HOUSEHOLDERS’ ANNUAL MEETINGS.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 April 1921, Page 1

HOUSEHOLDERS’ ANNUAL MEETINGS.

ELECTION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEES. AT HOKITIKA. At the Town Hall last evening the annual meeting of householders took place. There was an attendance of about sixty present, including a • 4 many ladies. Mr D. J. Evans voted to the chair. ANNUAL REPORT, following report was read:— i At the annual meeting of householdheld in the Town Hall on April Aivh, 1920, the following were elected as a Committee for the ensuing year:— Messrs Lloyd, A. Aitken, D. Stevenson, F. \V. Feddersen. \V E. Richards, T. W. Bruce, S. L Preston, IV. Shannon and Revd. Purchas. The newly elected Committee met forthwith arid made the following appointments:— Chairman, Mr TV. Shannon. Secretary, Mr S. J. Preston. Treasurer ,Mr F. TV. Feddersen. Tho meeting night was fixed for the second Monday in each month at 7.30 p.m. The Committee hold eleven ordinary meetings and several special meetings during the year. SCHOOL STAFF. Thero was a considerable change in the staff during the year. Mr Brunton resigned as Rector and Mr Irvine of Fendalton took up his duties on March Ist of this year. Mr McCullough received an appointment at Lyttelton school and his position has been filled by Mr A Seebeck, a former pupil teacher. Owing to a temporary falling off of tho attendance in tho High School we lost the services of Miss G. Aitken, but the Board has called applications for refilling tho position. In the meantime a temporary teacher lias been appointed. SCHOOL ROLL. The school roll at the beginning of the year was 377 and now stands at 375.'

The Inspector’s Annual Report was most highly commendatory.

The Shelter Sheds have been completed and are a decided acquisition. During the year we have been honoured by the presence of two of Britain’s foremost men, H.R.H. the Prince of TVales and His Excellency tho Gov-ernor-General, Lord Jellieoe, Admiral of the Fleet. All that was possible was done by the Committee to make theso two visits memorable to the children. HOSTEL FOR HIGH SCHOOL.

The Committee, shortly after election, appointed a deputation to wait on tho High School Board at the first opportunity. This was done, hut I am sorry to say they did not receive a satisfactory hearing. Tho Chairman of the Board wished to relegate to the Committee what tho Board should do. This matter should again receive consideration. In my opinion the time has arrived when the Hokitika School Committee should receive much greater assistance from the High School Board than it has received in tho past. An audited balance sheet of the Committee’s Finances is also submitted. EXAMINATIONS. Hio following is a list of successful

competitors from the school at the Annual Examinations:— Junior Free Place Examination.—P. Moyer. Intermediate Examination.—M. Ferguson, C. Pamment, P. Thorn, A. Aitken, J. Denniston. Public Servico Entrance Examination.—M. Bell (20 th place in order of merit), E. Dale, H. Forster, F. Pamment. Matriculation Examination—N. Ches tennan, R. TVells, M. Belt, C. Pierosn, H. Kelly, E. Williams. 11. Forstor obtained a partial pass. Solicitors’ General Knowledge.—M. Bell. The balance sheet showed receipts including balance of £142 19s 9d at tho beginning of the year and £l2l 19s 9cl incidental allowance, amounts to £274 Is lOd. The payments totalled £248 Us 2d (cleaning £75 15s 6d, fuel £32 14s 8d and school stationery £35 11s 3d, forming tho main items; shelter shod 92 3s 6d. Tho credit balance in the Savings Bank amounts to £25 10s 8(1. Mr TY. IT. Shannon moved that the report and balance sheet bo received and adopted. Seconded by Mr Bruce and carried. MOTIONS.

Mr Irvine moved:—Seeing that tho scholars of to-day will he the citizens of to-morrow and that there seems a possibility that under tlio present financial depression the Government may think of further restricting tho expenditure on Education, this meeting of householders emphatically calls on tho Government to see to ft that the children, and therefore tho country also, aftenvards, do not suffer permanent loss through want of wise expenditure now. The mover said there was a need for it, as the Government were going in for drastic curtailment of expenditure as affecting education. Seconded by Mr Bruce, who said there was a necessity for the motion which had his support. The motion was agreed to. Mr Shannon moved :—That this meet ing of householders respectfully request the High School Board of Governors to further increase their grant to the District High School of Hokitika duri ing tho coming year. He moved the motion with regret in view of the absence of the Chairman of tho Board (Hon H. L. Michel). He felt strongly on the matter as the Hokitika High School was not getting the assistance it should from the High School Board. At tTie present time the school was languishing for want of financial assistance, which they were riot receiving from the High School Board.

