HAWERA SCHOOL AFFAIRS

Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1930, Page 6

HAWERA SCHOOL AFFAIRS

CHAIRMAN’S ANNUAL REPORT. INADEQUATE CAPITATION GRANT. Except "for an outbreak of influenza, wfiich had reduced the attendance by 10 per cent, in one term, epidemics had not taken a large toll, stated Dr. W. M. Thomson to the annual meeting of householders of. the Hawera main school on Monday night. The result had been that the average attendance had been higher than for several years past, a fact probably due to the improvements effected to the main school building and to the erection of the infant school. Since the previous annual meeting a change in headmasters had taken place, Mr. J. W. Thomas having been appointed in place of Mr. F. A. Bates, who had received promotion. During the absence of Mr. H. C. A. Fox, Mr. Herbert Webb had very efficiently carried on the work with the school band. Since Mr. Fox’s return he had formulated a scheme for the purchase of new instruments, which would remain the property of the school.' The sum of £lOO was ..required for that purpose. .The school picnic had been • conducted .without .the co-operation of • neighbouring schools, and had been held at Moturoa, a small profit having been made. As a result of the termination of the arrangement for a combined picnic a meeting had been held in dispose of the profits of previous years, and .. the committee had received £26 for its ■ share-. The new infant school, of the fresh air type, had proved an unqualified success, a notable feature being the absence of draughts and the possibility of providing abundant fresh air even in the stormiest weather. The heating apparatus had been used to a very small extent. The attention of teachers and parents was drawn to the annual report of the medical officer, who had emphasised the importance of adequate clothing for children and the use of exercises between lessons to promote warmth. The favourable notice of parents was also drawn to the practice of Miss Terry, headmistress of the infant school, of allowing the infants on wet days to take off their shoes and stockings, which were dried on the warm pipes and were resumed before the children left school. A committee of. ladies had collected £l3O for the purpose of improving the surroundings of the school ami a further sum of £l7 had been obtained by means of a Paddy’s market. Th? school ball nad proved an outstanding success and a profit of £5B had been made. At a meeting of delegates of the committees of neighoouring schools it had been decided to attempt to raise a sum of £250 to provide tre capital cost .of an A type clinic, and approximately £lOO to enable the dental committee to manage the finance. This was to b* collected pro rata, and the share of the Hawera school was £lOO. The time had now arrived for the money to be raised in order that application might be made for the building and for the nurse. Once the building was provided two nurses could be accommodated and the district surrounding Hawera catered for. A special Dalton class had been instituted at the beginning of 1929 and had done good work. It provided for the extension of the teaching facilities of the school. A bazaar held in aid of the library had realised a profit of £36, and books and apparatus amounting to £5O had been ordered. The sum of £l3 had been received as donations for the sports fund, and almost every child had participated in sports of various-kinds. A large number of swimming certificates had been won during the season. Bible instruction had been instituted ; during the year and had been regularly taken by the ministers of the town. “Lastly,” the report concluded, “we cannot let this opportunity pass with- ■ out referring to the burning question of the hour with school committees — the inadequacy of the capitation grant by the Education Department. It is a crying shame that sufficient money for the mere cleaning and heating of schools is not provided, and that committees have constantly to be going to the public hat "in hand. It says much for the public spirit of the community that so much has been done in the past, and a considerable measure of sympathy will be felt for these committees who have resigned in protest. Neverr theless we do-riot endorse their action, and as in earnest of that we, or many of us, have offered ourselves once more as your representatives to help in the control of the school.”' MATAPU EUCHRE PARTY AMD DANCE The third of a series of euchre parties and dances was held in the Matapu Hall on Tuesday night, when all the card tables "ere. filled with enthusiasts; from the surrounding districts and local players. There Was also a crowd of dancers ready to take the floor after the

euchre tournament. The first prizes for the evening were won by Miss I. Kobins and Mr. J. Wilmshurst; Mrs. Simpson and Mr. Taylor won the second prizes. Music for the dancing was supplied by Miss M. Guy and Miss B. Seed played extras. Messrs T. Gny and T. Huckstep were masters of ceremonies. - 1 OPERA HOUSE, HAWERA. FINAL SCREENING TO-NIGHT. Two song hits, “Illusion” and “Revolutionary Rhythm,” provide the melody background for Paramount’s alltalking picture of the life* of troupers who move in the circles of high society. “Illusion” will be shown at the Opera House, Hawera,' to-night for the last time. Fred Coots, Larry Spier and Sain Coslow wrote the music for the number “Illusion.” Sam Coslow penned the lyrics. Both the lyrics and music of “Revolutionary Rhythm” - were written 'by Fred. Coslow, Lou Davis and Larry Spier in collaboration. Charles (Buddy) Rogers and' Nancy Carroll, the lovable young pair W’ho performed so harmoniously in "Close Harmony,” sing the two 'puinoers in th® new picture. Beats may Jte'&scrvejl’At j' ! ,• > \Ji.M *** ‘ ■■■ • ■ V*. J;* 1 11; . .93