PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Taranaki Daily News, 6 May 1930, Page 13

PUBLIC SCHOOLS

MEpTINGS, OF .PARENTS

TARANAKI BOARD’S AREA

ELECTION OF * COMMITTEES

GENERAL INTEREST SHOWN The annual meetings of householders throughout the Taranaki education district were held last night, and in most cases there was a gratifying interest shown by the public in this department of local government. Though in some cases meetings lapsed through insufficient attendance and no committees were elected, in most cases■ there were sufficient nominations to-form committees and in many instances a ballot was necessary. • ,' t . 'An a number of places’ regret and dissatisfaction were, expressed at the paucity of the capitation Allowance, but at most meetings the business did not take long to dispatch. Favourite topics of discussion at the meetings were the advantages or--otherwise of homework, Sir T. K. Sidey’s proposal to alter school holidays, which met with a mixed reception; and- the value of the work done by the school committees.

ONE CHANGE AT WEST END FIRST ELECTION .FOR 7 YEARS. ‘SUCCESS OF SCHOOL SPORTS: About 30 parents attended the meeting "in the West End sehqoj gymnasium. Mp. W. H: Jones presided. The election wks the .first held for.; seven years. The school had progressed steadily, and several noteworthy events had occurred, said the -chairman, in his report. During May Mr. J. E. Thomas, after being headmaster for six years, was transferred on promotion to Hawera. M?. Train acted as headmaster until Mr. J. Ei S'himmin took charge on July 1.;. Ti>? roll number then was 454, and the roll number at last committee meeting was 457. During June, owing to chicken pox affecting: the junior division the attendance fejll..to 390. After ari| inspection by Inspectors McKenzie, Griffin and Henry a very favourable report was .presented by them. : iAt the winter shcjwvthe school tied wi|h Mangorei in the potato-growing competition, a noteworthy success town school. The school had had marked success, and maintained its efficiency as regards sports, having won the primary boys’ cricket championship, while the Weston Shield for the girls’ relay swimming race was won for the ninth year in succession by West End. Just prior to this event the school had been presented by Mrs. C. Weston with a special shield engraved to commemorate the .fact that it had been won by the girls eight years in succession. The Taranaki primary school athletic championship- was won for the second year in succession by one point, the girls of the schopl having put up a remarkable, record by winning the major number of points. , . , Keenness and training were ably demonstrated during a visit of the committee, when fire drill was carried out and the, whole school was cleared in 49 seconds.' It is to be noted that this was quite spontaneous, no warning having been issued. A plain and fancy dress ball in the Agricultural Hall in Augus-t was very successful, a profit of £25 13s. 4d. being made. The borough council made the committee an offer of the piece of ground adjoining the creek and fronting Bonithon Avenue, but owing to the grounds being already a great tax on the resources iit was thought /advisable not to accept the offer. Th<j Rotary Club donatedta sum for the purchase of pictures for the waljs’ of the special classroom, and it was- hoped that this will be the (beginning of a- movement to place suitable pictures ton all the walls of the In regard to the groundslthe chief improvement had been the layq’ut of the strip in front of the school. Concrete sills had been put in at the gateways and on each side of the school in readiness .for laying the balance of the school "front in concrete. Estimates for the work had been obtained, hnd the work would be undertaken by the incoming committee as funds permitted. Another work it was hoped tto carry out was -the provision of a suitable cricket pitch for next season. The school had been recently painted, and the prospect of being able to have the special class housed in an open-air classroom was very bright. It was hoped the gymnasium -would then be available for the purposes for which □t was built.

