HOKITIKA HIGH SCHOOL BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 17 June 1920, Page 4

HOKITIKA HIGH SCHOOL BOARD

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 16.

The annual meeting of the Board was held at 3.30 p.m. Present—Hon. H. L. Michel (Canterbury Education Board), Messrs J. King (Hokitika Borough Council), A. Clifton (Westland County Council), T. W- Bruoo (Ross Borough Council), T. W. Duff (Kumavn Borough Council). M!r J. A. Murdoch (Government) sent a message of apology for absence. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. Mr Clifton nominated Hon. H. L. Michel as Chairman. Seconded by Mr Duff 1 and carried. Mr Michel took the chair and thanked members for their continued confidence. ' l Mr J. King 'was elected Treasurer. The outward correspondence was approved. ' . , ! INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. The various nominating bodies foiwarded list of appointments of representatives. —Received. The Treasurer reported the accounts paid during the year amounted t0.£113 14s.—Received. From Hokitika School Committee asking that a deputation be ( received. —Received; Messrs W. H. Shannon (Chairman), .J. Lloyd S. J. Preston and Rev. Purchas waited on the Board.

The Chairman in welcoming the denutation said lie thought it would dear the air somewhat if he first outlined the position and powers of the Board. Indoing so Air Michel referred to the special legislation constituting the Ho kitikn High School Board which was passed in 1883, to enable, the Board of Governors to establish a high school in Hokitika. It was found inadvisable to do so at the time and for the 1•• st 25 years the Board has voted tho whole of its income to assist in the carrying on of the secondary department of Hokitika District High School. Mr W. H. Shannon (Chairman of Hokitika School Committee) in the course of a lengthy and lucid address drew the attention of the Board to the requests' of the Committee which were firstly, the establishment of a Toys hostel for use of country lads attending the District High School. This request caused much discussion as to the power and financial position of the Board to give effect to; secondly for the assistance of the Board in arranging secretarial duties to the Committee and the payment of travelling expenses of some, scholars from the north who used the railway service to attend the High School.

There was a general and lengthy discussion on the powers and financial pi sition of the Board. It was mentioned that at present the Board was paying out the whole of its income (which was of a very limited amount) towards the carrying on of the secondary department of the school and that ally expenditure involved in connection with a hostel would mean a red notion., in the amount available for the upkeep of the secondary staff. The question of the power of the Board to accede to the request was also questioned. It was ultimately decided that the Committee make definite enquiries as to the course of action and experiences of other hostels in other parts of the Dominion and also as to the possible quantity of support that would be given to a hostel, and to report to the Board when a further meeting could be cali'ed to confer together again. Tliis course was agreed to, the deputation retiring after the Chairman had expressed their appreciation of the very courteous and lengthy hearing given to their representations. Th© Board then resolved to adjourn further consideration until more in.fern ation was available, when a further meeting would be held. Before the deputation left, the Chairman stated that the two smaller requests made would doubtless be arranged if formal application fn another form were duly made. Tlie Board then adjourned at 450 p.m.