CONTROL OF SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 May 1923, Page 6

CONTROL OF SCHOOLS.

ELECTION OF COMMITTEES, MEETINGS OF HOUSEHOLDERS. The annual meeting of householders to elect school committees for the ensuing year were held throughout Taranaki last night. CENTRAL SCHOOL. A fair number attended the meeting for the Central School district, Mr. A B. Gibson presiding. The committee's annua! report stated that the past year had been one of remarkable records in the annals of the school. The pleasure of the success reached by the granting or a new infant school, remodelled main school, improvements to the playgrounds, and the maintenance of the high standard of efficiency throughout the school was overshadowed by the tragic and sudden death, at the end of the year of the headmaster, the late Herbert Addison Stratford. The staff of the school and the committee after consultation on the matter of perpetuating the memory of Mr. Stratford, decided to establish in the school for the use of the children a "Stratford memorial library,” with a suitably inscribed tablet, and subscriptions are now being invited, from pupils and friends, to carry this proposal infb effect. "The town and district is to be congratulated,” the report added, "on securing for the infant children one of the most up-to-date school buildings in the Dominion. One of the most important features of the new school is, for the first time in the history of the province, the provision within the building of a fully equipped and up-to-date central dental clinic/ which will be opened for use to-day (Tuesday), under the charge of two specially trained and highly qualified school dentists. "The excavation of the playground, concreting the yards, and forming a grass plot on the Leach Street side of the school has been .'-.m--pleted. Once the work of removing the old school building and the residence on the adjoining section is finished, which should be within a week or two, the incoming committee will be faced with the urgent need of pushing on with the playground improvements, and the provision of see-saws, swings, glides, ladders, sand-pits, and open shelters, so that the surroundings shall be brought into keeping with a modern infant schcol. Already the work of providing concrete paths, water channels, cricket pitch, levelling and grassing portion of girls’ playground, ploughing and grassing "the flat,” etc., has absorbed about £206 of the special fund raised two years ago. and the present liabilities against that fund are. concrete yard and grass plot, donation towards retaining wall, Leach Street (all at infant school), approximately £165. "In consequence of the general financial position and the possibility of securing from the Government a grant for the re-building of the Central school appearing very remote, the Education Board decided that the condi tions at the school could not be permitted to continue as they were, and accordingly applicntkn was made to the Department for appr< pl of a re-modelling scheme. Approval was given and the work was carried out during the Christmas holidays. Although no additional classroom accommodation was pro vided, the lighting and ventilation of all th? classrooms have been improved appreciably, and the effect must be to lessen the danger to the health of the children. In addition fine roomy corridors have been provided, and improved facilities in place of the old washhand basins. The school building has also received much needed painting on the outside, and it is understood the inside is .to be na inted at the first favorable opportunity. Teachers and pupils all appreciate the improved healthy conditions.

"The roll at the end of 1921 was 649 and at the end of 1922, 688, with the average attendance for the year. 612. The inspectors' reports indicate that the work of the school is excellent. At the Standard 6 examniations at the end of last year. 55 gained proficiency and 7 competency certificates. Five Junior National Scholarships wye granted to the whole of the Taranaki province and two of these were won hy Standard 6 boys, Frank Davis and Arthur Mills. Noeline Thomson qualified for n free place at scholarship examinations.

“Tn the Anznc essays held throughout Taranaki, K. Gruszing. V. Croker and F. Davis won the first, second and third prizes respectively. Tn addition, K. Oruszing won the £1 Is at the Ha went winter show for essays. In the New Zealand Alliance Essay Competitions, F. Gruszinc? was first and A. Mills 6th in the prize list. At the winter show the school gained five first’s, two second's and a third prize. At the St. Andrew’s Musical Elocutionary Competitions the school won 1 gold medal, 2 firsts, 3 seconds, and 5 thirds. The first fifteen were runners up in the North Taranaki football competitions. Last summer the “flat’ was in Use for cricket fnr the first time for many years. At the Labor Day sports the school won the marathon and relay races. The girls’ basket ball team visited Stratford and Inglewood and with local teams competed ten times, winning nine games. Miss E. Pearce, assisted by Miss Griffin, controlled the girls’ basket, ball teams, and Mr. R. A. Adlam coached the boys In cricket and foothall. Central school team (Launa Hammond and Friscre Bergs) won the Hughes Life Savin Cup. Five other central teams also competed. Nine pupils gained their proficiency certificates for life saving, Mr. E. G. Cole man was instructor.’’

