SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 9, Issue 17, 23 October 1945, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEE

OCTOBER MEETING GENERAL BUSINESS The October meeting of the Whakatane School Committee was held last Wednesday evening Messrs. J. W. Wilson T. C. Tohnston H. G. Dainton W. Whit taker ?. 5 * F. W. Lysaght and L. R. Spring being present. General business concerning the school was discussed. Information to the effect that a grant for the construction ot two concrete tennis courts at the High School is to be recommended was j received by the committee, together with specifications of the courts 'which will be of a permanent nature. A quote for the work from Mr F. G. Maliy amounting to £470 was also favourably received. Intimation l'rom' the Board showed that the architcct has been advised to act in the matter of repairs to stoves at the school and also drainage work requiring to be done at the Infant School. Members agreed to add their signatures to a petition to be presented to asking the Government to defray the cost of telephones in schools throughout the Dominion.

Agricultural High School The questionnaire relating to the proposed establishment of a new Agricultural high school somewhere in the South Auckland district was once again brought before the meeting. No replies to the notice, asking parents avlio would. be prepared to send their boys to such a which appeared in the Beacon last month to contact the Secretary, were received by the committee and considerable discussion ensued on whether adeq.uate support could be guaranteed from this district. It was decided that if an agricultural course under a specialised instructor were commenced at the Whakatane High sufficient interest would be aroused in boys to adopt farming as their and some of these would naturally wish to attend an agricultural school. In this manner there would, be a pool from which to draw applicants for i the school.

Headmaster's Report The report of the Headmaster fMr T. 13. Hubbard) showed that during the month the school rolls had isen. They now we're: High School—185; Middle School—848; Infant School— 184,; a total of 717. Each year he stated there were always a certain number of additional children commencing school in the third or .summer term. It was doubtful, however whether the 1940 school year would be commenced with as many pupils as had the 1945. In connection with the new path* way put through from Lovelock Street to the Domain in order to prevent the public having to use the school ground it was decided that as this work was now almost complete, the gap leading into the school grounds which wa.s formerly the entrance should be closed, and a stile erected.