Mr. J. A. Hawker, who'had been' a member of the committee, for, 14 years, four years as chairman, tendered his resignation, which was. accepted 1 with great regret. The committee . also , Ipjst the services of Mr. J. C. Lawrey. These two were replaced byf>Mr.'; F, Parker and Mr. M. Scott, ,

The general account 'showed the year bad been commenced ~wi;th. a balance of £lO6 17s 2d and grants for incidental expenses totalled " £l9l.■ '' The main items of expenditure .were: Cleaning and sanitary service, £lll 17a 7d; fuel and lighting, £25 4« 6d; excess expenditure transferred, • £55 ICs 3d; repairs and improvements,’ £l9 7s Id; books and stationery,.''£&s 12s Od; balance, £49 4s 9d. Ip; the •special account it wM shown /that £25 13s 4d had been rained from- the children’s ball, £23 Ha 7d from an,.old clothes sale, and £49 12s 6d from subsidies.

The headmaster (Mr; Jf. H. Shimmin) said that much still remained to be done in the grounds,: ■ He suggested the "planting of more trees and, perhaps, the laying of a concrete cricket pitch. He suggested for favourable consideration the general adoption of a blue uniform for girls. He desired to thank particularly the women who assisted with the catering at the ball. Commenting on the school success in sport, he said he hoped the desire to win displayed on tho sportsground would be manifested throughout the school work. He mentioned that he was always ready to discuss with parents the progress'of their children and to JtceiVe visits in his office. Mr. Shimmin paid a special tribute to Miss Harper for her invaluable work in hold-

ing together the Old Girls’ Association, which was doing excellent work in the interests of the school.

In reply to a question, the chairman gaid the proposal for a fresh-air room for West ,End was now first on the Education. .Board’s., list of projected works. He mentioned the difficulty thathad'to be overcome in connection with placing' 66 standard four pupils. .-In: reviewing some of the points raised by Mr. Shimmin, the chairman said he. had omitted to mention in his report that the boys had won the McHardy relay shield. He thought it likely the grant would be through by the next meeting of the board. A suggestion to form a Parents’ Association, as at the Central school, was made by one parent. The matter was discussed but no action was taken.

; Upon the question of a breaking-up ceremony being raised by the chairman for discussion by the meeting, the hcad- ’ master said that at the outset , he wanted to make his position clear. The headmaster of a school had the final decision in such a matter, he said. Last year he did not deem it wise to hold a ceremony as some of the children needed the extra time to catch up om their work. . Mr. F. May asked whether it would not be possible for parents to have been notified whether the ceremony note to Lake place or not. He. did not question Mr. Shinimin's authority. Mrs. T. Charters said many of them: missed the old breaking-up ceremonies.. The chairman said that he as a new chairman must take some of the blame for the failure to notify last year. Mr. Shimmin had not- received a lead from the committee. Mr. Shimmin said he had asked last year whether it was the custom to hold breaking-up ceremonies here. He was quite frank when he said he was glad the answer had been no, because last year the time could not be afforded. Personally he was in favour of end-of-year ceremonies provided the time required for their preparation did not interfere with the work of the school. The matter was not discussed further, the chairman, saying he was glad the parents had expressed their opinions and that the air had been cleared. The reports of the chairman and headmaster were adopted. The committee was elected as follow; Messrs. H. J. Abram, C. 0. Berg, F. Brunton, W. H. Jones, C. McLeod, G Mclsaac, F. Parker, T. Parsons, M. Scott. Mr. F. May, a new candidate, was not elected. Mr. T. R. Julian, an old. committeeman, was. not re-elected, his place being filled- by Mr. Brunton. At a subsequent meeting of the committee Mr. Jones was re-elected chairman.

CENTRAL SCHOOL MEETING PROGRESS MADE DURING YEAR. QUESTION OF. THE SCHOOL. SPORTS

There wais an attendance of 50 householders at the Central School meeting. Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., presided. The school roll now stood at 842, as against 869 in December last, stated the annual report. Efficiency throughout the school was very marked. The Infant department, under tlic capable direction of Miss Papps, assisted by an an able staff, achieved excellent results. In the standards great efficiency was also shown, as very, few pupils failed to gain promotion at the end of the year. The results of the proficiency tests were excellent, '9l pupils being successful. Congratulations wpre extended to Messrs. Wagstaff and Thomas on the fine result, obtained. Tire work of the whole school, particularly the organisation and management of tho headmaster, Mr. D. P. Evans, had earned the unstinted praise of the school inspectors. The staff of the school were still working under the handicap of large classes, each standard being divided into two groups, as follows: Form II 98. Form 1. 102, Std. IV. 106, Std. 111. 92, Std. 11. 107, Std. I. 102. Primer pupils number 233. -