During last year the expenditure for incidental puqioses was £214 4s 7d. The grant for incidental purposes was £l7B 8s 6d, and the expenditure over the grant £35 16s Id.

The annual report was read by the retiring ehairman of the committee, Mr S. G. Smith, M.P., who stated that had the committee not been able to borrow money they could not have paid all the school accounts. The committee did not believe in keeping tradesmen waiting for their money, and he felt that the department should make a re-allo-cation of the grants. He did not think it fiflr that the committee should have to borrow money to enable them to keep the school clean. At the end of the quarter, the secretary (Mr. F. A. Coleman) had had to visit the bank and guarantee the committee’s account so that they could pay their caretaker’s wages. He thought that they, as householders, should insist on a re-allocation of grants, so that the larger schools would receive sufficient money to enable them to carry on. Mr. Smith then moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet.

The remarks concerning the inade query of the grant for incidental purposes were endorsed by Messrs. T. M. Avery and Coleman, and a resolution was passed urging most strongly that the present payment of incidental prants be increased to such an extent that school committees would have sufficient funds to enable them to carry out their duties. The nominations received for election to the committee were Mesdames S. A Jemison and A. H. Down, M.A., and Messrs. T. A. A very, W. S. Cobham. Fj A. Coleman, V. Elliott, H. E. Fookes. Thomas Hargrave, and S. G. Smith, and these were declared elected.

Appreciative reference was made during the meeting by various householders and Messrs. D. P. Evans and R. A. Adlam (teaching siaff) to the work of the late Mr. Stratford, and a motion of sympathy with his relatives was car riei

Votes of thanks were accorded the staff, the secretray (Mr. Coleman), and the outgoing committee. At a subsequent meeting of the new-ly-elected committee, Mr. Smith was reelected chairman, Mr. Coleman secre tary, and Mr. Avery deputy-chairman. WEST END. About fifty attended the meeting for the West End district, Mr. Jas. Garcia presiding. The report stated that the outstanding features of a somewhat eventful year had been the resignation of Mr. D. P. Evans, who had filled the position of headmaster with outstanding success for the past four years, and the establishment of a school at Moturoa, necessitating provision being made for a separate school district at that end of the town. The committee placed on record their appreciation of the splendid progress made under the charge of Mr. Evans, both on the scholastic side and in outside activities. Despite many changes of staff the school had' splendid reports from the inspector. In standard 6, 58 pupils obtained their proficiency certificates, one a competency and there were no failures, whilst Malsie Ross secured a Junior National Scholarship and four others qualified for free places. Since the beginning of the year Mr. Rowntree had been relieving headmaster and the committee recorded appreciation of his ser -vicos. The opening of the Moturoa school had reduced the roll number from 608 to 502, the ayeragc attendance for April being 465. The report then detailed the athletic activities during the year, and reference was made to the extensive improvements to the school grounds. A number of functions had been held during the year, and a considerable sum of money wax raised towards the school funds. The functions included the carnival crowning ceremony, which realised £l3 14s; school children’s concerts, £4l 16s 8d; gala day at Kawaroa Park, £3B 8s s&d; and social in Workers’ Hall, £6 15s. A considerable sum of money, to which the board contributed a subsidy of £25, had been utilised in placing the library on a good basis, and the school now had a library equal to that in any school in Taranaki. An attempt was being made to compile a complete list of dux medalists and scholarship winners since the school became a full standard school, with a view to Installing an honors board in the school.

