MEETING OF HOUSEHOLDERS

Te Puke Times, 25 April 1922, Page 3

MEETING OF HOUSEHOLDERS

ELECTION OF SCHOOL COM MITTEE. .

The annual meeting of householders for the purpose of electing a School Committee for the ensuing twelve months was held in the Mission Hall on Monday evening. There was only a moderate attendance. Mr J. Wilson was voted to the chair, and called upon Mr Keys, Chairman of the outgoing Committee, for a report of the proceedings during his term of office.

Mr Keys said he had not prepared a written report, but would give an outline of what had been done. Before doing so he wished to make it clear that the credit for an> improvement in school matters was due to the Committee and not to himself personally, for he had merely carried out the

instructions of the Committee, Proceeding, Mr Kevs emphasised the necessity of children attending school regularly. It was the only way in which teachers could do them justice. He regretted that, owing to lack of funds the Government had been unable to assist them with the erection of >a technical school, but the m Utter would not be lost sight of, and would be brought* up again when the time was more propitious. The speaker detailed the steps taken to secure the building of additional class rooms' at the main school, and complimented the contractor on the manner in \yhich the work had been carried out. A hearty vote of thanks • was due r to the Trustees of the Mission Hall for allowing the Committee the use of the building for the infant classes whilst the additions were in course of erection. The Committee had asked the, Education Board for , permission to keep the schools under its jurisdiction open for full time during February, instead of half-time only, and this had been granted. The result proved that the action of the Committee was a wise one. Credit for the erection of the Memorial Gates was due to Mr Bishoprick, the teachers and children. They had shouldered all the responsib-r ' ility, and raised the necessary . funds. The burning question at present was the staffing of the main school. They were now entitled to a headmaster, four assistants of grade 4, two of grade 3, and one of grade 2, besides pupil teachers. Correspondence was passing with the Board on the subject. The possibility of converting the main school into a district high school would have to receive attention. To effect this they would have to be able to guarantee an average attendance of twenty pupils who had' gained competency certificates. As.they would be able to draw from'the, district between Papamoa and Matata they should be able to get the required number. Mr Keys alluded with ■ pleasure to the noticeable improvement in the demeanour of t|he children towards their teachers, and the increased interest they took in their school. He referred to the good work done by the Secretary (Mr Gray), and to the support accorded him by members of the Committee, and

also thanked the press for its fall reports of matters affecting the school. Thanks were also due to the teaching staff, and to firms and individuals who had contributed towards the Memorial Gates. (Applause). The Chairman and Mr T. E. Palmer warmly congratulated Mr Keys on the work carried out by the Committee during the past year, / ; The minutes of the last annual meeting, and the balance-sheet, were read by the Secretary! and adopted. Votes of thanks were passed to the Trustees of the Mission Hall and to the press. The election of a Committee resulted in the following being returned Messrs Mudford, Urquhart, Stenberg, Keys, , Gray, Sweetman, Ryburn, McDonald and Hint%.

, At a subsequent meeting of the Committee, Mr Keys was reelected chairman, and Mr Gray secretary. Visiting Committees were appointed as follows No. ,1 School. Messrs McDonald and Stenberg ; No 2 School, Messrs Gray and Ryburn ; Rangiuru, Mr Hintz ; Te Matai, Mr Mudford.