HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETINGS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 16724, 27 April 1920, Page 4

HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETINGS.

CENTRAL SCHOOL. The annual meeting of householders in connection with tne Central Sciiool was held on .uonday evening, when there was an aueiid.dice oi auouij 30 persons, which, imdcr the unfavourable weather conditions must be considered very satisfactory. . „ air. 0. it. ryolby was voted to tho chair.

Tlie annual report stated: The linal severance of the Vogcltown School in iday last reduced tuo roll number by 56, but the total on the roll at the end of tho year was 665. The average attendance for too year was 603, being tho highest on record. The roll number at tue infant school was 213, being 63 m excess of tne number tor winch boor spate is allowed by' tne regulations, hence the diilieulties of currying on the work of the school successfully' is obviously seriously' hampered. 'At tho end of the year the roll number of each class was as follows : Standard VI., 67; V., 84; IV., <2; 111. 73; fi., 73; 1., 81. Briniers 1,2 and 3, 213. Total; 660.

The committee desire to draw' attention t'i tho success reached by the sciiool in outside activities. A. large number of prizes were gained in the various competitions held in writing, drawing, mapping, and composition, in luo “essay competitions” arranged by the B.'P.S.A. the sciiool gained about half tho prizes. The Hughes Cup, in the junior cnampiouship for life-saving and swimming was won by Amor ana Gibson. Tne Rugby football team were runners-up lor tue primary schools championship of Taranaki. The Young Helpers’ League of 47 members raised dining the year over £4O for Dr. uarnardo s Homes. Good work in other spheres have also been carried out. A tenuis court for the girls has been laid off in Pukckura Park, The results obtained during the year arc a credit aliuc to the pupils, and staff, and the thanks of the parents are due to the teachers for the zeal and energy they have displayed during the year.' Mr." MTlroy, with a class of 67' in Standard 6, has had a very’ trying time, this number being much too large for one teacher to deal with.in tlie last year of a primary pupil’s schooling. In this standard 48 gained proficiency and 8 competency. Scripture lessons have been conducted during tho year by the Revs. Blundell and Richards, and have met with much success. Regret is expressed that we will soon be losing the services of Mr. Richards who has been particularly attentive to his duties in tins respect, and his services much appreciated. In tlie ho,pe that the Education Department w'ouid recognise Its duty in providing improved accommodation at tho schools, the question of providing hot cocoa at midday was held over, but the incoming committee are recommended to make provision this year for tho introduction of tins very desirable and necessary adjunct. The committee are specially indebted to Mrs. C. H. Burgess for a handsome donation of £lO towards providing gymnastic apparatus at tho infant school. Various improvements have been effected to the grounds during the year. The sowing down in grass of Poverty Flat lias proved a success, and with care for a while longer will prove to bo one of the best playing fields in the district.

The finances of the school fund show an improvement. The additional capitation granted is appreciated, but by

the. scale fixed large schools such as ours do not reap the same benefit as small schools, though our expenses aro higher in proportion. „ Our income during the year totalled £256 16s Id, including a balance forward of £63 os sd. capitation £l4B 15s, £3O special grant, and £44 12s mainly by voluntary contributions. Tho expenditure totalled £212 10s 2d made up o'f £97 11s 8d for cleaning schools, £4 7s for fuel, £32 15s 3d for improvements to school grounds, £4 15s for repairs, £37 19s 3d bocks,_ stationery, etc., £3 Vogcltown School, and £l2 2s sundries, leaving a credit balance ot £44 os lid.

Tho election of the new committee resulted as follows: —Messrs. S. G. Smith, M.R., F. Coleman, T. M. Avery, T. .fcfardgrave, W. J. Girling, Vv. S. Cobh am, G. Ward, J. Wyatt, and C. Lindrop. There were 12 nominations.

Un the motion of Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., seconded by Mr. Mountford, the following resolution was carried; “That this meeting of householders of the Central School district extends to Mr. Stratford, headmaster, and the stalf of the school, hearty thanks for the care and devotion in which they have carried out thoir duties during file past year, and expresses its appreciation and congratulations to them and to the scholars on the excellent results achieved under adverse conditions,” » The following rseolution was carried: “That this meeting of householders expresses its thanks to Mr. G. H. Dolby for the valuable services rendered as a member of tho committee during the past nine years, and it is noted with regret that his services are not available during the coming year.” . At a meeting of the new committee Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., was chosen chairman for tho ensuing year. FITZROY. No doubt owing to the very wet night there was an attendance of only seven householders, including one lady, at the Fitaroy School. Mr. F. Iloskiu was voted to tho chair. An apology’ was received for the absence of the chairman of tho retiring committee (Mr. G. G. ■ Grover). The secretary (Mr. F. Duckworth) reported that ns the nominations received (four) did not equal the number of members required (nine), a committee could uot lie elected that night. As there were 255 children attending the school, representing about 130 parents, this shortage of nominations seemed to indicate a lack of interest. The meeting could deal with the annual report and balance-sheet, and the committee could ho elected in a month’s time if the required number of nominations, or a greater number, had been received by then.

