OTOROHANGA NEWS.

Waipa Post, Volume XIX, Issue 1054, 12 February 1921, Page 5

OTOROHANGA NEWS.

• School committee.

A letter having been received from a resident complaining that a child had been refused admittance to the Otorohanga School, because of a congestion in the accommodation, a special meeting of the School Committee was held last evening to discuss the situation.

Those present were: Rev. J. D. McFarlane (chairman), Mrs H. Quin and Messrs. Liddy and A. Closey. Mr. Hall, headmaster, attended and gave particulars of the present state of the Otorohanga School as regards accommodation. In his opinion he thought the time had come for the committee to move in the direction of getting further accommodation, foi the near future had to be considered. The schoolroom floor space provided for 192 pupils, but as the building was badly contrived, the present attendance, of say 165, was about all that could be accommodated. The Board based the accommodation space at 10 square feet for each pupil. Though not over congested the school w£,s rapidly becoming too small, one room being overcrowded. If the porch was used it would, of course, be most inconvenient and was not to be recommended.

Mr A. Closey referred to the necessity of getting the children (some 20 odd) from the Pirongia Road into the school. At present they did not attend any school. They would have to travel some three miles. However, there was a batch of eight coming in on Monday. Mr Hall said if those eight came on Monday, matters would become very strained. If the twenty spoken of from Pirongia Road, came in, it would help the position in regard to getting further accommodation. Rev. McFarlane said he understood it would cost £2 10/ per day for motor hire to bring the children in. The grant for this was 9d per head. Of course, it would be cheaper to get a teacher for these children, but then there was the difficulty of finding a teacher to undertake the work.

In reply to a question, Mr Hall said he had a full staff of teachers now, but if they got another thirty pupils they would be allowed another teacher. Miss Claridge‘s room was already overcrowded, and if the extra attendance referred to came about he would have to move one of her junior classes and give it over to the pupil teacher.

Rev. McFarlane said, he thought they ought to get an estimate of the cost of the conveyance of the children from the'Pirongia Road district to the school.

On the motion of Mr Closey it was decided to invite estimates of cost of conveyance for the children from the .Pirongia Road and also from the Kawatea Pa. After further discussion of the position, it was moved by Mrs Quinn and seconded by Mr McFarlane that further steps be taken to impress upon the Board of Education the necessity of purchasing the section now under offer for the purpose of a new school.—This was carried.

TOWN BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Otorohanga Town Board w*as held on Thursday evening. Present: Crs. Phillips (chairman), Elliott, Bell, Seymour and Benner. Public Health Act. In response to a circular from the Public Health Department it was resolved that the Board write to the Public Health Office, proposing that the Department’s inspector be appointed to act for the Boa.d and that the Board offer £lO per annum towards the inspector’s salary. Kawliia Bailway.

A letter from the Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce was read and it was resolved that the invitation from the Te Awamutu Chamber of Commerce to attend a meeting of delegates in connection with the pi’oposed formation of a Railway Board, he acknowledged, but stating it would not be convenient for any member of the Board to attend. i Electric Power. It was resolved that a letter of appreciation be sent to the Te Awamutu Electric Power Board for their action in trying to keep the Hora Hora available power for its “outei areas” instead of allowing it to be diverted to Auckland l , and request the Board to fight hard to retain the power for the country districts which need same far more than the city of Auckland—bearing in mind that a definite promise to that end. had been made by Sir Wm. Fraser. County Boundaries.

The chairman’s action in attending the Wharepapa Board’s meeting at Te Awamutu to discuss the county boundaries question was approved. It was resolved that the Auckland City Council be, paid £l2 for the hire of moulds for concrete work —the same to be charged to the £2900 loan account.

The Hospital Board’s levy of £2O was passed for payment. Footpaths.

The chairman reported that they had had expert advice, together with an estimate, regarding the proposed asphalting of the town footpaths—the approximate cost being £350.

It was resolved that 50 chains of asphalting be done in Maniapoto and Tahoro Streets in completion of the footp’ath formation scheme, and that half the cost of same, be chargeable to owner of adjoining properties. The works committee was instructed to obtain the necessary materials and labour, and provide for proper supervision of the work. The work’s committee was authorised to have all the hollows at the south end of Maniapoto Street filled in with metal before the winter. The formation of a footpath opposite Pratt’s was authorised and left to the works’ committee to attend to. Noxious Weeds.

The clerk was instructed to give notice to all occupiers of sections to clear their property of same from all noxious weeds within Beven days and that those who have

already been notified and have not cleared their sections, be sued. General Items. The action of the chairman in procuring piping for a new bore in Maniapoto Street was approved and it was decided that a bore be put down next to the power shed behind the Town Hall. .

It was also resolved that Mr Tlaylor be engaged to put a deep well pump or bore at the corner of Kawana. Street.

It was resolved that the Union Bank * be ’asked to remove the trees on its section overhanging the footpath in Maniapoto Street. It was resolved that the hall committee draw up a schedule of the caretaker’s duties and that one member of the committee inspect the hall weekly. It was decided that the Board take steps to acquire under tli£_- Public Works Act, the Orahiri and three slands for a Domain and recreation reserve.

It was also resolved that the works’ committee look in o the question of dedication of Pine Street and the street on left of same, and if necessary arrange for legislation in connection with same.