MID-CANTERBURY

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20171, 25 February 1931, Page 7

MID-CANTERBURY

ASHBURTON. 0 • AGRICULTURAL HIGH SCHOOL. Dissatisfaction with the manner in which the Minister for Education (the Hon. H. Atmore) was treating the application of the Ashburton High School for establishment as an Agricultural High School was expressed at the High School Board meeting yesterday. ■ , The Director of Education (Mr T. B. Strong) wrote stating that the Department was pleased that the Board had decided to revive the agricultural course at tho school. Some years ago the scheme of agricultural instruction seemed to have been successfully carried out in co-operation with the Agricultural Department, which leased the Board's farm. He suggested that the Board seek the co-operation of the Agricultural Department so that the farm may be utilised to the fullest extent for instructional purposes. He did not think at the, present juncture that it would be advisable for the Board to take over the farm and attempt to run it as a school farm. It would be more economical to give the boys theoretical instruction at the school and to send them out periodically ■ to observe and take jrnrt in the farm operations. He had no doubt that the Board. could secure such modification of the purpose for which the farm had been put, to obtain sufficient variety of experience for tho lads to take the course. Dr. Reakes and Mr Cockayne were both interested in projects that aimed to give a course to young, people desiring to follow farming pursuits. There was no need to change the name of the school and, in fact, the name *' Agricultural High School" was not recognised by the Act. All that was needed was a strong agricultural course that would appeal to parents and induce them to send their children to take up the course. The chairman (Mr J., W- Bowden) reported that he had gone into the question very fully .with Mr David Jones, M.P., who bad been supplied with copies of all the correspondence and had agreed to interview the Ministor. "Mr Strong has one idea and the Minister has another on the matter," said'Mr fiowden. "To give you an idea of the casual way in which the Minister treats the matter, he wrote to Mr Jones on January 16th, stating that he would treat the application as urgent, but he; has not done anything since. We will just have to await tho result of Mr Jones's effort." Mr J. Brown said that Mr Strong's let* ter seemed, to be on the right lines. The Agricultural Department's, lease of the Board's farm expired on March 51st, and they would have to come to tome decision. ■ The chairman: Well, we will have to give them another twelve months'' lease if there is no finality. Mr Brown: We should go ahead and take over the farm. We would not need "much stock and Mr McGregor is willing .to take over the managership. The chairman; said they should wait 'to see what' Mr Jflnes had to say. Mr Brown: The V trouble is that we ai'o going to lose af*whole year. It is not right that the Minister, should shelve tho matter from month to month.' No further action was taken. Motor-cyclist Injured. A lacerated wound on the- knee was suffered by Gqy Bobilliord, of Ashburton, on Sunday, when he fell from bis motor-cycle. He was admitted to the Ashburton Public Hospital on Monday. j Loyal Tinwald Lodge. $ At the quarterly meeting of the Loyal Tinwald Lodge, M.U., L0.0.F.* held* on Monday evening, the N.G., Bro, W. 8. Brady, presided; One member Was declared off the sick' funds of . the Lodge. The annual balance-sheet showed that all the funds were in a satisfac- , tory state. Bros. S. Culverhouse reported on the Friendly Societies' Association's annual meeting. The lecture master (Bro. A. E. Frew) conferred degrees on.three, brothers prior t* their taking . the Purple Degree. Copies of the new.'rules were distributed. ' Swimming Carnival. Good support is being receijv&d by the Ruapuna Amateur Swimming Club for its annual carnival bn -Saturday,' and'although the total entries are not yet available, swimmers hAye enteredfrom Ashburton; Methven, and, Temuka. Features of the-carnival wiu, be-the 133 1-3 yards relay race for the Scarva (Tup and the 50 yards ladies' Ashburton Centre championship. / ■ Competition Judges, Judges-for the Ashburton Competitions Society's annual festival this year ' are as follows:—Musical, instrumental, and vocal, Dr. V. E. Galway, Dunedin; elocution, Mr W. Bussell-Wood, Auckland. The position of 'dancing judge has yet to be filled. The official accompanist y will be Mr. D. A; Smith,. Ashburton: ' ' Technical Classes. The evening classes of this Ashburton Technical School' resumed on Monday when the enrolments totalled 90, but this number will be increased before the: end of the week. The figures Were 1 approximately as follows:—Dressmaking, 60; commercial, 20; invalid cookery, 10. High School Board. At the meeting of the High; School Board of Governors held yesterday there were present Messrs J.. W. Bow-, deri (chairman', J. Brown, B. Kennedy, M. Bruce, and R. Bell. The financial statement showed a credit balance of £832 6s 6d. It was dec} led to place £SOO on fixed deposit for three months. .. The Department of Education advised that the alterations to the domestic Bcience room would receive consideration. The Board agreed to inspect the room. The report of Mr< E. A_ Cockroft | (headmaster) stated that the school [ reopened with a decided increase in the roll, which was 30 more than last-year, i The roll-was now 239, 131 boys and 108 girls, compared with 112 boys and 94 i girls at i-he opening last year. The increase had necessitated another teacher, i resultir"r in the temporary appoin'ment of Mr D. Smith, an old pupil of the school. ' - The examination results for IS3O wore as follows:—Junior Universit 1 (tho first for the school); Gammack Scholarship, 1; engineering preliminary, 1; University entrance (matriculation), 18; Senior National Scholarship, ,2; Public Service entrance, 4; intermediate, 1; senior free place by recommendation, 38; higher leaving certificates, 18. 1 The Old Pupil - ' Association had the school' jubilee celebration programme for' Easter well in hand. The school congratulated Mr E. H. Orr, 'an-old pupil, upon his appointment - to the Board of C avernors. The ißoard invited to attend the girls' 'swimming > and athletic sports. The report' Was 1 adopted. • . Mr Cockroft and staff were congratulated on the/result of 'the examinations; In connexion -with from the' Director of Education (Mr $, i I J r V / > , , 'I