During a short discussion of the position Mr. Duckworth attributed the failure to nominate to a lack of interest in the work done by the committee in tire past year, and described it as a slur on the committee. Mr. O. Johnson did not agree with the latter view, and said that, looking back, the amount of money raised in the district was wonderful and showed that the people did support the school when assistance was required. Mr. Duckworth replied that the money was raised by the ladies, not by the men, and the latter wore supposed .to take an increst in the school. The Chairman said lie thought there had been a misunderstanding regarding nominations, and that it had not been generally known they closed a week before the meeting. The annual report of the committee stated that there had been a considerable improvement in the school finances. The balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £72 odd. Tliis did not include a sum of £63 duo from Education Department on account of the subsidy on the amount raised at the annual fete. Thanks to the efforts of the ladies of Fitzroy, the fete had been a great success. They threw thenlselvea wholeheartedly into the matter, with most gratifying results. The ladies hpd made only one stipulation, that being that all the money derived from the fete should he utilised to ameliorate the conditions of tile children. With this object in view, the committee had re-tarred the playground and increased the tarred surface. The balance, when received, would be expended in further improvements, for which suggestions were invited. During the year the committee had been fortunate enough to secure half an acre of land on the western boundary of the school grounds from Mr. Davey, and one acre from Mr. Kibby on the eastern boundary, the latter being an ideal site for a school. It was understood that. the Education Board contemplated erecting an infant school of two rooms at once, thus relieving existing overcrowding. The committee desired to place on record appreciation of the efforts of the Education Board and Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., in generally furthering the interests of the school. The balance-sheet showed total receipts of £215 16s Id. The report and balance-sheet were adopted, and the meeting concluded with a vote of thanks to the chairman.

VOGELTOWN

The; first annual meeting of householders of the Vogel town School district was held at the school on Monday evening there being a good attendance. Mr. H. Benton was voted to the chair. In tlie absence of the chairman, Mr. V. Griffiths, who is indisposed, and forwarded an apology, Mr. A. .T. Moore presented the report of the outgoing committee, which congratulated the Education Board upon its suceess, in obtaining from the Department' after persistent agitation exeuding over a period of years, a grant sufficient to enable the erection of modem and up-to-date school buildings. When tho plans were prepared, provision was made for carrying out extensive additions, and from present indications the time is not far distant when the first additions will be necessary, although tho new school has been opened less than 13 months.

At the beginning of the year tho roll number was 48, and at the end of tlie year it had increased to 103, the addition of 55 new scholars being ample evidence of tho school’s popularity and progress. The average attendance for tlie last quarter was 99.5, an excellent record. Constant changes in the staff were not conducive of the beet results, yet despite those drawbacks excellent work has been accomplished, calling for the heartiest congratulations to all tho teachers.

It may be news to the parents to know that the school possesses a small library; three books only had been added during tho year, and the incoming committee would be pleased to accept any books or contributions from parents or well-wishers. The school grounds were handed over in a very rough condition and would

require tho expenditure of a largo sum of ilioncv lor necessary improvements. The lack of funds had prevented tho committee from carrying out a progressive policy, but plans Had been prepared by the agricultural instructor at tho request of tne committee so that any improvements • effected would be part or the comprehensive scheme. The incoming committee would have ampl®J scope for thoir energies in carrying this scheme to a successful conclusion, and it was hoped parents and friends would give their whole-hearted support to any effort for raising funds to this end. It had been suggested -that the ladies form themselves into a committee and meet regularly during tho winter months in preparation lor a school bazaar. The cominitto had hold four working bees and carried out minor improvements, including wire netting protection from the Doralto Bridge, fencing, levelling and gravelling at entrance, hedge planting, and dismantling the small iron shed at the former temporary school premises. A liberal planting of wattle seeds on the hillside would serve as shelter for the Native shrubs to be planted later, tne wattles afterwards providing kindling firewood. The committee in conclusion placed on record their host thanks to the head master and staff, the secretary, Mr. K. Allen, the secretary and members of tho Education Board, and all others for valuable service rendered to the committee for tho past year. The balance-sheet showed an income of £3l 11s 3d, and an expenditure of £24 5s sd, leaving a credit of £7 5s XOd.

