed and his premises had been registered The head master advised that the Fairfax school wished to come in on the scheme under the Otautau group. It was left to the head master and secretary to finalize matters. SCOTTISH SOCIETY Chief G. D. Low presided over a good attendance at the members’ evening held recently when the following items were given:—Pipe selection, Mr Allan Maxwell; solos, Mesdames W. R. Ireland and A. D. Brash; Misses C. Jellyman and Mary Campbell, Messrs A. Edwards and R. Smart; monologues, Miss A. McCulloch; recitations, Miss Lily Maxwell and Mr G. Crawford. The accompaniments were played by Mrs Cuppies, Miss Smart and Mr A. Maxwell. The chief thanked the performers on behalf of the society, after which dancing was indulged in to music supplied by Mrs Cuppies. Messrs H. C. Pullar and W. Maxwell acted as masters of ceremonies. EUCHRE The first of a series of euchre socials in aid of the funds of the local dental clinic was held on Monday evening. The prizes were won by Mrs J. Mackie first, and Mr McKay second, after a play-off with Miss T. Barton and Messrs R. Thomas and E. Jellyman. PLUNKET SOCIETY Mrs G. H. Stevens (president) presided at the annual meeting of the local branch of the Plunket Society, when the balance-sheet showed a satisfactory position. The annual report stated that a successful year had been experienced financially, thanks being due to the following for donations: Dairymen’s Ball Committee, Otautau branch of the Women’s Division, Mesdames H. A. Bone, E. Harrington, Beck and N. Buxton. The annual cake stall was held on March 12, and the society was fortunate to clear £6 14/7. Regret was expressed'at the departure of Nurse Wilson, who retired during the year, and she was farewelled by the committee members, and made a small presentation as a token of appreciation of the conscientious and willing manner in which she had carried out her duties. Nurse Kendall commenced duties during the year, and the committee wished to thank ber for the good work being done. Thanks were also due to Mr and Mrs K. McKenzie for their continued hospitality to the nurse. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Nurse Kendall’s report was submitted as follows:—Visits to branch, 25; visits to homes, 59; visits to rooms, adults 186, babies 174, older children 9; new cases, 20.

Officers were elected as follows: President, Mrs G. H. Stevens; vice-presi-dents, Mesdames A. A. Fisher and H. L. Chandler; secretary and treasurer, Mrs A. A. Fisher; committee, the forgoing officials and Mesdames W. J. Officer, A. Harrington, John Ryan, W. R. James, E. J. Leckie and A. R. Simon, with power to add; advisory members, Messrs W. J. Wesney and A. Fisher; auditor, Mr A. Fisher.

Mrs H. D. Irving resigned her position as secretary and treasurer, because of her removal from the district. Members made reference to the good work she had done and wished her every success in her new home. It was resolved that a minute of appreciation be recorded of the services she had rendered as secretary and treasurer, of the Otautau branch since its inception be recorded INDUCTION SERVICE An induction service was held in the Methodist Church of the Rev. Cecil Robinson, the newly-appointed minister of the Otautau-Aparima-Tuatapere Methodist circuit. The Rev. E. B. Chambers, Central Methodist Church, Invercargill, and district supervisor, officiated as chairman and read the induction charge. The lesson was taken from St. Paul’s Epistle to the Corinthians.

After delivering a charge to the minister and members of the church, the chairman conducted a social hour, during which official welcomes were extended to the Rev. Robinson by Mr R. R. Walker (on behalf of the circuit and church trust), Mr Harrison (Tuata-

pere), and Miss Minnie Eason (Sunday school and Bible classes) Items were contributed by the following: Solos, Messrs Vic Harrison, Evans, F. H. Hill and the Rev. Chambers. The Rev. Robinson extended thanks to all the speakers for the cordial welcome received He trusted God’s blessing would rest on all and expressed the hope that his ministry in the Otau-tau-Tuatapere circuit might be a fruitful one. He would always do his utmost to promote !he work of God in the circuit.