RAWHITIROA SCHOOL

Taranaki Daily News, 6 May 1931, Page 5

RAWHITIROA SCHOOL

VALUE OF NEW BUILDING.

DISAPPEARANCE OF SICKNESS.

There was a disappointing attendance at the annual meeting of householders and parents at Rawhitiroa on Monday night, only seven being present. Mr. D. May was elected chairman.

Presenting his annual report, Mr. J. Cocker, chairman of the retiring committee, said that, the school had maintained its reputation for efficiency despite the numerous changes of staff thht had occurred. During, the year the school had been entirely remodelled by the Education Board staff, and the present building was a credit to the dis-

trict. The committee had no doubt that the poor working conditions under which the? children had laboured in the: past had been responsible for the epidemics of. influenza and diphtheria which had broken out so frequently, and it was gratifying to report that since the new school had been erected the health of the pupils had been excellent, as the attendance returns showed.

Although the capitation grant had decreased as the school had fallen in grade, a considerable amount of money had been spent in improvements. The library, had been enlarged by the purchase of £2O worth of books, and .it would now compare favourably with that of any school of similar grade in the district. A first-aid outfit had been added to the equipment and had proved a boon toi the staff.

The appearance of the school was a credit to both pupils and teacher., A concrete retaining wall had been, erected and new paths had been laid down

to conform with .the lay-out. of the new building. The niost. important work undertaken during the year, however, was . the ' commencement of the : formation .of-a playing field for .the children. This had:, been made possible by the unemployment 'relief scheme, under which £5O had already been expended. The work had entailed the uprooting of the trees-that had surrounded the old school residence, and a vast amount of levelling, but the men had made good progress and the playing field was gradually taking shape. In the world of sport the children had made full use of theii* concrete tennis court, and had also taken up cricket with enthusiasm. They had been victorious in the only match played—a friendly fixture with their Manganiingi neighbours.

A . vote of thanks to Mr. Cocker, expressing . appreciation of his work as chairman of the committee, especially with regard to his organisation of the play-

ground formation work,' was carried by acclamation. •'

The committee (Messrs.. Cocker,. May,? Barker, Fletcher? and Silver) was,, re-t elected unopppsed, and at /its sub? sequent, meeting'Mr. Cocker was elected chairman and Mr. F. Silver secretary.