WEST COAST NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18991, 10 February 1930, Page 16

WEST COAST NEWS.

accommodation at SCHOOL.

(Special to the “Star.”) GREYMOUTH, Februarj' 9.

Considerable discussion took place at a meeting of the Grey School Committee on a report that the Education Department proposed to transfer the Main School Standard VI. and _V. pupils to the Greymouth Technical High School, and thus obviate the necessity of adding to the former’s accommodation. It was pointed out that the scheme, if carried out. would lower the grade of the Main School and seriously affect its staffing, besides meaning much greater expense to the department than that which would be incurred by the original proposal. Four or more extra rooms in brick would be necessary at the Technical School in place of three in wood and iron. The secretary remarked that the Department was putting in the thin end of the wedge, the real intention being to create a .junior high or post-primary school. The chairman expressed the opinion that seven new rooms would be needed altogether at the Technical School, the three already planned and four others would be necessary to accommodate the four classes which would be affected by the change. The scheme would even perhaps affect the Cobden School. Mr R. Barrowman said he thought that the committee should act strongly against the proposal. The chairman pointed out that it would cost less than £IOOO to build the three Main .School rooms. The idea would allow the infant classes to be grouped together. After the committee had concluded its ordinary business, Mr J. O'Brien, M.P., was asked to approach the Minister of Education in regard to the additional accommodation required at the school. Mr O’Brien agreed to despatch a telegram pointing out the necessity for three rooms for the infants before the winter sets in and asking the Minister to start this workin connection with the report that the top standards at the school were to be transferred, Mr O’Brien stated that he had heard nothing about the proposal and consequently nothing ccmld be done at present. MISHAP TO STEAMER. A mishap occurred to the s.s. Kaponga prior to her departure for Auckland. She was shifting downstream in order to swing round, but she went too far out towards the Cobden side of the river and grounded. The incident caused some excitement among those watching the vessel’s movements from the wharf, but she was stuck for only a short time and cleared the obstruction without any damage having been done. RAILWAYMAN INJURED. Three railwaymen were carrying an iron rail in the Greymouth station yard on Thursday afternoon, and the leader gave warning prior to letting it drop. The man in the middle heard and the tw’o tossed the rail from their shoulders, but W. R. Senior, who was in the rear, did not hear the warning. When the front end of the iron struck the ground, he received a severe jolt on the shoulder. Ilis collarbone was fractured, and he was sent to the Grey Hospital for treatment.

PERSONAL} Miss F. M. Henderson, M.A., of the Auckland Point School (Nelson) has been appointed assistant mistress at the Greymouth Main School. Mr and Mrs A. M’Master left yesterday for Rotorua and Auckland on holiday. Mrs S. R. Shannon left yesterday for Christchurch. Mrs J. Collogan was a passenger for Christchurch by yesterday’s express. Misses IC. Dixon and H. Glen leave on Tuesday for a holiday in the North Island. Mr G. Battersby, who has been a member of the “ Grey River Argus ” linotype staff for three years, has resigned in order to return to Scotland. He was farewelled by the staff and presented wfith a case of pipes and a tobacco pouch. Nurse Wells, of Reef ton, has left for Dunedin to undergo a course of training at the Karitane Hospital. Mr F. Genbitskv, of the railways staff, will leave Greymouth on Tuesday on transfer to Christchurch. Miss Bourke, who has been teaching at the Blaketown School for five years, has resigned. HOKITIKA. (Special to the “Star.”) HOKITIKA, February 9. The Westland Competitions Society held its annual meeting last night. The balance-sheet disclosed a credit of £153, being an increase of £ls on the previous year’s credit. The officers of the society were re-elected. The chairman reported that preliminary arrangements for the annual competitions in May were completed and that the festival should be very successful. Motions of sympathy were passed to Miss Daly, official pianist, and to Mr Eric Moss, an ex-judge, in their bereavements. SUDDEN DEATH. Mrs Stewart, wfife of Mr Samuel Stewart, storekeeper of Goldsborough, ex pired suddenly this morning shortly after a heart seizure. The deceased lady, who was sixty years of age, was a native of South Westland. She had resided in the Goldsborough district for many years. EXCURSION FROM BRUNNER. The Brunner miners and the combined schools picnic was held at Hokitika to-day in pleasant weather. The outing was largely attended.