OTAKI STATE SCHOOL

Chronicle (Levin), 7 November 1946, Page 2

OTAKI STATE SCHOOL

MEETING OF COMMITTEE The monthly meeting of the Otaki State School Committee was held on Tuesday night, Mr. H. Taylor presiding. There were also present Messrs. Gimblett (secretary), Edhouse, Lumley, Berry Walsh, N. Taylor, Nicolson and James (headmaster). An apology was received from Mr. W. Wiison for his unavoidable absence. It was reported that sports material ordered for the school had arrived, while a hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Joe Bartosh for his donation of bats. It was desired that pot-holes and other small matters connected -With ground improvement be carried ouo, while it was stated that no reply had been received from Mr. D. K. Guy relative to meeting the committee. It was decided to again write him. It was pointed out that the school attendance was still increasing, and had never been higher, yet the Wellington Education Board had made no effort to cope with the increase. It was thought that if the Native ; School could be secured in the meantime it would relieve the congestion. It was recognised that it was not fair to either teachers or children to have to carry on under jadverse conditions. j It was reported that necessary ! f encing in connection with the 'school gardens was being given ; attention, while it was left to the j board to attend to the matter of I boundary fences. ! Reference was made to a donaition by the Rahui Suppliers to the prizes in the calf rearing competi|tions, and it was decided to write | and thank the company for its genS erosity. j The question of swimming baths ,was again discussed and _ regret texpressed .that the board had done 1 nothing further in connection with the matter, despite the fact that , the necessary amount of money was in hand. It was pointed out that deaths could easily occur' as the result of children being unable to •swim, while reference v/as made to the unfortunate drowning fatality j at Shannon. Asked if the river was 'suitable, the headmaster stated |that he would not take the chiljdren, as the risk of accident with a number of children was considerlable. It was decided to again urge upon the board the necessity of I baths at the school, and ask that jthe matter be expedited. '• - j Messrs. Walsh and Lumley were appointed visiting members for the month.