NEW SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20282, 17 April 1934, Page 6

NEW SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Exclusion of Five Year Old Children From Schools Deplored. HOUSEHOLDERS’ ANNUAL MEETINGS. ANNUAL MEETINGS of householders held last night elected committees to guide the affairs of the various schools throughout Canterbury for the next two years. One or two meetings ranged further than the mere election of committees, holding brisk discussion on administrative questions. In response to questions submitted by the Canterbury School Committees’ Association, the meetings passed motions asking that five-year-old children should again be admitted to schools, but were by no means unanimous concerning the life of school committees, although there was a majority in favour of the extension of the term from one to two years. The following reports summarise the business transacted at the meetings:—■

CASHMERE. The statement of accounts showed a debit balance of £l9 7s 5d in the No. 1 account and a credit balance of £l3 9s 6d in the No. 2 account. Frequent changes in rationed teachers were noted by the head master (Mr W. G. Napier) in making his report. He stated, however, that the school had been fortunate In the teachers which it had been allotted. The following committee was electe<U—Messrs J. H. Kidd (chairman), E. W. O. White, G. Andrews and R. G. Buchanan (secretary)., Since only four nominations for seven vacancies were received at the meeting, Messrs W. Barker and A. J. Archibald and Mrs L. Morrison were nominated for the approval of the Education Board.. LYTTELTON DISTRICT HIGH. On the motion of Mr Tylee, seconded by Mr W. Uttley, the following resolution was tarried:—“That this meeting of householders protests to the Education Department against the exclusion from the school of children under six years of age." The following committee was elect—The Rev F. J. Tylee (chairman), Messrs S. Cording, R. K. Duckworth, R. Fenton, W. T. Lester, V. H. Rees, W. Uttley, R. Shepherd and L. G. Matthews (secretary). OPAWA. The following committee was elect-ed:—-Messrs V. Blakley (chairman), L. W. Ray, C. T. Pease, F. H. Dephoff, H. E. Leech, L. A. Jarden. W. D. Adams, W. G. Taylor and P. W. Gourdie. It was decided to recommend that legislation be introduced to provide for the annual retirement of one half of the members of the committee, or the lesser in the case of an uneven number. The meeting strongly favoured the reinstatement of the five-year-old children as part of the primer classes or as a separate kindergarten. EAST CHRISTCHURCH. The following were declared elected:—Messrs L. A. King (chairman), S. Baird (secretary and treasurer), R. F. Allen, W. M. Campbell, S. J. Green, R. P. Hampton, W. B. Munday, A. T. Stokes and Mrs L. Perreau. It was decided to approve of the extension of the life of School Committees ancT to ask the Government to remove the restriction preventing five-year-oid children from attending the schools. It was further decided to ask the Government that if it intended to adopt the exclusion of children under ?T ars a se as a definite policy it should make provision for the further education of children when they reached the highest classes in the schools. ELMWOOD. On a show of hands, the householders showed that they were not in favour of the Elmwood School becoming an intermediate school. The following were declared elected: Messrs G. P. Purnell (chairman). Walter Parker (secretary), L. G. Osment (treasurer), H. P. Donald, W. P. Glue, W. T. Langley, W. Furneaux, W. M’Kenzie and Howard. WALTHAM. The following were elected:—Messrs J. J. Hurley, F. M’lvor, F. Legge, J. Morris, A Petersen, H. Penter. A. Long. C. Small, W. Cooke. Subsequently, the committee made the following appointments:—Chairman, Mr J. J, Hurley; secretary, Mr F. Legge; treasurer, Mr F. M'lvor. REDCLXFFS. The election of a committee resulted a 3 follows: —Messrs E. Ebert, L E Beavis, C. Dixey, H. Nettleton. D. F.' W?ng dße * W * Wilkinson and J. F. LINWOOD. Mr A E. Diehl moved the following motion, which was carried:—“ That this meeting of householders is strongly of the opinion that the recent legislation excluding children of five vears of age from the school is not in the best interests of the children concerned nor of the schools, and respectfully requests the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education to reconsider the matter and to take, steps to have this legislation rescinded.” The following committee was elected: Mesdames F. Cairney and I. E. Grigg, Messrs