SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 April 1920, Page 6

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT. The annual meetings of householders took place last night. There was an attendance of about 25 at the Centrsl School, and Mr. G. H. Dolby presided. Tho annual report stated that the ftmil severance of the Vogeltown School in May last reduced the roll number by "0, but. the total on the roll at the end of the year was CC7. The average attendance for tho year was CO3, being the highest on record. The roll number at the Infant school was 213. being 63 In excess of the number for which floor space is allowed by the regulations; hence the difficulties of carrying on the work of the school successfully is obviously seriously hampered. The report went on to draw attention to the success reached by the school In outside activities.. The results obtained during the year were a credit alike to the pupils and staff. The committee were specially indebted to Mrs. C. H. Burgess for a handsome donation of £lO towards providing gymnastic apparatus at the Infant school. Various Improvements have been effected to the grounds during the year. The income during tho year totalled £256 lfis Id. including a balance brought forward of £H.I 5s rid, capitation £l4B ir>s, £3O special grant, 'and £44 12s mainly by voluntary enntriNutions. The expenditure totalled £212 10s 2d. A resolution of appreciation of the services , of the staff during the year, and congratula- ! tlon on the successes achieved, was carried I with -acclamation. Mr. Stratford suitably J acknowledged the rote, j The election of committee was* then proceedled with, and resulted as follows: Messrs S. O. ! Smith, M P., P. Coleman, T. M. Avery, T. Hardgrave. W. J. Girling, W. S. Cobham, O. Ward, J. Wyatt, and C. Lindrop. There were 12 nominations. At a subsequent meeting of the committee, Mr. 8. G. Smith was re-elected chairman for the ensuing year. WEST END. There was an attendance of about twelve householders at West End. Mr. W. W, Thornj son presided. The annual report showed that the past year opened with a roll number of 480 and j closed with 511. This year opened with a I roll of 512 and the present roll Is 512. Upon I the whole, the attendance had been very ! good, but during the latter part of 1919, an epidemic of mumps over a period of several | weeks affected the attendance. This year ■ the attendance had been considerably below the average, owing to the prevalence of severe colds, and a mild form of influenza. The reports from the Inspectors and physical instructor had been most encouraging. The question of a new site had been prominently beforei Uicm during the year. The Education Department now x had the matter efttlrely In their hands. Each year the position became more accentuated. Mr. Morton, Chief Inspector, reported on tho menace due to the traffic, and also to the fact that; the noise which was a tax on the nervous system caused considerable sickness. Owing, to the danger to the young children, cricket i had to be abandoned. The committee had 1 done everything humanly possible to achieve their object. . Tho balance-sheet showed a crealt of £BO 12s lOd as agatntft £3B 14s sd, at the commencement of last year. The following being the only members nominated, were duly declared elected; Messrs. It. J. Deare, W. H. Broome, W. J. Bennett, J. Brokenshlre, Jas. Garcia, W. W. Thomson, A. K. Smart, ayd 3. 8. S. Medley. The question of site was brought forward, and Mr. l*. .T. H. White, as a member of the Board, was asked If he could explain what the position now was. Mr. White stated that apparently the time was not ripe for an exchange of sites, but the Board was strongly of opinion that a new site should be obtained for the school, and would do what they could In the near future to solve the difficulty. He understood that It was the Intention of the Dernrfmcnt that part of the school would, In any case, be retained on the present site. He also pointed out that a site had been granted for a school at Moturoa. The plans had gone forward, and it was hoped they would ho approved shortly. At a subsequent meeting of the committee, Mr. W. W Thomson was re-elected chairman, ;ind Mr. W. J. Bennett, secretary and treasurer. The date of meeting was fixed for the first Friday in the month. VOGELTOWN. There was a good attendance at Vogeltown, Mr. H. Benton presiding. Mr. V. Griffiths, chairman of the committee, was unable tn b» present. The annual report stated that at the beginning of tho year the roll number was 48. and at the end of the year it had Increased to 103. The average attendance for the last quarter was 90.5. The school grounds were handed over in a very rough condition and w.t' require the expenditure of a large sum of money for necessary improvements. The lack of funds have prevented the committee from cirrylng out a progressive policy. With this crd in view plans have been prepared by thf: agricultural Instructor at the request of tiu committee so that any improvements (ffected will be part of the comprehensive scheme. Tho balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £7 5s 10d. The out-going committee was TC-elecTed us fo'iows: Messrs. V. Griffiths, W. Healy, B. Kvjns, X. Allen and A. T. Moore. At a subsequent meeting of the committee, Mr. Crifflths was elected chairman, and Mr. A'lcn secretary.

FIT2ROY. Seven householders attended the Fitzroy meeting. Mr. F. Hoskln presided. The annual report showed that the finances tver.? In a good position. There was a cred't balance of £72, which did not Include £(i3 due from the Education Department. When th's sum is received from the Board further Improvements will be made to the school pounds, for which purpose 1% acres have been purchased. As there were only four nominations for a committee of nine members an eiecti"n could not he held. Nominations will be called for again. STRATFORD. The Mayor presided over an attendance of about TO. The following were elected to the committee: Mesdames Philips and Holland; Messrs. J. \V. Boon, E. G. Foster, F. J. McDonald. W. McDonald, D. M. Clark, W. Plnhey, and J. Martin. Mr. Boon was re-elected chairman. t The committee's report recorded a successful year's work. At the High School department 43 pupils were granted Intermediate certificates. At the public service examination ir. candidates were successful, and at the mafirleulatjlon elamination 14 jftipils pisssed and 8 passed in all but one subject. Three junior nationals and three senior nationals, were won by pupils of the school. The Bayly Memorial Scholarship was gained by another Stratford boy, and one boy secured a Taranakl Unlve>r9lty scholarship. These results speak for themselves, and the headmaster (Mr. Tyrer), and staff are to be congratulated on once again upholding the good reputation which has been held by the school for years past, making the Stratford School second to none in the Dominion. The average attendance for last year was 738; primary 580, High School 178. Reference was made to the efforts to establish a cocoa dining room, for which £3Ol was raised, hut no action could be taken until Cabinet decided on the subsidy question. The new Technical High School had not yet been commenced, although some timber and shingle were on the grounds. The committee has made every possible effort to have the work started, anu during the year a further £SOOO has been granted by Cabinet, making a total of £17,000 voted, and the tender has been let for that amount. , NORFOLK. The following committee was electd at Norfolk: Messrs. A. Corney (chairman), A. Sim- | mons, A. E. West, J. Reeve, and E. Davis (secretary).