SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 144082, 29 April 1913, Page 4

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETINGS. ELECTION OP NEW MEMBERS. The annual meetings of householders throughout the Taranaki Education(Board's district were held on Monday .night. CENTRAL. There was only a moderate attendance at the Central School. Mr. G. E. Roper was voted to the chair, and in his opening fernnrks entered a protest against the apathy on the part of the householders in not attending these meetings. The Secretary (Mr. C. T. Mills) presented the annual balance-sheet, which showed total receipts amounting to £9O 4s Id. including a balance brought forward of £9 Is Id, and grants from the department £Bl 3s. After meeting all expenditure there was a balance in hand of £4 15s 4d. The balance-sheet was approved. REPORT. Mr. F. P. Corkill, chairman of the outgoing committee, briefly reviewed ;thc events of the ’ past year, stating that the number of scholars on the roll at the commencement, of the year was 595, and at March 31 last the roll number was SOI, a decrease of one. The average attendance for the year had been 536, against 515 in the previous year. The roll at the present time was 604, against 591 at the corresponding date of last year. The staff consisted of the headmaster and eight assistant teachers (two males and six females) and five pupil teachers (two males and three females). The teachers who had been appointed to fill vacancies which occurred during the year were all doing good work, and the school as a whole was still going strong. SCHOOL BUILDINGS. Continuing, Mr. Corkill ''referred to the. school buildings, which, ho said, had been condemned by the medical men, who described them as being insanitary. and who unanimously expressed the opinion that they should be pulled down and a more modern structure erected. So far as he could see, there wasr no likelihood of this being done for a number of years. He gave the Education Board credit for having striven to put the buildings in decent order. They had been painted and a good manv necessary repairs had been effected. Tlic committee had also done its share, and through tho initiative of the headmaster, who got a committee of live citizens associated! with him, n carnival was arranged, and this . had resulted ,in a sum of . £lO6 being raised. 1 This money had been expended in tarring the whole of the precincts of the Central School and in tarring for the first time the precincts of" the - ,,Courtenay Street School, also general repairs, including a good deal of attention to tho sanitary arrangements at the Central School. The Education Board had also met them to the extent of providing half the cost of. the now shelter shed. SCHOOL BATHS. Referring 1 to tho question of school baths, Mr. Corkill said the municipal baths werfe too far away for many of their children to' make use of them. Mr. Dempsey had a scheme for tho construction of a .'swimming hath in the school grounds, at a cost ‘of £350, but when they approached the Borough Council with reference to water supply it , was found the scheme would cost £l3O a year. The question was therefore dropped for the time being. SCHOOL FOR VOCELTOWN. At the last meeting, continued Mr. "Corkill, it was mentioned that the establishment of a side school at Vogeltown was contemplated. A section had been purchased and in application had been forwarded to the department for a grant for the school. This was still under consideration. CADETS AND BOY SCOUTS.

He expressed his regret that the school cadets had gone out of existence. Ho thought the abolition of tho cadets was a-.very grave mistake on, tho part of the Government, believing that boys should be taught drill and to use arms at an earlier ago than the present system, of cadets provided for.. Ho hoped tho Government would become alive to the importance of the cadets and restore the scheme.ns previously existed. The Boy Scouts Were still going strong, and in this connection they were greatly indebted to, Mr. Sullivan for the very live interest ho took in that organisation. Ho was sorry to know that at the end of the year Mr. Sullivan contemplated retiring from school work tp join tho ministry. This would also necessitate his retirement from tho Boy Scouts. FINANCE. .Touohing upon the question of finance, Mr. Corkill said that the capitation they had received during the past year worked out at 2s 8d per head. The Act provided that the hoard should distribute not less tiian os 6d per head, but unfortunately they had powers which enabled them to give smaller schools much more capitation than larger schools. In conclusion, Mr. Corkill remarked that during the year the swings at tho Courtenay Street School had been put in thorough order, but a most extraordinary thing had happened. The swing boats had always been used and keenly appreciated, hut within tho last year three serious, accidents, had resulted. In each case tho accidents had been satisfactorily accounted for, hut they could not allow that sort of thing to continue, and tho swings had been put out.of use. He asked parents not to send their children to school too early in tho morning. In some cases children arrived at school between 7.30 and 8 o’clock, and they could not expect tho teachers to be at school at this time. Children should not arrive at the infants’ school until 8,45. . .

In reply to Mr. S. G. Smith, Mr. Corkill said the inspector’s report on tho school was the . most satisfactory they had ever had. - In reply to the Chairman, who asked what opportunities were given for children being taught swimming, Mr: Corkill said the committee had permission from the Pnkekura Park Board to take certain classes at certain times through the summer at tho pond, and he believed this was done. The report was approved.