R. Ashley. A. Diehl, G. Harrison (secretary), R. Hartley, G. Lund. C. R. N. Mackie (chairman) and G. M’llroy. A motion was carried resenting the action of the Unemployment Board in withholding from the school committees the. assistance of the relief workers, whilst allowing other bodies to employ relief workers to do maintenance work for private individuals. ADDINGTON. The following committee was appointed:—Messrs B. Sloane (chairman), J. S. Barnett, W. Coote, S. J. Cooler, T. Falkinder, S. L. R. Halliwell, P. J. Malone, J. Moore and E. A Wendelborn. It was decided to hold a special meeting of householders to discuss dental clinic affairs. Mesdames A. M. Hewitt and E. A. Robb were appointed honorary visitors to the school for the committee. The meeting decided to support the system introduced this year, of electing the cflmmittee for two years. A resolution condemning the exclusion of five-year-olds was passed. Mr Sloane raised the question of the intermediate school at West Christchurch. He reported that at the present roll number it was impossible to carry out the functions of an intermediate school. After discussion, it was decided to recommend the incoming comrhittee that it protest against further decapitation of schools and to agitate for the restoration of Standards V. and VI. to AddingRICHMOND. The chairman said that if the school entrance age was reduced to five years it would be better for the school and more teachers would be required. On the motion of Mr J. M’Kellow it was decided that, as the children under six years of age were being denied physical, social and moral advantages by being debarred from attending school until the age of six years, the Government should be urged to restore the right of enrolment at the age of five years. The following committee wa's elected: —Messrs H. H. Congreve. W. P. Ingham, A. G. L. Mardon, R. Meadowcroft, W. Macßrayne, J. M’Kellow, N. Pragnell, J. J. Rowe and W. H. Simpson. BURWOOD. The following were elected from eight nominations:—Mrs W. Kerr (treasurer). Messrs A. J. Partridge (secretary), H. Hagglow, J. H. Rowse (chairman) and J. W. Betterklge. LINWOOD AVENUE. A remit from the School Committees’ Association soliciting an opinion regarding the institution of the twoyear period for a committee’s life was the subject of some discussion. A motion was carried to the effect that the meeting did not' approve of the measure, the opinion being held that householders would tend to lose interest if such an extension of time were adhered to. A resolution was passed that the meeting viewed with disfavour the action of the Government in excluding five-year-old children from the schools. The following committee was elected:—Messrs R. D. Brown, M. E. Bugg, H. Butterfield, R. P. Earl, S. A. Hanser, J. B. Ives, H. B. Kay, R. M’Pherson and T. Nuttall.

SYDENHAM. The following motions were carried:— (a) That the School Committees’ Association be urged to renew its advocacy of the system providing for the election of a school committee for a term of two years, half of the members to retire at the end of each year; (b) that this meeting is strongly of the opinion that the statute excluding from school the five-year-old child should be repealed, from the point of view of education, health and welfare generally. No election was necessary for the committee, the following nine members being automatically declared elected:— Messrs G. H. Bishop, J. G. Brown, J. Butterfield, H. W. Drewery, H. M. Fletcher, J. H. Pratt, P. Milne, W. A. Webb, W. Lloyd. Mr J. G. Brown was subsequently elected chairman. Mr R. Milne was appointed secretary and Messrs J, H. Pratt and A. Milne to the Dental Clinic Committee, in conjunction with the Addington and Waltham schools’ representatives. PHILLIPSTOWN. It was decided to support emphatically the admission of children at the age of five years, and to support also the extension of the life of school committees. The following were declared elected:— Messrs F. Agassiz, C. D. Barker, T. W. Burgess, T. S. Bishop, W. C. Cross, P. G. Cairns. R. Coates, W. Reynolds and L. H. Wyatt. Mr Burgess was elected chairman. BECKENHAM. The following resolution was carried: —“That this meeting of householders learns with pleasure of the willingness of the local ministers to conduct the Nelson system of Bible in schools in the Beckenham School and requests the incoming committee to facilitate its introduction '•by arranging for a conference at an early date." The following committee was elected: —Mrs O. A. C. Wilson (chairman), Messrs C. Durie, L. Fletcher, W. A. Godfrey. A. H. Hammett, H. Poskitt (secretary), S. F. Randall, E. A. Thompson and A. O. Ward. The meeting expressed itself as opposed to the extension of the life of school committees and also was opposed to the exclusion of five-year-old children from school. WEST SPREYDON. The election resulted as follows: Messrs G. Birss (chairman), T. Manson (honorary secretary and treasurer), J. Young, J. Grey. A Kirk, S. Atkinson, W. Small, N. Knight and E. Good. A letter was received from the Canterbury Education Board stating that permission had been granted to have a new rcom added to the school in place of the shelter shed, which was at present being used for teaching purposes. WOOLSTON. The following committee was elected:—Messrs C. W. Cater, L. V. Crotfers, C. E. Johnston, W. J. Knighton, A. Marquet, C. E. Pengelly, J. Radcliff, H. Sullivan and E. Teague. Mr Johnston was elected chairman and Mr Knighton secretary. The meeting approved of the extension of the life of committees to two years, but recommended that a householders’ meeting be held annually. The meeting expressed disapproval of the exclusion of five-year-old children from the schools. It was decided to protest to the Government about the wages paid to rationed teachers. KAIAPOI. The Mayor (the Rev W. H. A. Vickery) presided over an attendance of 139. The following resolutions were carried:—That this meeting recommends the incoming committee to investigate the possibilities of supplying free milk to all schoolchildren; that in future School Committee elections be held biennially; that it be a recommendation to the incoming committee to call a householders’ meeting next April to receive the annual report and balancesheet. The following committee was elected:—Mrs H. Rinaldi (secretary). Rev G. W. Hercus (chairman). Rev V. Burnet, Messrs H. Rinaldi, H. Rollinson, R. Stead. C. Joslin, W. C. Tourell and J. W. A. M’Dougall. RICCARTON. The election resulted . as • follows:—Messrs E. Evans (chairman), W. Taylor, W. H. Marsh, L. Wootton, W. Wood, C. Manson, D. Irvine, W. Eaton,. Winter Cole (secretary). The meeting urged that five-year-old children be again admitted. The remit regarding the election of school committees once in two years was discussed and a motion was passed which stated that it was not in the interests of the school. The chairman added that it was depriving the householders of rights. A further motion was passed that the education vote should be increased to allow adequate supplies of material for handwork, science, agriculture and school equipment genei’ally. At a committee meeting later the following officers were elected:—Messrs E. Evans (chairman), W. H. Marsh (de-puty-chairraan), W. Wood, L. Wcotton, W. Taylor, D. Irvine, C. Manson, W. Eaton, W. Cole (honorary secretary); delegates to the School Committees’ Association, Messrs W. H. Marsh, E. Evans, W. Wood; trustees, Messrs E Evans and Winter Cole. NEW BRIGHTON. Mr L. R. Hurrell was elected chairman and Mr G. Cattermole secretary of the meeting. In reply to a • questionnaire . from the School Committees’ Association, the meeting favoured five-year-old children being admitted to schools and also favoured annual householders’ meetings. On the motion of Mr W. Cant, it was decided that in the event of the Education Department not providing funds for firing, parents be requested to keep their children at home. On the motion of Mr A. E. Lawry it was decided “that this meeting of householders place on record its appreciation of the work of Mr W. M. Sexton.” It was decided to approach the Government and ask that hot milk be provided in winter. Mr A. E. Lawry was elected chairman and Mr L. R. Hurrell secretary. The election resulted as follows:—Mrs A. M. Brooks, Mrs J. Bellamy. Mrs Mary Moses, Messrs G. A. Cattermole, L. R. Hurrell. A. E. Lawry, F. W. Larcombe and R. H. Stapleton. SUMNER DISTRICT HIGH. The following wer;? elected unopposed:—Messrs L. Fee, chairman; L. S. Lipscombe, secretary; W. R. Urquhart, treasurer; Rev W. Martin, J. Browne, C. Manderson and Mesdames H. Gale and H. G. Tombs. SPREYDON. The meeting decided to oppose the extension of the lives of school committees to two years, and was also unanimous that the exclusion of five-year-old children was a retrograde step. The following committee was elected:—Messrs T. A. Coulter (chairman). D. Smith, W. Wills, C. Worner. M. f.e Comte, J. M’Elroy, L. Ditfort, J. Hider and G. Gee. MOUNT PLEASANT. The election resulted as follows:—Mrs P. E. Scott (chairman), Mrs M. Tindrell (secretary), Messrs H. Edgar, W. de Thier and E. C. Woodford.

