GERALDINE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 18555, 30 April 1930, Page 10

GERALDINE

STEADY RAIN. Steady rain fell during Monday night and continued yesterday. Twenty-four points were recorded for the twentyfour hours ended at 9 a.m. yesterday. HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETING. The annual meeting of householders in connection with the Geraldine School was held on Monday evening, Mr A. M. Fyfe presiding over an attendance of between forty and sixty members. The committee’s report stated that a very busy year had been experienced by the committee, the chief event of which was the opening of a new and up-to-date school for the secondary department in Raukapuka in September. A considerable amount of improvements had been made to the grounds since the opening, but a good deal still remained to be done. The school buildings previously occupied by the secondary department had been removed, and this had relieved much of the congestion in the playing grounds of the primary school. Arrangements had been made for laying out playing lawns and shingle paths at the primary school. Considerable staff changes had taken place. Mr F. Piper, the headmaster, had retired at the end of the school year, and Mr Barrell of Christchurch, had been appointed in his place. The school had started the year with a nearly new staff. Board workmen had been employed for some time renovating the primary school inside and out, and the school was now in very good condition. Application had been made for a headmaster's office, and they hoped that this would be completed soon. A large 'amount of work had been done in connection with the forming of a dental clinic which it was hoped to have opened this year, but owing to delays on the part of the Department, this had not yet eventuated. There was a roll at present of 301, of which 63 were secondary pupils. The successes of the pupils in the secondary department, a hundred per cent, pass in the Public Service and Matriculation examinations, was very gratifying. The staff was to be congratulated on the fine report of the inspector. At the annual fete £4O was raised for general school purposes. The capitation grant did not by a long way meet expenses, the heaviest item of which was £SO odd for fuel. The annual school sports were a great success. At the Christchurch winter show seven of the pupils gained prizes in needlework, and at the Timaru show, four gained prizes in needlework. At the Temuka competitions, four gained prizes in recitation, four in essay competitions, three in penmanship and one the vocal section. Fifteen committee meetings had been held during the year. In moving the adoption of the report, the chairman said that they thought that the matter of the dental clinic had been finalised, but owing to mistakes and misunderstandings on the part of the Education Department’s officers, the clinic had not been established yet, despite the fact that the committee had forwarded its proportion of the cost—about £30 —some months ago. The committee, with the assistance of Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P., were endeavouring to extend the agricultural side of the school, and were arranging to co-oper-ate with the Farmers’ Union in the matter.

The motion was seconded by Mr H. Turner, and the report was adopted. Remits Passed. The following remits drawn up by the Canterbury School Committees’ Association, were approved:—(l) That the education vote should be adequate to provide for the maintenance of existing schools. (2) That the present system of election of Education Boards by school committees should be retained. (2) That Education Boards should be retained. (4) That the present capitation is seriously inadequate. An increase of 1/- is required with the roll number as a basis of calculation. (5) That the Department institute a fuel allowance for South Island Schools. (5) That Education Boards should have power to divide consolidated school districts into wards for the election of committees. (7) That conveyance allowance should provide for horse riding allowance at the discretion of the Board. (8) That homework be abolished in classes under Standard 4. (9) That swimming and life-saving be made compulsory subjects for children who are physically fit. (10) That Scholarship and Matriculation examination results be made available to competitors at an earlier date. (11) That Education Boards should have power to group schools for dental clinics. (12) That Education Boards submit for selection by schooj committees three of the highest graded applicants. (13) That the employment of married women teachers whose husbands are in regular employment should be discontinuued. (14) That the Education Act be amended so that Education Boards shall have power to dispense with he services of teachers who have proved inefficient in the control and teaching of children. The headmaster (Mr A. F. Barrell, M.A.), presented a lengthy report, which was adopted. General. Mrs W. E. Moye drew attention to the high cost of fuel for heating the school, £54, and the subject was discussed at considerable length. Some of the teachers declared the system of heating very unsatisfactory. The chairman stated that the system had been installed by the Board’s experts, and the subject was allowed to lapse. At the conclusion of the meeting, the chairman referred to the fine spirit of co-operation that existed between the staff and the committee, and stated that they were proud of their staff. The following committee was elected: —Messrs C. Armstrong, A. M. Fyfe, J. Grierson, D. Hatton. G. Knibb, A. South, F. Wallach, A. V. Wright, the Rev. W. J. Couling. Mr A. M. Fyfe was elected chairman. Mr J. Grierson secretary, and Mr D. Hatton treasurer. PERSONAL ITEMS.

Mrs R. Gresswell. of Christchurch, and Miss Lilian Myers, Dunedin, are spending a holiday in Geraldine, and are guests of Mrs Leslie Mitchell, Raukapuka. Mr A. J. Macdonald, who has resided in Geraldine for a number of years, will leave on Monday to take up the managership of “Glentui,” North Canterbury. For the past three years. Mr Macdonald has been secretary of the Golf Club, and he will be greatly missed in that capacity. GENERAL NEWS. A public meeting will be held In the Town Hall on Friday in connection with the cancer campaign. The Dominion president of the Farmers’ Union (Mr W. J. Poison) will give an address in the Presbyterian Hall at 8 p.m. on Monday.

GAPES VALLEY INSTITUTE. On Monday a Women’s Institute was formed at Gapes Valley. It was decided to call it “The Valley Women’s Institute,” as the members come from several different valleys. A committee of eight was, elected, with two to be added later: Mrs A. H. Roberts (president), Mrs P. Barker (vice-president), Mrs C. G. Hibbs (secretary), Mrs A. Mackenzie (treasurer), Mrs V. Lelievre, Mrs G. Knubley, Mrs W. Talbot, Miss Ladbrook. It was decided to meet on the second Thursday in the month. Miss Stops, the Dominion organiser, addressed the meeting and explained the objects and aims of the Institute. She told how the first Institute originated thirty-two years ago in Canada. In England it came into existence in 1914, and now there were 4,400 institutes in that country. She brought with her handwork done by different institutes at Home, and gave interesting details about various pieces of work. Afternoon tea was provided by a number of ladies. At the close of the meeting a hearty vote of thanks was given to Miss Stops for her help and interesting address, and to Mrs Macdonald, who kindly brought her over. The meeting ended with the singing of the National Anthem. BENEVOLENT GUILD. The annual meeting of the Geraldine and District Benevolent Guild was held yesterday afternoon, the president, Mrs P. W. Hislop presiding. Present:—Mesdames W. A. Sherratt, T. Sherratt, H. Turner, J. Scott, W. J. Couling, J. Wordsworth, Feilden, T. Twigg, F. E. South and Miss McLean (secretary). The annual report stated that one | meeting had been held since the last annual meeting. The credit balance for the year was £217/8/9. Assistance had been given in several cases during the year; and £ls had been paid over to the District Nurse Committee, being the balance of the £4O grant made some time ago. No effort had been made during the past year to raise funds. Thanks were due to the president, Mrs Hislop, for her work; to Archdeacon Purchase for granting the use of the Guild Room free for meetings;*to Mr Hayes and Mr McGregor, and all who had helped in any way.In moving the adoption of the annual report, the president said that she was glad to see that they were still in funds. She referred in eulogistic terms to the work of the scretary, Miss McLean. The report was adopted. General. Members spoke of the splendid work Mrs Hislop had done as president, and she was re-elected to that position. A vote of thanks to the Press concluded the meeting. A "PEEPING TOM.’” Two cases of intrusion by "Peeping Toms” have been reported in Geraldine recently, and in both cases womenfolk were seriously scared.