During the year Misses Syms, Simpson and Thompson left. The, appointments were Misses Hughes, Simpson, Stone, Hodges. M. Smith and O’Sullivan. ■

The staff and pupils entered heartily into the various games, and at the Taranaki Primary Schools’ Athletic Association meeting gained the runnersup cup, being beaten by one point.. Great progress, had be’dn made in swimming under the tuition of Miss Dowling. As . the'-, outcome of a representative meeting of those committees concern-id it was resolved that a new- building for the clinic be erected on the Courtenay Street grounds, each committee contributing its share of cost.'- A dental clinic committee was set up, and application made to the department. They were now awaiting the erection of the building.' Notwithstanding the-unfavourable -conditions they' were working under, the work of the clinic was still being ably carried out by nurses Cooeh and Taiaroa.

A home and-, school association had been formed during the year, and under the supervision of Miss Dowling a school orchestra 30 pupils strong had been enrolled. •

In the general account £275 ss. was received from the Education! Board for payment ,of incidental,expenses,! and ,was spent, as follows:—£l.67. Os. ,9d. for Cleahing, £5O 14L' od.' 1 ftor'' fuel' and lighting,.. £38,,-14s, 1(1.\ in . repairs, £9 6s. 3d'.. for books and stationery, and £23 16s. 9d. in advertising, -telephones, insurances and..sundries, leaving a debit balance of £2O 9s. 7(1., which showed that the capitation provided was insufficient. The special account showed that £339 Is. 9d. was raised by special efforts, and the expenditure wao £307 Bs., leaving a credit balance of £3l 13s. 9d.

The report and balance-sheet wore adopted without discussion.

The election of the committee for the ensuing year resulted:. Messrs. F., A. Coleman, W. 11. Hugge'tt, A. F. Sandford, U. E. Ferry, H. \V. Broad, .C. F. A. Waters, A. Fcakins, J. O. Turner and E. W. Hodder.

• Mr. Smith complimented t;he-commit-tee on the excellent work done last year. The report said a large area of the school ground had been concreted. But the committee had had to do a great deal of, work to raise its share of the money. ’ He moved a hearty vote of thanks to the/outgoing committee. The

motion was carried with applause.

The results of the school children'sswimming under Miss Dowling’s tuition had been wonderful, said Mr. Coleman. One child after only a few weeks’ teaching had swum 880 yards. In forming the school orchestra Miss Dowling had added to her unselfish work and soon they would be able to hear the results. Mr. Evans and Mr. Wagstaffc suppie-

mented Mr. Coleman’s remarks md the meeting accorded her hearty thanks and congratulation. • There was only one school in Taranaki which had an assembly hall of .its own,,, said. Mr. .Smith, and that, was Hayera. He thought it was high, time, the Central school,'the biggest in Taranaki, had its own assembly hall, and the quickest way to secure it was to begin to raise funds alone. One or two people had promised donations already. He trusted the new committee, would take up the matter. Mr., Evans explained his attitude towards football and basketball competiV. 'M between the schools. The school week was only 25 hours. said Mr. Evans. Of these 25 an hour and a quarter was given to physical drill. Most of the sport was carried out during lunch time and after school. He did not disfavour competition in sports with other schools but he was not in favour of the time being taken out of the 25 hours of the school week. It could bo done only by lowering the attainment of the school. Another thing was that the classes were seriously unsettled when one or two children left to play matches. In basketball, however, he understood matches -were going to be played on ' Saturday mornings. _ All the schools except one had met him in a very fair manner in regard to the football and had agreed to play the matches .now on Saturday morning. The meeting recorded its approval of the attitude adopted by the headmaster.

