SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 18084, 10 July 1923, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEES

WAIMATAITAL The monthly meeting of the Waimataitai School Committee was held last night: There were present—Mr T. It: Mackay (chairman), Mi's Minihe, and Messrs G: JBenstead (hon. sec.), T: E. Holclgate, G; T. Slade, Hamilton, T. Black and W; C: Ooie’e, M.A. (headmaster) ; Tue headmaster stated that he had received information from Mi’ Connor, Sir. Sullivan’s successor, that he expected to be able to take up his new duties about August 1: The chairman reported on the farewell social to Mr Sullivan, wliioh had proved very successful from a social point of view, while the financial return was £l4 12s fid net profit. The Department notified that the sum of £64 5s quarterly allowance, had been paid to the aredit of tho Committee.

The question of heating the school was discussed, but as no reply had been received to the committee’s inquiry as to its share of tho cost of installation, nothing was done. The opinion was expressed that slow combustion stovGS would he quite as serviceable in the school as a heating system such as was proposed. The headmaster reported that-for the first three weeks of the month ended July 6, the attendance continued to be good, but during tho last week a number were absent owing to bad colds. The returns were : Admitted, 9 boys, 9 girls: left, 3 boys, 6 girls; present roll, 355 boys, 387 girls; average attendance 313.5 boys, 342.1 girls. The average attendance for the quarter ended June 30, was 670.1, showing a slight decrease compared with the corresponding quarter last year. The new room was finished, and the class had taken possession of it that morning. With the' addition of that room, and the slightly decreased rq-ll number, caused by the raising of the West School to full grade, the overcrowding had disappeared, and all classes were now comfortably arranged for. Mr D. J. Wilson was acting as locum tenens for Mr Sullivan. The headmaster acknowledged with thanks a Union Jack for the school from Mrs Hobbs, ono of the first residents of Waimataitai. _ Through the courtesy of Alias A. Tizard, the whole school was able to hear the records of the King’s and Queen’s Em- , pire Day messages to the children. He had received to date £2l 17s 3d in donations to the Duel Eund.

The report was received. The chairman commented with satisfaction on the state of tho attendance at the school, wliioh, he said, was probably the best in South Canterbury at the present time. ’The committee moved a hearty vote of thanks to Airs Hobbs for her presentation of a Union Jack, also to Miss Tizard for lending a phonograph and record of tlie Itoyal messages. Messrs Black and Holdgate reported as visitors for the month. The list of requirements, which it was stated was very short, was submitted. The building of a low retaining wall at the Trafalgar Street entrance to the school was recommended. The condition of White and Trafalgar Streets was mentioned, and it was decided to approach the Borough Council to have tho latter shingled and the former also attended to. In the case of White Street, tho question of widening was involved, and it was mentioned that the Board had previously given the portion of ground abutting White Street, on condition, that tho Council re-erected tho fence after street widening. Tlio treasurer (Mr Slade) reported that the bank balance amounted to £l7O 2s 2d, with accounts for payment £32 lbs sd, leaving a credit to date Of £137 os M,

The question of tho next social was discussed, and it was decided to hold it on August 22. It was decided to have the concrete work at tho Trafalgar Street entranco donci during tho term holidays.