The balance-sheet showed a credit of £142 10s 6d.

In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the chairman announced that Mr. J. Thomas, formerly of Inglewood, had been appointed head master of the school, and would prob ably take up his duties at the beginning of June.

The report and balance-sheet were adopted without discussion. J’or the nine seats on the committee there were twelve nominations, and the election resulted in the return of Messrs. Jas. Lobb, J. E. B. Hoskin, Jas. Garcia. J. A. Hawker, R. A. Large, R. M. Douil, A. J. Abram, T. R. Julian, and C. 0. Berg.

Some discussion took place on th? print script system which has been in troduced into some of the classes. The acting-headmaster stated that when they were asked to introduce it ho was opposed to it, but now he favored it, as it was faster, neater and mprelegib’e than writing, and did not destroy individuality, as had been asserted. Votes of thanks were accorded the late headmaster, the acting headmaster, and the staff; also the retiring members of the committee, and particularly the secretary (Mr. W. H. Broome), whose work was very highly spoken of. In replying, Mr. Broome referred to the lack of playing ground for a school of 600 children, and urgeci parents to take action with a view to having some improvement made.

At a subsequent meeting of the committee, Mr. Jas. Garcia was re-elected

chairman, and Mr. R. M. Douil was appointed secretary. FITZROY. Thirty-four householders, including a dozen ladies, attended the annual meeting of householders held at the Fitzroy school last evening, Mr. J. W. Cox being voted to the chair. The annual report stated that during the year the Education Department authorised and made the necessary grant towards the erection of two class-rooms, which were urgently needed to relieve the overcrowded state of the infant department. The committee had made representations to the department through the Education Board, to have the old school-house removed in order that a comprehensive scheme for levelling the whole ground might be entered upon, but up to the present had not been successful. The levelling and grading of the playing-ground adjacent to the new infant school was now in progress, and would considerably improve the appearance and increase the usefulness of the ground. During the year, the Methodist Tennis Club had satisfactorily taken over t'ne central of the school courts and had spent considerable work and money in order to make the ground playable. The fine sum of £'ss 4s lOd was raised as a result of a series of euchre parties, the money being for general school purposes, while £l4l 19s 7d was devoted to the prize fund, leaving £4X) 5s 3d to the credit of the social account. Thanks were expressed to the headmaster (Mr. (.». Johnson) and his staff, especially Miss Andrews, for the assistance and co-op* eiation extended at all times by them. The credit balances were as follow: General account, £l9/12/2; social account, £4O 5s 3d; special account, £l5l 4/11.

The report and balance sheet were adopted without discussion. A resolution was carried making representations to the department to have the old school residence removed to provide an extra playing area.

The chairman of the retiring committee (Mr. R. L. Parkin) asked'that his name be deleted from the ballot-paper, as he was leaving Fitzroy very shortly. --Regret was expressed at this decision, and many appreciative remarks were made to the valuable services he had rendered the school. The election of the committee resulted as follows: Messrs. G. V. Mathews, J. Buttimore, H. Hall, G. F. Goldsworthy, V. George, A. L. Roberts A. C. Bellringer. E. J. Revell and F. R. Gruszning. t Hearty votes of thanks were accorded the secretary (Mr. V. George) and Mr. R. L. Parkin (for his services as committeeman over a long period of years). The valued assistance given by the ladies’ committee in connection with the euchre parties and socials was eulogised by the secretary.

At a subsequent meeting of the Com•uittee, Mr. Roberts was elected chairman and Mr. G. V. ‘Matthews secretary, Mr. V. George (secretary for the past three years) declining re-election.

