HOKITIKA SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Hokitika Guardian, 28 April 1925, Page 4

HOKITIKA SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

MONDAY, APRIL 27th. Tiie Committee met at 7 p.m. Present; Rev. J. F. Jack (Chairman), Messrs R. Wells, R. J. Pedder, AY. E. Richards, H. It, Sweney, AA - . Goodfellow, W. Hasoler and J. Conning (lion, see.) The minutes were confirmed and outward correspondence approved. IN AVAR D CORRESPONDENCE. From Education Board expressing sympathy with the suggestion that swimming and other sports should he made compulsory, and stating this was not possible, though the regulations contained provision for the teaching of game's as far as possible.—Received ; referred to the new headmaster for attention.

From same, forwarding application of Ernest Partridge M.A.. Alicnton, Ashburton, married, 35 years of age, as headmaster of Hokitika school, asking for approval of the Committee and enclosing names of other applicants.—

Received. After discussion it was resolved to approve of the appointment. From Visiting Committee (Messrs Pedder and AYcTls) reporting on various matters requiring attention at the school.—Received. It was resolved to apply to the Board for 40 loads of gravel; to refer attention to the flagpole to Mr Hasoler for attention; to apply to the Board’s foreman for the supply of 30 infants’ chairs; that spouting and other plumbing work necessary be attended to; that the crack, in the wall of the porch be referred to the Board for urgent attention; also for the school to he painted.

Accounts as presented were passed for payment. Mr AVells moved a hearty voice of thanks to the chairman for the manner in which lie hail conducted the business of the Committee during the term. Seconded by Air Hnseler and carried. The Chairman heartily thanked members for their appreciative vote.

Air Sweney moved a hearty vote to the lion, secretary t.Alr Conning) tor excellent services. Seconded by Afr Pedder, supported h.v the Chairman and carried. The provision of a couch lor the dental room was left to the Secretary to attend to. The Chairman moved a vote ol thunks to the Treasurer (Mr AY. Hasoler). .Seconded by Air AAells and carried. The meeting then terminated at 7.50 p.m. .MEETING OF HOUSEHOLDERS AT HOKITIKA. The annual meeting of householders was held last evening at 7.50 o’clock in the Technical School. The Rev. Jack was voted to the chair, only the nine members of the committee and press being present. The Chairman regretted that there was not more interest apparent among parents and householders. The minutes of last annual meeting were read and confirmed. ANNUAL REPORT. We have tiie honour to present the Annual Report ol the Hokitika School Committee for the year ending March 31st. 1925. Membership.—The Annual .Alee ting of Householders failed to elect a Committee. hut at a subsequent meeting the following members were elected:Messrs ,J. Conning. T. AA'. Dull'. AA’.

Carter. AA'. J. Haseler, R. Wells. R. J. Redder. AY. AY. Good fellow, it. AY. R. Sweney and Rev. J. F. Jack. At the lirst. meeting held Rev J. F. Jack was elected Chairman, Ah' Cari.T Secretary and Air Conning Treasurer. In October Mr Carter resigned owing to his being transferred to Hamilton, and his place on the Committee was taken h.v Air AA’. E. Richards, while Air Conning was appointed Secretary and .Air Haseler Treasurer. During (lie year 12 meetings were held and were: well attended bv members.’

The Schools -The number oil the roll of the Hokitika- School at the end of last year was 4 19, a slight increase on the- previous year. The number on the roll at the South Spit School is 19. The average attendance at licith schools during the year lias been satisfactory. The Staff During the year 1 hi''following teachers have left the school:— Alessrs Irvine (Itcctor), Seeheck (Assistant), Misses Alayiie (Secondary) and Bogle (Denial Norse). Air Seeberk has been replaced H.v Air AYilliamsim. The position of Rector has vet to he tilled, hut we expect that a suitable appointment will ho made within a few weeks. Aliss Lynn B.A. succeeded Aliss Alavne. Aliss Bell was appointed to the Primary Department and Aliss Saunders-ill was unpointed Dental Nurse. Examinations—The Proficiency Examinations were held in Dca-emher and resulted in 22 pupils obtaining Proficiency Certificates and 13 Competency. In the Scholarship Examination one pupil gained a Senior National Scholarship, while all the candidates who sat for the Junior Scholarship secured Free 'Places. ’l’lie results of the Matriculation Examinations were very satisfactory, 5 candidates securing a full [lass, while 3-obtained partial passes. Five candidates also passed the Public Service Entrance, three of whom had the distinction of being in the first hundred for New Zealand. Caretaker—One of tln> first duties of

flu' outgoing Committee was the appointment of a caretaker in place of

Air Rosavear, who retired. Air I). Davie's was appointed to the position

and is giving entire satisfaction. School Buildings—During the year we attempted to get the inside ol the school renovated, and although not successful in getting the work completed foui! of the rooms have been done and the others may he done this year. General repairs have been affected to the school building and (lie caretaker's

cottage, and gas lias been installed in the cottage.

The Grounds—Much attention lias

been given to the grounds during the' year and thev have been considerably improved. The area around the flag pole has been cleaned up and several loads of gravel have been secured to fill in the low lying parts of the playground. ’l'lie trees which had outgrown their usefulness have been chopped down. The whole of the grounds are in urgent need of draining, but: although the Committee has strongly represented the matter to the Education Board and the AI blister of Education it lias not been successful in getting the work clone. The school garden has been fenced oil' and a new fence for the whole grounds applied for. The grounds are now in need of tidying up, anil it is hoped that much ; will lie done in ibis direction this year. Throughout the year the Committee adopted the policy of attending to the matters alfoefiiig (lie health and comfort of the children first and leaving the beautifying until these more important mutters were attended to.

Afemorial—The fence around the monument has been completed and a start lias been made to lay out the grounds surrounding it. Sale of Gifts—At the end of last year the Rector and staff hold a sale of gifts in aid of the Prize Fund. Finance—The year commenced with a, credit balance of £77 13s 5d and ended with a credit of £4l 10s Sd. Picnic—Arrangements were made to hold the annual picnic at Runanga and funds were collected, blit owing to the epidemic the arrangements had to Ire cancelled.

The Report was received and adopt

ELECTION OF COMMITTEE. The following nine previously nominated were declared elected :—Rev J. F. Jack. Alessrs J. Conning, R. AVells. AA’. Goodfellow, IT. R. Sweney. AV. Haseler. R. Pedder. AY. E. Richards and AY. H. Bishop, the latter being the onlv new member, replacing AH' Duife. The meeting then terminated. NEAY COAIAITTTEE.

The new Committee then met when the following appointments were a greed to. Chairman, Rev. J. F. Jack; Secretary. Mr J. Conning; Treasurer, Mr W. J. Haseler.

Tile Chairman referred to a request by Sister Clarke to arrange a nursing class among the scholars. Ho said he did not favor breaking into the school routine, unless there were special reasons l'or so doing. The matter was left to the discretion of the Chairman to deal with as he deemed fit, Messrs Bishop and Goodfellow were appointed visitors for the month. The Committee then rose.