WEST END SCHOOL CONTROL

Taranaki Daily News, 10 February 1933, Page 3

WEST END SCHOOL CONTROL

MEETING OF COMMITTEE HELD.

ACTIVITIES OF SCOUTS AND CUBS. The monthly meeting of the West End school commitee was held last night. Present: Messrs. W. H. Jones (chairman), F. May, C. Berg, H. L. Hay, F. Hooker and E. Tingey and H. J. Abram (hon. secretary). The chairman welcomed Mr. Tingey, a new member of the committee. The headmaster (Mr. ' J. N. J. Shimmin) reported that the school opened on February 1 with a roll of 350, compared with 420 at the beginning of last year. The roll on December 16, 1932, was 391. The average necessary to sustain the grade of the school was 361. The average number last term was 376 2 While the school might not attain the average necessary this term, the admission of pupils during the next term would probably be sufficient to maintain the school in grade VIA. One room had been definitely closed and the staff had been reduced by one. Mr. Barnes had taken up his pcsition as first assistant. Miss Neville had joined as a rationed teacher. Miss Mee had obtained leave of absence for two weeks, her place having been filled by Miss Oliver.

The average atendance last week was 328.3, the percentage being 93.6. Several pupils whose parents were eamping did not return till Monday. ■ The school bad been well prepared for the opening by the caretakers. The cricket gear of the schools was badly in need of replenishment. Mr. Shimmin specially mentioned the need for a concrete cricket pitch and instanced the good these pitches did for youthful cricketers in Australia. The Marist school, Auckland, had concrete pitches. He said that the school pitch in its present condition was dangerous.

The question of acquiring two bats, a ball and two pads was left in the hands of Messrs. Shimmin, Berg. and the secretary. It was decided to lay down the ends of the cricket pitch ..in concrete.

It was decided to hold a school picnic on February 23, the question of the ground being left to the secretary.

Mr. Shimmin was asked to report to the next meeting on the needs of the library. The meeting of the scout and cub committee was held in conjunction with the school commitee, those present in addition being: Mesdames Malcolm, Royce, Davis, Walls and Hoben. Mrs. Brash and . Miss Mynott forwarded their resignations from the committee. They would always be interested in the work of the troops, they said. The chairman referred appreciatively to the services of Mrs. Brash, Miss Mynott and Mrs. Harkness (who had also resigned) and a motion of thanks was passed. Mrs. Malcolm was appointed treasurer in place of 'Mrs. Harkness. The cubmistress (Miss A. Elliot) reported on the cub camp at the old waterworks reserve. Only four West End boys attended. Many considered the cost too great when compared with that of the scout camp at Mokau. Acknowledgments were made of services to the camp by Mr. F. May and Mr. W. H. Jones. The camp was a success. The first parade of the new year had been held, said Miss Elliot. The scoutmaster (Mr. D. Hedges) reported there had been two parades during the past two months, in addition to the camp at Mokau in January. Thanks were expressed to Mr. and Mrs. Warren. On the recommendation of Mr. Hedges it was' decided that a third of the balance of £2. 8s 4d in the camp fund should be donated to the Westown troop, the boys of which had paid the full 10s 6d, the remainder to be banked for the purpose of buying new tents. Mesdames Walls and Davis (cubs), 1 and Messrs. Hay and Tingey (scouts) were appointed visiting committees for the month. . Mr. Mather (assistant scoutmaster) was granted leave of absence as he was working out of town.