TIMARU HIGH SCHOOLS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20762, 24 June 1937, Page 11

TIMARU HIGH SCHOOLS

ANNUAL MEETING OF BOARD CHAIRMAN RE-ELECTED A review of the year’s work with special reference to buildings and grounds was given by the chairman of the Board of Governors of the Timaru High Schools at the annual meeting of the Board last night. Present—Messrs H. H. Fraser ((chairman), C. E. Kerr, A. L. Gee, J|. J. Dickson. W. Scott. Ross Brodie and Dr. L. S. Talbot. The two schools, Mr Fraser said, had been painted and their appearance had been considerably improved. The open air classrooms at the boys' school were at present being fitted with swing doors so that if necessai’y they could be closed in the winter. The assembly hall at the girls’ school was being remodelled and the improvements should be of great benefit. The roof and the windows had been lowered and the general appearance was much improved. The janitor’s cottage at the girls’ school had been enlarged. The Board had made frequent representations to the Department for new

laboratories and .while the Prime Minister and the Director of Education agreed that the request was reasonable, it was considered that there were more urgent matters higher on the expenditure list. The matter had not been lost sight of, however, and the Board would continue to press its claims. The Board was also desirous of providing a bath-house at the Rectory, and he could not understand why the work had been held up, but apparently there was a shortage of workmen. With a view to facilitating the work the secretary' had recently written to the Department suggesting that the Board call tenders for the contract.

Grounds In Good Order

Gratification was expressed by the chairman at the condition of the grounds at both schools, which, he said, had been well cared for. With the mild winter that had been experienced so far the grounds should be looking their best in the spring. The schools were fortunate in having such excellent grounds. During the year the committee visited the reserves and the tenants seemed to be taking a great interest in their holdings said Mr Frasqr. The Board had done its best for the tenants and Its interest, he thought, had been appreciated. The finances of the Board w’ere in a healthy condition, said the chairman and he congratulated the secretary (Mr A. C. Martin) on his good work. Thanks were extended to members for their co-operation.

Chairman Re-elected

On the motion of Dr Talbot and MiGee, who spoke of the great interest the retiring chairman had taken in the schools, Mr Fraser was unanimously re-elected chairman. Dr Talbot was elected vice-chairman.

Committees were appointed as follow: Finance and appointments, the chairman, Dr Talbot, Messrs G. D. Virtue, A. C. Fahey, G. Benstead, A. L. Gee and C. E. Kerr; reserves, Messrs C. E. Kerr, J. J. Dickson, Ross Brodie and W. Scott. The chairman congratulated Messrs Scott and Brodie on their re-appolnt-ment to the Board as representatives of the Mackenzie and Geraldine County Councils respectively.

School Reports The headmistress of the Girls’ School (Miss J. R. Barr) reported that the work of the term had been carried on under difficulties and in discomfort owing to the alterations to the school buildings. The assembly hall was almost ready for use again, and in addition to having no heating in it, there were also three classrooms in which there was none at present. A tent took the place of one of those rooms. The report was adopted, and it was decided to make arrangements for the heating. The roll number at the boys’ school was 386, reported the rector (Mr A. G. Tait). The number of boarders was 121 and the preparatory school roll was 54. Messrs Caradus and Learning, secondary inspectors visited the school earlier in the month. He acknowledged with thanks the gift of plants for the school garden from Mr A. W. Anderson, curator of the Timaru reserves, and the gift of an eight-cyclinder engine for the metalwork workshop from Mr H. Lister. The Education Board was at present engaged in making alterations to the open-air class rooms. These rooms were being provided with sliding doors so that in cold weather they might be closed. The class rooms could quickly be changed into open or closed rooms and while still retaining their open-air character might be instantly closed. The School was co-operating with the post office by giving pupils an opportunity of making deposits to the saving bank at the School. Already a number of pupils had opened accounts. The report was adopted thanks being extended to Messrs Anderson and Lister for their interest In the School.