WHITIORA.

Waikato Times, Volume 102, Issue 17077, 14 April 1927, Page 4

WHITIORA.

There were about 20 householders, including seven ladies, present at the meeting at Wh,itio.ra last night. Mr F. A. de la Mare occupied the chair. Committee's Report. Mr C W. Wycherley presented the following- report on behalf of the committee: — The past year has been a most successful one in every way. The roll number remains much the same as last year. School work and interests under the guidance of the headmaster have been maintained at the same high standard as in previous vcars, and the Inspectors' report for the vear is most satisfactory. School buildings have been cleaned and kept in good order, minor repairs have been attended to, and although a portion of the school has been in use for H vears it is surprising how few signs of wear are apparent. This is a matter of satisfaction, showing that the children have responded well to the training and influence of teachers in regard to the care of school property. The grounds, as the result of a fete held last year, have been further improved. The agricultural plot has been moved to a corner site, and the area previously used levelled and thrown into playground. A large lawn has been laid down by the infant school, and is now in regular use by the little children. A long shelter hedge has been planted along Willoughby Street, which shortly will give much-needed shelter during the colder winter months of the year. The lawn,, trees, shrubs and flower gardens have been well cared for and are in good order. As the result of a fancy dress ball funds were secured which enabled a piano to be obtained for the school, and this has proved to he a decided acquisition to the children and staff. In March of this year our second fete was held in the school grounds. A most successful function was held, the result enabling a sum of money to be banked as the nucleus of a swimming bath fund. The committee's best thanks are due to the ladies' committee and to the school staff who worked so' energetically. We would also express our appreciation to those who so kindly donated prizes and trophies for the children's sports events at the fete. The committee tenders to the headmaster and staff its warmest thanks and appreciation for their loyal service to the school.

Headmaster's Report.

The headmaster, Mr Hare, reported: In spite of the prevalence of epidemic sickness during last year the average, attendance was well maintained, and 125 good attendance certificates were gained by the pupils. The. number of children on the school roll Is 607, with a current average attendance of 554. During the year promotions throughout the school .reached a higher percentage than ever previously attained, while of the 78 candidates for the • proficiency examination 75 were successful. One pupil, Marion Lusk, gained a junior national scholarship, while four pupils passed the scholarship examination. A good measure of success was attained in the various school-work competitions held during the year. In singing the three choirs that competed at the Waikato Winter Show secured two firsts and one second. In the schoolwork section of the. Waikato Winter Show this school secured the highest number of points. The school also gained the points prize at the A. & P. Show. In the Waikato schools writing competition, promoted by the British and Colonial Industries, the school came second in aggregate points. The successes achieved in all the examinations and competitions mentioned are entirely owing to the keen interest, untiring effort, and teaching ability #f the members of the school staff, % whom I wish to extend my warmest thanks. Throughout the year pupils of the school took part In the various games and sports competitions with a pleasing degree of success. In basket ball four teams played throughout the season, the A and B teams coming

2nd and 3rd respectively in the «enior inter-school competition. Our thanks are due to Mr C. F. Sherley, who very generously donated movable basketball posts. In the inter-school tennis championships a pupil of the school, Peggy Sorby, won the girls' singles championship. This game is being well catered for at the school by the provision of three courts. In cricket good form was shown by the team, which came third in the inter-school matches. A properly-laid-down cricket pitch is an urgent need at the school In football three teams played weekly matches throughout the season, and the C team won the cup for their grade in a scries of keenly-contested matches. When the playing field is further improved a full-size football ground will be provided in the grounds. In the Waikato Schools' Championship sports the school secured second place with 05 points, taking 9 firsts, 1G seconds, 6 thirds, and winning the cup for the junior girls' relay. At the inter-school swimming sports the girls of the school gained second place in points and the boys third place in their section. It is encouraging to know that there is a good deal of local interest in the direction of establishing swimming baths in the school grounds. The most pressing of present school needs is the completion of the levelling and grassing of the playing field. I think there can be no question of the great mental, moral and physical benefits derivable from our games and sports competitions. The members of the school staff who, in their own time, and often at considerable inconvenience, coach the children, supervise the games and attend the numerous matches played, deserve the very sincere thanks and appreciation of all concerned. The beautifying of the grounds has steadily developed and the effects of the fine environment so secured are apparent in many ways on the school life generally. The very fine piano provided for the school is of great assistance to the musical life of the school, and this important phase of our work would be further greatly assisted by the provision of a gramophone and suitable records. A school museum would prove of great value. Class libraries have in a good many cases been provided by the pupils themselves, but there is a real need for much more to be done in this direction. The introduction of the system of school lending libraries, as in operation in the Auckland city schools, would prove a great blessing in Hamilton schools. In regard to the recently established system of receiving savings bank deposits at the school, I should like to express my cordial approval of this method of encouraging the habit or thrift amongst the pupils. It seems to me that the prominence given in recent years to Ihe matter of the children's health through the establishment of dental clinics for children, the medical examination of school children, and the general publicity given to the subject has borne fruit in what seems to me the greatly improved appearance of our children in all respects as contrasted with that of several years ago. A dangerous practice has arisen in this district of children walking along the streets instead of footpaths. The latter are now in better condition, and I shall be glad of the assistance of parents in suppressing this practice. In conclusion, I desire to express my sincere appreciation of the uniformly helpful and sympathetic attitude adopted by the parents of the pupils, and also many thanks to the chairman and members of the school committee. I also wish to speak in the highest terms of the general conduct and attitude towards their work and school displayed at all times by the school children. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Thrift Scheme. The chairman stated: "The scheme was started on November 4. and has been in operation 1G weeks; 98 children joined upon the first day and today there are IGO depositors from this school. The total amount of money paid in is £ll2 odd, which works out at an average deposit of £7 per week. I think this reflects great credit on your school, and I personally jvould like to congratulate your headmaster and the staff on the interest they must have taken in this matter, the children who have helped to make this scheme such a success, and Mr Cracknell, who was largely responsible for the scheme. I notice that other schools are coming into the scheme, and I would like to see all the schools in Hamilton join up." The headmaster and staff were heartily congratulated on the success of the school in all branches of its work.

The balance-sheet showed that the year started with a balance in the bank of 17s Bd, and finished with a credit balance of £l7 8s Gd.

The New Committee.

The election of committee resulted in the return of Dr. S. de la Mare, B. D. Andrews, G. R. Bradley, J. D. Cann, W. F. Choate, H. Cracknell. M. A. Gall, C. Nisbet, and C. W. Wycherley.

Mr de la Mare congratulated the headmaster, staff and committee on the excellent work done. He was glad to see that proper emphasis was' being laid on sports, which taught the children many lessons which would prove helpful in later life. Music was also an important part of school work, and in this connection he would like, to see an assembly hall at every school, where the musical life of the school could find expression. The thrift' scheme, too, was an extraordinarily valuable thing. He was glad In know that the movement was spreading. Mr de la Mare closed with an urgent plea for support for the swimming bath. Tributes were paid to Mr Cracknell for the good work done in connection with the thrift scheme.

The inspectors' report was read as follows: —Classrooms and grounds are in fine order. The tone and discipline arc excellent. The members of the staff evince ,a praiseworthy earnestness and industry in their work and, under the helpful direction of the headmaster, their efforts have produced a very pleasing state of efficiency.

Votes of thanks to the chairman and the press closed the meeting..

At a subsequent meeting of the committee Mr C. W. Wycherlcy was elected chairman and Mr 11. Cracknell secretary.