EDUCATION

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 4, 26 July 1946, Page 5

EDUCATION

FUTURE DISTRICT NEEDS SCHOOL CHAIRMAN’S ADDRESS “The School Committee is the . Cinderella of all local bodies ; it is the hardest worked, and receives the least credit.” With these words did Mr J. W.. Wilson, Chairman of the Whakatane School Committee open his address on the growth and expansion programme of the local District High School, when speaking at the meeting of the Whakatane Chamber of Commerce which took place last Wednesday evening. The address formed a comprehensive outline of the growth of the school, the present work of the committee, and the programme .for expansion to meet future educational needs. Rapid Dealing with the increase--in-roll numbers over the past twenty years, the speaker stated that in 1927, the High School showed a roll of '52 pupils. No primary figures were available. In 1935, the High School roll was 81, and the primary 277, making a total of 358. In 1939 the numbers had reached 85, 411 and 496 respectively, whilst at the present time 225 pupils attended the High School, and 495 attended the primary, making a total of 820. The increase, was self explanatory of the need for more and better accommodation. Of the scholastic achievements recorded by some of the pupils, the school was justly proud. It could boast two Rhodes Scholars, and two Duntroon Military cadets.

The recent amenities added to the school included a very fine learn-to-swim pool, extensive concrete areas fronting each school, and an area situated in the High School grounds sufficient for two tennis courts, basketball and physical training. It was hoped at some future date to increase this area to include five courts.

School Transport On the subject of the transporting of country pupils to and from school each day, Mr Wilson said that up till approximately 18 months ago, private contractors were engaged on all runs. Now, however, .two State buses, operated by teacher-drivers were in use, and it was hoped to augment this fleet until- there was a vehicle to serve each run. V

The school itself possessed ten acres of ground, much of which' was built upon, and for this reason the Whakatane Domain, which was adjacent, was a great asset. The buildings themselves were reasonably modern and in good condition, although there was an insufficient number of classrooms. Four new rooms were at present being added. Included in a new building scheme was a domestic science block which would be another distinct asset.

Finance A short time ago, continued Mr Wilson, the committee had experienced some trouble with regard to finance, but with the assistance of the Board this had been overcome. A new system of computing the individual grants to each school which had only recently been implemented would ease matters in the future. Future Expansion ; The plan for future expansion of the school was well advanced. It included a new, separate and distinct primary school, with classes up to Standard 4; an intermediate high school, with classes,^ -lagging: from Standard 5 to Form 6, /on the site, of the present school)' and a primary school at Ohope in place of the present side school. When the roll of the intermediate higli l S'chodl reached '3OO, it would attain the status of a High School, as distinct from a district high school. The Infant School would be abandoned in its present capacity.

Agricultural Work

At the request of a sub-commit-tee of the Auckland Education Board the Whakatane School Committee had, with other school committees, selected a suitable site in its own district for the erection of an Agricultural College in the South Auckland. This had been inspected in its turn by the sub-committee which had finally selected a site outside Hamilton. Interest in agriculture was being maintained at the Whakatane School, and progressive moves were being made to place it on a permanent footing. Technical classes were proceeding, the speaker concluded, and it was hoped that when the new rooms, at present being constructed; were complete, more and permanent accommodation would be available for the evening classes.. ■-*- •

COUNTY OF WHAKATANE * COUNTY AND HARBOUR BOARD ' RATES Public notice is hereby given that pursuant to its powers under “The Counties Act, 1920”, “The Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Act, 1926;” “The Rating Act, 1925”, “The Local Bodies Loans. Act, 1926” and all. amendments to such acts and all t other powers enabling it in that behalf the Whakatane County Council intends on Friday, the 9th day of August 1946, at a special meeting to be held at'the County Council Cahmbers, ’ The Strand, Whakatane, at 11 a.m., to make and levy for the year commencing Ist April 1946 .and ending 31st March 1947, on the basis of the rateable unimproved- value as appearing in the Valuation Rolls for the time being in force, of all rateable property in the County of Whakatane, '-the following Whakatane County rates: — ; . ■ General: Three and three-eighths pence (3|d) in the pound (over whole County); Separate: Hospital, Two and one-eighth pence' (2gd) in the pound; Matata Water. Supply: In respect of ordinary supply upon all lands and buildings in Matata to which water is supplied, a water -rate of Fourpence (4d) in the pound on the unimproved rateable value, with a minimum annual charge of 10/-. Non-consumers’ water rates: Upon all lands and buildings in Matata to which water can be but is not supplied situated within 100 yards from any part of the water-works, a rate of one-half of the water rate • aforementioned. Matata buildings other than Dwelling Houses: A rate equal to one half of the water rate in respect of ordinary domestic wat—> * er supply. Edgecumbe Water Supply: Rate of One shilling and sixpence (l/6d) in the pound; Run 15 Separate Rating District: Rate of Six and five-sixteenth pence (6 5-16 d) in the pound; Sanitary Charge: Levy a sanitary charge of £3 per pan on all house properties and premises to which the Council’s sanitary service is given; also " to collect SPECIAL recurring RATES, viz.: Conversion No. 2 £76,295 Loan, One penny (Id) in the pound; No. 13 Kutarere Wharf £2,236 10s lOd Loan: Three-eighths pence (id) in the pound; also to make and levy oh behalf of the Tauranga Harbour Board for year commencing first day of April 1946 and ending thirtyfirst day of March 1947, such Tauranga Harbour Board’s Special Rate which rate is part of the special rate authorised by Section 9 of “The Tau- . ranga Harbour Board Empowering Act 1919” of Three sixty-fourth pence (3-64 d) in the pound; such interest. rate to be on the basis of

the rateable unimproved value of all rateable property in the Matata Riding of the County of Whakatane which is within the jurisdiction of ' the Whakatane County Council; also to make and levy on. behalf of the Whakatane Harbour* 1 Board .and in pursuance of the powers vested in it by “The Harbours Act, 1923” and all other powers enabling it in that behalf, for year commencing first day of October, 1945 arid ending thirtieth day of September 1946, such Whakatane Harbour Board’s Special Rate of Three farthings (id) in the pound on such Board’s £65,300 Conversion Loan, such interest rate to be on the basis of the rateable unimproved value of all rateable property in that portion or portions of the Whakatane Harbour Board’s rating area which is within the jurisdiction of the Whakatane County

Council; all County Council, Whakatane and Tauranga Harbour Board rates and charges aforementioned

to be due and payable in each case in one sum on the ninth day of September 1946, at the County Council Chambers, Whakatane, to C. G. Lucas, the Council’s Rate Collector. The Estimates upon which the above rates and charges are being made and levied have been approved by the Council and are, together with the Valuation Rolls, open for inspection during office hours at the County Clerk’s Office, Whakatane, Similarly, but as from the ninth day of September 1946, the Rate Books, will be open for inspection. Whakatane, 26th July 1946. C. G-: LUCAS, 328 Rate Collector-,