MID-CANTERBURY
ashburton. found shot. Albert James Blee, aged 20 years, son o x r< . p. Blee, of Ashton, was found ' IS at 11 a.m., yesterday, in a paddock about GOO yards from the house, with a rifle bullet wound in his forehead. He was lying on his back with the rifle between his legs. He had had breakfast early in the morning and was last seen alive at about 9 o clock, when lie appeared to be in good health. Agricultural High School. In support of the Ashburton High School Board's application to the Minister for Education, to make the High School an Agricultural High School, the Ashburton County Council has forwarded a letter to the Minister setting out the claims of the district to the granting of the application. The letter states, inter alia: —The following statistics show the importance of thr Ashburton County as an agricultural district:—Area in cultivation, 673,737 acres—second largest in New Zealand; area in wheat, 62,221 acres —largest in Now Zealand; area in oats, 14,486 acres —largest in New Zealand. Only one county has a greater area in cultivation, while the Ashburton County grows an area of wheat three times greater, and of oats a much greater area, than any other county. It might therefore be designated the centre of agriculture, and as such the justice of its claim for an Agricultural High School cannot be denied. Having a capital value of £ll,02(1,854, the second highest in New Zealand, it provides the Government in taxes with a very considerable portion of its requirements; its population (excluding boroughs) 12,510, is surpassed by only four other counties, while its climate, central locality, and the wide seope of its agricultural pursuits make it ideal as a centre for agricultural education.
The High School Hoard received a copy of the letter at its meeting yesterdav.
It was decided to forward a letter of appreciation to the County Council for the manner in which it had detailed the statistics of the county, and for its support of the application. It wus agreed to solicit the support or the Farmers' Union, the Ashburton A. and P. Association, and the Chamber of Commerce.
Mr J. Brown reported upon an interview with Mr It. McGillivray and I>r. C. J. Eeakes, of the Department of Agriculture, who wanted to know the position ill regard to the lease of the Board's experimental farm, in the event of the school being declared an Agricultural High School. The chairman said that the Department's tenancy of the school s farm was very sjliaky, but the school did not wish to interfere with any of the experimental work at present being carried on by the Department, and there was no reason why the School and the Department should not co-operate in the work, even if the school took over the farm. It was decided to write to Mr McGillivray to this effect. At the meeting of the Aqhburton A. and P. Association yesterday it was decided to support the application, on the motion of Mr F. Frampton, seconded by Mr H. Morris, and to forward copies of the resolution to the Minister | for Education, and the M.P.'s for the districts concerned. High School Board. At the monthly meeting of the High I School Board there were present: — I Messrs J. W. Bowdcn (chairman), J. Brown, K. Kennedy, M. Bruce, E. Bell, F. Frampton, E. Uslbraith, and \V. T. | The financial statement showed that I there was a credit balance of £,511; 18s Od. ! The chairman reported that no rc- ; ply had yet been received from the EduI cation Department regarding the alteration to the domestic science room. Neither had any definite information been received regarding the date of the visit of the Minister lor Education to Ashburton. The • report of Mr E. A. Cockroft, headmaster, stated that the roll numbers were 106 boys and 93 girls. The Public Service entrance and the intermediate examinations were at present being held. The University entrance ) examination would commence on Monday. The school examinations wero also in progress. The break-up would take place on December 12th. The chairman was deputed to repre- ; sent the Board on the Citizens' Committee, which is arranging the farewell to the Mayor (Mr R. tialbraith). Reference to his departure for Stratfort was made by Mr Gp.lbra.ith, who said that that would be his last meeting. He had represented the people of Ashburton, by virtue of his position as Mayor, on the Board since 1915. The school had made great progress since that time. By judicious management the Board had reached the excellent financial position in which it found itself to-day. He would carry away manypleasant recollections of his association with members of the Board. Mr W. T. Lill congratulated Mr Galbraith upon the splendid services he had given, not only to the borough, hut also the county of Ashlnirton, and said that they all regretted his departure. The chairman spoke of the valuable services of Mr Galbraith, whose place, he said, would be very hard to fill. He moved that they accept his resignation with regret, and that they place on record appreciation of his long and valuable services to the Board. Messrs Kennedy, Bell, Frampton, Brown, and Bruce also spoke. The motion was carried. Mr Galbraitli briefly returned thanks. Ashburton East School Committee. The monthly meeting of the Ashburton East School Committee was held on Monday the following being present:—Messrs W. S. Kerr (chairman), H. Money, E. H. Loy, A. Shepherd, F. H. Knight, E. H. Cliilds, and the headmaster. The Visiting Committee reported that two windows had been broken by boys, outside school hours. It was decided that any trespassers found on the grounds after school hours would be prosecuted, and any further cases of damage would be put iu the hajids of the police. The headmaster's report Btated that the roll was 534. The average attendance was: Boys 252.2, girls 258.5. The percentage of attendance was 95.6 per cent. Parents' day would be held on November 27th, and the break-up ceremony on December 18th.
The Excursion Committee reported that arrangements were well in hand for the excursion, which would he held on December 11th. Votes of thanks were passed to the following for donations of plants, etc., for the school gardens:—Messrs F. H. Knight, A. Clark, and S. Groves. In Bankruptcy. A petition in bankruptcy has been filed ijy William Jayton Keele, fanner* of Ashburton, and a meeting o£ creditors will be held in the Courthouse oa December Bth.
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Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20095, 26 November 1930, Page 5
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1,084MID-CANTERBURY Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20095, 26 November 1930, Page 5
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