RANGIORA. The committee was elected as follows:—Messrs C. J. Smith (chairman), S. G. Dailey (secretary), C. S. Ayers, C. L. Dalzell, C. J. Keir, T. F. May, M. C. Ormandy, W. A. Rowse and Archdeacon Purchas. It was agreed to express no opinion on the life of School Committees, but to express disapproval of the exclusion of five-year-old children. The incoming committee was requested to consider the holding of a school picnic. Mr A. Cambridge, who has retired alter thirteen years’ service on the committee, was accorded a special vote of thanks. WHARENUI. The meeting at Wharenui suggested to the incoming committee that a meeting shoiild be held every six months to enable householders to meet the committee for the purpose of discussing school affairs. This motion was carried, on account of the committee holding office for two years. There was an attendance of about ninety householders. In reply to a question, the chairman said that the support the committee was getting from householders did not warrant the installation of a clinic. The following committee was elected: Messrs L. F. Wallis, P. G. Stringer. D. Sheahan, E. W. H. Prebble, R. F. M’Kay, W. L. Macpherson, F. A. Kennard, E. Hansen and W. S. Coombs. Mr Stringer was elected chairman and Mr Prebble secretary. SOMERFIELD. The meeting d.ld not favour either the extension of the life of school committees to two years or the exclusion of five-year-olds. It was resolved to enter a protest against the cutting out of Government subsidies which, the meeting considered, was avoidance of responsibility. A subcommittee was appointed to make the protest to both the Prime Minister and the Minister of Education. The following resolution was carried: —“That this meeting requests the Education Department, where an epidemic occurs, to avoid penalising pupils on their attendance certificates, on production of a medical certificate.” The following committee was elected from thirteen nominations:—Mesdames E. Farmer. K. Hardie and L. M. Menzies. and Messrs H. D. Doidge, F. Milne, V. H. Smith, J. W. Woodbury (chairman), J. D. M’Lenaglian and J. A. Gibson. WAIMAIRI. It was decided to enter a protest against the Education Department excluding five-year-old children from school. The election of committee resulted:— Messrs F. A. Burrell, A. Claude, A. Dixey. F. L. Drury, A. Good, H. Green, L. Haynes, F. H. Musgrave and C. E. PAPANUI. A motion protesting against the exclusion of the five-year-old children from school was carried. The election resulted:—Messrs G. Wray, W. Sandford, S. Craighead, L. Claridge, R. Donald, A. Leach, J. Cains and E. Nettleton. WEST LYTTELTON. On the motion of Mr R. Norton, it was decided to forward a strong protest ■through the School Committees’ Association against the exclusion from schools of children under six years. The following committee was elected:—Messrs D. Kerr (chairman), G. Burnip, J. Stewart, A. T. E. Miller, R. Norton. A. Norton and R. T. Inge. FENDALTON. Mr, H. F. Penlington’s motion, that the meeting urge the readmission of five-year-old children to the schools, was carried after some discussion, two of those present dissenting. It was resolved that the incoming committee take steps to have a dental clinic instituted if the