SCHOOLS INSPECTED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 69, 22 March 1934, Page 4

SCHOOLS INSPECTED

REPORT BY BOARD CHAIRMAN WORK OF COMMITTEES PRAISED. “I have to report that since the last meeting of the board I visited the following schools with the secretary and Mr. Swanger: Wangaehu, Turakina, South Makirikiri, Mount View, Greatford, Marton Junction, Marton District High, Manchester Street, Lytton Street, Taonui, Bunnythorpe, Mount Diggs, Sanson, Parewanui, Bulls, College Street, West End, Palmerston North Central, Hokowhitu, Terrace End, Russell Street, Milson Line, reported the ’chairman of the Wanganui Education Board (Mr. E. F. Henr.ugway) to yesterday’s meeting. “In the Marton district we were accompanied by Mr. A, S. Coleman and in Palmerston North district by Colonel Whyte, to each of whom I am indebted for assistance. “As in the case of the schools visited in other centres I found the buildings and grounds in ’ every »case in first-class order. The College Street old building, however, i s in a very dilapidated condition, and I am of opinion that the question of re-building must be given early consideration. I have made representations to the Minister on the matter, and have re ceived his assurance that he will make a personal inspection at the earliest possible date. “Having now seen most of the principal schools in th© board’s district, I am able to state that the work carried out by the •committees is deserving of the highest praise. I do not think there is an education district in the Dominion where the schools and grounds are better kept than those in the Wanganui Board’s district. The care and attention bestowed on the grounds are evidence of that cordial spirit of co-operation that should always exist between the teachers and the committees. The state of the buildings reflected credit or the board’s architect, Mr. E. R. Hodge, and his staff. “I regret, to notice that the Unemployment Board has decided to refuse to allow school committees to take advantage of unemployed labour for the

maintenance of school grounds. Tn several cases committees have, with the aid of unemployed labour, carried uut improvements worth some hundreds of pounds to school grounds. The committees do not intend to maintain these grounds for all time with the aid of unemployed labour, but they do claim when labour is “going begging” they should be allowed to take advantage of it, as they have not the funds wherewith to engage ordinary labour, and the time is most inopportune to call upon the public for assistance. When the period of financial stringency has passed then the committees will take steps to raise the necessary funds to maintain in good order the improvements they have effected. The employment of unemployed men in this connection canuct be said to be usurping the duties of ordinary employees, as the committees, without the aid of the public, would not be able to employ ordinary labour. Representations should, I think, be made to the Unemployment Board to induce them to allow the unemployed labour to be used on school grounds until such time as the financial condition of the country warrants •committees calling upon the public for assistance. After all, the school grounds are the property of the State, and 1 do not see what objection can be raised to the unemployed assisting the committees to maintain them. Committees, I consider, should be encouraged and not discouraged in their good work. “Sin'ce the last meeting requests have been received from the Rangitikei and the Wanganui School Sports Associations for the granting of holidays to schools to enable them to compete in their respective annual sports meetings. The dates of these meetings are March 14 and S 3 respectively, and 1 have granted holidays pc-’ord-i ngly. “On Saturday. .March 10, I visited the sports meeting conducted bv the Folding and District School Sports Association, of which I am patron. It was very pleasing to note the manner in which the school committees and genera] public supported this very successful function.”