SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 17947, 4 May 1928, Page 4

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

WAIMATAITAI.

j The first ordinary 'meeting of the recently elected Waimataitai School Committee was held on Wednesday. Present—Messrs G. Benstead (chairman), A. L. Lamb, S. G. McCleland, 1 H. L. Warsaw, K. Mayo, B. Manning and W. D. Hume. The chairman extended a welcome to Mr Manning as a member of the Committee. Ho said that if his record came up to the standard of his services on other bodies, then ho would prove a very valuable member. The headmaster (Mr R. A. Malcolm) reported that the attendance during the past four weeks had been highly satisfactory, the percentage for the month being 95 per cent. Dr Baker MeLaglen had visited the school during the week in her capacity of school medical officer, and it was most gratifying to report that she considered that for general health and physique, Waimataitai was -me of the best schools she had examined. During 'ho term holidays, the committee should make an endeavour to have the rest of the' tarring and grading in the playground completed. The headmaster also said that he wduhl like the committee to write to the Education Department making application for the school house and outbi ifilings to be painted. The report also staffed that Mrs W. W. King, who gave the “runner’s up”’ medal to the school for many years, had lately died, and he thought a.letter of sympathy and recognition of her generosity should be sent "ho the members of the family. Mr Malcolm said that Dr MeLaglen in conversation with him, had expres- , sed gratification at the general health and physique of. the children in the school.' She pointed out that where children required attention, the parents had apparently had the faults rectified. Dr MeLaglen did not say that the school, from the point of view of health, was the best in Canterbury, but he judged from her remarks, that the school could be included in the first three, .

Motnlmrs expressed gratification at Dr MeLaglen’s report. Referring to the painting ,of the headmaster’s residence and the outbuildings, the chairman said that the matter was an urgent one, and he ponsiderod that the Department should be written to immediately, asking them *to have the work carried out. It was decided to write to the Department, asking them to have the work done as soon as possible.

It was also decided to send a letter of svmpathv to the relatives of the late Mrs King. The committee then considered the Department’s recommendation for the appointment of an infant mistress, to replace .Miss T. C. Allan, who has-re-signed. The recommended Miss Flora M. Allan, of Dunedin, for the position, and the committee derided to endorse / the recommendation.

Referring to school socials, the chairman said that at the last meeting of the School Committees’ Association, a suggestion was made that representative? of, the four committees should meet V>nd discuss th,e position. A proposal had h«en made that -each committee should hold monthly socials, and that.the week for the holding of the social should be submitted to the ballot’. Ip ■pot, dagh, as, they had often done in the past,' Rome, members expressed the opinion that tho committee should continue on some line* as last, vear. Affor fu”fhor brief discussion, it Was deri/tferf to'hdld'Otfe social a' month:’ i>a onPonvoiir to bo made to avoid oloob ; ug with the dates of other school socmls;, • ’ , v-,; It was rtecidcd to fonn a social com- ! - mitfeo o f p"’-mits. and others' in'toroc+od in Ho school to run the monthly socials. TIMARU SOUTH. ; The monthly meeting of the com-' fmtteo was held on Tuesday even.ng,. being attended by Messrs W. GibD '(chairman), W. J. D.ckson (secretary), J. E. Gray (treasurer) W. J. Ruston, T. G. Jacbbs, A. W. McNeil, S. Houston and A. F. Struthers. An apoiogy was. received from Mr H. J. Brewer, The headmaster’s report stated that the average weekly attendance had been as follows Weeks ending April 6th, 507; April 13th, 491; .April 20th, 509; April 27th, 498; ro.l number at Apr! 27th, 536. The attendance had been very much affected by the wot weather duri g the month. Dr BakcrMcLaglan notified that a visit of inspection would be made during this week. Miss Dunn had resumed duties. The chairman reported having been informed by Mr Gow, that the Board had advanced South School to second place on the urgent list of works for the year, and that work at the school bad been author.sed. Messrs Ruston and Houston reported having visited the school and enumerated several requirements, which were authorised.. . ' The staff were given authority to purch se three footballs and six gramophone records. . • After discussion, it was decided that the School Committee should assume control of tho soe als to he held during the winter months, and that one soci.d be held on 12tli May, further arrangements to he held over until after a conference (which the chairman had stated was to be held), with the other town School Committees. Various matters affecting the welfare of the school were discussed. Quot-tions for coal wore dealt with, and the lowest accepted.

TIMARU WEST. The monthly meeting of the Timaru West School Committee was held last night. Present: Messrs T Currie (chairman), R, Cunningham, F. G. Holland. A. E. Vincent. T. Segar, J. A. Norrie and T. C. Pailiser (lion, secretary). The headmaster (Mr W. G. Burns) reported that the average attendance during the month was 416. out of a roll number of 471. Mr Wright had commenced duty, and Miss Koller, relieving teacher, hod left. Miss McLean had applied for another month’s rick • leave. Mr Maclcay would be leaving on Friday. The shelter shed was so wot on Tuesday that they couicl not put a class into It. The pupils were accommodated in on.e of the ps "sages during the morning, but as that, was inconvenient'and cold, h.e dismissed the class at ihld-day. ‘ The Ansae service was '.held at 9.30 a.nf., and a fair pumper of “parents were present. ; The chairman’- said that the Anzac cevemony was a credit to the speakers, the. headmaster, and the Staff. Tho Rev. P. I, Cooke had given a fine address to the children. The chairman, who was a visitor for the month, reported visiting the school that day, in company with Mr Holland, and said they had found everything working excellently. The question of firing for the coming winter was discussed, and it was decided to give orders for requirements at once.