At a meeting of the committee Mr. F. A. Coleman was re-elected chairman, Mr. J. 0. Turner deputy-chairman and Mr. &. Feakins secretary and treasurer. MEETING AT FITZROY 28 HOUSEHOLDERS ATTEND. REVIEW OF YEAR’S EVENTS. At Fitzroy the Rev. R. B. Gosnell presided over an attcndan,ee of 28 householders. The, average attendance for the year ending December 31 was 441.9, stated .the chairman in his report. The present roll number was 516, consequently the school had advanced a sub-grade and was fast approaching a grade 7 school. Referring to start changes, he said that at the end »f 1929 Mies Edgecombe and Mr. Gruszning left for the training college, their places being taken this year bv Misses Anderson and Gannaway. Miss Whitten left to take up a position at Tariki. Mr. Kidson left to take up a position at Levuka, Fiji. The new assistants this year were- Miss Downs, Miss Boon (relieving Mias Lunam, who had been granted leave for the rest of the year), and Mr. Leach. Mies Lunam’s position after the first term holidays was to be filled by Miss Audrey Clarkson. During the period an additional classroom, teachers’ common room, cloak room, and a spacious porch bad been added to the infants’ school. The addition completed'that part of the school ■buildings. * Owing to the rapid increase in the roll it had been found necessary to make application for further accommodation, and through the good offices of Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., two classrooms of the free air, had been erected, and this had enabled the school gymnasium (used, for so many years as a classroom) to be vacated. It might now be used for the purpose for which it had been built. The Fitzroy troop of Boy Scouts had again been under the management of the committee and had so increased in numbers that the formation of a second troop was now under consideration. During the year Scoutmaster Milne attended the international jamboree in England, whilst he underwent a special course in scout work, and its results were now being shown in the good work done by the boys. ActingScoutmaster A. Alsop took charge during Mr. Milne’s absence and carried out his duties with great credit. If the second troop was formed Mr. Alsop thoroughly deserved recommendation to the position oF second scoutmaster.

General attention had been given to the school grounds, and with the interest shown by Mr. G. A. Lyall, his Staff and. the children in garden plots, the grounds should show a very pleasing appearance. The committee was faced with difficulty in making, what after all could only be temporary improvements. Owing to the expense .of maintenance and the necessity for use of grounds for additional buildings it was found necessary to abandon the tennis courts. / The sum of £129 la 3d- was ./raised by a series of dances and a gala day. The old-time dances held by the. committee.proved very popular and moderately profitable, realising £37 Us 9d. A children’s fancy-drees ball proved a great success, realising £24 0s 2d. The school sports held prior to the Christmas vacation were a great success and showed excellent organisation. Last , winter three football teams competed', in the North Taranaki competitions, the “C” team occupying the position of runner-up for the C grade cup. The girls had four basketball teams and two, for baseball rounders. Four cricket groups (boys) and one (girls) found pleasurable and healthy exercise during the summer. A swimming parade was held at the municipal baths on the Tuesday of eatoh xveek during the swimming Though better than nothing, did not give the pupils sufficient*-prac-tiefe to become proficient, in the water., Tb<?,Dr. Walker Cup \yas. won by the school ati the ' iriter-schooT •competitions:: in :February, -<At the annual sports pieeting of the North Taranaki Primafy'Schools’ Ainateur Athletic Association, Fitzroy competitors gained third place in the championship events. The committee was in credit £56 Is B<l. The total expenditure under the working account was £l9B Cs, under the special account' £l7B 9s 4d, and under the sports account £25 7s Id.

The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The chairman of the outgoing committee, Mr. J. A. Burr, expressed his pleasure at seeing such a large attendance of Jtousehofders. It had been a pleasure for him to work with such a fine committee. He paid tribute to the efforts of lady helpers. Thanks were also due to. Mr.. Lyall; the ■ headmaster, and his staff. The balance-sheet of No. 3 troop of the Boy Scouts showed a credit of £2l 10s <>d. The assets were valued at £26 Ils fid. ' '

Scoutcr N. Milne remarked on the high standard.of work in New Zealand and on his experiences abroad.

