POLLS INCREASED

Taranaki Daily News, 27 February 1935, Page 4

POLLS INCREASED

FLOOD DAMAGE AT HIGH SCHOOLS.

PRINCIPALS' REPORTS TO BOARD. Higher rolls than last year and a certain lamount of damage done by flood, were matters reported on Monday night at the monthly meeting of . the New Plymouth High Schools Board. There were, present Messrs.' H. R. Billing (chairman), L. A. Nolan, P. E. Stainton, W. H. Jones and G. Clarke, and Misses C. A. Douglas and E. Andrews.

The boys school reopened after the holidays with a full attendance, reported the principal, Mr. W. H. Moyes.- In spite of the fact that over 80 boys from senior forms were placed in .positions during 1934 and that the end of the' year witnessed the departure of a larger number than usual, the school roll showed, an increase on that of last year. The boarding roll had increased to 92 with some still to come.

The results of the public examinations were published. The school did particularly well, winning three Taranaki scholarships and gaining 39 passes in the matriculation examination. Another candidate qualified for a Taranaki scholarship, but was. under age. The.results of the degree examinations were: Section LLB., G. C. Weston; section B.Sc., D.. McGill; section 8.A., D. N. Hull and J. W. Mail.

' As a result of the. recent heavy rains slips had occurred at the head of the gully, and considerable damage had been done to the tennis courts. The steep bank near the agricultural laboratory had been eaten away until it was within three feet of the foundations,' and it would probably be necessary to construct. some kind of retaining wall ’to prevent further erosion. Tire: scheme in connection with, unemployment having been altered, .outside help could not in future be relied upon to carry out work on the school grounds. Fortunately, most of the major jobs, such as road formation, had been completed, and no difficulty was anticipated in having- the grounds kept in order by the permanent staff. A~ request was. made for the appointment of four laboratory assistants to cost £3 10s per term. Apart from the necessary, help such assistants* would afford the masters taking science, the experience gained would be invaluable to them. The question was referred to a special meeting at which the secretary was to report. Two carpets were ’ urgently ' required and authorised by the board. Those formerly in use had worn but long ago and the cost of replacing them would be £lO. Two of the dormitories in Mr. Bottrill’s house were added after the main block was completed but never furnished with cupboards, stated the report. Boys had nowhere to hang clothes, and lockers were needed. The matter was deferred to a special meeting.. . . Mr. Moyes advised the repovation of the maids’ rooms, • nothing having been done to them since they were built in 1916. The white plaster walls were naturally marked and stained after so fnany years of use. Cinders had proved very satisfactory for the roads'and much cheaper than metal. A further supply was now . required and its purchase was referred to the grounds and building committee to report. The roll at the girls’ school stood at 328, seven higher than last year, reported the principal, Miss D. N. Allan., There were 130 new pupils. An academic course was chosen by 158 pupils, a . commercial by 126 and a craft course by 44. The board roll increased from 26 .to 37, 20 of this number being new enrolments. EXAMINATION RESULT’S.. . Examination results published during the holidays showed for training . college entrance 9 passes (10 candidates); for Government shorthand typiste, 6 (8); for speed certificates ranging from 50 to 90 words per minute, 14; for speed certificates of 100 words per minute, 3; for matriculation, 16 (23); for school certificate examination, whole or partial pass, 18. The two university scholarship candidates, Suzette Allen and'Doris Francis, were both awarded Taranaki scholarships. Margaret Menzies and Joan Christensen gained the first section of • the B.A. degree.

If weather permitted, the ■ swimming sports would be held on March 1. Application for permission to' close the school for ten days at Easter, in accordance with the permission given by the Minister, was made. As the school jubilee would be held during the holiday •period it would be convenient to have the rest of the week. free. The request was granted. The flood last week had washed away two or three yards of the river bank for two chains. The. stretch of land behind the dressing sheds was reduced. to a dangerous margin, and the grounds committee was asked to visit “Scotlands” to inspect the- damage. The damage done by the flood both to .the boys and. girls’ schools was referred to the. grounds committee with a suggestion that it confer with the borough engineer. • ■

The director of .the technical department, Mr. A. L. Moore, reported, enrolments on the vocational sid£ at the boys’ school 'to be agricultural and industrial 49, engineering 97, commercial 34, total number 180. Evening classes had commenced, but the enrolments were not yet complete.

The purchase of one hyloplate board and painting of the others were authorised.

A request for a grant towards a staff reference library was received from the Boys’ High School teachers. It was referred to the finance committee, and it was decided to ask representatives of the staffs from, both boys "and girls’ schools to confer with the board at its next meeting. A donation of £5 towards the boys’ school library was received from the Teachers’ Summer School Assodiation, which thanked the board for allowing the school to occupy the buildings. The surroundings had been ideal, and satisfaction with catering and .air arrangements was expressed. The question of remuneration to Mr. C. H. ; Moore, architect for the Taranaki Education Board, was referred to • the chairman for report. A letter from the Old Giris’ Association asked the board to approach the Borough Council in order that' coloured lights at the grounds of the girls’ school might be erected, during the jubilee celebrations. The* secretary was instructed to act as requested. ■ An application for reduction in boarding fees was refused. Though the boarding roll had increased, said the chairman, the board was offering four scholarships, which were , a considerable drain. It would have to proceed carefully this year and cut down expenses as much as possible..