THANKS. On the motion of Archdeacon Evans, a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded those ladies and gentlemen who had contributed- to the success of the SchooLCarnival. Votes of thanks were also accorded to the outgoing committee, special mention being mado of the work of Mr. Corkill as chairman and Mr. Mills, as secretary, and also to the school staff. NEW COMMITTEE. The following committee was elected; S. G. Smith, G. H. Dolby, Rev.. S. S. Osborne, Archdeacon Evans, C. T. Mills, G. Griffiths, R. Sinclair, Hargraves, and H. F. Russell. Messrs, jvlilno' and Russell tied with IS votes each, and a toss up resulted in Air. Russell’s favour. Tho other unsuccessful candidates wore-Messrs.-F. "P. Corkill and W. S. Short. Archdeacon Evans expressed his regret that Air. Corkill had. not been reelected, and intimated his intention of resigning. The Chairman said this could only bo done at a meeting of the committee; The committee met subsequently, and Air. S. G. Smith' was abpomted chairman, and Mr. C. T. AJills was re-elect-ed secretary and treasurer. - WEST END. Tlie annual meeting of householders interested in the West End School was held in the schoolhous: on Alondqy evening. There was a good number of householders present. Mr. J. B. Roy was elected to the chair. ’ An apology ior absence was received from Air. H. J. Gilbert, who. was in Stratford. Owing to tho absence of the chairman of the committee no annual report was read, to the meeting. The meeting was, however, satisfied that the retiring committee had.managed tho affaire of the school successfully' 'during the past year, members stating that the school was in a very prosperous condition.

Tiie secretary, Mr. AY. Bennett, reported that tho accounts showed a credit balance of £35 10s; out of this, however, there were’ several small 'accounts to be'met, but despite this the incoming committee would 'have a fair, credit balance to carry on with.

During the, evening . several householders referred to tho reputation for efficiency tho school had gained, both in this and other provinces. , A hearty vote of thanks was passed to .Mrs. Dowling and her staff for the strenuous efforts they had made during the past year. Mrs. Dowling, in reply, thanked tho meeting for appreciative references. The staff had done-its very best for the benefit oi.tho children. The latter were a little troublesome at times, but what children were not? The teachers did their best to take the place of the parents, when the children were consigned.to their care. The staff had done its utmost to give tile children a good grounding in education, and care ■was taken to educate tho children also in manners, and courtesy, to aid them when away from school

. Air, TI. J, Gilbert, chairman, of , tho old committee, had signified his retirement from .the position of chairman, and the valuable services he had rendered the school came in for some complimentary remarks from several' present. . The following resolution, proposed by Mr. R. J. Dcare arid seconded by Mr. T. Francis, was carried enthusiastically : ‘.‘That this meeting pass' a hearty vote' of thanks to Mr. H. J. Gilbert lor iris services ‘during the past ten years.” It may bo mentioned that. Mr. 'Gilbert lias from 1903 been chairman of tho committee. Regret, was expressed that Mr. Gilbert was unable to attend tho meeting, as business kept him at Stratford. ; Tho election of a committee was then proceeded with. Messrs E. Bary and W, Gilbert were appointed scrutineers. Eleven nominations were received for the nine vacancies. The following was tho .voting:—N. Greiner 16, TV. \V. Thompson 14, J. Hawker and, J. Brokenshire 13, O. Cammock and A. Smart 12, I. Morrison 11, R. J. Dearo and F. Hardwidge 10, and H. J. Gilbert apd £. Edgcombe 9. .The first nine accordingly elected. The new members are Messrs. Smart, Hardwidge, Greiner and Dcare.'

At a meeting of the new committee subsequently, Mr. I. Morrison was elected chairman. Mr: W. J. Bennett intimated that as he lived so far from tho school he would tender his resignation as secretary. This was accepted, and Mr. W. W. Thompson was elected to the position. ‘ FITZROY SCHOOL. There was a somewhat scanty attendance of householders present at tho Fitzroy School on Monday when tho Chairman (Rev. J,. A. Kempthorne) called the annual meeting to order. ANNUAL REPORT. In submitting Ids annual report, the Chairman said the continuity of tho work had been somewhat interfered with by reason of the changes which ha'd taken' place in the personnel of both tho staff and of the committee. Consequently the school had .suffered to some extent. The committee had held eight monthly meetings, the members attendance at which had been as follows; Mr. White 8, Rev. J. A. Kempthorne 7, and Messrs. Reid 0, Cathro 6, Harvey 6, Mack 5, Rice 2, Lawn 1 and Aroa 0, while fbur meetings had lapsed for want of a quorum. The attendance" had remained'stationary, the same number being ' on the roll (16G) as a year ago, with /an average attendance, of 154. , If this could be raised to 161 they would be:.ontitlcd to have a male teacher. In the division in which , the school was 1 entitled to compote (schools of 200 and under) Fitzroy' had- taken first and second place for Board Scholarships, Marjory Wilson heading the list, with Frank Kelly second. Eleven scholars passed out of the school with proficiency, and three with competency, most of whom availed themselves of further tuition either at tho High or Technical schools. . The headmaster (Mr. - 0. Johnson) had circularised tho parents in regard to Bible reading in the school, with the result that at present practically the whole of, tho school attended the readings, both punctually and regularly. A movement had been made to provide a gymnasium and shelter shed, and plans had been prepared for a building to cost about £l6O. They had been led to suppose that the Education Board would have granted a £ for £ subsidy on money raised locally for this purpose, but the board had only granted them £35. Two concerts had ben held, and the sum of £23 10s had been raised by this means. It was proposed to hold a working bee on June 3 (King’s Birthday), when it was hoped- to erect the building in one

