HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETINGS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 144665, 27 April 1915, Page 4

HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETINGS.

CENTRAL SCHOOL. There wore about twenty householders present on Monday evening at. the meeting of householders, in connection with the Central School. Air. C. E. Bellringer was voted to the chair. Tho retiring chairman (Air. S. (I. Smith), read the annual report as follows: — Work of School. —it is pleasing to bo again able to report that the school has had another satisfactory year. Tho number of passes iu each standard reflected great credit on both pupils and teachers. Standard 6 examinations resulted as follows: Examined. o2; passed in proficiency, oo; passed in competency, 14; failed. 3. The staff was the same as last year; One headmaster (Mr. Dempsey), who has completed thirty years’ service at the Central School; bight assist* nts; and four pupil teachers.

Staff Promotions.—As a result of representations of committee, Mrs. Alartin and Misses Henderson and Gleeson have been promoted in grade, as vacancies arose. Several changes have taken place in the personnel of the stnif during the year. Mr. Bertrand, who succeeded Air. Sullivan, answered the call of the Empire, and both lie and Mr. Sullivan arc now members of tho Expeditionary Force in Egypt. Bodt these gentlemen have the’ best wishes of a largo circle of friends for a conspicuous career and safe return. Air. Sissons succeeded Air. Bertrand, and. like the other members of the staff, is doing satisfactory work. During tho filling of the appointments'referred to, tho position of temporary assistant was filled by Airs. Firth most satisfactorily. In view of her approaching marriage Miss Vickers also resigned; the vacancy has been filled by the appointment of AlissK. Anthony, of liaweru, who Likes up her duties next mouth.

The attendance of the children is remarkably Average attendance for last year, 033.8; average attendance for last quarter, 020.6; corresponding quarter last year. 027; present roll, 559; attendance nearly 04 per cent, of roll. During March quarter 254 -nun* made full attendance, the percentage in each class being ns follows: Standard 6. 61 per cent.; Standard 5, 41 per cent.; Standard 4, -51 per cent.; Standard 3. 62 per cent.; Standard 2. 30 per cent.; Standard 1. 48 *per cent.: infante. 30 per' rent. The punctuality is also worthy of mention, likewise the conduct. In accordance with the desires of both hoys and girls, prizes were dispensed with, and the money set aside for that purpose was forwarded towards the assistance of the Belgians. In the place of the usual prizes, certificates were issued, setting out that the recipient had gained a certain position in the school, but had generously decided that the cost of a prize should go towards tin l Binds, as already mentioned. May the spirit of self-sacrifice, and the desire to help others hi need, he witli these boys and girls throughout their life. The ! pupils and staff have assisted, and are now assisting as far as they arc able, in endeavouring to augment the funds that are being raised to assist those who are suffering on account of the war.

Work of Committee.—ln keeping with similar institutions, the committee have been hampered for the want of funds, principally on account of the war. Several schemes in hand, for the good of the school, have had to bo held over. With the exception of tarring and sanding the yards, only minor repairs have 1 been attended to. Vogcltown School.—lt is now’ about ! seven years since tho first agitation for : a school at Vogoltown was commenced. ! The only information available is that , tho land for a- school site has been secured, but the grant for a budding is hung up for the present. The committee are firmly of tho opinion that their suggestion for a small side school would- have mot the requirements at Vogcltown. for some considerable time, and had their suggestion been followed out in all probability a school would have been an accomplished fact now. There is no reason why, even at this juncture, that the Sunday School at Vogcltown cannot bo utilised for tho smaller children; it certainly would be appreciated by the parents during tho winter months. Education Act, 1915.—The new Education Act came into, force on January 1 last, bnt it is too early for tho committee to form a definite opinion as to its value. The salient points of tho Act are governed “by prescribed conditions” or by “prescribed regulations,” but up to the present the regulations have not bon supplied. One clause of tho Act, however, is of considerable moment to Taranaki, and that refers to the setting up of a commission ; to define the several education districts ! and to decide on the number of hoards for the Dominion, subject, of course, to tho ratification by Parliament. 'fids is a matter that is being dealt with by tiie Taranaki School Committee Associations. There is one matter that has been definitely fixed by the new Act. Committees arc in got a, slight increase m capitation. Our funds benefit to approximately £2 per quarter. School Committee Associations throughout- the Dominion arc entitled to no little credit for their persistent demand for adequate funds. Finance.—The financial dealings of tho committee arc sec out in the bal-ance-sheet, which has been duly audited and found correct, and which will bo presented for adoption, or otherwise. Shortly, the position is that wo starter! the year with a credit balance of £2 14s 6d; capitation received. £BS 10s; total, £BB 4s. However, the position to-day is that wo have £l6 I3s 2d in hand, current accounts amount to £4 2s 9d, leaving in hand for incoming committee £l2 10s scf. The utmost cordiajity has marked the relations between the committee and tho staff, and nob one single complaint has been received by the committee during tho year.

The committee desire to place on record their appreciation of the manner in which Air. Dempsey and his staff have carried out their duties during the past year.

