MEETINGS OF HOUSEHOLDERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 April 1920, Page 1

MEETINGS OF HOUSEHOLDERS.

ELECTION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEES. AT HOKITIKA. Owin'; to the inclement weather last night, the attendance was not as large as usual, about 40 householders being present as the Town Hall, including three of the fair sex. Rev. R. I?. Fraser was voted to the chair. ANNUAL REPORT. The Chairman of Committee (Mr. Aitken) read the following report: At the annual meeting of Householders held in the Town Hall on the 14th. April 1919, the following were elected as a Committee for the ensuing year: . Messrs A. Aitken, T. R.. Hickson, IX Stevenson, S. J. Preston, J. King, R. Parkinson, AY. E. Richards, and F. AV. Feddersen. The newly elected Committee met. forthwith and made the Hollowing appointments:

Chairman—Mr A. Aitken. . Secretary—Mr S. J. Preston. Treasurer—Mr J. King. The meeting night was fixed for 2nd. Monday in each month at 7.30. p.m. . During the year Mr R. Parkinson-re-signed owing to removal from town, and Mr T. AY. Bruce was appointed to fill his place.

The Committee held 12 ordinary and one special meeting during the year, the attendance of members being a.s follows:—Messrs D. Stevenson, AY. E. Richards, and S. .T. Preston 12; Messrs F. AY. Feddersen and Jas King 11 ; Mr A.. Aitken 10; Mr AY. Shannon 8; Mr T. R, Hickson 7; Air R. Parkinson 5; Mr T. AY. Bruce (appointed November)

SCHOOL STAFF. During the year the folio,ring changes were effected, Mr G. McCullough was appointed to fill the vacancy caused by Miss Goiulie’s retirement, and Miss Grace .Aitken in place of Miss Alackay, resigned. 'School Roll at the beginning of year was 385 now Hands at, 377, the principal falling off being ,in High School pupils. Tile Inspector’s Annual Report, shows commendable improvement in teaching efficiency and corresponding results in work of pupils. During the year a commencement was made with a scheme for providing hot cocoa, for lunch time for pupils from outside the town area, and it has been much appreciated by the 40 to 50 young people from outside. Technical Buildings and Shelter Sheds —The Technical building has been enlarged considerably by the addition of a. roomy annexe for -Woodwork classes, and an extension to the Cookery room. The work has been well executed i ndor the supervision of the board’s overseer.

The unsightly and dangerous old Gymnasium buildings have been demolished and two substantial Shelter Sheds—one for hoys and the other for girls— ; erected at a very moderate cost, due to the quantity of roofing iron available from the old. buildings. A coat of paint is needed now to finish off this long needed improvement. Peace Celebrations last July were made an occasion for rejoicings among school children, who despite a wet day spent nu enjoyable time. Hostel for High School scholars,— Your Committee thinks the time has come when provision should be made for the board and lodging of country pupils attending the High School. The Hokitika High School Board passes a building suitable for an Hostel, and they also hold funds which probably would be available, in this connection with the great difficulties experienced in getting board etc., for pupils the matter is one of vital interest to the success of our High School. An audited Balance Sheet of the Committee’s, finances is submitted you with this. The large balance to credit, shown therein is practically earmarked for Shelter Sheds and Technical buildings. The balance sheet showed receipts £399 2s 7d, including from the Board of £134 8s lOd and subsidy on voluntary coritributions £IOO. The payments included £95 Is lid cleaning school, fuel £25, shelter shed £73 2s sd, with a credit balance of £142, which is earmarked for shelter sheds and technical buildings.

Mr Lloyd moved the reception and adoption of the report. Seconded bv Mr Parkhill and carried.

Air Bruce the reception and adoption of the balance sheet. Seconded by Air Lloyd and carried.

Air Shannon moved that it be a recommendation from the meeting :o the High School Board of Governors that the time had arrived when stops -hould he taken for the establishment of a' High School and a. hostel for hoys, for scholars attending the High School. ■Speaking to the motion ATr Shannon said there was a great difficulty experienced by parents of country hoys attending the High School in obtaining hoard and lodgings in the town. The Board had a considerable sum of money earning a, small annual interest while there was Government House, which could bo bettor utilised than was at present being done, it only earning a small rental that did not return much, if anything to the Board. The present school was overcrowded and he thought tiro time was opportune for tile Board to take action in the matter.

All - Hickson seconded the motion being of the opinion that it was high time that .a High School was provided.

Mr A. -A it Icon in supporting t.ho motion endorsed tlio remarks of tlio mover, feeling that tlio time had arrived '-vlien notion should he taken to provide more neeornniodntion in tlio school and to give attention to tlio needs of tlio country seliolnrs.

Mr Bruce said when ho made a rerent inspection of the school lately he liad found the conditions very unsatisfactory, owing to the crowded state of two of the rooms. ITc was a. inonhor

of the Hokitika High School Board, which had. a credit balance and he was of opinion that the time had c°me when the funds should Ire utilised in tho interests of the town and country pupils.

Air Richards endorsed the remarks of Afr Bruce as to the crowded state of some of the rooms at the school.

Air Preston urged support to the proposals which he considered an urgent necessity for the welfare of the district.

Rcvd. Dr. Holloway said he was greatly in favour of a hostel which had Ip's hearty approval. Tho boarding school gave an esprit, do corps that was of much value to a school.

The motion was then agreed to. Air Bruce moved that this meeting respectfully recommends the Borough Council to have erected in Cass Square of suitable copper furnaces to enable the boiling of water for picnic parties visiting the town. Seconded by Air Preston and cai--ried.

Rev. Dr. Holloway proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the outgoing Committee for their good work during the past year. . Seconded by Air Lloyd and carried by acclamation. ..Air Aitken moved a hearty vote of thanks to the Rector and staff for

their work during the year. Seconded by Air iR. AYells and carried with applause. ELECTION" OF COMMITTER. Fifteen were nominated for nine seats

Alessrs Andrew os and A. 13. King : ctirig as scrutineers. Tho voting resulted as follows. AY. H. Shannon 30 T. AA r . Bruce 27 AV. E. Richards 27 D. Stevenson 25 S. J. Preston 25 J. Lloyd 23 A. Aitken 21 Rev. Purchas 21 F. Feddersen, 21

J. King 20 R. AYells 17 T. It. Hickson 16 T. Robinson 9 •T. Marks ...7. 6 J. Timpson 5 A vote of thanks to the scrutineers arid the Chairman terminated the meeting.

neav coaiaiittiee; The new Committee then mot. Mr Bruce proposed Air AY. H. Shannon he elected Chairman. . Seconded by Air Lloycl and carried. Mr F. AY. Feddersen was elected Treasurer. No member of the Committee would agree to act as Secretary and it was resolved to apply to tho High School Board to arrange for a Secretary for the- Committee . A letter was received from J.' J. "McIntosh complaining of the undue verity of punishment given to his laughter by one of the teachers (Air AleCidlougli) and asking for the Committee to enquire into the matter. Referred to the Rector for a report. Tlie second Monday in the month at 7.30. was fixed for meetings. Messrs Lloyd and Purchas were appointed visitors. Tlie meeting then terminated. -at greyatouth. At Groymouth the election resulted as follows:—J. Ten non t 261; L. Aldridge 258: R. .J. AVilliams 250; R, .T. A'’illiains 250: J. H. Weaver 245; P. McKenzie 227; AY. Blair 209; D. McGregor 205: AY. H. Parfitt 191; AY. Sherrttt 1.74 (elected). G. B. Cottle 150; A. Fairhall 147; Captain Cox 146; IT. Butcher 115.