The following committee was reelected unopposed: J. K. Hawkins, G. Beamish, H. Hall, L. F. Foote, J. A. Burr, S. J. Quickfall. M. J. O’Donnell, A. S. Hunter, R. J. Kibby. A motion that the meeting urge on the School Committees’ Association the necessity of increasing the capitation in schools was carried.

WESTOWN’S KEEN INTEREST THE COMMITTEE RE-ELECTED. STAFFING AND CROWDING. At Westown Mr. J. Garcia presided over an attendance of, 30. The balance-eheet showed that receipts in the capitation account had been £l2O, and expenditure £ll3 7s 3d, the -principal item being cleaning ( £7B 96 Id). There waa a debit balance of £l5 7s as compared with a debit of £l9 19a 4d at the beginning of the year. No. 2 account showed receipts as £B4 15b 2d and expenditure £39 9s fid, there being a credit balance of £57 7s 4d,as compared with £62 Ils 8d at the beginning of the year. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the chairman remarked that the splendid attendance, though there was no election of committee, showed that the interest in the school was well maintained. The district was fortunate in having busy men devote so much time to the interests of the school. It was gratifying to note that they were being returned' unopposed, a tribute to the confidence the householders reposed in them. The chairman of the committee said that the committee vacating office had been anxious to complete a certain programme and he thought it had succeeded. It recognised that the previoue committees had done valuable spade work. It was not intended to stand still, and among other matters that would receive attention was the construction of a strip of concrete and improved heating. The latter would probably be installed during the holidays.

Some discussion took place over the picnic, the committee wishing to obtain an indication as to whether the sparse attendance of parents was due to the Huatoki Domain not being considered suitable. It was stated that this was not the cause, and it was decided that the committee be recommended to hold a picnic again, the venue to be left to .the committee.

The following committee, was declared r-e-eleeted unopposed: 'Messrs. J. W.': Darby, E. Deacon. ' W. Marsden, J.' Green, R. Gredig, T; C. Reesby, J. M. Poynter, Vai. Smith and L. T. Aylward.

The secretary spoke of the assistance rendered the committee at all times by Mr. H. W. Insull, secretary to the board, Mr. Jenkins, auditor, and Mr. C. H. Moore, architect. They were accorded a vote of thanks, as were members of the board.

Reporting on the dental clinic, Mr. Aylward stated that a committee had been set up m connection with the building of a new clinic in the Central school ground, and the committee had pledged itself to find £l4. It was stated by Mr. E. Deacon, representative on the clinic committee, that the tothl cost would be £3OO, of which the town committees were finding £l5O. Mr. W. A. Brown, headmaster, .briefly- touched on the question of understaffing and overcrowding. One room, built to accommodate 40. was crowded with 65. It was therefore impossible for the teacher to come into contact with many of the pupils. Little children particularly required individual attention if they were to be educated and not “brought up like a mob.” Another room contained 59, and yet Ministers of Education stated that there was no class over 40. The ideal number for an infant teacher was 35.

In connection with the. staffing it was decided to recommend the committee to prepare a remit for submission to tho annual meeting of the School Committees’ Association.

