Hokitika School Committee.

Hokitika Guardian, 7 February 1922, Page 4

Hokitika School Committee.

—. —..— * * j MONDAY, FE.I3. 6th. ! The committee met at 7.30 p.m. Present:—Messrs W. ,0- Shannon (Chair-, man), J. King, D. Stevenson, A- Aitken, W. E. Richards', T. W." Bruce, S. J. Preston (sec), and Rev. Purchas. The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. INWARD CORRESPONDENCE. Leave of absence was granted Mr J. Lloyd and it was resolved to convey the best wishes of the Committee for the speedy recovery of Mr Lloyd from his illness. From Canterbury Education Board, Christchurch agreeing to pay half cost of 20 loads of gravel.-'Received. From Westland County Council advising that the boat landing at Lake Mali inapua was in the jurisdiction of the Westland Acclimatisation Society.—Received.

From Hon Downie Stewart, Wellington, acknowledging resolution urging a tightening of the picture censorship.— Received.

From Hon C. J. Parr, Minister of Education, Wellington, thanking Committee for complimentary motion in connection with loyalty inculcation in schools.—Received.

The Education Board notified circular from Education Department notifying the discontinuance of conveyance and boarding allowances in cases of pupils attending district high schools.—Received. Tt was resolved to communicate with the member for Westland on the subject. RECTOR’S REPORT. From Rector as follows: — The school reopened this morning with a very gratifying attendance. In the Primary Department there were present 318 scholars as compared with 287 last year, while in the Secondary' Department there w r ere 69 scholars present, despite the fact that the present train arrangements preclude pupils both Kumara and Ross attending. The school has again been very successful in the public exminations. At the annual pxnmintion in St. 6, 21 scholars obtained proficiency certificates and 4 competency. Nearly all of the former have entered the Secondary Department. At the matriculation examination three candidates, Ruth Wild, Connie Pamment and Maud Ferguson; passed the whole examination, while Edna Dale obtained a partial) pass, having failed in one subject. For the Public Service Entrance Examination, one candidate, Tom Kelly was successful, but it must be remembered that 9 candidates passer! his examination in June. Ruby j Meyer and Nellie Thompson were sue- | cessful in passing the Intermediate , Examinations, while Ruby Meyer also j gained a Junior National Scholarship, i Five candidates who sat for the scholar- j ship examination were successful in | '.mining Free Places. j R üby Meyer. j Jean Dixon. ] Emil Hackell. \ j Wm. G. C. Boddington. Merle Swenev.

In connection with these results I should like to point out that Ruby Meyer is entitled to have her name entered on the Honours List of the School as are also several others for the years 1919 and 1920.

Up to the present the Board has done nothing in regard to the porch over the entrance door on the north side of the school and the re-flooring of the corridors. The Board’s foreman promised to have these matters attended to during, the holidays, and T think the Committee should again remind the Board of its promise.

Two of the wash-bowls in the lavatory are worn out and require renewing, and three panes of glass in the windows are broken. Quite a number of the door handles are out of order and require attention.—Received. The statement of attendance was received as very satisfactory, in spite of the ■unsatisfactory train arrangements. It was resolved to carry out the usual procedure, with regard to the honors board. It was resolved to draw the attention of the Bogrd to the! fact that the repairs authpriseef and agreed to by the Board had not yet been carried out by.the Overseer, though he had promisto do tiie work during the ’Xmas, holidays.

The Visiting Committee per Mr Richards reported the requirements were included in the Rector's report. During the holidays the caretaker had made considerable improvement with jth.e asphalting and levelling of the grounds.— Received.

The necessity of carfying out ap Improvement of the ventilatjon in some of the class-rooms, recommended for the last two years by the Inspector, was mentioned. It was resolved to refer the matter to the Board and ask for immediate attention tq sth and 6th class rooms.

Mr Bruce and Rev Purcfias were appointed visitors for the month. , Mr Bruce mentioned the arrival of General Russell on Friday evening and suggested that the school children attend ‘and greet him on arrival. The suggestion was approved and it was resolved to ask the children to assemble at Keller’s Hotel on Friday next at 6 p.m. Accounts amounting to £4O 19s lOd were passed for payment.

On the chairman’s motion; a vote of appreciation was passed to Mr King in connection with special consideration given in connection with the school prises.

In connection with the school excursion it was resolved to ask the Mayor to proclaim a public holiday and to ask the Band to attend'. The Committee rose at 8.25 p.m. SCHOOL WAR MEMORIAL. The Commitee met after the meeting of the School Committee. After discussion it was resolved to ask the collectors to complete their collections, it being necessary to raise a considerable gum yet before the memorial could be ordered. It was resolved to authorise Mr Thompson to tentatively order the memorial, subject to a cable of confirmation when the collectors’ returns were finally received, the meeting to be adjourned for a month to enable the collections to be completed. The Qommitfe then rose.