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Hokitika Guardian, 30 April 1925, Page 2

Owing to the lack of interest on the part of parents and householders, the Hokitika School Committee was allowed on Monday night to go out of office unhonored and unsung. The:o was no one other than the übiquitous reporter present, and he was naturally too retiring to move, second and declare carried the complimentary vote of thanks so well earned. It will he remembered the Committee entered the breach when most required and during the year applied themselves, diligently to the task of administration. The powers of a school eommitte are limited, but within those limitations the Committee did their best and deserve the thanks of the community which we have pleasure in conveying. At the same time the regrets of the Chairman that parents and householders did not take more interest in the annual meeting, we hope, will he noted, and that next year less apathy will he 'shown. V© often hear from public speakers the necessity of inculcating into the rising generation the highest ideals and the school age is the best time to advance the precepts. It would be fitting therefore to see the local Committee well supported by public opinion in the discharge, of its tasks so that the lest- atmosphere might prevail in and about the school work. Mention of that reminds one that a now headmaster is about to bo introduced at the local school. AVe hope the Committee will encourage the headmaster to inculcate an espirit de corps among the scholars, so that in school, on the playground, and outside the school grounds, a local scholar will be known by his manly demeanour and his regard for others. The local school has traditions. It has turned out some splendid young men who in this and other countries have filled the highest positions. The good work in that respect should be continued. Them harp been

many changes of late in the education system, but there should he no change in the methods of sending out good men and women who will Ik* an junior to all about them. Harking back to the Committee, we hope its programme with regard to the school grounds will he brought to pass. The grounds have been allowed to go fallow of late years. An appeal to the parents and public generally through well-known channels is sure to merit a practical response. The Committee aiding the new master can achieve a great deal independent of what the Education Board might do, and we are sure the scholars themselves would take a pride in being of help in the work, and by their well-directed efforts bring the grounds hack to more seemly order. The standing of the School will rank higher bv liberal cooperation within and the present is an opportune time for organisation along the lines hinted at.

One of the first matters the newly elected Borough Council must take in hand is the town water supply. "While there has been general satisfaction expressed wit'll what was accomplished regarding a temporary or auxiliary supply, for permanent use that supply is not satisfactory. The water itself is not as free from foreign matter as it might he and its condition does not compare favorably with the supply obtained directly from the lake itself. Xor lias the pressure been satisfactory since tlic auxiliary supply was brought in. It lias been erratic and has affected services which heretoloro were satisfactory. Likewise the reservoir lias not filled as rapidly as it should for the volume of water billowing. There are defects somewhere, and there appears delay in locating those delects. It is some time now since the supplementary supply was brought in, and a pieriod of very good weather missed in which the blockage in tbe old pipe line might be cleared, 'flu* desire was expressed at the last meeting of the Council that the overhaul cl the pipeline should he put in hand immediately. hut there has been dilatory delays, dining which the delects in the temporary supply have had to be put up with. The Council must needs take water supply matters in hand and see that remedial measures are concentrated upon. The water supply has come to he* regarded as the most vital and important service to the town, and as such it should he in the forefront for prime attention. It is essential, too. that a uniform pressure should be maintained. a pressure that will be of service for practical purposes. It is not sufficient that- there should he water only for domestic purposes. f l lie Council has encouraged the use of the water in other directions, and charges accordingly. To fulfil those, contracts for which the Council collects extra Ices, it should see that its part of the agreement i.s possible of completion. Em* these reasons, then the satisfactory maintenance of the water supply becomes a matter for the first consideration of the new Council, and no time should he lost in measures being adopted to see that duty discharged. For the past limr months there lias been interruption and dissatisfaction. Ihe public have been patient in the matter, but it is high time now the matter was oil a letter footing, or the ratepayers told the reason why.