At a subsequent meeting Mr. L. T. Aylward was re-elected chairman and Mr. J. W. Darby secretary. VOGELTOWN SCHOOL YEAR SWIMMING POOL CONTROL. TEACHING OF THRIFT DISCUSSED Mr. W. Broome presided over an at-, tendance of 20 at Vogeltown. Under the guidance of Mr. T. A. Nicoll, the headmaster, arid his able staff the school Jias come through the year with excellent results in all departments and the inspectors’ report was of the highest, stated the report. Eighteen scholars sat for proficiency, 15 passing and the other three gaining : .competency. During the year we lost Miss Pepper and Mr. Ford,i their places being filled by Miss Fleming and Mr.’ George, both of whom are; giving general satisfaction. ; The attendance is unfortunately at' a standstill; in fact we are-a few pupils' down from last year. In outdoor sport the girls have excelled themselves. They annexed the Deare Shield and tied with Inglewood school in the banner competition at basketball open to all schools in Taranaki and they, with their i teachers, deserve great credit for their, performance. The boys have not covered themselves with glory at cricket, and football, but we are looking forward' to big things from them this coming year. ■ ■>■■■■., : Dqring the year the dental clinic hasf eriidrge'd its operations and we with; other D sc'Jtools joined up with this most; worthy object. Our quota towards its; funds- wh’s '£s 2s. |

After the year’s working we find the accounts stand in credit as follows: — General account £l6 5s 2d, libiary £ll Is 4d, special £6 4s lid; swimming pool account £9 Ils 3d; sports account £lO 9s. The grounds and gardens are in order, the plantation is making rapid progress and altogether the grounds are a credit to all concerned. ° During the year twenty pupils gained swimming certificates, proving that the swimming pool is giving good results. This has proved an invaluable asset to the school and the children are making good headway in ■ their swimming instruction. ’Appreciation of the good work of the secretary and the headmaster and stall was expressed. In moving the adoption of the repoit Mr. Broome congratulated the committee on the excellent state of the finances and for the way the improvements to the school grounds had been maintained. With a grant from the Govern-, ment only sufficient to pay for and cleaning improvements of benefit had been carried out with the. support of parents and others interested in the school. A suggestion that a surveillance committee *be set up to control the school swimming pool wag made by Mr. P. fe. Carroll. ° While the children were under the supervision of teachers they

were all right, but the facilities were increasingly used by the public, and unless some supervision were instituted there might be trouble and the school committee might be. blamed.

■ It’ was- decided to ask' the incoming' committee to arrange . for a vigilance, committee to consist of members of the school committee, domain board and general public. After a ballot Messrs. W. Healy, A, E. Evans, T. Paton, S. R. Smith, J. M. Thompson, C. E. Brotherton and J. . Spindler were elected the committee. A letter from the Education Department urging the inculcation of thrift amongst children by means of the Post Office Savings Bank was discussed, the general opinion being that it was more a matter for parental training than for the teachers to undertake.

At a meeting of the newly-elected coinmitee Messrs. W. Healy and A. E. Evans were re-elected chairman and sec-' rotary respectively.

MOTUROA SCHOOL AFFAIRS EFFECT OF MOVING POPULATION .MB. BENSLEY NEW CHA IB MAN. .. At the annual meeting of the Moturoa School Committee Mr. E. O’Dea presided over an attendance of 19. The seventh annual report stated that the attendance had been satisfactory, and the accommodation adequate. No application for scholars had been refused. Numbers of pupils were entered and left .again, indicating the moving population: which • was inseparable from a seaport. That'had had a detrimental effect on the work of the school. Under- these, circumstances it was pleasing to note the good reports from the inspectors and the satisfactory number of passes at the annual examinations. The committee offered congratulations to the headmaster (Mr. W. R. Adams) and staff for the good results achieved. ■

During the • year the annual fancydress ball was held, and was a great success, the very satisfactory amount of £l4 8s 9d being cleared. The waterside workers’, social committee held a function in aid of the school funds, the not proceeds amounting to £5 15s 6d. It would bo difficult, if not impossible, for the committee to meet all expenses if it were not for holding such functions.

The upkeep of the grounds hdd been well maintained. Everything now was in first-class order, but it would be necessary to continue the efforts to raise money to keep everything in order and effect further improvements.

