BLUFF NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 24593, 15 November 1941, Page 9

BLUFF NEWS

NEW INFANT SCHOOL OPENED In spite of wretched weather there was a good attendance at the official opening of the new infant school, which is supplementary to the Bluff public school. The school, built of wood with a tiled roof, is modern in every detail and contains three rooms with a corridor on the south to allow a maximum of sunlight in the rooms. Cross ventilation is a feature of the building, which is heated by the hot water system. The school was required to relieve overcrowding in the main school and to make it unnecessary to use that room in the old school commonly known as the dungeon and referred to by Lieuten-ant-Colonel W. Bell in his address as the “black hole of Calcutta.” The contractors were Sutherland Brothers (Invercargill) and the architect Mr J. J. Gough, of the Education Board. Apologies were read from the Minister of Education (the Hon. H. G. R. Mason), the Hon. T. F. Doyle, M.L.C., and Sutherland Brothers. The chairman of the School Committee, Mr F. H. Pearce, said it was a day that they had all been looking forward to for a long time. It was some five years since the school was promised and now the question of adequate accommodation was settled. With the spare room now released the committee could honour an old promise and prepare a gymnasium and he hoped that some public-spirited citizen would come forward and act as instructor.

The chairman of the Southland Education Board, Mr S. Rice, said that although it had perhaps been a long wait, the fine building was worth waiting for. He said that tenders for the remodelling of the main school had been received and submitted to the department in Wellington. He realized that there was not enough ground around the school—it needed three or four acres—but he felt that if the . Bluff committee kept agitating as well in the future as it had in the past, something in this direction would be achieved. Mr Rice said he had recently been on a trip as far north as Auckland and even in the “show places” had not seen a better school than the one being opened. In conclusion he wished success to the school in the future. The Mayor, Mr N. W. McGorlick. spoke of the wonderful asset the new building was to Bluff. He congratulated the committee on its efforts, and said the old school had a gloomy interior and could not be conducive to successful study.

Lieutenant-Colonel Bell, who is the representative of the Bluff School on the Education Board, said the committee had been wise to accept the advice of the board not to carry out the remodelling of the main school until the building of the infant school was approved. He knew that the building would be of advantage not only to the pupils, but to the teachers. In formally declaring the school open Mr Rice said he trusted that the Great Architect of the Universe would watch over the children who entered its portals and guide them in His wisdom throughout their lives. The infant choir under the baton of Miss C. M. Sinclair sang “God Defend New Zealand” and the National Anthem.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE At the monthly meeting of the Bluff School Committee Mr F. H. Pearce presided over Messrs C. T. Beaton, O. F. Metzger, E. J. Moon, E. W. McKenzie, G. Muir, J. Williamson, H. A. Ferguson (.secretary) and the head master, Mr R. W. Moir. It was resolved that the annual concert and break-up ceremony he held in the Town Hall on Thursday, December 18, and that invitations. be extended to those previously invited with the inclusion of Captain R. J. Hamilton. The report of the visiting committee stated that in general matters were satisfactory, but trouble had again been experienced with the drainage system and the school bell required attention. On behalf of the sub-committee, the chairman reported on the result of the interview with the Government recreation officer, Mr Lloyd Woods, and a written report by Mr Woods was also placed before the committee. After discussion it was decided that the Bluff School Committee establish a gymnasium to be designated the Bluff School Coronation Gymnasium and that application be made to the Borough Council for the release of the trust fund established for this purpose, and further. that application be made to the Bluff Boxing Association fol- a donation towards the project. The chairman, secretary and Messrs Beaton and Williamson were appointed a sub-committee to control the activities of the gymnasium and prepare a cost of providing equipment as recommended by the recreation officei, ineluding the necessary alteration to the room. , Thanks were extended to Mr and Mrs Beaton for donation of books. It was decided to procure 36 award certificates. PERSONAL Leading Aircraftman B. V. Crawford was the guest of his fellow members of the Bluff Watersiders’ Union when the president, Mr F. Villa, made a presentation on behalf of the union and wished the guest God-speed and a sale return. The secretary, Mr J. Cameron, also spoke.