The report and balance-sheet wore adopted. There were seven nominations for tho five seats on the committee, and- the poll resulted in Messrs. A. C. Evans, M. V. S. Griffiths, W. Hcaly, N. Alien, and A. T. Moore being elected. The question of arranging for functions for raising funds for improving the school grounds was deferred for consideration at a special meeting to bo called at n later date.

Votes of thanks were accorded to tho outgoing committee, and a similar compliment to the chairman concluded the mooting. At a subsequent meeting ot tho committee Mr. Griffiths was re-elected chairman and Mr. Allen secretary. WEST END SCHOOL. ' The annual meeting of householders in tho West End School district was held in the school gymnasium on Monday evening. Owing to the blustery weather there was only a very small attendance of about 12 householders. Mr. \\ . Thomson was voted to tho chair.

The chairman, in his annual report, stated that the past year had been uneventful as far as the school was concerned and work had been going on with the usual smoothness that was characteristic of the West End School. The year 1919 opened with a roll number of 486 and closed with 510. The year 1920 had opened with 502 and the present roll number was 512. The attendance on the whole had been good, but this year it had been below the average. This might be put down to tho prevalence of bad colds and a slight epidemic of mild influenza. There had been several changes in the staff during the past year. Mrs. Dowling had resigned during April; Mr. Bary, first assistant had been promoted to head teachership at Mangatoki and was succeeded by Mr. Rowntroe, B.A. Mr. Bertrand, returned soldier, had acted as assistant for three weeks during December. At the close of 1919 Misses Evans, Hawkes, and Heal left to. join the Training College at Wellington. Their placed were filled by Misses Lindop, Boyd, and Pitoaithy. Reports from inspectors and physical instructors had been most encouraging. The Essay Shield had been won at the Hawera Winter Show, while pupils had been most successful in tho S.P.C.A. essay competitions. Two of the four candidates, Lesley Bell and Walter Nash, from the school had been successful in gaining National Scholarships, the latter securing highest marks for Taranaki.

The Gala Day arranged by the West End and Kawaroa Park committees, was most successful, and after expenses had been allowed, £42, being half share, was paid over' to the School Committee.

The question of the new site had been prominently before the committee during the year and deputations had waited on the Education Board, Borough Council and members of Parliament with no satisfying results. The Education Board now have the matter in their own hands. Mr. Morton mentioned in one of his reports that the menace of traffic passing the school seemed to react on the teachers and more sickness was caused in this school through nervous strain than in any other school he had noticed. The headmaster had been forced to ban cricket as several minor accidents had already occurred to younger children.

The satisfactory balance showed that care had been exercised in administering the funds and the time was looked forward to when the accumulated savings could he used to plant and improve the new site.

The chairman in moving the adoption of the report and. balance sheet, referred to its very satisfactory nature and remarked that they had a balance of £BO, which was very creditable indeed. Mr. Garcia seconded the motion, which was carried without discussion.

The meeting then proceeded with the election of the new committee which resulted as follows:—Messrs. R. J. Deare, A. K. Smart, W. H. Broome, J Brokenshiro, Jas. Garcia, W. J.

Bennett, TV. TV. Thomson, and J. S. S. Medley. , At a subsequent meeting of the committee the following officers wore elected for the ensuing year:—Chairman, Mr. TV. TV. Thomson ; secretary-treasur-er,'Mr. TV. J. Bennett. It was decided to hold committee meetings on the first Friday in each month.

The chairman then asked Mr. P. J,. H. White, member of the Education Board, if ho could explain the present position regarding the exchange, of sites. Mr. White remarked that he had really attended the mooting to gain an inside knowledge of what the householders thought about the new site. He assured them that though nothing had been accomplished yet, tho board was behind the committee in getting tho most suitable site and would do all it could to solve the difficulty in the near future. Recently while in Wellington ho had been informed that the present site would probably bo turned into one for an infant school with part of the present building still to bo kept in nse. A grant had also been made for a school at Moturoa which was greatly needed in that locality, and the plans which had been prepared were hoped to be approved shortly. Votes of thanks accorded tho outgoing committee, the chairman, tho staff antr the representatives of the press concluded the meeting.