Shirley-St. Albans Notes

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18340, 17 December 1927, Page 30 (Supplement)

Shirley-St. Albans Notes

By Special Correspondent of tlie “Star.

ST ALBANS SCHOOL COMMITTEE. The monthly meeting of the St Albans School Committee was held last Wednesday evening. Present: Messrs G. T. Grover (chairman), G. Claridge, G. Sey, F. Prouting, C. Plumridgo. W. West. P. Jowett, J. Falkinder, and F. Brierley (secretary). The headmaster (Mr J. E. Thwaites) in his report stated that the school roll was now 824, of which 276 belonged to the infant department. The term examinations had been concluded and most of the scholars had been promoted. Failures were due mostly to bad attendance. Nurse Smith, in her monthly report of the Dental Clinic, gave the number of patients treated during November as 200, the total number of operations being 394. Correspondence was received from the Education Board stating that the Department had advised that there was no expenditure available for the erection of a teachers’ room, and that the matter would have to be deferred until the next financial year. Disappointment was expressed at the reply, as a teachers’ room' could also Ixj used for the medical examination of children, as at present a class had to lie turned out of its room for two or three days. The chairman stated that there were eighteen teachers at the school, but no provision had ever been made for them. He had taken the liberty of placing the facts before Mr 11. Holland, M.P., who had promised to bring them before the Minister of Education. The board also wrote stating that certain repairs that had been brought to their notice would be attended to. Permission was granted to Mr W. W. Dunsterville to fix an aerial wire to an oak tree in the school grounds. Letters of thanks were instructed to be sent to the New Zealand Athletic and Cycling Union for the use of Eng-

lish Park for the sports, anrl to Mr A. W. Smith, who had donated a tin of lollies to the school children. A letter was received from Messrs 11. Odell and Sons, quoting prices and enclosing samples of school stationary, with the approval of the School Com#mittees’ Association, who were endeavouring to acquire stationery and school requisites at cheaper prices for the children. The committee decided that while it approved of the scheme it could not place the burden of handling the stationery upon the teachers, whose time was already fully occupied, but with the headmaster’s sanction it had no objection to a member of the firm making periodical visits to the school for the purpose of disposing of the goods.

Messrs Claridge and Falkinder were appointed the works committee for the ensuing month. It was reported that Master Nelson Mansfield, a pupil of the school, had been a successful competitor at the school children’s carnival at the Tepid Baths, having secured two firsts. The tender of Mr W. J. Kennedy for the laying down of the asphalt basketball court was accepted, subject to certain conditions. LOYAL BENEVOLENT LODGE, M.U.1.0.0.F. The Loyal Benevolent Lodge held its adjourned meeting on Monday night, N.G. Bro R. Reid presiding. Owing to the death of P.G. Bro Howard, an old member of the lodge, the lodge room was draped in mourning and the sentiments were taken in silence. The secretary was instructed to write letters of condolence to the relatives of the late Bro Howard and to P.G. Bro W. A. Taylor on the loss of his father. P.G. Bro T. Reid stated that owing to business reasons he would be unable to act as “Degree Master,” and P.G. Bro S. G. Geary was elected in his stead. The next business was the installing of the various officers for the ensuing six months. Degree Master P.G. Bro S. G. Geary, assisted by Past Grands Bros W. B. Browne and G. T. Hillsdon, who acted as conductors, installed Bro I. G* Scott as N.G., Bro A. Foster as Y.G., Bro C. Griffiths as E.S. and P.G. Bro 11. Osborne as Warden. After the installation the D.M. congratulated the newly-elected brothers, and also referred to the able manner in which I.P.N.G. Bro T. Reid had carried out his duties whilst acting as N.G. The newly-elected officers returned thanks. The N.G. appointed P.G. Bro If. Osborne as his Right-Supporter, and Sister A. G. Hillsdon as his Left-Suppor-ter. The V.G. appointed Bro R. N. Beggs as his Right-Supporter and Bro S. R. Winter as his Left. Bro J. Reid was appointed Guardian. It was decided to place P.G. Bro W. 11. Ilillsdon’s name on the “Respect Board” and present him with a framed Past Grand’s certificate and recommend him for the