MOTUROA. At Moturoa the following committee were elected:—Messrs. Thompson, W. A. Morton, Carter, Oarr, O’Dowda, G. Roper, and Fitzpatrick. Mr. Thompson was elected chairman of. the committee., and Mr. W. A. Morton secretary and treasurer. VOGELTOWN. The meeting of Vogeltown househelders wiae held in the Vogeltown school -Mr. C. Hoskin presiding. The outgoing committee, Messrs. H. V. S. Griffiths, W. Healy, H. Boswell, R. Tippens, W. Wigley, N. Allan and A. C. Evans, was re-elected unopposed. The report placed on record appreciation of the keen interest displayed by parents, teachers and scholars during the year. The year had been an active one, and the committee had worked zealously to improve the lot of scholars by providing better grounds and shelter from the prevailing westerly winds. Various improvements were detailed. In connection with the Hautoki Domain Board, a first-class bathing-shed had been erected near the river on the school grounds. A grant had been secured sufficient to purchase two acres adjoining the school ground. It was expected that negotiations and formalities would be completed within a few weeks, when the land would be handed over to the committee, who would then erect permanent gates, paths, etc. The present arrangement of the school being divided into two buildings was far from satisfactory, and the report suggested that pressure should be brought to bear upon the department for a financial grant. The balance sheet showed that the position was buoyant. A subsidy of £156 had been secured upon the funds raised at the school fete, and the ordinary account was in credit to the amount of £135 17s 2d. The number on the roll had been steadily increasing, and the school had been raised one grade. The average attendance had been excellent. The Queen Carnival inaugurated to raise funds to purchase a piano and to provide a school library 'had been enthusiastically taken up, and the net result was £97 Ils 9d, and to this would be added a subsidy of about £6O.

The report and balance sheet were ormally adopted. The chairman recommended the planting of quick-growing trees on the top portion of the available ground, to act as shelter until the other trees, recently planted, grew to sufficient height. A resolution was passed regretting the continued use of the Sunday school building as a class-room for . infants, and urging upon the Education Board the necessity for immediate and adequate additions to the school. The fact that over £370 had been raised by residents, during the last two years, for school improvements was abundant evidence of the interest displayed in Die district.

Mr. M. Moore said that in fairness to the Education Board he wished to point our that the members were fully alive to the urgency of the matter, and had already made application to the department. The committee was authorised to proceed with the purchase of a piano. Votes of thanks were carried to Mr. Griffith (chairman), Mr. Allan (secretary) and the committee. OTHER COMMITTEES. Stratford.—Messrs. W. Pinhey (chairman), A. Ferguson, C. Jackson, W. Ab raham, A. H. Nelson, W- J. Billers, C. M. Young, G. E. Bocock, Rev. J. W McKenzie. Toko. —Messrs. J. B. Hine (chairman), A. R. Claridge, J. Bethel, J. C. Kilpatrick, C. A. Simon, J. Weir, M. Urquhart (secretary). Cardiff.—Messrs. C. A. Marchant (chairman). A. Mander, E. W. Hancock, R. Richardson, L. Franklyn (secretary). Ngaere. —Messrs. T. Coleman (chairman), F. Tecofsky, F. E. Bocock, H. C. Taylor, A. D. Walker (secretary). Norfolk Road. —Messrs. J. F. Reeve (chairman), W. T. Thomason, C. Crozier, J. Stephens, and Mrs. J. W. Harding. Korito.—Messrs. C. E. Seabright (chairman), C. J. Medway (secretary). C. F. Weston, T. Snell and H. H. Peters. Dudley Road.—Messrs. C. G. Broadmore (chairman), W. W. Eagarr (treasurer), F. L. Eagarr (secretary), and Mesdames C. G. Broadmore and F. L. Eagarr.

Midhirst—Messrs. G. Smith (chair man), G. P. Harkness (secretary), E. A Adlam, F. Carter, and J. Tapp. Inglewood.—Messrs. Roberts (chairman), Carmine (secretary), McLaglan. Alleman, W. H. Armstrong, Lamb, and Mesdames Coldwell, Clegg and Part ridge).