During the year parents of scholars attending the school were requested to contribute to a fund for an up-to-date dental clinic. On the basis of cost of this building tlu Moturoa contribution (according "to the number of children available for receiving treatment) would amount to approximately £7 3s Id. The amount was over-contributed (£7 ,7s 6d), 15s of which came in after the books were closed. •The school football team won the B grade competition at the northern end. The final with Stratford Convent, winners of the southern end,' resulted in a draw, each school agreeing to hold the McLeod shield for six months. The girls won the B grade basketball competition. A good deal of interest had been taken in swimming during the summer, 27 pupils gaining their certificates, ]0 qualifying for the learners, 11 for the proficiency, and six for the merit certificate.

The balance-ehcct was very satisfactory. It showed that the year commenced with a credit balance of £1 Ils 3d. Grants from the Education Board amounted to £B5 for capitation. Money raised by social functions was allocated as follows: General, purposes £lB 19s 3d; sports, committee and dental clinic, £8 4e 3d; total, £ll3 14s 9d. Expenditure: Cleaning, £6O Ils Id; fuel and light, £l4 Is 7d; repairs, £lO 7s 10d; stationery, £4 179 3d; library, £1 16s lOd; sports, committee and dental. clinic, £9 13s Id; each in hand, 2s; total, £lOl 9s Bd. The credit balance in the bank on the closing of books, February 28, 1930, was £l2 5s Id. The following committee was elected: Messrs. A. L. Connett, A. 11. Bensley, E. O’Dea, L. McConnell, A. E. Woods, J. Young and W. Hunter. At the subsequent meeting of the committee Mr. A. H. Bensley was. appointed chairman and Mr. E. O’Dea see; retary pro tern. FRANKLEY ROAD IMPROVEMENTS NO COMMITTEE ELECTED. Mr. F. Lee presided over an attendance of seven householders ’at the Frailkley Road meeting. Mr. Lee and Mr? J,' Kenny (secretary) declined renominatidn to the committed,; -saying that they wished to be relieved from a further term of office. Mr-. Smith, the only other man present, was noriir . inated, but declined, and as there were 1 no other nominations the : meeting lapsed and no comnjittee was elected. '< In presenting hie report, the chairman said that the roll now numbered 42.. ; Various alterations . had takenplace during the year which comfor.t'.'to the pupils both in and out of' school.. Shelter sheds had been erected,; which . divided the girls from the boys during the lunch hour. In addition to this, porcelain washing basins had . been installed, thereby doing away with the older ones.. New conveniences had been erected, o-rcatly improving the sanitary conditions of the school. The balancesheet at. the .close of. the financial year showed that cash in hand amounted, to £ll 9s Bd. A vote of thanks was accorded Messrs. F. Lee and Simpson for managing the business of the school in the past. WAITARA IMPROVEMENTS SHORTAGE' OF CAPITATION, ’SIR ?T. SIDEY’S. SUGGESTION. / Mr. E. George presided over an attendance of 50 at Waitara. The balance-sheet showed a credit of .£45 14s Id in the general accounts The present committee took office four days after the official opening of the new classrooms hy. the Minister of Education, and was,,therefore at. once,, engaged with tho'etask of carrying .into effect the plans for ground construction

and improvement' work formulated by the retiring committee, said the report. The Minister promised that his department would make a special grant of £l5O for this work.,-and subsidise £ for £a. sura’of £lOO to -be .raised ,by the committee; also that the Taranaki. Education Board would make a special grant of £55. This work has been completed, the main features being the asphalting of the falling-in and play areas, and paths, the preliminary formation and asphalting for a tennis court, and levelling-and sowing of lawns and the construction of ornamental flower plots and rock garden and a live hedge on the Cracroft Street front. A new mower and roller were obtained and water laid on to all'lawns and flower plots.

