OTAUTAU SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Western Star, 20 August 1929, Page 2

OTAUTAU SCHOOL COMMITTEE

The monthly meeting on Monday evening was attended by G. Sinclair (chairman), Baker, Bone, Liddell, Thomson, F. H. Hill and McCrostie (secretary). An apology was received from Mr Wesney. The Chairman reported that in the meantime the proposal to convey school children from the outlying districts had been turned down, but he understood the Southland Education Board was getting into communication with the Education Department with a view to getting a bus to convey the children from Waikouro and Strathvale to Otautau. The picture night passed off fairly well, and a sum of about £8 was netted. No further word had been received from the Commercial Travellers relative to giving a concert in aid of the funds.

—Headmaster’s Report.— The headmaster (Mr Theo Walker) reported that th e roll number for the period ending July 26th was 220, and the average attendance was 194.6. Sickness had been very prevalent in the district. On four days the attendance was below threequarters of the average roll, while there were many more days Avhen the attendance was over three-quarters of the roll. As a consequence the average attendance for. this quarter would be below that required to ,-etain the services of the present staff. Since last report the Board’s workmen had renewed the fence in the frontage, and this added considerably t 0 the appearance of the grounds. Miss Robertson had been absent from school through sickness. During her absence Miss Gwen Matlieson was appointed relieving teacher. Inspectors’ if jca ts were endorsed.

Correspondence was reveived fiom Mr A. Hamilton M.P., relative to the conveyance of children to the school at Otautau. He enclosed a l*fter from the Minister of Education stating that the application could not be granted on the ground that the scheme was too costly.—Members deprecated the short-sighted policy of the Department in not agreeing to the suggestion, especially as it was favouring the centralisation of schools in the Dominion —It was resolved that the Department be again communicated with, and that Mr Adam Hamilton be thanked for his interest in the matter, the secretary to supply him with further information. The Chairman stated that the Inspectors’ reports were very gratifying and reflected credit on the headmaster and staff.

The secretary was directed to write to the Southland Electric Power Board pointing out that as electricity was used purely f o r heating and sterilising purposes the rate for cooking b e allowed.

Messrs Wesney and Fisher were appointed a visiting committee for the month.