When he told them that for the past 15 months they have only held one meeting, it proved that they were rfot doing their best for the children of the district. He did no know what revenue that tho Board got, but he did know that the Board has £I6OO on fixed deposit earning 41 per cent, but if they invested that money in Government bonds it could be earning 61% per annum, and so give them more funds to assist their school. Then instead of getting an income from the Government House reserve, it was practically not earning anything, the Board only receiving 16s per week for the Government House reserve. The time had arrived when the Hokitika High School Board should he made to move. A higher rental than 16s per week should be obtained. He urged that it should come as a recommendation from this meeting that more assistance should he given by the Board to the District High School, He would move the motion. Mr Preston seconded the motion. He thought it was time that something .more was done for tho District High School by • High School Board. They had a nest eg b . ft reminded him of a clucking hen with an egg, sitting on it to try and hatch something. It was time to try aiid get them to move, and if they did not move then they could get them out. tie Vt'Hild gladly, give 25s per week for GdTcrnment House himself. Tic had pleasure in seconding tho motion. The motion was then agreed to. Mr Bruce moved:—That this meeting of householders respectfully request the High School Board of Governors to vote the local committee the sum of thirteen pounds per annum for the payment of the committee’s secretary.

It had been mentioned that he was a member of the High School Board and he was not very proud of it. Ho thought the Board should do more than it was doing. Seconded by Mr J. King, who said lie would be only too pleased to assist the motion in any way that lay in his power. The motion was agreed to. Mr Shannon moved that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded to the staff of the school for their past services; instancing the very fino report that had been received this year. Seconded by Mr Evans pro forma, who did so as a protest against the suppression of the reports of tho annual examinations. If the present report was one of the best then it must be highly satisfactory in view of tho excellent records of the past. In former years the reports were always published, but now this was not done, tho reports being marked of a confidential nature.

Ho did not think it was in the interest of tho school, this conspiracy of silence in connection with these annual reports. Tho suppression of these reports prevented tho upholding of the interests of the parents in the progress of the school.

In the interest of education generally a protest should be made to the Education Board at the non-publica-tion of the results of the year’s work.

Rev P. B. Fraser said the subject referred to had been before the teaching profession for a considerable time. In the past there had been a call for the publication of the annual reports, which led to much injustice and injury, resulting to the teachers. While the statement that the public have an interest in the schools was correct, the public had the right to elect committees who received these reports and they could take action if they so considered it necessary. He did not think there was the slightest chance of reverting to the publication of those reports, nor did lie deem it desirablo to do so. Mr Shannon said it was not the fault of the Committee that the report was not published. They were of opinion that it would ho advantageous to publish the reports if the Board

would allow it. The motion was agreed to. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE. Eleven nominations were received for nine members, and a ballot was taken, Messrs Goulson and Benjamin acting as scrutineers, the voting resulting as follows: W. M. Shannon 54 A. Aitken 51 S. J. Preston 50 T. W. Bruce 47 W. IC. Richards 45 Rev Purchas 42 D. Stevenson > 42 J. King 40 J. Lloyd 38 W. Rarrowman ; 30 F. W. Feddersen 27 The first nine were declared elected. MISCELLANEOUS.

The Chairman moved that a hearty vote of thanks be passed to the retiring committee for their services during the year. In doing so he suggested to the new Committee that the telephone be reinstalled at the school (applause) and that the Committee revert to prize giving during the ensuing year. Seconded by Mr Hickson and carried. The Chairman on tho suggestion of Mr Shannon, referred to the proposed school war memorial. Recently a lengthy list lmd been published showing

the roll of honor of past scholars. It was gratifying to know there was the intention of erecting a memorial to

their great work. If an appeal was made to old scholars he was sure there would he a hearty response, both old boys and old girls, who would be very ready to mark their appreciation of tho services of those who had served, by assisting in the erection of a memorial in the school grounds. He moved that the new Committee be asked to take active steps to raise a worthy memorial in the grounds to the memory of those scholars who had served in the great war.—Seconded by Mr Hickson and carried.

Mr Shannon promised the assistance of the Committee who were looking forward to the carrying out of the movement. He felt sure they would have the co-operation of the whole district in the effort to make it a worthy one. A vote of thanks to the Chairman for presiding, was carried by acclamation, followed by the singing of the National Anthem, which concluded the meeting. THE NEW COMMITTEE. All members met following the annual meeting. Mr W. H. Shannon was unanimously re-elected Chairman, Mr J. King, Treasurer, and Mr S. J. Preston acting-Secretary. Meeting night was fixed for the first Monday in the month. It was resolved that a deputation wait on the High Sohool Board, consisting of Messrs Lloyd, Preston, Purchas, and Chairman, to discuss matters in connection with the High School, the Chairman to he asked to fix a suitable date.

The question of the school war memorial was then discussed at some length. Some designs were laid on the table and consideration of same were deferred. It was resolved to make a personal appeal to the public, and old scholars particularly. A committee consisting of Messrs Shannon, Lloyd, King, Preston, and Rev Purchas was set up to meet five members of the school staff to arrange the drafting of an appeal. It was resolved that an endeavour bo made to provide attendance prizes during the year. The meeting then terminated.

vf GREYMOUTH. The fallowing Cocimittee. were elected last evening:— • - T. Collins 156 R. J, ‘Williams, 154 F. C. Wade 153 J. Tennent 152 P. McKee-e 152 D. McGregor <... 140 W. Blair 139 J. H. Weaver 109 F. J. W. Pullen 106 W. J. McKane : 103 H. A.. Smith 97 A. Addison 84