Work of a minor nature included a path to the cricket ground, matting for. the cricket pitch, the construction of a new brick incinerator, the removal of old trees and stumps, a new double gate on Cracroft Street, a new post and wire fence on McLean Street, saddle racks in the bicycle shed, repairs to the school baths and a trellis fence to protect the rock garden. W» found it necessary to purchase a new gramophone and have added considerably to the school library, and in addition have established a teachers* reference library. It will be realised that the one great obstacle to an extended. scope of the ’committee’s ' work is the limited amount of money at our disposal and-a lot of the work outlined above has been done by individual members of the committee, and the men and women who give their time in the service of our schools should not be left to their own resources to raise money. At present they must either do this or sit do'wn and Jet the school take care of itself. It must be remembered that the mere cleaning of the school and classrooms costs the committee a big proportion of its capitation grant and without the proceeds of the school concerts and similar functions no money at all would be, available for sports material, classroom,-equipment and decoration or ground improvement and; beautifying. work. The complaints com-' ing from all over New Zealand of in-', adequate capitation grants to primary! school, cqinmittees are -well founded.: A feature .worthy of mention is the: visit of.the dental nurses. They were: at the (School ■ off and on from July to’ October and treated 167 patients. Their, report recorded .310 fillings, 234 extract tions and 446 minor operations. The cost’ to the- committee was £9 12s 10d.' Owing to the unsuitable ..train times the committee was obliged to consider '■ motor-bus arrangements for Sentry Hill and Waitara Road pupils. The Railway Department, however, undertook to run the 3.30 p.m. train from Waitara regularly on all school days, and this made motor transport' unnecessary. The most gratifying feature of last year’s school work was the excellent: report made by the inspectors, and it is apparent that the status of our school has been definitely raised. The credit for tin's to our headmaster and teachers, ' also in no small measure to; the children themselves, who have, shown- a' keen interest and pride in; their school. The prefect and monitor! system how established lias produced, a\ noticeable effect on the discipline at the: school and the committee extends its. congratulations to . the senior prefects,Muriel Pizzdy and Fred. Chittenden, on their work.

Football, cricket,, athletics, swimming and basketball have each had their adherents. Our seven-a-side team won the competition at Manaia on J.une 3 and the football team ■ the Taranaki primary schools’ championship.

Great enthusiasm was noticeable in swimming this season. In addition to the number who learnt to swim, 12 girls and two boys gained life-saving certificates, this being the'first occasion on which regular -instruction in lifesaving has been attempted. Patricia Brough was runner-up in tho primary schools’ swimming championship and the girls’ relay team filled the same position. The school championships (for which the handsome cups and miniatures given to us by the Herbert Smith Trust were awarded) resulted as follows: —Girls, Patricia Brough* boys, Albert Roberts: and Alfred Crow, equal. Athletics: Senior boys, Tui Fenton; senior girls, Laurel Laurent; junior boys, Graham Hamlin; junior girls, Hilda Old.

In the competition for the Cuthbert Shield, which is awarded for environment, quality of teaching in nature study and experimental work in agriculture the school was placed fifth .in Taranaki and first among the large schools.

Mentiqh was made of the excellent efforts of Mr) Browning, the headmas- ; ori. hehalf, of the .school in all branches of its activities—in school work, sports, agricultural training .and garden work and, last., but not .least, in discipline. , . The / headmaster .referred to , a comp.rehepsive scheme outlined two years agp -for the,.improvement of the school grounds. It seeiped impossible then, but he was pleased to., say that it. t -had now been almost accomplished. Messrs, Wilson and Glasgow spo.ke regarding the . small capitation allowed the- school ( £150),. ..which .-. was not nearly sufficient to meet expenses. A motion, .was passed. that . the committee considered the capitation grants totally inadequate, and that the department be approached for an increase. . . . Six’- Thomas Sidey’s proppsal for,.the advance of .the-schopl holidays to February .and March .-caused much, discussion;, , The.feeling .wap- that the meeting had.not sufficient data-to allow it to reach. A decision, and the matter, was referred, .back to the Education Board for further particulars. , The,,following were elected the committee: L. Andrews, A. Arms, A.: Chadwick, W. 8.. Glasgow, C. Kettle, C. Linimer, A. P-izzey, 11. Purdie and G. H. Topless. ...Mr, .Glasgow, on behalf of the parents,, presented Mr. Wileon with an inkstand as a, Token of appreciation of his services during 15 years.