N.P. BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL

Taranaki Daily News, 23 July 1929, Page 11

N.P. BOYS’ HIGH SCHOOL

MONTHLY MEETING OF BOARD. The monthly meeting of the New Plymouth High Schools Board was held last night, Mr. H. R. Billing presiding. A letter was received from the department stating that it had been decided to continue the payment of scholarship money to those students who were undergoing a post-matriculation course. The principal of the boys’ school, Mr. W. H. Moyes, reported that during the past month the prevalence of influenza nad caused the attendance again to be much below normal. In some of the forms, half the pupils had been absent. Consequently it had been useless to attempt to carry on with new work. Although a few boarders were still in hospital, it appeared that the worst was now over. Owing to the continued wet weather further o work in the gully had been impossible. The top end, which later was to be used for tennis courts, still required another foot of clay filling. It was intended that this should be done by the boys as soon as the weather permitted. Duriii" the past month efforts had been made to clear up the southern end of the gully. Flower beds were to be formed and the boys in the agricultural class were donating plants, but as the area of ground was considerable, it would be a difficult matter to fill the beds without some financial assistance from the board.

Tho asphalt around the new bicycle sheds was breaking although it had been used only a few months. The drainage of these sheds required attention. During tho month the Government architect, Mr. Savage, had visited the school. As a result of his inspection of tho new class room block, various alterations were to be made and a new boiler for central heating was to be installed.

In the report of the acting-principal of the girls’ school, Miss N. P. MacLean, it was stated that the roll was 3'07 in the upper school and 37 in the preparatory department. Mr. Renyard had made an inspection of the commercial classes on July 3. Ou June 28 a special sixth standard examination was held and two of the candidates gained proficiency and the other two competency. As the science mistress was on leave her position was being filled by Miss Roberts. On Friday members of the Taranaki Life-Saving Society had visited the school and had presented lifesaving teachers’ certificates, bronze medallions and proficiency life-saving certificates.

■ J Mr. A. L.. Moore, director of the technical departments and the evening classes, reported that; during the month Air. Rcnyard had spent a week inspecting the classes under his jurisdiction. It had been intimated that everything was going on satisfactorily. Air. Aloore had mentioned the matter of the extension of the plumbers’ workshop to the Government architect and to Mr. Rcnyard. Both had taken note of this and it was thought that a timely reminder to the department might be effective.

All the day classes were proceeding satisfactorily and the attendance of the evening classes was keeping up well in spite of the influenza and bad weather. The new heaters would add greatly to the comfort of the morning and evening classes. In the farm manager’s report it was stated that of milk had been supplied to the school during the month. It was resolved that half a ton of fertiliser should be purchased for the cricket ground and 3cwt. of manure for the flower beds. The sum of £5 was voted for the purpose of buying roses and other plants. The board passed a vote of sympathy with Air. Billing in his recent bereavement.