Levin School Committee.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 20 May 1914, Page 3

Levin School Committee.

An extraordinary meeting of the above committee was held in the school room on Tuesday even-, ing. Present: Messrs E. S. Lancaster, H. C. Gapper, F. 0. Smith, T. Dawson, E. Henderson, W. Thojmpson, Rev. A. C. Randerson, T .Broome, A. Sims and the headteacher (Mr 0. Melntyre). The chairman (Mr Lancaster) explained that the meeting was called to consider the matter of asphalting the schooL The Education Board had sent up its clerk of works to look .. at the place and the board wanted plans and estimates of the work proposed to be done by the committee. Mr Mclntyre had drawn up the plans and estimates, and these would be submitted to the meeting for consideration. The cost of the whole would be about £100: the paths alone £30 and asphalting at each end of tEe school £50. Rev. A. C. Randerson took exception to the way m which the matter had been Drought before the committee. The board had sent up its clerk of works and the matter had been communicated to them verbally through the headteacher. The. board should deal with the committee by formal communication. Mr Sims asked if the secretary of the committee had any standing with the board. He objected to the manner in which the board had treated him. He had written to the board on different matters, but had been ignored. Answers to some of his letters had come through the chairman. In connection with the tool shed he had not been answered at all. Mr Lancaster said that letters had always arrived through the chairman of the committee. Mr Mclntyre explained that as far as he was connected with the matter he had simply drawn up the plans regarding the asphalting and drawn the attention of the clejk of works to other matters that needed to be done. As for the toolshed, the board was paying for that itself, and it was a matter entirely for the board itself to deal with. Mr Hentlesson said that while he had been on the committee letters had come through the chairman, but he saw no reason why they should not be addressed to the secretary. Mr Smith said letters had always come through the secretary. Mr Lancaster said it was a ere-

difc to Mr Mclntyre that he had

drawn the attention of the clerk of works to things tliat needed doing.

Mr Thomson thought (from previous experience) that the busi-. ness methods of the Board were at fault. Mr Sims explained that he took no exception to letters coming through the chairman; his complaint was that the secretary of

the Education Board had not answered letters at all. The courtesy had not been shown him of letting him know fliat tenders for the tool shed were being dealt with.

Mr llanderson said they all valued Mr Mclntyre's services and he did right in v drawing up the plans. Whnt lie (Mivßnndorson) objected to was the board overlooking the committee in the matter. Ho moved: "That the committee protest against the manner in which its correspondence is treated by the Wellington Education Board, having sent officially through its secretary a request for much-needed help in reutsphaiting portions of the school ground, a month, ago, no reply has been received, save some verbal suggestions through the board's clerk of works conveyed through me headmaster, and mis committee requests ithat in luture the, board send oiheial replies to its onicial communications. '

Mr (iapper seconded the nioion which was carried. •

JLiegardmg the asphalting, Mr Lancaster eaid the coumiititee should make an effort to get some oi it done it they could not get all oi it.

Mr Henderson remarked that the paths at least should be done. They would perhaps nave to raise money and organise* a' picture show or concert for the purpose.

Mr llanderson asked ii the board would give i>l for <£! subsidy.

Mr Mclntyre said that some years ago the children had organised a bazaar which had brought in about ,£SO; this had been subsidised £1 for i>l. He thought now that the board only gave i>l for i>l up to £10. Mr Smith considered they should write to the board and see what the board was prepared to do to assist them.

Mr llanderson moved; "That the secretary write to the board stating that the committee was prepared to raise £2b, and asking if the board would find the balance (about i>2s) to put down asphalt at both ends of the school and two paths." Mr Henderson seconded this and it was agreed to.

Mr Channings' tender for concreting two eheds for £'6 14s Gd was accepted, ulso his tender for two concrete gate posts at £2 3s 6d.

The chairman, secretary and head-teacher were appointed to go into the stationery tenders and deal with them.

The tender of tHe Horowlienua Publishing Company, Ltd., was accepted for printing.