LEVIN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Horowhenua Chronicle, 3 February 1915, Page 3

LEVIN SCHOOL COMMITTEE

. 6MONTHLY MEETNIG. Its, first meeting this year was he'd by tlie i-ovin School Committee in the schoolroom last evening. There wero present: Messrs E. S. Lancaster (chair man), T. Broome. K. u. Smith, T. Dawson, A. Sims, W. Thomson and Rev. A. C. Raiiderson. Tho secretary reported that some necessary repairs had been effected during the holidays with the' exception ©f the glazing. it was decided to get Mr J. W. Procter to do the latter work. Tho work of asphalting certain paths and areas, 900 square yards, near tho school buildings has been complete.!. The area asphalted has exhausted the - amount of money available, ,C 75. it was decided to erect now gates at the main entrance to tho school grounds, the gates to be of totara. In connection with gome decorative material borrowed for decorating the stage the school concert held before Christmas, and which was badly soiled, the committee decided to purchase the material. "" Tt was considered that it would bo of use on futuro occasions. The long grass in front of the school is to be cut. Tho chairman brought up the question of teaching the children to swim. They had baths close handy and I ho Borough Council was agreeable to hand them over for swimming lessons nt certain, times. He thought it would be better if swimming lessons were made compulsory. They could also arrange swimming demonstration. The Borough Council was willing to assist as much as possible. Ho moved that the committee approach the 'Education Board and ask that swimming lessons be made compulsory. Mr T. Broomo seconded the motion. Rov. A. C. Randerson said ho would support the matter ns it would draw the Education Board's attention to an important matter. At the same time he did not think they wouldi succeed. , There were a lot of schools which bad no facilities for teaching swimming, and there wero also a lot of children who could not with safety enter swimming baths. He thought it best to get tho eo-operatiori of the teachers and form swimming and life saving classes at the local baths. School swimming sports could also be arranged. Mr Thomson supported the motion, but ho did not think the Hoard would move in tho matter as it would put ex- ; tra work On the teachers. He was n favour of compulsion, but there were -, many difficulties in tho way. "With the co-operation of the Borough Council, the public and teachers, he thought local swimming classes would be a success. The chairman said that he understood that the Board granted a bonus to swimming classes fend he would * like tho motion to go forward". ' Mr Sim questioned whether the i Board' would givo any assistance 'n the matter. At Hastings school the I swimming classes had been a success. I He thought it best if the conunitteo ! took tho matter up itself. < Mr Dawson expressed satisfaction ' that the matter had been brought up; ' it was an important one. They could ' not expect swimming classes to be made compulsory. lie thought th* * best way to deal with the matter was f to have a bath in the schoolground. t One lesson a week wouldi not teach { swimming. ' Mr Smith considered that no harm c would be done by forwarding the mo- ' tion to the Board. If tho Board did ' not move in tho matter then the com- c mittee could move in the matter /t- * self. ( The motion was carried. ' Rev. A. O. Randcrson moved that v fche toaj-hors he approached with n I view to take advantage ot the Council's * offer to throw open the baths ° to children from tho school in charge * of teachers, and also with a view to orgnnising swimming sports later on. fl Mr Thomson seconded tho motion " whioh was carried'. <l The chairman and secretary were ap- * pointed visiting committee For the en- ' suing month. ( u