MAIN SCHOOL.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18441, 6 December 1929, Page 7

MAIN SCHOOL.

COMMITTEE MEETING. A meeting of the Committee of the Timaru Main School was held last evening. Present.—Messrs J. W. Preen (chairman), A. Dephoff, C. Lund, T. G. Malcolmson, G. Griffiths, H. Robinson, R. G. Moffat and A. Carnegie (hon. secretary). The chairman said that, the school had been visited by members of the Canterbury Education Board, who hau been shown over the grounds. The school’s requests had been placed before the visitors, and as a result he understood that timber for repairing portion of the school flooring woula arrive at an early date. The question of securing gardens for the school had been put to the visitors, and they had viewed the question favourably. A site for the gardens had been suggested, and this would be in such a position as not to interfere with the playing area. The chairman said he had also had the pleasure to escort an Indian doctor (Prince Durga Passad) over the school. The visitor had had a short talk with the senior pupils, and the questions asked by these pupils had been weird and wonderful. (Laughter.) Mr Preen said that thp visitor was a doctor in medicine, and had been much impressed by his statin the Dominion. Mr Preen referred to the fact that the Governor-General (Sir Charles Fergusson), and Lady Fergusson, would be farewelled in Timaru on December 18, and that the school had been asked to participate. The question of the school garden was then discussed. It was pointed out that the present garden consisted mostly of footpaths, and not much garden. The site suggested to the Board’s representatives was considered favourable.

Headmaster’s Report. The headmaster (Mr W. W. Gartoiu reported that there had been a steady improvemnet in attendance during the month, so much that during the past three weeks that it had been 95 per cent. Eight boys and six girls had been admitted, whilst six boys and seven girls had left. The roll now stood at 300 boys and 316 girls, and the average attendance for the month had been 576.3. On November 25th, Inspector Haslam visited the school to examine those in the Sixth Standard who had not been accredited with proficiency. The results were not yet known. Prince Durga Passad, of India, also visited the school, and had a talk with Standards 5 and 6. 7he president of the Old Boys’ Association (Mr A. Thoreau) came to the school and presented the infants with number of buckets and tools for use in the sand pit. Needless to say, they were much appreciated. Now, an attempt was being made to beautify the grounds, and the report suggested that the committee consider the suitability of extending the water supply to facilitate the watering of the gardens. The matter of the reference library was still in abeyance, and if it was to be of any use next year steps should be taken to procure it at an early date. In regard to Mr Garton’s suggestion of extending the water supply, it was decided that Mr Dephoff and Mr Garton inspect the locality, and that they be given authority to proceed with work they considered necessary. Speaking in regard to the reference library, the chairman said he had recently attended the opening of a similar library at the West School. He had been very impressed, and he had considered the addition of the library, to that school, a splendid idea. At the Main School, however, they were in the position of not having a favourable room.

The headmaster said the whole trouble was lack of housing for the books. He had gone through a list of books, about one thousand, which would cost between £9O and £IOO. This sum would be subsidised.

Mr Dephoff explained a scheme for the library. By doing away with the porqh on the east side of the school, and making alterations in that part of the school, he considered a suitable room would be available.

The chairman said they would have to move with care, in view of a possible, change in re-organisation, as the result of the findings of the Select Committee, at present sitting in various parts of New Zealand. After a short discussion, Mr Dephoff moved that the list of books, as suggested by the headmaster, be purchased. He stated that the question had been hanging fire for a long time now.

The motion was seconded by Mr Carnegie, and carried. The chairman and Mr Malcolmson voted against the motion. Mr Preen questioned if the children acquired much extra knowledge from the books, which might soon be out of date. It was the principle involved he voted against.

The headmaster said the new syllabus required the children to obtain additional knowledge, and to find it for themselves. The books he had suggested would fill the purpose. The chairman said that a great deal had been said in favour of the school purchasing a baloptican, and this, when purchased, had hardly been used. \ The report was adopted. Correspondence. Further correspondence was read in connection with the matter of a ten per cent., penalty on overdue electric light accounts. A letter had been received at the previous meeting to which the secretary had replied, to the Electricity Department, advising that the account had been received after the monthly meeting of the committee, and had therefore been passed for payment at the following monthly meeting. To this letter, the Electricity Department replied to last night’s meeting, stating that the original letter had not been sent from that Department, but from the Town Clerk’s office. The chairman stated that other schools were placed in similar positions, because of the date of their meetings. The Department probably would take this into consideration. The letter was received. A letter was received from the Director of the Technical College (Mr A. McFadyen) asking for permission to lay down, on the Main School grounds, a concrete cricket pitch, for practice for the Technical College boys. It was decided that permission be granted; also that a site be chosen by two members of the Main School Committee and two members of the Board of Managers of the College, during the pleasure of the Main School Committee. Messrs Lund and Dephoff were appointed the committee’s representatives. For the visitors, Mr Carnegie reported on a visit to the school, and mentioned several improvements that could be carried out. School work was quite satisfactory. General. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the Old Boys’ Association for their gift of tools to the school. It was decided that the headmaster notify the Mayor (Mr W. Angland), of the number of children from the school likely to participate in Timaru’s send-off to the Governor-General. Arrangements were made for She school’s break-up on December 19. The infants’ ceremony was arranged for the afternoon, and the upper classes for the evening, at which ceremony Mr C. Carr M.P. would present the prizes. Accounts amounting to £47 8s 5d were passed for payment.