HOKITIKA HIGH SCHOOL BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 18 September 1929, Page 3

HOKITIKA HIGH SCHOOL BOARD

TUESDAY, SEPTEMBER 17. \ The Board met at 2.45 p.m. Pres-; ent.—Messrs J. A. Murdoch ((’hair T. W. Duff, J. King, A. Cliffon, and T. W. Bruce. The minutes were confirmed arid out..aid correspondence approved. INWARD 'CORRESPONDENCE. The Chairman reported fiiat on the 20th March, 1920, the Assistant Director of Education had directed the Hokitika, High School Board to hand to the Canterbury Education Board all tlio funds of the former Board to assist in the payment of the salaries of teachers <at the' Hokitika District High School, and that tjiis action had been taken in pursuance of Section 87 L of “The Education Act, 1914.” Tho Chairman had raised the legal question as to whether the Minister had power to direct the High School Board in tho manner above indicated. When in Wellington the Chairman had interviewed the Minister and the Director of Education on the point, and - had laid the views of the Hokitika High School Board before the authorities.

As a result' of tho Chairman’s interview the Board has now received !he following letter: — From tlio Assistant Director of Education, Wellington:— ] have discussed the position- of yotir Board and its finances with Mr •Strong. We notice that the present roll number of the District High School is 107, and if the -lumbers increase to, say, 12b or more there may be some nrospec.t for the establishment of a separate high school. It therefore appears to us to he wise to allow your funds to accumulate so as to he available in the event ol the establishment of a high school for buildings, site and other purposes. A high school was recently established at Waimate, and the Board was able to contribute some thousands if pounds towards the expenses of establishment. —Received.

The Chairman said that seeing the attendance had increased during the last three years from 56 to 107 the members of tlie Board would be en'•■ooraged in their endeavours to further increase the attendance to the necessary 120 scholars, in which case the Board could actively function and use their funds which through the careful management of the Board now stood at approximately £SOCO. He was sure the parents in the district would he pleased to read the reports and correspondence now presented.

Mr E. Partridge (Rector*) who was preseM stated since the school resumed the roll number had dropped to 104. He thought that' it would be very difficult to increase the roll number, as the district had been well combed for secondary pupils. A general discussion followed in which it was . resolved to adjourn consideration to a meeting to be hold nt the School on October 18th at 2.30 p.m., the Rector to submits report on the subject and members to give full consideration to jtheE'subject thereon, with a • view to deciding on what action should he taken.

OTHER BUSINESS. The Chairman reported that six British ’ Improved typewriters had Uopij, secured at a very substantially reduced price.—Report received and Chairman’s action approved, the amount being passed for payment. The Treasury forwarded subsidies amounting to £95 9s lOd. —Received with thanks.

From Hokitika Borough Council notifying reappointment of Mr J. King as representative on the Board. —Received. . , From Education Department, Wellington, notifying appointment' of Mr J. A. Murdoch to Board.—Received. . From Rector (Mr E. Partridge) notifying scholarships had been awarded to G. Barrowman, Ituatapu, and D. S. Steele, Ross; also recommending ■an additional scholarship of £lO per year for. two years for R. Wilson, Ross.—(Received and recommendation approved.

Accounts as tabulated amounting to £34 15s 6d were passed f. r payment. It was resolved to invite tendeis for fencing the Board’s reserve. Tho Chairman was requested to convey to Hon H. L. Michel a resume of their proceedings and to express their good wish for his early return to good health, enabling his resump tion of the chair.

The meeting then terminated