MARTON

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 109, 10 May 1934, Page 10

MARTON

W.D.F.U. PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE The Wellington Central Provincial Executive held its quarterly annual meeting in Marton on Tuesday, Mrs. W. Stevens presiding. A most enthusiastic and earnest representation attended from the following branches: Taihape, Ohingaiti, Hunterville, Rata. Tutaenui, Marton, Feeding, Turakina and Palmerston North. The meeting was opened with prayers, Rev. Raine officiating. Following the reading and confirmation of previous minutes the president read her report of the year’s work. /The secretary, Mrs. J. A. Harris, placed before the retiring committee the financial statement of the executive. Both these officials were accorded many thanks for their reports and all the hard work they had performed on behalf of the division. The new committee was elected for the ensuing year resulting as follows: President, Mrs. D. Simpson (Marton); vice-presidents, Mrs. W. Stevens (Marton) and. Mrs. Howell (Palmerston N.); secretary, Airs. J. A. Harris (Turakina); committee, Airs. Colquhoun (Feilding), Airs. Howie (Taihape), Miss McManaway (Rata); organiser, Mrs. Niederer (Palmerston North); Press correspondent, Airs. Feild (Palmerston North), who was unable to be present; representative for conference, Mrs. Stevens (Alarton). Affiliation fee of 10s was fixed for each branch.

Alany remits were discussed, two were referred to the Farmers’ Union, while others will go to the Bush Nurse and Housekeepers’ Auxiliary, and the rmaining be finalised at conference. The retail price of butter and a suggestion for a “Use Alore Butter” campaign caused lengthy debate. The president urged members to add to their roll new members, and -where possible, new branches, and to give wholehearted support to the ideals the division stands for. The Marton branch provided luncheon and afternoon tea for the visitors.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE The Marton D.H. School Committee met on Tuesday evening, Mr. H. J. Fowler presiding over Messrs. R. Gill (hon, sec.), T. H. Ellison, H. Wysocki, L. Williams, H. Frederick, E. Fletcher, W. Capipbeil and T. W. Reid. The Women Teachers’ Association, Rangitikei branch, wrote expressing appreciation for use of the school for a recent social evening, and enclosing a small contribution. The secretary to the board wrote advising that an inspection of the building would be made to report on cracks and other defects, and advising that the matter of improving the

ventilation of one of the class rooms, in respect of which a complaint had been made, would be before the next meeting of the board. The board granted Air. J. B. Johnstone extended leave of absence as from March 17 to 24 on account of illness. Committee May Resign Following consideration of a letter from the Wanganui Education Board intimating that the grants to the Alarton District High School were to be reduced further, the committee last night framed a strong protest and intimated that if satisfactory consideration were not given to their views, they were prepared to resign. The meeting was unanimous that a strong protest be sent, and a letter along the following lines was drafted for submission to the board by the chairman:—

“I am directed by my committee to enter the strongest possible protest against the further reduction of the committee’s grants and allowances for the current year, which will, on last year’s figures, amount to over £25. At no time, for years past, have the grants received been sufficient to defray the absolutely necessary expenses of the school, such as cleaning and sanitary service, fuel and lighting, sta tionery and repairs and maintenance, and the giants and allowances have been whittled down degrees and in various ways until tne task of the committee has become impossible. It may be possible to make bricks without straw at the expense of quality, and keep up the output, but when even the clay is withheld the task is beyond the bounds of possibility.

The balance-sheet of the committee showed very plainly that it was only possible to balance the accounts on account of a large sum raised by voluntary effort. It is extremely unlikely that the committee will be so fortunate during the current year, and the committee anticipated having to exercise the most rigid economy to balance its accounts at the end of the year, with grants as they were last year. Now that both general and special grants have been reduced to an amount that will be less by £25 (as stated above), than last year’s grants, the outlook is hopeless. The balance carried forward from last year has all been expended in settling outstanding accounts, principally on account of upkeep and maintenance of the grounds, and certain improvements which were in hand but not completed, and the committee has only the money just received to meet caretaker’s wages (£25), and all other expenses of the school until the next grant is due. If it is the policy of the board and the Education Department to lower the standard of upkeep of the school, it can only be done by reducing the expenditure on cleaning and sanitary services, on upkeep of grounds, and on general repairs and maintenance. Such a policy docs not meet with the approval of my committee, and if insisted

on will render it necessary for the committee to consider whether or nor it will continue to be burdened with the hopeless task of trying to make ends meet.

I desire to make it clear that my committee does not hold the board entirely responsible for the present state of affairs, as it realises that the hoard has to do the best possible with the funds at its disposal. Such an admission, however, does not pledge the committee to agree with the policy of the Government in starving the schools in respect of funds for essential services. In the expenditure of public moneys my committee feels that education has paramount claims. It is with regret that my committee finds itself obliged to adopt the attitude outlined above, but after many years have been spent gratuitously in bringing the school and its surroundings to their present position, it feels that it cannot agree to any policy which will result detrimentally, and it therefore requests the board to reconsider its decision. ’ ’ A statement as to annual expenditure on essential services, which, the committee was unanimous, could not be further reduced, is to be incorporated in the protest. JUNIOR FOOTBALL On account of the withdrawal of Athletic junior football team, the Junior Shield competition under the jurisdiction of the Rangitikei Rugby Union has been abandoned, and consequently there will be no Wednesday football played in Marton. At the weekly meeting of the management committee of the Manawatu Rugby Union, held last evening, Marton Football Club advised willingness to enter a junior team in the Wednesday competitions. Mr. Hatch said the Wednesday enthusiasts were very pleased at Marton ’s decision. Advice was also received of the formation of a club in Feilding to participate in the Wednesday competitions, junior grade, to be known as Kowhai Club. The secretary reported the following nominations for the Wednesday competition: Star, St. Patrick’s. United, Pirates (2), Kowhai and Marton.

A Remarkable Escape. A remarkable escape from serious injury was experienced by Air. Terence Williams, aged 20. when he fell down a ventilation chute at the Civic Theatre, Auckland, and slid about 40 feet down the spiral chute. He received only a slight cut on the head and a bruised baefl. A rope was thrown down to him, and he climbed to the top of the chute without much difficulty. Mr. Williams was working near the operators’ box when the accident occurred. A St. John Ambulance was called, and Mr. Williams was taken to the Auckland Hospital. Two stitches were put in the wound in his head, and he went home later