necessary financial arrangements could be made. The following committee were elected: —Dr Robinson E. Hall, Messrs A. E. Byrne. T. H. Beckett, M. C. Hurst, E. V. Green, R. G. Hamilton, U. F*. Peniington, H. Manhire and A. Stewart. ST ALBANS. At the St Albans School there was a record > .attendance of householders, brought about no doubt by a new element in school committee elections, a party of five candidates offering themselves for election, pledging themselves to make the welfare of the children their first consideration, and also to support the teachers. Mr Williams, J.F., presided. I r C. W. D. Sheppard moved the adoption of the annual report, and then began to refer to the good qualities of individual retiring committeemen, when a householder objected on . the grounds that the remarks savoured of electioneering. Mr Williams upheld the objection. The committee was elected in the following order: Messrs J. R. Atkinson, S. W. Franks, W. R. Strachan, S. C. Bird, J. Erasmuson, C. W. D. Sheppard. E. C. Price, S. B. Turnbull and A. Sword. A motion urging the Government to admit five-year-old children to th£ State schools was carried, only one householder (a woman) voting against the motion. In connection with the motion it was pointed out that church schools were enrolling five-year-old children. and probably once enrolled those children would be lost to the State schools. The meeting decided to support a proposal asking for legislation making it compulsory for a certain number oi committeemen to retire annually from the school committee, a ballot amongst the committee to decide who is to retire. Mr Williams moved a hearty vote of thanks to the headmaster (Mr Thwaites) and teaching staff for their devotion to duty during the year. This was carried amid great applause. ASHBURTON DISTRICT. Ashburton East. —Messrs W. S. Keir (chairman), E. H. Childs, J. Cook, C. G. Dellow, S. G. Groves, H. W. Sherratt. W. J. Miller, H. Money and W. H. Robinson. Ashburton Borough.—Dr J. Connor (chairman), Messrs W. C. J. Osman. W. H. Sarney, W. G. Welsh A. L. Jones, W. K. Waters, N. B. F. Wood * and L. W. Christmas. Allenton.—Messrs E. C. Bathurst (chairman), J. P. Boothroyd, H. GFerrier, J. Gibson, W. James, D. H. Moore, C. H. Maynard, J. M’Elhinney and G. H. Robinson. Tinwald.—Messrs J. H. Harper (chairman), T. Frew, J. Small, J. Stevenson, A. Wakelin, J. Lowery and A. Aldridge. TIMARU SCHOOLS. Main—Messrs L. A. Bowden, A. G. V. Dephoff, R. S. Gribben, G. Griffiths, C. E. Knight, E. Lawrence, A. I. Lund, A. Manning, J. W. Preen (chairman). Waimataitai—Messrs G. Benstead (chairman), S. W. K. Davie, J. A. England, A. R. Graham, W. Harte, C. H. Johnson, F. Mitchell, F. H: E. Ward and If. L. Warsaw. South (no election)—Messrs G. A. Booth, N. If. Dockrill, W. J. Dickson, L. C. Davies, W. W. Green, J. Pike, H. Simmons, A. A. Toneycliffe as?