IMPROVEMENT PROMISED

Chronicle (Levin), 11 April 1946, Page 2

IMPROVEMENT PROMISED

OTAKI STATE SCHOOL COMMITTEE MEETS BOARD Members of the Otaki State School Committee yesterday met ivlessrs. Seddon (chainnan) , Deavoll (secretary) , McDonald and Robertson, members of the Wellington Education Board, at Otaki. A thorough inspeetion was made of the various classrooms and grounds, and it was unanimously agreed that improvements were necessary. Mr. L. G. Lowry, M.P., was also present and took a keen interest in the proceedings. It was pointed out by the board members that various ground improvements would be carried out, that a classroom would be improved and outbuildings attended to. • It was agreed that at present it was difficult to carry out some work on account of the shortage of timber, out the board assured the committee that the necessary work would be done as soon- as possible. t • It was Considered advisable for the committee to wait on Mrs. Bell relative to the land for school gardening, and to lease it for a further term. The matter of baths> was discussed, and here again the want of material was stated to be the drawback. It was said that the committee had the sum of £200 in hand and, if necessary, for buildings, etc., would be agreeable to raise a further sum. The board members agreed that baths were desirable, and it was a matter that wouid not be lost sight of. The board offered to have plans drawn up and other details attended to. The committee agreed to do all possible to help, while Mr. Lowry promised to assist in any way possible. The board offered to call for tenders, Mr. Drummond to be instructed to draw up plans and specifications. In reference to the recent concreting the board pointed out that1 this could be guaranteed, the test of concrete proving highly satisfactory. It would, however, . be , inspected prior to final payment. • The board agreed that an electric I iron should be procured and this was left to the committee to ar range. Attention was drawn to the fact that there had been no tenders for the erection of a dental clinic due to no fault of the board, which had i called for tenders, and was willingl to do so again. It was hoped that members of the committee would interview builders, in the hope that the work would soon be in hand. If a tender was recived the board was willing to proceed with the work.

The board recognised the need for a suitable building for woodwork, and it hoped' to make Otaki a manual training centre. At the present time there was a dearth or instructors, _&nd therefore the time was not opportune to start on the work. It was stated that the Diocesan Board had been written to relative to the sale of its building, but so far there had not been a definite arrangement. The board agreed that a manual training centre in Otaki was urgent, and no time would be lost in having one established. Although it was one of urgency, Mr. Seddon pointed out that while Otaki did have a building Upper Hutt did not, and there would no doubt be a demand for one there. Arrangements have been m-ide to use a room at the Masonic Hall, it being recognised that classrooms were overcrowded. The question of capitation was discussed, it being pointed out by the committee that the amount at present received was inadequate for work. This was recognisea uy une board, which offered to do all possible to assist, but there was but little chance of help from the department. Other matters were discussed after which Mr. Seddon thanked

the committee for its courtesy. He said that it was his first visit to the school, but hoped to pay other visits. He assured the committee that the board would do its best to help in any way. It was recognised that the committee had done, and was doing, good work. Thanks were extended to the board members for making the visit.