MAORI GIRLS' SCHOOL

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21419, 11 March 1935, Page 5

MAORI GIRLS' SCHOOL

MORE PUPILS NEEDED POSITION DISCUSSED AT ANNUAL MEETING Tiie advisability of making an effort to increase the roll-number at the Te Waipounamu School, the Church of England Diocesan School for Maori Girls, and of developing the school so as to provide free education for Maori girls in the diocese, was discussed at the annual general meeting held in the school grounds on Saturday. The Very Rev. Dean Julius was in the. chair. Moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the Rev. J. T. McWilliam, chairman of the school council, said that the statement of accounts showed a very satisfactory position. The school's only trouble was a shortage of scholars, and if many more were to leave there would before long be more staff members than there were pupils. There should be 30 or 40 pupils and the school should be supported entirely by the Church, as a free mission school for the children of the Maori race. If Church people thought seriously about it, this could be accomplished. The Maoris had been hit harder by the depression than any other class, and many of them could not afford to pay for their children's education. There ought to be a really good school, supported entirely by the people of the diocese. Government Assistance Canon A. H. Norris said that he hoped that no Government official would imagine that the Church was going to maintain a free school. Even if it was decided to absolve the parents from payment, the Church could fairly look to the Government to pay the fees for certain children. Once the school had received a grant from the Government, but this had now been withdrawn for some years; if certain children :e admitted free the Government should pay for the others. It was to be hoped that it never got to the ears of the Government that all children were to be admitted free. Mrs F. N. Taylor said that it was a pity that Ihere were only 11 children in the school when there was accommodation for many more, and when the present staff could cope with a larger number. The first consideration was to bring more children into the school, as it was difficult to rouse interest, in work being done for so few. Everything should be done to get. the school full, and the fees should be remitted or at least reduced. "There ought to be at least double the present number of children," said the Dean. "It would be no great financial burden to raise the number from 11 to 24, as the present staff could handle them; and it would be an extraordinarily good thing if this could be done." It was resolved to recommend to the serious consideration of the council the obtaining of more pupils for the school. Annual Report The annual report stated that the work of the school had been maintained hannilv and sptisfaHrvrilv Hug,

ing the year. There were 17 scholars at the end of 1934, and the school inspector's report had been eulogistic. Thanks were due to Miss Hilda Harding for her excellent work. In the last year Sister Kate's health had not been good; thanks were also due to Mother Eleanor, C.S.N., through whose generosity the school had had the help of Sister Agnes. Thanks were expressed to the Community cf the Sacred Name for the teaching of singing and embroidery, to the Guild of St. Francis, to St. Mark's parish, Opawa. for its special generosity, and to several organisations in other parishes. The council stated its conviction that there was a need throughout the diocese of a wider knowledge of the opportunities offered by the school for the Christian education of Maori girJs. and of a larger number of scholars. The statement of accounts for the year ended January 31 showed a credit balance at the end of the year of £l2l 14s 4d, as against £139 12s 5d at the end of the last linancial year. The amount paid in salaries was £229 Is Bd, maintenance £127 Is 6d. repairs to premises £6n Is 9d. and sundries £43 lis 3d. Subscriptions were received as follows:—Collector, £67 13s; diocesan treasurer, £37 14s 9d; honorary treasurer, £44 18s; £SO was received from the Maori Mission Fund and £37 10s from the li. and W. Williams Trust. Fees amounted to £124 1.3s sd. There was a balance of £7O 13s 9d in the Post Office Savings Bank account, against £75 on January 31, 1934. The report was adopted. During the afternoon there was a short programme of songs and poi dances by the pupils of the school.