THE SCHOOLS.

Wairarapa Age, 8 May 1924, Page 2

THE SCHOOLS.

FERNRIDGE. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report of the Fernridge school states: —The roll number and attendance has steadily increased, the average roll for 1923 being 89 and average attendance 79. For last month the roll number was 94 and attendance 87. You are therefore entitled to the services of an extra teacher. At the end of the financial year the credit balance was £57 2s lOd, with a further £53 6s 6d due to account from the Education Department as subsidies for monies raised. Of this amount £67 0s lid is due for repairs to the school and the erection of a bicycle shed, and a further £22 Is 8d is due to the library account. When all monies are collected and all accounts paid,- the new committee should have a balance of about £2O. We are again indebted to Mr G. H. Perry for the use of his paddock for football practice, and to Mr W. Andrew' for the kindly and tangible assistance which he has always given the school. Under Miss Campbell and Miss Ramsay, the singing class made a creditable showing at the Masterton competitions, winning £3 12s in prize money, which is donated by the performers towards the school library. A further sum of £7 8s lOd was collected for the same purpose at a school concert. The money was sent to the Board to obtain subsidy upon it, and has not yet been returned. A library subsidy of 19s 3d is also due, and a swimming subsidy of £4 Is was obtained during the year. The head teacher’s annual report states, inter alia:—As the average attendance for the four quarters ending March 31, 1924, exceeded 81, the school rose a grade at the end of that period, and is now classified as a grade 1118 school. This entitles it to the services of another assistant teacher, and Miss McGrath, of the Lansdowne school, has been appointed to fill the vacancy. The year just ended has, owing to the high roll number, been a difficult one, but the children have made satisfactory progress in their studies. Visits were paid to the school by Mr Moss, member of the Education Board, and Mr Powell, assistant clerk of works, Mr Cowles and Mr Blackic, inspectors. Mr Cowles examined proficiency candidates, and of eleven candidates from this school 6 obtained proficiency, 1 endorsed competency, 2 competency, and 1 was recommended for a free place at a technical school. All the pupils, excepting two in the senior class room and one in. the junior, were promoted at the end of the year. The general health of the pupils throughout the year has been satisfactory. One family only was affected by measles, which w’ere rather prevalent in surrounding districts in October. The children who entered for singing at the Masterton Competitions acquitted themselves creditably. The “Fly and Young Challenge Shield” was awarded to them, and they won £3 12s in prize-money. MANGATAINOKA. ANNUAL REPORT. The attendance has been satisfactory. The average number on the roll on March 31 last year was 117. This year it was 114. The inspector’s annual report was very favourable. Out of the 18 scholars who sat for proficiency 15 passed and two gained their competency certificates. Scholars were very successful at the recent horticultural show' held in Pahiatua. At the annual shooting match the medal was won by Jock Tate. The annual school social was a great success, and resulted in £9 9s lOd being available for the school picnic prize fund and tennis fund. The annual school picnic was held in December at about the usual date, and the committee thank all who helped to make the day such a pleasant one. The retiring committee had proposed to top dress part of the playground with tar and sand, and pledged themselves to help with the work.

PAHIATUA. The meeting at Palitatua was attended by 33 persons. The ballot re'sulted in the return of the following, the six retiring members being all reelected:—W. R. Richardson (chairman), H. Wadsworth (secretary), O. Johnson, J. J. Boagey, F. W. Groves, W. H. Dempsey, A. P. Fox, R. IT. Taylor, W. C. Robinson. Hukanui.—G. Twentynian (chairman), McDonald (secretary), Bartos*, Mabey. Alfrcdton.—S. M. George (chairman), G. R. Murray (secretary), G. H. Hartley, C. Smith, T. Smith. Rongomai.—Meeting lapsed for want of a quorum. Pleckville.—No meeting held. Nireaha.—A small attendance. Committee appointed: J. Spring (chairman), J. Eulton, W. Terry, C. Goss* L. Scorrar, White Scott (secretary.) Tiraumea.—No election. Cros s Creek.—At a poorly attended meeting the following were elected:— A. G. Edwards (chairman), F. Haro (secretary), V. Rasmussen, W. Erickson, J. p. Traill, Ihuraua.—Thomas Dunn (chairman), Edwin Henry Dagg, Thomas Avery Weston, Edward Sydney Matson, Ernest Chisnall. Hamua.—J. T. Cavanagh (chairman), T. O’Dea (secretary), R. Cavanagh, P. Davies and W. J. Ryan. Miki Miki.—L. Welch (chairman) H. West, H. Datson, A. G. Wyeth and W. R. Wyeth. Scarborough.—D. O’Brien (chairman), C. E. Sebelin, C. Wilcock, n. Baker and J. G. Brechin. Makamako.—No quorum. Ngaturi.—James Dick (chairman and secretary), H. Cotter, W. Herbert, F. Piercey, and Joseph Moore. Mangaramarama.— No committee elected. Mangamaire.—M. Lawson (chairman), If. Broadbent (secretary ami treasurer), J. Maddock, and Mrs Maddock.

Ballance. —J. Gibson (chairman), k. H. Croad (secretary), L. Polglase, R. I’oss and G. McKeown. Konini.— D. Kelly (chairman), C. Connell (secretary), F. Ridder, O. Stone and T. Verry. Ruawhata.—Meeting lapsed. The chairman (Mr F. V. Bryant), and the secretary (Mr R. P. Yates) being the only persons in attendance. Kaitawa. —D. S. Ross (chairman), G. Baker (secretary), J. Beckett, E. Condon and W. Beales.