“Purple Degree.” The following nominations were received for the various District Officers and members of the Management Committee: District Grand Master. D.D.G.M. Bro Roberts; Deputy District Grand Master, P.G. Bro W. B. Browne; District Treasurer. P.P.G.M. Bro H. Veitch; members of District Management Committee, P.G.’s Bros W. B. Browne and S. G. Geary. The Children’s Christmas Tree Committee reported progress. As the next lodge night falls on Boxing Day it was decided to let that meeting lapse. The Ritual Committee submitted a number of suggested improvements to the Ritual Book. They were approved by the lodge, and the secretary was instructed to forward them on to the District Secretary. KITCHEN EVENING. A pleasant function took place at the residence of Mr and Mrs C. G. Claridge, 213, Springfield Road, last Tuesda>* evening, when a kitchen evening arranged by Mrs R. Anthon}*- was given in honour of Miss Violet Claridge, whose marriage takes place next week. Games and competitions helped to pass away a very enjoyable evening, the competitions being won by Mesdames Jackson and Mackwell apd Messrs Jackson, James and Mackwell. Musical items, were given by Messrs S. Woodward and V. Marsden. The guest was the recipient of many useful presents. Amongst those present were Mr and Mrs C. G. Claridge. Mr and Mrs R. Anthonv, Mr and Mrs B. James. Mr and Mrs S. Jackson. Mr and Mrs S. Mackwell, Mr and Mrs J. Slatter, Mr and Mrs V. Marsden, Mesdames Cowles and Macintosh, Misses I. James, F. Mackwell. V. Hubbard, E. Jones, V. Claridge, E. Cant, Messrs V. Claridge, A. Claridge, R. Claridge, S. Woodward, C. Mackwell, E. Anthony, T. Anthony, and E. Jackson. ST ALBANS SCHOOL SPORTS. The annual sports were held last Wednesday, large entries being received for the numerous events. This year the school was fortunate in securing the use of English Park, thus providing ample space for the races and enabling the events to be run without any delay, the latter also being to a great extent due to the able supervision of Miss Kennedy and Mr Harper, assisted by the other teachers. The prizes were presented at the break-up on Thursday afternoon by Mr G. T. Grover, chairman of the School Committee. CORRECTION. It was stated in these columns last Saturday that the St Albans School would reassemble on January 30. This is incorrect, as according to the new syllabus of term holidays for 1928 as supplied by the Education Board, the first term will commence on Fcbruarv 1. MUNICIPAL BAND CONCERT. The second Municipal Band concert of the season will be given at St Albans Park by the Christchurch Municipal Band next Tuesday. SHIRLEY SCHOOL COMMITTEE. The December monthly meeting, which was held in the school, was presided over by Mr C. S. Thompson (chairman) ; others present were— Messrs Anderson, Salt, Clothier, Stanley, Finney, Hunt, and Mrs M’Kay, secretary. The chairman reported that together with the secretary he had met Mr Patterson, of the Waimairi County Council, with reference to the forming of a footpath and channelling fronting the school playground in Shirley Road. Mr Patterson stated that the County Council would be unable to comply with . the request owing to lack of funds. The headmaster’s report stated that the average attendance for November was 597, the roll number being 669. In connection with the breaking-up ceremony it was decided to give toys to the. infants, as in previous years. It was resolved to hold the annual school picnic at the Riccarton Racecourse, on February 10. In connection with the proposed new scheme of purchasing school stationery and requisites brought forward by the School Committees' Association, a subcommittee was set up to go into the Question and confer with the teachers. The visiting committee for the lioJidays were Messrs. Finney and Hunt.

ST STEPHEN’S CHURCH SUNDAY SCHOOL. The Sunday School was closed last Sunday and will not reopen until the Sunday following the opening of the State schools. Prizes for memory were presented to Phyllis Bourne, Basil White and Errol Law. ST ALBANS METHODIST CIIURCH. To-morrow at both services, which will be conducted by the Rev J. Robertson and the Rev 11. L. Blamires, gifts will ‘be received on behalf of the Papanui Methodist Orphanage. In previous years the response has been of a liberal nature. The Rev L. 13. Neale announced on Sunday that the Methodist Conference would be held in Christchurch in March and invited those who were willing to provide homes for visiting members to hand in their names. A meeting of the trustees of the Rugby Street Church will be held on Tuesday evening to discuss a proposal to acquire an additional section in connection with the Wesley Tennis Club. Mr W. Simpson, conductor of the Rugby Street Choir, is arranging for special musical services on Christmas Sunday. ' CHRISTMAS CHEER. On Wednesday evening the children ’ of members of the St Albans Rechabite Tent will be entertained at a seasonable reunion.