Physical Culture. —Since last report physical drill, etc., has been added to tho school work. An instruction class for teachers, under tho control of the late Mr. Royd Garlick, was held, which was in every way successful. The staff entered into tho drill, etc,, with vim and enthusiasm.'and this has boon imparted to the children. Excellent results may ho looked for in this branch of school work. As there were only nine nominations for the new committee there was no content, the following being elected: — Revs. T. H. Kosovcaro and A. B. Chappoll, S. G. Smith, G. H. Dolby, W. H.

Short, V. Griffiths. A .Milne. T. Hardgraves and F. Coleman. At a subsequent meeting of the now committee Air. S. Oh Smith was re-elected chairman. the Rev. T. H. Rosevoare deputychairman. Air. C. T. Mills secretary pro tern, and Mil V. Griffiths treasurer.

Votes of thanks were passed to Mr. Dempsey and the staff of the school for their good work; to Air. C l . T. Mills, who had been secretary to the committee for many years and was not seeking re-election; and to the Ministers’ Association, for taking religious teaching in the school. Mr. S. G. Smith referred to the proposal for compulsory continuation classes for children between the ages of 14 and 17. and moved that the Education Hoard be asked by the incoming committee to put the compulsory clauses of the Act into force. The motion was seconded by Mr. A. AJilnc.

Air. T. .Mills opposed the motion. Tho Rev. A. H. Chappell stated that at Wanganui and bonding the system had worked very well. bio had also taken temporary work as teacher at the Technical School at Wanganui, and believed that it had been beneficial to the children. He thought that no child should ho considered ;o have completed its education at 14 years of age, and that the compulsory’clause was needed because some children really needed to he saved from the parents, who would neglect their duty of teeing that their children should become good citizens. The motion was carried, with one dissentient.

A vote of thanks was carried to Mr. F. P. Corkill for the loan of his ballotbox, which had been at tho service of the Central School for many years. A vole of thanks to the chairman concluded the meeting.

At the meeting of the new committee it was decided to forward a resolution to the board asking that compulsory continuation classes be established.

WEST END SCHOOL. There was a fair attendance at the annua! mooting of householders heiff at tho West End School Gymnasium on Alnnday evening. Mr. A. Iv. Smart was voted to the enair. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £l7 odd. Both the balance-sheet and report (which lias boon previously published) were carried. After n short dismission it was unanimously carried dial it is advisable that ehbdren between the ages of 14 and 17 yeais bo compelled to attend the night classes at the Technical College. The committee lor the ensuing year was elected without a < mitosl as follows.— Messrs, E. F. Ballot, H. J. Deare. .). Hawker. J. Hardwige. W. W. Thomson. A. K. Smart. J. Rutseli,-1. Brokenshire. and A. ii. Rich.

ft nas pointed om that the school was much too small-to cope with the present attendance, and the following resolution was accordingly carried: “That lids meeting of householders again urges upon the department the desirability of purchasing the Brooking Estate; and in the event of Dio department not being able, to purchase the whole of the estate, to acquire half of it.*' It was pointed out that the school was overcrowded and needed an infants’ school. More land for a playground was also urgently requited. A vote of thanks to Mrs. Dowling and tier teaching staff for the efficient manner in which they had carried out their duties .-was carried with acclamation. Mrs. Dowling, in replying, staled that if something was not done soon to provide extra accommodation at the school if would he impossible to lake any more pupils. Voles of thunks to the secretary and chniiman concluded the meeting.

At tho mooting of the committee held subsequently Air. A. K. Smart was reelected chairman and Air. AA r . AV. Thomson was rc-clocted secretary and treasurer.

FITZROY SCHOOL. The annual meeting of householders in connection with the above school was held on Monday evening with an attendance of ten. 7'he chairman (Mr. IV. G. Reid) submitted the following report on the year’s work Your committee, in presenting the annual report, feel that whatever the judgment that may be passed upon it. for themselves, they have one and all done their best for the benefit of the school in all its interests. We often hear it slated that all a committee has to do js to look after the cleaning and •sweeping and pass along payment for same. This is certainly one part of the committee’s work, but so also is it to sec that it is well and thoroughly done, and by this and many other ways minister to the well.being of the children in the first place and to the contentment of the teaching staff in the second place. The past year has been productive of a measure of increased cordiality and sympath- between the members of the staff and the parents of the children. This is a most pleasing feature of the year’s work, for the position held by the teacher? is in many cases a most trying and exacting one, and only in so far as complete harmony exists among teachers and is taught can the highest results of education be obtained. Wo trust that the future will be still more productive of that spirit of hearty co-operation between the teachers and parents not only directly but in support of them before the children in the home. That the school is maintaining its standard of excellence as regards the work done the best criticism is afforded by the inspector’s report, dated March 16, showing the work that came under review gave evidence that wo have knowledge, ability and discipline, three groat essentials splendidly applied in the training of the young people. If Fitaroy has been fortunate in its teachers in the past we can honestly say it is equally fortunate in the present, and wc tlunk parents in the Fitzroy district might think twice before sending their boys and girls away to schools further afield. The excellent average attendance is partly owing to the efforts of the Truant inspector, who has attempted to carry out his duties to the best of his ability in dealing with cases of recalcitrant scholars. As there still exists in the minds .of some that if their children make the eight attendance? out of the ten in the school ucck they are satisfying tho requirements. We should like to point out that tho department expects full attendance now, tho only reasons for non-attendance being sickness. Even then cither u doctor’s certificate or a certificate of exemption is required if tho child bo away more than a day. Upon completion of the trams we are of the opinion that the -T.v.vth of school attendance will bo : cb in the not far distant future further extension to tho bniJdin .. i grounds will he necessary. Tins ; i. ulcl bo one of tho subjects of the incoming committee’s watchful care. With reference to tho grounds, the committee have had

