THAMES DISTRICT

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXXVI, Issue 9061, 20 April 1937, Page 3

THAMES DISTRICT

WANTS OF SCHOOL COMMIT* EES REPORT BY MR THORN ;/ WAIKINO AND WHANGAMATA Early last year when the Ministe of Education, Hon. P. Fraser, visits Paeroa, he requested the member fo the district, Mr J. Thorn, M.P., t compile a list of requirements of th various schools in the electorate. M Thorn has now forwarded a repor dealing with these requirement concerning some sixteen school com mittees. We publish his report ai affecting the Waikino and Whangamata districts as follows: — Waikino: The following are the immediate requirements at this school. Although the committee was promised a grant of £SO by the Auckland Education Board for the levelling of the football ground, it was unable to get the work done because there are no contractors for such work in Waikino. The committee urges that all such work in schools should be done by the Public Works Department, where contractors are not available. School committees would then not be faced with the postponements of works for which grants have been offered. The following ground improvements are required:— Football ground: This needs levelling, draining, manuring and sowing. Area, a little over an acre. : Approximately 300 yards scooping, 100 yards top soil double handed, greatest depth to scoop, 18 inches, one-quarter acre of gorse and scrub to be cleared. Basketball court: Approximately 30

yards scooping. This court and the tennis court to be asphalted, also one-quarter acre round the school and 75 yards of footpath. Play sheds (s): These require a verandah over the entrance for protection from the weather. Corrugated iron fence: Two and a-half chains needed between the school' and .bowling green. 6ft high, and, if possible, painted.

Milk Ration: The committee strongly supports this. It suggests that in country schools, where the milk is not delivered in bottles, the department should supply shallow cupboards for cups which would accommodate 50 cups each, so that the cupboards could be hung up flat on any convenient wall. Schools which have cocoa funds could be supplied as well.

The Waikino committee also recommends that the consolidation of schools should be taken out of the hands of local school committees, and that the decision to consolidate should be arrived at by the Education Boards. It also expresses the view that the installation of radio equipment in schools is a national concern, and that all schools shou'd • be. equipped at the earliest moment. Whangamata: This district is on the east coast of the peninsula, about 25 miles from Waihi. The school is a small one. A meeting of parents decided on the following recommendations: — (1) Heating facilities: At present there is only an oillieater in the school, which does rot warm the building unless the windows are closed, and it produces a somewhat unhealthy odour; It is suggested that a* stove (a Shacklock "Tui" would be suitable) be installed. (2) Completion of tennis court: by means of a considerable amount of voluntary labour, tho foundation of the school tennis court has beenjlaid. This entailed the cartage, spreading, knapping and rolling of some 50 loads, of material. Tho court requires surfacing with clay or other .material and sealing with Colflx. The provision of netting and supports around the court is also required. Application is therefore made for the completion of the court and the provision of netting, etc. (3) Improvement of playground: The school grounds are of a very sandy nature. A playing are---bas been levelled but it is . all ■ soft ■sand. It is suggested that this be surfaced and sealed so that the childTen can play, drill, etc., on a clean and solid area. (4) Provision of library books: The .school is small and the library ,is thus somewhat "meagre. It is suggested that a grant of, say, £5 be made available for iurther books which would be keenly appreciated in an isolated country ■ditsriet such as this. (4) Extension of school building: The school building is small (flour space lift by 18ft 6ins) and the accommodation for about 16 pupils and teacher is somewhat taxed. It is suggested that the building be extended on the west side. .

With respect to the free supply of milk, there is in the district no source of supply with reasonable delivery facilities that would appear to be sufficiently hygienic for the purpose the parents were unanimous in considering that a daily orange ration would be greatly preferable. At the time of writing, I still await replies from the Waihi schools and those at Wharepoa, Hikutaia West, Kopu, Matatoki, .Kauaeranga, Tairua akfcnd Kerepeehi.