JUBILEE FOURPENCES

Taranaki Daily News, 17 April 1935, Page 12

JUBILEE FOURPENCES

DEPARTMENT’S GIFT TO CHILDREN. PROPOSED MESSAGE TO KING. What was to be done with the fourpences given by the Government to all school authorities on, behalf of eac “ pupil was discussed on Monday night at the monthly meeting of the New Plymouth High Schools’ Board. It was decided that the pupils should send a signed message of congratulation. Tneie were present Messrs. H. R. j Billing (chairman) L. A. Nolan, W. H. Jones, Miss E. Andrews and Dr. E. F. Fookes. Miss D. N. Allan, principal of the girls school, reported that notices had been received from the Education Depart, ment stating that Monday, May 6, was to be observed as a holiday for the Kings jubilee and that sdme form of entertainment, the maximum cost to be the sum of the fourpences granted to each child, was to be provided for the pupils o,n Friday, M .y 10. ' The suggestion made by Mr. W. H. Moyes, the boys’ principal, was that the boys should be assembled on May 10 and given a short talk on the significance of the jubilee. Afterwards each should sign a loyal message, which he had drafted tentatively, and the message should be sent to the Governor-General in the hope that it would be forwarded to the King. Mr. Moyes pointed out that each boy would then have a personal interest in the ceremony and the signed message if it were counter-signed by the King and returned, could be hung and. in later years would have some historical importance. Mr. Moyes said he understood it was mooted school children should gather at Pukekura Park for a procession and perhaps some form of refreshment. But he felt it would be hopeless to attempt to spend the money on any entertainment that would make a permanent impression on the pupils. Miss Andrews agreed. She suggested that the planting of trees would be more suitable than a “ridiculous lollie scramble.” . Miss Allan asked if the money might not be spent on books. She believed there was a work being prepared on the life of King George. It was doubted by the members whether any of the schemes suggested would be regarded as “entertainment” by the department. The aim should be to make a permanent impression on the children, maintained Mr. Jones’. They must realise the significance of the occasion and the spirit of Empire should be encouraged. The chairman, on referring to the departmental circulat, said he thought. it suggested amusement, fun and rejoicings for the children. Miss Andrews: Surely the department must realise that nothing can be dona in the way of amusement, fun and rejoicings for fourpence a child? It was decided that Mr. Moyes’ suggestion of all pupils signing a message should be adopted in both schools. The slip which occurred at the top of the gully during the recent flood had been attended to and a new line of pipes had been put in to deal with the steam water, reported Mr. Moyes. Work v/as satisfactory. The school was asked ito take part in the Anzac Day services reported Miss. Allan. As school would be closed for the week after Easter and nearly all the staff and a large number of pupils would be away from New Plymouth it did not seem possible for the school to share this year in the commemoration service. Work at the evening school and on the vocational side of the day school was proceeding satisfactorily reported the technical director, Mr. A. L. Moore. The board’s architect, Mr. C. H. Moore, reported that the bell cote at the girls’ school was completed and painting at the main school had been completed. The spouting and downpipes had been renewed and the whole building when the painting was done would be in good condition.

At the boys’ school the urgent renovation of the kitchen block was near completion. The painting contract for the woodwork building and the old wooden class rooms at the rear of the main school would be put in hand shortly. On account of flood damage it had been necessary to drain and remove the bell stand at the end of the wooden class rooms. The Minister tof Education wrote stating that he would be unable to release the board from its obligations in regard to the £5OO still owing on the girls’ hostel. He was prepared, however, to extend the date of payment until the end of the year. The secretary was instructed to thank the Minister for his consideration of the request.