a considerable area raised, tarred and sanded at a. cost of over £7O. The Board of Education have met us in a very liberal spirit, granting £36 towards the cost, leaving us to find the balance, part of winch is still to raise. It is proposed at an early date to start n series of concerts to clear this debt. ■While it would seem invidious to single out any member of tho committee for praise yet there is one by his onerous work must be specially thanked. Air. W. Griffiths has installed the electric light, tho committee only finding the materia!. Tho removal of Afr. W. Bond to Danncvirkc caused a vacancy on the committee, Mr. H. Grayling being elected to fill the position. 'Hie retiring committee are: Messrs. AVm. G, Reid (chairman), I. Aroa. V. W. Ardorn, W. Griffiths. H. Grayling. A. Jones, and G. 8. White. Air. G. 8. Whiro moved that the chairman be thanked for his report, and that it bo adopted.—This was carried unanimouslv.

Tho statement of accounts for the past year as piesenterl showed a debit ualance of 17a 7d. It was adopted subject, to audit. After some discussion the meeting decided to advise the Education Board to enforce ihe clause of the Ednoanon Act dealing with compulsory attendance at a technical school of children under seventeen years who have loft tho primary school.

ELECTION OF COMMITTEE. Tho retiring committee wore all reelected, without a contest, as follows: Messrs. \\. G. Reid (chairman), I. Aron. V. W. Ardorn. W. Griffiths, H. Gravling. A. Jones and G. 8. White. Mr. Redd was also re-elected to the position of chairman.

Air. Jones wjis nominated for the posit ion of secretary, but declined to stand. On the motion of Air. Jones, Air. White was nominated and duly el eel-eil.

A visiiinz committee, consisting of Afessrs. Griffiths and Grayling, was appointed for the month of Alay. It was decided chat the usual monthly meetings he held on* the first Wednesday in each month, and that the next one be held on the fi I'M Wednesday in Juno.

The question of the Government £ tor c .subsidy on voluntary contributions was then brought up, ami after seme discussion the committee decided to write to the Secretary of Education for information.

On the motion of Mr. White, a vote of thanks was passed m the head teacho'- nnd stair for tho efficient manner in which they had earned «>n the work of ihe school in the nasi year.

A vote of thanks was aLo passed to the secretary.

.TRANK EKV. Mr. K. h. Okoy over a pood attendance iu iho Kranklev School. The report of tho chairman, Nfr. A. C. Dov/nes. stated that tho roll was now 113 the average for tho yoar to December 3] being I'S. This was a particularly good record,-considering the distance manv of the children had to travel vo tiie school. The department was now considering tho committee's request for an additional room, and it was hoped that the matter would not be indefinitely postponed owing to financial stringency. The school fund was in a good financial position, showing a credit balance of I*2 11s fid. though payments for the piano were in arrears, but the increased capitation would be agreat help in clearing the arrears. Physical drill was now part of the school syllabus, and it was going to play a largo part in shaping the future welfare of the girls and boys. The thanks of tho pnrontK were due to the lady teachers for the voluntary class they were holding. The question of a permanent water supply was one that the incoming committee should senously consider. The chairman concluded by staling that as it was the hist occasion of his presenting an annual icport, lie cordially thanked the teachers, tho parents, and the board’s officials for their unvarying courtesy and assistance.

The report and school accounts wore adopted. It was resolved that the incoming committee bo recommended to ask the board to briny in the compulsory classes of the Act relating to technical education.

Seven nominations wore received for election to the committee, and tho following wore elected: Messrs. U. M. Corner. J. Hamilton, C. Wesley Hooker, A. luster and F. linker. Votes of thanks were accorded the outgoing committee and the teaching staff.

At a subsequent meeting of the committee Mr. C. W. Hooker was elected chairman, and Mr. 11. M. Corncy secretary.

BELL BLOCK. Seventeen householders attended tho meeting at 801 l Block —a record for tho district. Mr. J. W. Downs was voted to the chair. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £S. Ten nominations were received for tho committee, and tho following, all members of the retiring committee, were elected: Messrs. J. W. Downs, S. Webster, U. Allen, C. ho&kin and J. Holmes.

Votes of thanks were accorded tho teaching staff. At a subsequent meeting, Mr.J. W. Downs was ro-olocted chairman, and Mr. S. Webster secretary.