GERALDINE

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20054, 11 March 1935, Page 3

GERALDINE

SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND COUNCIL

DONATION FOR FLAGS Accepting the Geraldine Borough Council’s explanation in connection with criticism made at Council meetings in regard to the Geraldine District High School Committee’s apparent attitude concerning the management for the reception to the Duke of Gloucester’s visit, the Committee, at its meeting on Friday evening, expressed appreciation of the acknowledgment by the Council that the Committee was willing to help. The Committee also made a donation of £l/1/0 towards the £8 spent by the Council for the purchase of flags for the children at the reception. The town clerk (Mr B. Hayes) wrote to the Committee as follows: —“Your letter dated February 12 containing resolution passed by your Committee on February 8 was considered by my Council at i£s meeting on Wednesday evening. We note that strong exception has been taken to remarks made at Council meetings reflecting on the attitude of your Committee towards arrangements upon the occasion of the Duke of Gloucester’s visit. Councillors were certainly disappointed at the lack of support from your Committee on such a memorable occasion, and several expressed their opinions in no uncertain meanner. In making its arrangements for the reception of the Duke, the Council recognised the difficulty of controlling large numbers of children from all parts of Geraldine and Temuka districts without the assistance of the schoolteachers, all of whom were away from here on holidays. Hence it was decided to ask the co-operation of your Committee in dealing with the children, as failing actual participation it was thought some useful suggestions might be made by members. His Worship the Mayor, Mr B. R. Macdonald, who was deputed by the Council to place the matter before the Committee, in reporting the result of the interview to the Council stated that owing to the absence of the teachers your Committee could not accept the responsibility of looking after the children, but were prepared to assist in any other way. We were not informed and are still unaware if the various suggestions you state were made by the Committee and ignored by the Council. No mention was made of the offer to assist in the purchase of flags for the children, arid it is remarkable that “The Timaru Herald," which can usually be relied on for accuracy and wealth of detail in \ts reports of such proceedings, omitted these items from its report of your committee meeting published on December 17. Now the event is over we regret that any but pleasurable memories of it should prevail, and suggest that any remarks tending to ruffle the feelings, or disturb the equanimity of the members of your Committee, be forgotten. We shall be very grateful for a contribution for the flags, presented to the children, which cost over £B. Thanking you for the patient hearing accorded the Mayor, and trusting nothing further will occur to disturb the amicable relations which have always existed between the members of your Committee and the Council.”

Mr C. C. Bennett: That’s old "Barney" down to the ground! The chairman (Mr A. J. Burmester) then intimated that the discussion would be taken in committee. After a short discussion it was unanimously decided, on the motion of the Rev.’ A. C. La wry and Mr C. .7. Hayward, that the letter be received, and the secretary (Mr F. E. Whiteley) was instructed to reply that the Committee appreciated the kindly acknowledgment by the Council that the Committee was willing to help, enclosing a donation of £l/1/0 towards the cost of the flags, and expressing regret that the Committee’s funds did not permit a larger donation. SCHOOL COMMITTEE The monthly meeting of the Geraldine District High School Committee, held on Friday was attended by the chairman (Mr A. J. Burmester), the Rev. A. C. Lawry, and Messrs J. S. Lorimer, C. J. Hayward, A. Sutherland, C. C. Bennett, S H. Lapthorn, and F. E. Whiteley (secretary). An apology was received from Mr E. P. Bennett. The secretary (Mr F. E. Whiteley) reported that there had been no receipts during the month. After payment of accounts and providing for caretaker’s wages, etc., a very small credit would remain at the end of the current month.

