PIRONGIA SCHOOL.

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18342, 30 May 1931, Page 8

PIRONGIA SCHOOL.

A STORMY MEETING. SOME LIVELY EXCHANGES. THE COMMITTEE RESIGN. At a meeting of the Pirongia School Committee, Mr Buchanan presiding, sharp differences of opinion and stormy passages generally were ex- . perienced. There was a full attend- . ance of members. 1 The minutes of the householders’ meeting came in for some criticism from the women members who questioned the accuracy of the amount of expenditure mentioned as being spent on improvements. The chairman pointed out that well over £2OO had been spent on the new septic tank system, in addition to a grant of £25 for improvement to the school paths and a good deal of valuable work done by working bees. The propriety of holding meetings in a private house was the next item to be questioned. This method had been followed to some extent in the past when meetings were held at the house of the chairman. The secretary pointed outjthat thß arrangement was made to suit,the convenience of two members who lived on the western side of the river and because of the poor lighting arrangements and uncomfortable seats at the * school. Mrs Allport proposed and Mr Owen seconded, that future meetings be held in the school. This was carried, defeating an amendment by the secretary, seconded by the chairman to hold them in the Library.. j Dental Clinic. The chairman drew attention to thß large number ol‘ children requiring attention, and said that to receive it it would he necessary for them to go to Te Awamutu. Mr Richardson said in all there were 60 children.” Arrangements were made to take the children by car. i The question of raising the,, allowance for the school cleaning, j in view of the extra work Involved since the commencement of the term, was brought forward by the chairman. It was proposed to ask. the cleaner.to accept the additional work for the balance of the term without any increase in wages. Master and Committee. 1 The chairman referred to certain rumours going about regarding ; the attitude of the old committee towards the master and asked Mr Richardson for an explanation. -': • 5 ■ ■ - The master said he grpatly objected to the chairman’s report at the householders’ meeting,-wherein it was stated that only fifty per cent, of passes were secured by last year’s sixth standard, whereas there were six out of eleven. Mr Buchanan: Five passes and one competency. Mr Richardson: Six passes. A competency is a,pass. • The secretary pointed out that, the sixth standard was not mentioned by Mr Buchanan. ‘ Mr Grace: said the chairman had extended a special invitatibn to the master to, attend the householders, 1 meeting, and he had not attended. . Mr Richardson said he was” unable to attend,, and gave the- reason. He had not been told the reasom,.for the invitation, and in any case the regulations clearly outlined the privileges of the committee, which did not permit them to interfere in matteYs connected with the efficiency, and progress of the school, which 1 the chairman had persistently done.. ' This was denied and 'there,, was a lively exchange between the- master and Messrs Buchanan.and Grace. The latter finally asked the other members for an expression on the matter .as they appeared, to.be sharply divided. Mrs Beet proposed: That the present committee resign and that an election of a new. committee be held as soon as possible. Mrs Allport seconded, and the motion was carried unanimously.