ROSS NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 30 April 1920, Page 1

ROSS NEWS.

(Uur Own Correspondent.) The Ball which was held last Friday evening in the Tota-ra Hall under the auspices of the Returned Soldiers proved is) he one of the most successful dances held in Ross for some years. The hall was most elaborately decorated with evergreens, flowers and flags, complete arrangements were made in the way of dressing rooms etc. for the convenience of the dancers and the supper provided was something out of the or dinary reflecting the greatest credit on the management especially the ladies

committee. The visitors were very numerous, many motor cars arriving from both north jmd south.

Mr Gherrie assisted by Mr Fell owes had charge of the floor and carried out their duties in an excellent manner. After having a most enjoyable time, the dancers dispersed at about 4 n.m. Mr Joyce of Hokitika supplied the music while extras were played by Mrs AViekcs Misses Evans, Roberts and Kelly, andMr J. Philips. The committee meet at the Coronation Hall on Tuesday next at 8 p.m. to receive the ball statement and pass accounts for payment.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS On Monday evening tlie annual meeting of householders took place in the school room for the purpose of electing a committee for the ensuing year. Only some 20 householders were present. Hon J. Grimmond was voted to the chair. Tlie Secretary (A. AY. Peebles) read the report and ‘balance sheet for the past year which was received, approved, and adopted. 'The report is as follows: ROSs STATE SCHOOL.

At the election held on the 14th April of. Inst year the following gentlemen were appointed to serve as a committee for the ensuing year viz.—Messrs AY. B. Browning, C. L. Brice, A. AY. Upjohn, A. Buchanan, and T. Chinn. During the year Mr T. Chinn and A. Buchanan resigned owing to leaving the district and Messrs J. Muir and G. Chalmers' were appointed in'their places. During the term 14 meetings have been held and the attendances have been as follows: —AY. 15. Browning Id, C. L. Brice 11. J. Muir 10, A. AA r . Upjohn 7. G. Chalmers 4, T. Chinn 3, and A. Buchanan 2.

At the 'beginning of the year there was a roll number of 97 scholars, but we are sorry to say tlie number lias now decreased to 85.

During the year Air AVineliestor retired after giving faithful service as Head Teacher for the lengthy term of 38 years. Mr Boyle lias been ’appointed in Mr Winchester’s place and took up his duties some six months ago.

The annual examination took place on the 20th August by Inspector Valentino whose report on the progress of the school was very flattering and the teachers are to be congratulated on the reisults obtained.

The proficiency examination took place on the 2nd of December, 3 punils gained proficiency certificates and 3 competency.

In connection with the school gardens some useful work lias been done during the year especially in test work, the value of lime being clearly demonstrated.

A school concur I was hckl recently for the purpose of raising funds to establish a school library and resulted in about £‘2o being cleared, this with the Hoard’s subsidy will give about £4O for that purpose, 'flic promoters of the concert are to be congratulated on such a splendid performance.

The financial position as disclosed by the balance-sheet is in a very healthy condition. The committee started the year with a credit balance of £ll 2s 2d and at the end of the financial year 29th February had £3B 6s 3d. The balance sheet showed:

Receipts Bal. in hand, £4l 2s 2d; grants for ordinary incidental purposes, £Ol Is Id; bank interest, £1 os Id; lease of grounds, 10s; sale garden produce, £d, sale school books £2O Bis 8d; a total of £124 17s 3d. Expenditure —School cleaning, £25 1.7 s 10 K; f„el, £l3 Is 9d; water rates, £4; repairs to buildings, £ls 2s 3d ; hooks, maps etc., £2 13s; stationery and sundry accounts, 18s; secretary’s salmy £5; purchase school books, £l6 7s 8<1; oil gardens, £3 10s Gd ; balance in hand C3B (is 3d ; total £124 17s 3d. The matter of making suitable tram arrangements on the occasion of visit of the Prince to Hokitika, which had been, referred to the meeting, was discussed, and it was resolved to make application to the Railway Department tor a late train back to Ross on the night of the 12th of May, and an early one from Ross to Hokitika on the 13th May, so as to enable the children and residents of the district to he present on both the arrival and departure of the

Prince. A vote of thanks was passed to the stalf for their splendid efforts during the year, also to the promoters of the concert recently held. Nominations were then received for a committee of five, as follows: JMuir, C. L. Brice, A. W. Upjohn, In. ,y Phillips and G. H. Chapman. As these were the only nominations, and tho required number, they were duh declared elected to serve as a committee for tho ensuing year. The new committee met immediately afterwards, when Mr C. F. Brice was

appointed chairman, and Mr A. \\. Peebles secretary and treasurer. The meeting night was set down lor the last Thursday in each month at 7.30 p.m. . Messrs Brice and Chapman were appointed the visiting committee for the month.

BOROUGH MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the Ross Borough Council took place on Tuesday evening. Present: —His AVorship the Mayor (i>. P. Evans, Esq.), Councillors M. 11. Linstrom, W. Hamilton, N. J. Phillips, F. -Moore and A. AY. Upjohn.

The minutes of last meeting were confirmed and the outward correspondence approved. 1N AY AR D CORHESPONI )ENCE.

From Labour Department, asking for information ie housing accommodation. —Received; Clerk to supply same. From N.Z. Educational Institute, asking opinion of Council re moving pictures in relation to the moral, physical, and mental welfare of school children. — Received.

The general opinion of the Council was that they did not have any injurious effect upon school children, but they were in favour of the picture business being under municipal control. From Treasury, notifying remittance of goldfields revenue for March, via, £lO 11s.—Received. From Income Tax Department, asking for names of persons holding Council’s debentures. —Received. From John Burns and Co., quoting for cast iron pipes.—Received. From Department of Agriculture, notifying gazetting of prickly pear as a noxious weed.—Received.

From Turnbull and Jones, quoting for d vna mo.—Received.

From Secretary Ross Football Club, asking that some attention be given to tlie Recreation ground.—Received ; referred to Reserves Committee with power to act. , The Finance Committee presented accounts to the amount of £4O 0s 7d which were passed for payment. ■ Gr. Moore (Chairman P.AAL Committee) reported the repairs to Donogliue’s and Beach roads wore now completed ; that the Storm channel required some attention.—Report received and approved. The specifications'in connection wit 1 the lease of three paddocks on Beach road were approved of and it was decided to call tenders I’m- the five years’ lease of same returnabl next meeting, 11th May. Tlie meeting then terminated.