day, and hold a . concert in it in tho evening. The gymnasium would bo available for the youths of the district in the evenings, and Mr. W. Lints had promised to start a gymnastic class. Air. Cathro (secretary) read the bal-ance-sheet, which showed a credit ot £3 8s od on the year’s working. Receipts, including last year’s balance or £2 18s 9d, totalled £36 18s 9d, and expenditure £33 10s 4d. , ' • The Chairman then moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, which were adopted as read. Mr. Cathro explained that the money which had been raised by means of concerts in aid of the shelter shed and gymnasium was held in trust, so as to obviate tho amount- raised _ going through the Education Board’s account.

Air. O. -Johnson thanked the chairman for tho kind remarks he had made about him in his report. With regard to tho gymnasium, the one thing which ho regretted was that the building had not reached a more advanced stage than it had. Ho had never been in.a district, ho continued, where the parents responded more willingly to anything which was required for the good of the school, for he never had to ask twice for a thing to be done. A young male teacher would relieve him by taking charge of the athletic exercises. They wore now within 7of tho number required to obtain a male teacher. Probably if another male teacher were present it would.act beneficially to the school in'other ways, and he thought, that there wore sufficient children in the district to make: up the number at the present time. ■. Mr. Griffiths moved that the Fitzroy School Committee join with the other school committees in urging on tho Borough Council the desirability of extending to the schools a free water supply or at any, rate making a reduction in the charge.—Carried. Hearty votes of thanks were passed to the outgoing committee for their year’s work, to Messrs'. Alessenger and Clcland for drawing plans for the gymnasium, to Alessrs. Steffenson , and Murphy for assistance towards ■ the children’s picnic, to tho East End Bathing Reserve .Committee for the; use of their shed, and to the headmaster and staff.

The following committee was elected for the ensuing year:—The Rev. J. A. Kempthorne, and Messrs. Reid, White, Jongs, Arderii, Cathro, and Griffiths.' At a subsequent meeting of the new committee the Rev. J. A. Kempthorne was re-elected chairman. ' The'first Monday, at 7.30 p.m., in tho month Was decided upon for meetings of the committee for the year. FRANKLEY. Mr, H. Okey, M.P., presided over an attendance of about do householders. '■ In the annual report of t ; ho committee, the chairman (Mr. AT. Bendall) congratulated tho. district on the satisfactory progress the school- was making under the able supervision, cf Mi - . A\ infield, the headmaster,‘arid his assistants. The roll numbers showed' a steady increase. At the end of 1912 tho roll was 103, while- at present- it was 107. The average attendance for tho year of -1012 was 85, -while for-the quarter ending March'3l'it was 96. The school was. now'in grade s'i . -The committee regretted •’ to report the death of tho assistants Miss McDermid, who' had done suchi good v arid conscientious work. ; During tho last-six months of 1912 there were five changes in the staff, which interfered considerably with tho successful working of flip" school.' . At tho, beginning of the present year Miss Haro Was appointed first assistant and Miss Parli second assistant, The school rvas now too small to accommodate th'e.present number of children,'and the gymnasium had to be used for the primer classes. The committee had applied to the Education Board for a subsidy, which was granted, toward filling in tho hollow in the playground, which had.effectod’a great-im-provement, and considerably enlarged the play ground. The school-account commenced with a, credit ,df £3-16s 2d and closed with a credit of £2.1 Is Bd. Tho gymnasium account, which.commenced with a credit of £3 11s 7.d, closed with a balance of 9s od. The committee thanked Messrs. Duncan and Davies and'Mrs. Arden Tor the gift, of shrubs. The " Committee had held eleven meetings during the year,' and the followings-was the-record of .attendance of, members: AT, Bendall (chairman) 11, Frank, Nowell (secretary) 11, J. Hamilton 11, W. Putt 10, P., Longman 10, J. Lovell 9.

Messrs. Bondall, Nowell, Lovell, Putt and Langm.an all''.declined’nomination to the new committee, and the following were elected; Messrs. A. C. Downes (chairman and secretary), I .G. Bondall, J, Hamilton, A. Lister, 6. Tippins, AV. Eva and W. Prentice.

The meeting passed a resolution placing on record appreciation of the work of tho headmaster, Mr. Winfield, and his staff.. ■

On the' motion of Mr. E. N. Li Okey the outgoing committee was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. The mover congratulated the'members on the-gen-eral tidy appearance of the, grounds. The usual vote of thanks, to the chair concluded the meeting.