IStrong) asking that an appeal for the' Hawke's Bay earthquake relief fund be made among the children, Mr Cockroft said ho was not in favour of the idea, as he considered that parents had already contributed* . The chairman it was all very well to suggest -that;'* sacrifice should T)e made by the pupils" from their pocket money months, but he considered that it would be the parents •who would have to .pay. The Circular was received and bo. fcctidn'takenJ,. In view of the fqct that buildings in brick suffered - more severely than any other type in the Hawke's Bay earthquake, the Pirector of Education wrote' stating that the Minister for Education ,had directed that the construction of all school buildings in brick s must/cease ' forthwith. It was also 'directed that all school buildings in brick be inspected immediately by' the BoaflPa' architect and a report furnished to the Department through the district Education Board, r ' 1 It was decided to have (inspection made.of the school buildings! 'Mr,D. Smith was appointed' to a per* manent position on the staff from eleven applications. * *'J i/ 1 'i Messrs M. Bruce Frampton were appointed a 'Tisiting Committee for the month. - EA£pro.K:>>- > The monthly meeting ß 'of tho Women's Institute'[was held in the Library Hall. A motion of sympathy with 'those who havfe stiffened 'bereavemept and loss in the, earthquake was carried in silence. Mrs.RoSland was appointed to receive marcels cloth- 1 rag, \and, Mra'. B. Withell * tdfreceive donations of money for 'the relief of. sufferers. - ' , " ' .The president (Mrs I'Ernest' Davis) introduced Mr Ward of> Shrewsbury, England, who gaVe a practical ■demonstration of exercising—pa|iiiputarly the eyes. Mrs K. J., MacKenzfe;propoped a hearty vote of thanks to Mr-ward The hostesses for the dav dameSi Simpson, South, and Cross. It was agreed to hold the'annual meet-ing-in March. 1 "•' t -' RAKAIA. Further heavy rain Vfell > at Rakaia' during Monday night, .and at 9 a.m.' on Tuesday 48 points had been registered. »The weather was then fine, but .soon afterwards became overcast and heavy 'showers of hail and r rain fell, an additional 19 points:being 'recorded. The afternoon wasj fine and sunny. Tho rain during the past few days has done an immense amount of good ,to pastures and crops of green feed. ' Tho number of " entries received tor the Rakaia Horticultural Society's au- . tumn show, which is to be held on Thursday, shows an increase on last [ year's number and a successful show is anticipated. (for most points in flowers, fruit, and vegetables, a silver cup has ben offered by the society for competition. This cup must: she won three times before becoming the property of the competitor.