The secretary of the Education Eoard advised that Miss E. M. Collins, who had been appointed as assistant mistress, would take over her duties on April 1. Mr T. D. Burnett, M.P., Wellington, wrote stating that he had had a further interview with the Minister of' Education on March 7 regarding the question of a headmaster’s room and a fuel shed at the School. The file and plans of the new school were searched, but they could not discover any sign or evidence of the original plan having contained provision for a headmaster’s room or a fuel shed. The Minister had suggested that the Committee should again formally apply for these improvements to be put in bv the Education Board. Mr Burnett asked that a copy of the Board’s reply should be forwarded to him. After a short discussion the secretary was instructed to renew the Committee’s application. Messrs C. C. Bennett and S. J. Lapthorn were appointed the Visiting Committee. As he was leaving Geraldine in order to accept a charge at Christchurch, Mr Lawry tendered his resignation. Mr Lawry expressed his thanks to the chairman, members of the Committee, and the headmaster (Mr A. W. Tucker) for the courtesy, consideration, and friendliness which had made it always a pleasure to him to attend meetings of the Committee which he wished every success in its endeavours on behalf of the School. The chairman expressed regret at Mr Lawry’s pending departure, and wished him every happiness in his new sphere. On the motion of the chairman and Mr C. C. Bennett, the resignation was accepted, appreciation of Mr Lawry’s services being recorded in the minutes. The secretary (Mr F. E. Whitley), was instructed to write to the Education Board asking if the Committee would be in order in “appointing the candidate who polled the next highest number of votes at the last election, and also for details of the Board’s regulations governing the filling of vacancies on committees. The chairman of the Works Committee (Mr Hayward) suggested several improvements to the horse paddock at the Primary Department, which would

necessitate the purchase of a quantity of wire and several stakes. The Works Committee was authorised to procure the necessary material and to proceed with the work.

The headmaster (Mr A. W. Tucker) reported that the attendance at the Primary Department had been adversely affected by whooping cough. It was hoped that during the current month children affected last month would be free to return, and that the attendance would therefore improve. Details were as follow: Primary department, roll number, 214; average attendance, 192.6; per centage, 90; Secondary department, 70; average attendance, 66.7; per centage, 95. The desks at the secondary department which needed planing up, authority for which had been granted last August, were still awaiting attention. The report was adopted, and the secretary was instructed to write to the Education Board urging it to expedite the work.

[“The Timaru Herald” accepts the compliment, emanating from the Geraldine Borough Council Office, to the effect that “it can usually be relied on for accuracy and wealth of detail in its reports.” On this occasion, pressure on space was responsible for the condensation of the report, on which, it appears from the letter, the Mayor (Mr B. R. Macdonald) must have been relying for information for his subsequent report to the Borough Council. This seems to be borne out by a statement, made by a member of the School Committee, and reported in “The Timaru Herald" on February 11: —“At the meeting when the Committee received the Mayor, Mr Macdonald did not know what had happened, as he left the room, and then returned to find out what the Committee’s position was.” The chairman of the Committee then remarked: —“I thought he (the Mayor) clearly understood the position until he came back and asked what was the Committee's attitude. We gave him between an hour and an hour and a quarter of our time, but seemingly it was a waste of breath and a waste of time!” Editor, "The Timaru Herald.”!

BOWLING In a friendly match at Geraldine, the Geraldine Ladies’ Bowling Club defeated the Timaru Ladies Bowling Club by 8 points. The results were (Geraldine rinks being given first):— Mesdames A. G. Brown (s), A. Sutherland, J. D. McMillan, and J. H. Lewis 22, beat Miss Campbell (s), Mrs Connolly, Mrs Barker and Miss Mcllroy 12. Mesdames H. V. Firman (s), A. J. Burmester, A. G. Bryant and T. B. McKinlay 16, drew with Mrs Sewell (s), Miss Bradley, Mrs Richardson, Mrs Sewell 16 Messrs M. Campbell (s), J. J. Mulvey, L. Grant and T. B. McKinlay 19, lost to Mesdames Clark (s), Bowen, Catter and Wilson 21. Totals —Geraldine 57, Timaru 49. The following rink will represent the Geraldine Ladies’ Club in the South Canterbury Ladies’ Bowling tournament at Timaru to-morrow: — Mesdames A. G. Brown (s), H. V. Firman, A. Sutherland, and A. J. Burmester. “ WALTZING MATILDA ” Australia has never produced a more exhilarating or uproarious comedy picture than “Waltzing Matilda,” which will be screened at the Geraldine Municipal Theatre to-night, at 8 o’clock Outstanding are the comedy scenes between Joe Valli, who plays the part of a station overseer, and Pat Hanna, the latter enacting the role of a down-and-out “Digger,” who takes to the road as a swagger. The leading feminine role is in the capable hands of Dorothy Parnham, an Australian girl. Variety supporting features will be screened. Mr E. A. Murrell, D.8.0.A.. F. 1.0. (England), representing PROCTERS, the Premier Opticians, Christchurch, will be visiting Geraldine, on Wednesday, March 27, and may be consulted on all defects of the eyesight at the Crown Hotel. Appointments can now be made by writing or ringing Mr Morris Williams. Chemist