HOKITIKA SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 February 1917, Page 3

HOKITIKA SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Monday, Feb 19

The Committee met at 7.30 p.m, Present —Messrs J. J. Clarke (Chairman), A. Aitken, S. J. Preatnn, J, R. Hickson, W. H. Shannon, D. Stevenson, Stewart, J. King and Lloyd. The Chairman extended a welcome to Mr Stewart when he took his seat. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed and outward correspondence reed and approved. SCHOOL PICNIC POSTPONED. The question of the holding of the school excursion to Lake Mahinapua came up for discussion as a result of a letter from Rev Father Clancy who expressed his regret that the picnio was fixed for Wednesday next (Ash Wednesday) and asking if it would not be possible to alter the date for the excursion. In moving the reception of the letter the Chairman(Mr Clarke)stated that it was to be regret*ed that the matter had cot been pointed out at an

earlier stage, as the date had been fixed at the December meeting, without any thought of it clashing with the particular day mentioned. He had waited on the Stationmaster who had since informed him that the Department had advised that the ptenio could be held on Friday or the following Wednesday, if it were desired to alter the date. ' To put the matter in order, Mr Glarke moved that the dite of the excursion be altered from next Wednesday till the following Wednesday, Feb 28th. Seconded hy Mr Shannon, who regretted the clashing of the fixture. After a short discussion the motion was agreed to. A MINIATURE STOKM In connection with the granting of a half-holiday on Floral Fete day Mr Shannon entered a strong protest. Ha had objected to the holiday aDd he specially protested against kaeping the children in school till one o’olock. It was wrong to tax the children, especially the very young ones, by keeping them in till that hour. He t objected strongly to the manner in which it had been arranged. The ( Committee should have been called together to deal with such a request. ! There were too many holidays alto- i gather and it was against the best interests of thß scholars.

The Chairman stated that he had personally asked members individualy as to their views and six out of nine had agreed to the giving of a holiday from one o’clock, Mr Hickson supported Mr Shannon's protest, feeling that the Committee should have been called together.

The Rector stated he had not known anything of the matter until the Chairman had rung up and given his instructions which were duly cavried oat. So as not to put too much strain on the children he had given them double time during the morning playtime. At the same time he recognised the danger mentioned by Mr Shannon, bat at all times took steps to guard the children’s interests and health.

Mr Lloyd said when he agreed to the school doling at one o’clook ha did not understand that the ohildren were to be kept in till that hour. Mr Aitken said the keeping in of the children till one o’clock would do no harm. At Knmara they were often kept ia till that time without impairing their health. It was a very small matter and not worth wasting time over.

Mr Preston endorsed the action taken by the Chairman. He moved the action be approved.—Seconded by Mr King and agreed to, INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. From Mrs Macandrew, thanking Committee for letter of sympathy.—

Received.

From Mr Stewart, thanking the Committee for his appointment. —Received.

From Mr J. Ritchie, Bruce Bay, enclosing 5/ affiliation fee.—Received. From Mr F. Bowes, Runanga, asking that arrangements be made for picnic,—Received and attended to.

From Stafford Committee, enclosing 5/ affiliation fee to District Committee,—Received.

From Canterbury Board, notifying appointment of substitute for South Spit School during illness of Miss Dixon, teacher,—Received, From Same, in reference to repairs and other works works agreed to be carried cut.—Received.

From Same asking that the names of pupils not regular attendees should be sent to the Truant Officer for attention.—Received. Mr King moved that the Board be asked to appoint a truant officer for Hokitika.—Seoonded by Mr Hickson and carried. From Canterbury Education Board stating it had been agreed to have the windows hinged in the lavatory.—Received. Mr Shannon moved that the Board bo referred to the Committee’s letter asking for more ventilation, glass louvres were more suitable.—Seconded by Mr King and carried.

• , From Rector forwarding teeultß of recent examinations. —Received ; the Rector and staff to be congratulated. From Rector, forwarding monthly report, stating mil number was 302, including 10 from Kumara to secondary school and suggesting giving assistance towards their train fare, as the Railway Department considered ! the pupils should go to Grey High School, the nearest, while the parents paid the Hokitika School the high honor of desiring their children to attend here; asking latest honors bo added to Honor’s Board; reporting visits of members and Inspectors of Canterbury Board, who suggested course in agriculture and inviting opinion of Board; stating cookery and woodwork classes would bo commenced by Miss Graham and Mr Judkins respectively ; term holidays for the year.—Received. Consideration of holidays for the year was deferred. In connection with the attendance of Kumara scholars, the Rector explained the position seating in addition to 10/10 per quarter train fare the car fare to the station 5/ per week had to be paid, of which the parenta found one half. After discussion Mr Shannon moved that a committee consisting of Messrs Hickson, Aitken, and King form a subcommittee to wait on the Chairman of the High Sch:ol Board, to see if any financial anangements can be made. Seconded by Mr Shannon and carried. The Rector reported as to the visit of the Agriculture Committee from the Canterbury Board and addressed the Committee on the suggested course on agriculture. He pointed out many difficulties of commencing a coutse in the secondary school at once, pointing out that it should commence in the primary schools first and then come on later in the higher classes. A general discussion ensued and it was resolved to approach Mr Martin (Instructor) to ask if he couid meet the Committee to discuss both phases, and if not to await Inspector Valentine’s return from South Westland, before coming to a decision, a special meeting to be held for the purpose at a date to be fixed by the Chairman; From the Chairman, Messrs Hickson and Aitken, collections towards a picnic fund were handed in totalling £l7 15/. —Received with thanks, a hearty appreciative vote being passed to the members for their succeasfu efforts. The \ is'ting Committee (Messrs Stevenson and Hickson) were re-ap-pointed, no report for the month being put in. The Chairman reported having met the Foreman of the Board on a visit of inspection, when a number of requirements were brought under hia notice.

In this connection the Board notified a number of requirements had been approved, but the Chairman stated no authority to carry out had been received. Au offer to find 30/, half cost of asphalting work at South Beach, was declined. Accounts amounting to £lO 16/9 were passed for payment. The Committee rose at 10.10 p.m.