MATAMATA.

Waikato Times, Volume 101, Issue 16948, 10 November 1926, Page 10

MATAMATA.

Primary School. In his monthly report on Ihe primary school Mr .1. K. Wells, M.A. (headmaster), stated that the average roll number was 285. with an average attendance of 250.7. As Ihe Education Board had intimated that it could not sec its way lo increase Ihe present staff, which is Insufficient for such a large number of pupils, a reorganisation of the whole school has had to be carried out lo relieve (lie congestion in Hie lower classes. Sixteen pupils of Standard 111. have been moved into Standard IV. room, 29 of Standard 11. into Standard ill. room, and all of Standard J. have been placed in with Standard .11. This has thrown harder work upon the two senior assistants, but if has enabled two assistants lo take charge of 113 infants. As regards staffing, Ihe school is in a peculiar position. Last year if was half a teacher overstaffed; this year if has been half a lonelier understaffed, according lo average attendance. In face of this fact Ihe recent epidemic has dealt the .school two severe blows. It lias increased the nun.bcr of backward children and at Ihe same lime robbed the school of ; n average attendance which would have ensured an extra leachcr for next year. As mailers stand Hie school is enHlied to half a one qui*

' Dealing with Ihe progress of the scholars, the headmaster stated that considering the tremendous difficulties under which they are labouring the staff is to be congratulated on Hie work it is doing. Rugby Union Social.

The annual social was held at the Town Hall on Friday, when there was a large attendance. During the evening the trophies for the past season were presented to the winning clubs. In Hie absence of the president, Mr .1. Cummings, who is ,away in Australia, and of Mr T. A. Cooper, president of Hip Waikuto Union, who was unable to be present owing to illness, the prizes were presented by Mr F. E. Lark (secretary Matamala Rugby Union).

The honours list reads as follows: — Senior caps (presented by Mr .1. Cummings for competition amongst senior reps), Messrs L. Fausett. Stewart, Story, McCarthy, Abrahams, C. Woods, Harding, Wilson. Bcnnell, O'Ncil, Thompson, Sutherland, Thrupp, Kultz, Cooper, Cooper, Dcvey and Douglas; junior cup (presented by Messrs W. Egan, J. P. While and E. I tad ford), Matamala junior team; Stockdale cup (knock out), Palelcre junior learn; senior banner (presented by Mi' 13. Howe), Walton senior learn; Roignrd Cup (knock out), Wallon senior team; Boyce cup, won from Cambridge by Matamala juniors, who v.ere undefeat-

ed during Ihe past season; the leajn also successfully defended the. challenge of Ihe Cambridge juniors. Junior cup (presented by Messrs .1. Wilson and T. Hccps), Matamala junior team; medal (presented r/ Mr B. Hawes for most improved back in Malamata Club), fi. Egan; third grade, cup and banner (presented by Mr V. Wirk), Matamala junior High School learn: primary school cup (presented by Mr J. Cummings), Matamala primary school. At the conclusion of Ihe prize-giving Ihe Malamata juniors presented their manager, Mr .1. Weal, with an enlarged photograph of Ihe team as a slight token or their regard. Mr Weal, in responding, expressed his thanks for Ihe hoys' kindly thought. Dancing was carried on lill a late hour, music, being supplied by Miss j Malligan's orchestra, and the function ; can he collided as one of Ihe mosl enI joyablc yet held. ! The Rainfall. The highest rainfall yet recorded for one month in Malamata occurred during October. II amounted lo 10 inches, the. previous highesl reading being ;>.S7 inches during April, I',i2i. Although conditions have, been so wet, a good deal of wind has also been ex-

perienced and the water has disappeared rapidly. Fortunately in the winter months the rainfall is usually not so heavy, as the absence of both sun and wind would make matters much worse than at this period of the year.