WINCHESTER.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18555, 30 April 1930, Page 5

WINCHESTER.

OUT-OF-DATE SCHOOL. On Monday Dr E. Baker-MacLaglan and Nurse Aitkinson visited the Winchester School for the purpose of conducting their periodic examination. At 11 a.m. the doctor was met by the School Committee, who discussed with her proposals to erect an open-air class-room and to remodel the existing classrooms. Dr Baker-MacLaglan heartily endorsed the opinion that the school was urgently in need of drastic alterations ; and additions and warmly recommended the provision of an open-air classroom of the Fendalton type., anu certain alterations to the present building to bring it into line with modem requirements. During the afternoon. thirty-five mothers assembled and were addressed by the doctor on matters affecting the health and general welfare of the children. At the close of the address on the motion of Mrs White a very hearty vote of thanks was accorded Dr Baker. MEETING OF HOUSEHOLDERS. The annual householders’ meeting held in the Winchester school on Monday evening was well attended, seventeen ladies and fourteen men being present. I Mr T. H. Langford was voted to the i chair* and expressed his pleasure at seeing so large a gathering whicn I spoke of the interest being shown by , parents ..in school matters. He paid warm tribute to the services rendered the committee by its energetic 1 secretary, Mr J- C. Mcßratney. The I Committee had fought hard throughout the year for improvements which were long overdue. The roll number | had steadily risen to 93, and the average attendance for the year to \ date was 89. and these had to be ( accommodated with their three I teachers, in two antiquated rooms and I a shelter shed with concrete floor. Tht I Committee were fully seized with the ' necessity for an immediate alteration in conditions, and the members for South Canterbury and the Board were quite in accord, both Board and senior inspector having agreed to the urgency of the need. Their member, too. Mr i. D. Burnett, had repeatedly pressed their claims with the Minister of Education, yet up to the present they had had to be content with half promises. It was for the parents present to say whether they were satisfied. The financial statement showed a credit balance of £ll. On the motion of Mr R. Maddren, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to the out-going committee. Mr J. Deßenzy stated that the work of the teaching staff was satisfactory as usual, and he moved that they be | accorded a hearty vote of thanks. The new committee was elected as follows:—Mr T. H. Langford (chairI man), Messrs J. C. Mcßratney (secreI tarv) G. Burborough, G. Gudsell, and l J. Alexander. . a °eoeral discussion then took place j centring about the building proposals. • • nci it was finally unanimously decided let a strong protest be made to the | HVln-Miion Board and the Department j ly-ijivt the continued delav in provlcs j ink adeouate housing for the children, J and ii'kiuM that immediate action be i taken in the ir/atter. as parents had ! !breq*’e r »ed to withhold their children i dunng the winter months until suitable accommodation was found for them. \ The meeting closed with a vote of ( thanks to the chair.