€l A. H. Wyatt (chairman). West —Messrs E. Laverty (chairman), P. Nicol, L. R. Breen, G. H. Ferguson, J. T. Dennison, R. W. Marshall, J. E. Chiles, J. M. C. M’Leod, A. Shipman. OTHER CENTRES. Belfast—Mr W. P. Spencer (chairman), Mrs W. P. Spencer, Messrs E. T. Wilson, S. Farquhar, E. Baynton, E. Cassidy, P. Thomas, E. M’Fadden, J. Don (secretary). Broadfield—Messrs J. T. Gallagher (chairman), R. J. Wheeler, C. J. Ryan, G. G. Smith. E. Guilford. Cheviot—Messrs A. C. Barnes, G. Telfer, A. C. Duller. C. F. Barnes. R. Brunton, C. Dierck, Rev G. Widdup. Darfield—Mr S. R. Oldridge (chairman), Nurse Finlayson, Messrs G. C. Warren, S. J. Bushel], A. M’Lay. Dromore—Messrs G. B. Cooper (chairman), W. If. Robinson, A. C. Hyde, P. Harris, J. S. Ensor. Duvauchelle—Messrs T. J. Wakelin (chairman), A. E. Pettigrew, G. M. Taylor. P. Haglund, J. Mould. Fernside—Messrs S. C. Hewitt (chairman), W. V. Guy (secretary), W. Smith, J. Hide, H. Gibbs. Goro Bay—Messrs R. B. Bennett (chairman), W. J. M’Clintock, A. Williamson, A. Tweedie, A. Goodman. Ifeathcote—Mesdames E. Shrimpton and J. Ranon, Messrs H. Bliss, A. Campbell, W. J. Burnell. Hornby—Messrs F. A. M’Teigue (chairman), H. R. Parker (secretary), E. Pearce. J. Kempthornft, L. O. Horinan, R. Lodge, S. E. Borland. H. D. Moran, J. A. C. Frogley. Kimberley—Messrs C. Pilbrough (chairman and secretary), J. Steele, F. Herbert, A. Bolton, A. Stott. Lob urn—Messrs J. Macleod (chairman), A. Kennedy, R. Kempthorne, R. Dunlop. R. Greenwood. Southbrook Messrs S. Watkins (chairman), 11. P. Frazer (secretary), C. M. Archer. W. Boiler, E. Doggett. Springfield.—Messrs C. Saundercoek (chairman), f.. P. Robinson (secretary and treasurer), J. A. Milliken, AV. M’H. Percy, E. 11. King.

Springbank.—Messrs C. Rands (chairman), R. G. Watson, G. B. Williams, James Miles, W. Matthews. Te Moana.—Messrs R. Bolckman (chairman), R. Robinson (secretary), W. Warne, G. Lynn, G. Burrows. Templeton. Messrs R. Johnston (chairman), D. Mackie (secretary), J. F. Wright, L. Guiness, W. Taylor. Weedons.—Owing to the fact that there was no quorum, no election took place. Woodend.—Messrs 11. Robertshaw (chairman), J. Southen (secretary), J. Durie, T. Huria, R. Burnet, H. Little and Mrs J. Crawford. Woodbury.—Messrs J. Farfield (chairman), C. Chisnall (secretary), G. Cain, A. M’Kenzie, Donald Bates. North Loburn—Messrs H. T. Metherell (chairman), L. P. Crowe, J. S. Hiatt, C. How and T. R. Parnham. Marshland—Messrs D. Goode (chairman), B. Chisnall (secretary), W. R. Andrews, A. Gibbs and Mrs R. Chisnall. North Beach—Messrs A. Florance (chairman), P. Freeborn (secretary), A. H. Henry, S. J. Margetts, A. E. Marriott, S. Norrie, W. E. Wilkins, J. Sands and R. H. Mahan. Okains Bay—Messrs W. Robinson (chairman), J. Harris, E. N. Moore, E. T. Coffin and R. C. Mason. Orari Bridge—Messrs W. Ford (chairman), A. Bruce, H. Coulter, L. Coulter and F. South. Ouruhia—Messrs E. A. Stead (chairman), H. M’Millan, H. Marsh. L. Cade and H. A. Dawber (secretary). Oxford District High—Messrs W. 11. Knowles (chairman), T. Doody, K. D. Henderson, J. W. Ivory, R. E. Judson, J. Mahoney, H. P. Thompson and Dr L. B. Burnett. 1 Rolleston—Messrs S. Gallard (chairman), L. Morrison (secretary), G. Burgess, J. Brosnahan and C. Serra. Sheffield—Mr F. J. Jenkins (chair- ; man), the Rev C. Robinson, Messrs James Baxter, J. D. Tooms and J. H. Jebson (secretary). Springston—Messrs J. Blakemore (chairman), E. Howarth (secretary), P. Bailey. C. Riordan and F. Hill. Geraldine.—The Rev A. C. Lawry, Messrs D. P. Bennett. S. H. Lapthorn, A. J. Burmister, C. C. Bennett, C. J. Hayward. A. Sutherland, J. S. Lorimer, L. Grandi.