ASHBURTON NEWS.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 192, 14 August 1931, Page 4

ASHBURTON NEWS.

Relief of Unemployed in County. ALLOCATION REDUCED. (Special to the “ Star.”) ASHBURTON, August 13. Mr R. Kerr presided over a meeting of the executive of the Ashburton Unemployment Committee this afternoon. The Unemployment Board forwarded a circular regarding the deduction of the emergency wage': tax from the money paid to men employed under the various schemes promoted by the board. It was reported that the board had allocated £550 for relief work next week. This sum was £203 9s below the amount asked for. Mr G. Kelly said that though the two-day single men seemed to have been harshly treated in the past, through no fault of their own or of the executive, he did not hold that the married men should be given reduced time in favour of the single men. The fullest consideration should be given to the married men who had greater financial difficulties to face. It was agreed to give the two-day men one day’s work next week and the four-day men full time. The men available for next week total 419 (exclusive of Rakaia and Methven). It was stated that there was enough productive work in sight in Ashburton to keep 1000 men engaged for nearly two years if funds were available. Borough School Jubilee. There was an attendance of eighteen, including two women, at the meeting of ex-pupils held in the Borough Sphool this evening to consider celebrating the jubilee of the school. Mr J. Watson, chairman of the School Committee, said it was sixty years ago since the school was established, and old pupils were scattered in all parts of the Dominion. The idea of the jubilee was to give them an opportunity of coming together again to renew acquaintances and talk over old times. Mr F. W. Watt was appointed chairman and Messrs J. Smith, W. H. Rundle, A. O. Pilbrow, A. M’Callum, E. H. Orr and F. W. Watt were appointed a sub-commjttee with power to add to confer with the School Committee regarding the details of the celebration, and to report to a general meeting to be held later. The jubilee will take place in February. Technical School Work. At a meeting of the Ashburton Technical School Board to-day, Mr T. Hayes (chairman), in his annual report, referred to the removal in December to Stratford of Mr R. Galbraith, who *had been chairman for over six years. A good many changes in the teaching staff had occurred during the past twelve months. Miss I. Chamberlain took up her position as art mistress in November, Mr D. M’Kenzie replaced Mr C. Gray as agricultural instructor in February, and in April Miss M. Richards left on a trip to England and the Continent. Her place was taken first of all by Miss Mitchell, who almost immediately was appointed to Wellington. Finally Miss S. Baird, of Auckland, took up Miss Richards’s duties. Pxkjgress with buildings had been moderate through the year. A pavilion had been erected on the sports ground. Alterations to the kitchen were under way. The overcrowded state of the rooms. Unfortunately, the evening classes for apprentices in mathematics and physics, mechanics and drawing had lately had to be dropped because of the irregular attendance. In games, the school has more than held its own. Amalgamation of Schools. At to-day’s meeting of the Ashburton Technical School Board a letter was received from the Director of Education (Mr T. B. Strong) suggesting a conference between the Technical and High School Boards on Saturday morning when he would be present to discuss the matter of amalgamation of the schools. It was stated that the conference would be held in camera. Mr W. G. Hillier moved.—•“ That in view of the attitude taken up by the High School Board on the question of amalgamation, this Technical High School Board feels that no good purpose would be gained by the proposed conference and therefore prefers to deal with the Minister of Education direct-’’ The motion was carried. On the motion of Mr W. Houston it was agreed to communicate with Messrs D. Jones M.P., and T. D. Burnett, M.P., asking them to oppose any movement in connection with the amalgamation of the Technical and High Schools.