MEETING OF HOUSEHOLDERS.

Hokitika Guardian, 27 April 1926, Page 1

MEETING OF HOUSEHOLDERS.

AT HOKITIKA. There was an attendance of about 35 householders at the Town Hall last evening. Mr Janies King was voted to the chair. The minutes of flip previous annual meeting were read and confirmed. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT. AYe have tho honour to present the annual report of the Hokitika Selioo Committee for the year ending March 31st, 1926.

Membership.—At the annual meeting of householders the following Committee was elected unopposed : —Messrs Bishop, Conning, Goodfellow, Haseler, Redder, Richards, Swcne.v, Wells and Rev. J. F. .Tack. Mr Bishop died in December and his place has not been filled.

At the first meeting of the Committee Rev ,T. F. Jack was re-elected Chairman and Messrs Conning and 11 a sole r were re-elected Secretary and Treasurer respectively.

The Staff.—AVe are pleased t to be able to report that there have not been many changes in the staff during the year. At ilie close of last year we were without a Rector but early in the year Mr Partridge was appointed and took up Ids duties in June. Ihe appointment has proved a most suitable one, and your Committee feels the work of Air Partridge within and without the school is deeply appreciated by parents and pupils alike. -Miss Aitken resigned in July and Aliss Penlington If.A. was appointed in August. Towards the end of the year Mr Beck, who has served the school well, resigned iim | Mr Smith has been appointed in his place. Dental-Nurse SaundorS(m was transferred to Christchurch and your Committee placed on record its appreciation of the work done by her. Miss Cox has taken up her duties as Miss Sa undersoil's successor. Attendance.— During the year tho attendance on the whole has been very good the average attendance being 321. Secondary number of roll 01, average attendance 00. South Spit number on roll 19. average attendance 18. The Buildings.— The school and other buildings have been kept in good general repair and many minor repairs and improvements have been effected. AYe regret, however, that our endeavours to get the exterior of the school painted have not yet proved successful. Ground Improvements.—Your Committee has always recognised tho need of extensive, ground improvements, and with a view to raising sufficient funds to undertake the work a Fair was Hold in the school and—thanks to tho work of the Rector and staff—proved highly satisfactory the sum of £95 Us 2d being taken, including proceeds of picture show organised by Air Sweney. Tenders to drain and level the grounds, erect: concrete curbings and tarring where required, were at once called and the contract was let for 095 15s. This work- is now nearly completed and the benefits will no doubt he felt in the coining winter. The ground around the monument has been dug and laid down in grass. General improvements to tho grounds include the following: 100 loads of sand for football ground ami playslieds. tennis courts repaired ami basket-ball posts renewed and basket-balls secured, and two wire baskets for waste-paper obtained-. Excursions. The annual picnic was held at Grcymouth on 13th February, and favoured with fine weather, it proved a high success, a record crowd of young and old talcing the advantage of the outing and all returned fully satisfied.

AVe are glad to report that a nuinlPr of tho children attending our

school have been able to take tlm adcanlago of Ihe excursion to the Dunedin Exhibition and flic trip will no doubt have proved to their profit and pleasure. .

Finance.—ln the general account the year opened with a credit balance of (“If 16s 8d and closed with £3O 2s 6d. J. If. JACK, Chairman.

The Chairman said the report and balance sheet were very satisfactory indeed. Splendid results had been achieved during the past and previous \T;irs. lU* united tho necessity ol p:u"r o„ts seeing that their children were regular at tenders. Mr Richards moved the adoption of (lie reports and balance sheet, which were very satisfactory. They had a very capable and energetic Rector and efficient staff. Seconded by Air An<l reives and carried. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE.

Messrs Partridge and Andrcwes were appointed scrutineers for the election of nine members, ten being nominated. The result of the ballot was as follows: .]. Conning [1 W. R. 'Sweney 3D' S. J. Preston ... 39 AV. Tv Richards - 9 R. J. Redder ' AY. J. Haseler F. 11 Clarke 33 AV. 11. Shannon 22 •T. P. Co ul so n 21 R, AVells .-•• 13 The first nine were declared elected. A vote of thanks to the Chair terminated tho meeting. NEW COMMITTEE: The new Committee then met all being present except Air Shannon. ATr H. AY. R. Sweney was elected Chairman, Air J. Conning as Secretary ('re-electedV. and Air AY. J. Haseler as Treasurer (re-elected). Votes of thanks were passed to the Secretary and Treasurer for seivices last year. Messrs Preston and Clarke were appointed visitors for the month. It was resolved to meet at 7 p.m. on the first Monday in each month at tho 1 Technical School. Air Preston was added to the ground Committee. It was resolved to obtain a lawn mower.

The meeting then terminated. ARAHFRA ROAD. Mr A. Richards presided over n good attendance of householders. Before opening proceedings, the Chairman moved a vote of sympathy with the Finch family in the loss of their brother, who was an old pupil of Araliura School. The balance-sheet up to 31st March showed a credit of £l3 odd, but some provision has yet to he made for the completion of payment for portion of the last work done, which will bring the accounts slightly Am the debit side. The old Committee were re-elected, with the exception, of Air I. Tainui, who did not seek re-election, and was replaced by Air Archie Bradley. The hope was expressed that the Board would this year come to the Committee’s assistance, thus enabling them to fully complete the good work stn-. led a few years ago. AT ROSS. The meeting of householders was