GERALDINE DENTAL CLINIC

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21090, 16 July 1938, Page 3

GERALDINE DENTAL CLINIC

STRONG CRITICISM DELAY IN REBUILDING Strong criticism of the delay in rebuilding the Geraldine District Dental Clinic, which was destroyed by fire on June 29, 1937, was made by the chairman of the clinic committee (Mr John Baguley) at the monthly meeting of the Geraldine District High School Committee on Thursday. Mr Baguley remarked that the delay in replacing the clinic was causing the i-most concern. They had waited 13 months, and if they were optimists they could expect something to happen soon. Mr A. M. Fyfe (chairman of the school committee): They said that they would advertise for tenders. Mr Baguley: I do not think the dental clinic has received a great deal of assistance from the local school in this matter. Mr Fyfe: We have their promise that they are going ahead with the work. Mr Baguley: It is not a fair thing the way this work has been held up. New work is being carried out in various places, but the dental clinic, which is a fire replacement, has not yet been started. Funny things are going on. Apart from the danger tc the children attending the temporary clinic on the main north highway some children are going up to the door and then turning baci. The time ot the nurse is being wasted. Mr E. P. S. Bennett: If the clinic was in the schoolgrounds as before the nurse could take another child if on. did not keep the appointment. Mr J. D. V. Ellery: What can we do to hasten things up? Mr E. P. S. Bennett: They promised to call tenders before this. Mr Baguley: I have communicaled with the secretary of the Educaticn Board who said that it was the first he had heard about the matter. I told him that public opinion was getting very hot about the delay in rebuilding, and I received a definite promise that tenders would be called within the month. Mr Fyfe: I cannot understand the secretary of the Board not knowing about the clinic, as all our letters re addressed to him. On the motion of Messrs P. M. McKenzie and D. Pringle it was decide j to forward a telegram to the Board asking that tenders be called immediately. Payment of Levy Mr P. M. McKenzie intimated that a parent has asked a question regarding the payment of the dental elk 1c levy. This person had had to pay i~-o amounts at short intervals. Mr J. Baguley: Some of the public ire very— Mr E. P. S. Bennett: Dense! Mr Baguley: Yes, dense! If paientc had complaints to make I think they

should come direct to the Clinic Committee or the School Committee. ' he public do not give the clinic the ' upport they should. There should really be no need to send out accounts at all; the parents should send their money. Up till last year appeals have been sent out for donations, but it had teen decided to charge 5/- a child to provide the Geraldine Clinic levy of about f 26. I hear what some of the parents ar? saying, but they do not come directly with complaints. Many of them are not taking the interest they should. All those who receive the benefit of the treatment should pay. The general levy of 5/- is doing away with the old “dead heads”—some in quite good positions—who have not been paying. Mr Baguley concluded by intimating that 199 notices had been sent out to parents. The half-yearly payments of 2/6 were due on April 1 and October 1. Mr Baguley thanked the headmaster (Mr J. J. McGuigan) and his staff for their assistance in collecting the money. SCHOOL COMMITTEE BUILDING PROGRAMME Advice was received at the monthly meeting of the Geraldine District High School Committee on Thursday evening that the Education Board had decided not to proceed with the proposal to remodel the shelter shed at the Geraldine Secondary Department for use as a temporary classroom. ' he superin tendent-of-works had reported that the marquee at the Secondary v ?- partnent was in sound condition and comparatively comfortable. It had been ascertained that the remodelled shelter shed would be used to accommodate a maximum of only 20 pupils. The Board's building staff was row proceeding with the erection of the classrooms on the Secondary Department site, and it was expected that these would be completed and ready for occupation within 12 weeks. Every endeavour was being made to expedite the completion of the work. The conversion of the shelter would .nvolve a large amount over and above the sale of fire materials, and this expenditure would have to be met out of the grant for maintenance. Heavy < emands were being made on the fund, and, under the circumstances, the Board felt that it was not justified In allocating such a large sum for altertions to a building which would not be necessary in three months’ time. The headmaster (Mr J. J. McGuigan) reported that the Board’s foreman had visited the School and sanctioned various repairs. Since the last meeting a start had been made with the twfi open-air rooms at the Secondary Department. Good progress was being made and the framework was nearing completion. Under the Public Works Department scheme the g.-dunds at the Primary Department were being drained. It was decided to apply for more asphalt paths at the School. The Education Board advised that it did not have the funds with which to meet the whole cost of accommoda-

tion for cycles at schools. However, if the committee could see its way to find the labour for extending the existing shed at the Primary School, the Board was prepared to find the necessary materials. The committee accepted the offer. Messrs J. Baguley and D. Pringle were appointed the visiting committee for the month. Advice was received that Miss I. J. Allan, of Nightcaps, had been appointed an additional Secondary Department assistant. Owing to a shortage of relieving teachers the Southland Board had nbtified that Miss Allan could not be released from her present position before the end of the current term, and she would therefore commence her duties at Geraldine on September 5. GEORGE ARLISS IN “HIS LORDSHIP” “His Lordship,” in which Georg? Arliss, the eminent British actor, plays a dual role, will head the programme at the Geraldine Municipal Theatre at 8 to-night. In an intriguing story a jovial brainy scamp vies with his brother—a pompous, wooden-hea/ d official—in a story ranging swiftly between thrilling drama and brilliant comedy. Arliss plays both roles. Variety supports will be screened. NOTES Details of the services throughout the Parish of Geraldine to-morrow will be found under church notices on pa"° A euchre and dance in aid of the Orari School funds ./ill be held in the Orari Coronation Hall next Tuesday evening. The Pleasant Valley Ladies Branch of the National Party will hold a dance in the Pleasant Valley Hall on Tuesday night. Mr Stanley H. Mayne, F.S.M.C., F. 1.0 (London) representing Procter’s, the Opticians, Christchurch, will be visiting Geraldine on Wednesday, July 27, and may be consulted on all defects of eyesight at the Crown Hotel from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Appointments can now be made by writing or ringing Mr Mor- i ris Williams, Chemist, ’phone 61