SCHOOL YEAR REVIEWED

Taranaki Daily News, 7 May 1930, Page 10

SCHOOL YEAR REVIEWED

ELECTION OF COMMITTEES PROGRESS OF STRATFORD SCHOOL. ■ MAINTAINING DENTAL CLINIC. “It is pleasing to note that the year has been such a successful one in iuore than one direction —botli the record of scholastic and sports work carried out by the staff and the report of the operations conducted by the committee leave little to be desired,” said the Mayor (Mr. P. Thomas) at the annual meeting of householders in Stratford. Considerable improvements that were readily apparent had been carried out in the school grounds, he said. That piece of ground between the main and infant schools had. been levelled and tar surfaced. There were other parts of the grounds, especially by the main gate, that could do with similar treatment. It would be observed that the committee had given due consideration to the heating question. Temperatures were often fairly low in Stratford and the school rooms should be kept at a temperature conducive to good work by both pupils and teachers. The dental clinic was doing good work. Mr. Thomson was personally not in favour of the . institutions, being a burden upon the State and believed that such work should be carried out by private practitioners. He had, notwithstanding, the greatest confidence in the ability and efficiency of the dental nurses. If was the system he was criticising, not those who operated it. Whether or not parents could afford it their children could be treated at the clinic. No charge was made and school committees had to depend upon donations to assist towards that portion of the cost of maintenance of the clinics that had to be borne by committees. The people of New Zealand, it seemed to him, wore continually looking to the Government for free service. If the system of dental clinics were to be carried on greater support would have to be received from the public. The Stratford committee was finding the burden a heavy one. . During the year criticism had been levelled at the committee in connection with the annual picnic, criticism that was foolish and unwarranted. The committee had endeavoured to do its best in the interests of the school and the community and though it welcomed constructive criticism, useless censoring of its actions had no beneficial result.

“During the coming yea. the public must look no more expenditure beyond that fro whic’ the committee is committced at present,” said Mr. A. E. Moss. Much had been done in the past twelve months and the committee could not he expected to continued indefinitely at the same rate.

JJcntal clinic expenses should be borne not'by . committees but by the department, said Mr. J. McAllister, in suggesting that the committee should protest to the department on- those lines. The trouble was that many committees which had no clinics and no idea of the cost incurred in their .upkeep were agitating to have clinics instituted at their schools, and. a protest from the Stratford committee would probably be met. with; the reply that if Stratford could not afford to maintain its clinic th re were >ther committees that could. “I think it would b? advisable to leave well alone,” said Mr.' Moss. Both the department and the Taranaki Education Board had been generous in their treatment of the • Stratford committee in granting a clinic to the school. The chairman called for a motion but nobody would move. No discussion eventuated on the proposal by Sir Thomas Sidey that the chief school vacation should be altered from December-January to FebruaryMarch. MATAPU HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETING The annual meeting of the Matapu householders was attended by 14. Mr. Guy presided. He reported that the roll number for last term was 110, making an average of 101. The present roll number was 106. Mr. Guy congratulated the teachers on the year’s work: Fifteen pupils gained the proficiency certificates and the other -standards: made, good progress. He congratulated the,children on their win-ning-the Bennet and Sutton Cup. It was the second time'the cup had come to Matapu. Mr. Bond, Hawera, and the Okaiawa Football Club had-donated footballs. t The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £7 9s Bd. Expenditure had amounted to £74 2s Bd, and the receipts to £66 13s. . ■ Mr. Guy, who had been a member of the committee, for 19 years, for 13 of which he was chairman; did not seek reelection. He was accorded hearty thanks for his services. ■ • The following committee was elected: Mr. Prestidgo (chairman), Mr. Seed (secretary), Mr. Carter, Mr. Thomas, Mr. A. Robinson, Mr. J. Grainger and Mr. H. Riddick.. GENERAL ITEMS. Those who wish to witness some of the best axemen and sawyers in New Zealand in action should attend the axemen’s carnival at Midhirst to-day. Two championship chops and one sawing championship will be decided as well as a number of handicap events. Chain stepping, nail driving and flat races are also on the programme. Refreshments will be obtainable on the grounds. The following team will represent the Stratford Association Football Club in the Julian Cup fixture versus Hawera to be played at King Edward Park, Hawera, on Saturday:—Hibbs, Dwyer, Stewart, Rayner, Reid, Verney, Hammill, Jones, Millar, Harrold, Jones; reserves, O’Shannessy, Howard, Clarke, Knowles.