WAITARA NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 14 December 1932, Page 3

WAITARA NEWS

SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETS. INSTRUCTION IN SWIMMING. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The monthly meeting of. the Waitara School Committee took place on Monday night, when there were present: Messrs. W. G. Glasgow (chairman), C. Kettle, W. Cole, A. J. Arms and H. Purdie. Mr. F. R. S. Bullen, headmaster, was also in attendance. The headmaster stated that the attendance average for the past month was 95 per cent., only six children being absent. The chairman, in discussing the report, said that the school was at the top of its grade, and could the attendance be kept the same as the past month the school could, be graded higher.

Mr. Bullen’s, action in arranging extra precautions at the baths was unanimously approved. It was pointed out that to lessen the chances of accidents a rope was tied across the baths, .and only pupils who could swim were allowed on the deeper side of the enctosure.. Two or three senior pupils were on patrol assisting the teachers in watching the swimmers, and the classes were so trained, that on the . blowing of a whistle all moved to the side of the bath, thus giving teachers and patrol a clear view of the water should anyone be' in difficulties.

The chairman said that it .was now a school year since Mr. Bullen took charge of the school. The past headmaster had set a high standard of efficiency, and Mr. Bullen had maintained the standard. Mr. Henry, the school inspector, had told him that he had found no other school with better self-government, and also that the children took a pride in their work whether the teacher was present or not. Mr. Glasgow further stated that Mr.. Mackay, the agricultural instructor, had said he was. very pleased with the . excellent way Mr. Bullen had maintained the manual classes. These praises coming from outside sources, said the chairman, proved that the headmaster was giving satisfaction, and he was sure that the committee appreciated the good work of Mr. Bullen. He asked him to accept their thanks both to himself and to the staff.

The Lepperton School Committee applied for permission for the children to use the baths for swimming instruction purposes on Tuesday mornings. The chairman’s action in granting the request subject to the condition’that the Waitara School Committee and the Waitara teachers take no. responsibility was confirmed.

Mr. Glasgow reported that he had interviewed Mr. Moore and ’ an arrangement had been made 1 that Mr. Moore would make duckboards for use in the dressing sheds at the baths, the school committee to pay for the timber used. The chairman’s action was confirmed. It was ’ decided to send Mr. H. St. George a letter of thanks for his services in giving swimming instruction to the pupils of the school.

Mr. E. Foster was appointed caretaker of the school lawns and grounds dining the holidays. • It was decided to whitewash the baths during the holidays. Accounts were /passed for payment «md the “breakixig- .

up” ceremony was left in the hands of the chairman. The next committee meeting was ar? ranged for February 13. The dental clinic will close on December 16 and re-open on January 19, when children may obtain treatment if necessary. The following teams will represent Waitara against Huirangi at Waitara tomorrow:—Men: A. Chadwick (captain), C. Muschamp, C. R. Stead, T. Johnson and L. Cole (emergency). Ladies: Misses H. Johnstone,. V; Madsen, M. Calgher, M. Callendar and M. Kempsail (emergency). The following teams will represent Waitara at Clifton Park on Thursday:— Men: R. Martin (captain), H. Madsen, F. Brimelow, G. Seiwood, J. Penman, G. Kent, G. Hutton (emergency). Ladies: M. Gorrie, W. Sampson, H. Hingley, J. Bullen, J. Paulger, M. Nosworthy and N. Howie (emergency). The mart held 'on' Saturday by the Presbyterian Church proved most successful. The church funds will benefit by nearly £l5. Mr.T. B. Ewens, president of the Waitara Freezing Workers’ Union, and Mr. C. Topp returned on Monday night after a visit to Patea, Feilding and Hawke’s Bay, where they had addressed meetings of freezing workers in connection with the dispute. Mr. Ewens stated that their mission was to ascertain the position relative to those districts, and he reports that the men are all solid in standing firin and not returning to work on the existing employers’ terms. A further meeting was again held at Waitara yesterday morning, but Mr. Ewens stated there was nothing to report.