SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4826, 6 May 1925, Page 2

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

ELECTIONS ON THE PLAINS. School committees for the ensuing year were appointed at the annual meetings of householders in the various school districts on Monday evening NGATEA HIGH SCHOOL. Mr W. McDuff presided over Messrs C. W. Schultz, C. Foster, J. E. Reid, N. J. Crabb (headmaster). Mirs J. N. Anderson, Mrs N. J. Crabb, and the Rev. 13. H. Brookre.

Reporting on the old committee’s operations, Mr McDuff stated that the year had been a busy one. A great deal of improvement had been carried out but much remained to be done. There was about £l5 in hand for the 'purpose. Trees had been planted along th’rce sides of the scboblground. In connection with the establishment of the dental clinic the committee had thought .the matter was proceeding smoothly, and so it was until a. subsidy was asked for. Previously the committee had leen asked several times when the building would ba ready, but. recently a letter had been received from the Board’;: architect asking that the erection be delayed until the plans were approve cd by the various departments. The bniiding was being erected according to a plan submitted by the architect, so no difficulty should be experienced. Subscriptions for the purpose had amounted to £39 12s, and on that a subsidy of £2- for £1 was available. In addition there was £6 13s 3d available from another account, and the total should be sufficient for the purpose.

Mr McDuff said that he wished to thank the teachers of the school for their assistance during the year, and also ti e members bf the committee and particularly the secretary, the Rev. E. H. Brooker.

The headmaster, Mr N. J. Crabbe, reported that since the school opened on April 24, 23 children had left and 23 new scholars had entered. The roll number at. present was : Primary llfC secondary 19; and the average attendance since reopening, pirinary 109. secondary 16- As soon as primary department could reach an average attendance of 121 the school would go up a grade, entitling it to an additional teacher and increased representation on the committee. A? this was the last meeting of the old committee he asked to be allowed to thank the members of it for the help given him, and for their efforts in establishing the dental clinic. He offered the suggestion that an effort should be made during the year topersuade the Education Board to establish a manual and technical school. ■ The : statement of the school fund account showed receipts totalling £392 2s, including £349 10s from the. Education Board. The credit balance w.a> £39 9s 6d. Expenditure items included £2lO for conveyance of pupils, £l2 5s for boarding allowance, £63 16s lOd Nominations for the new committee were: Mrs J. N. Anderson, the Rev. E. H. Brooker, Messrs W. McDuff, C. S. Fostejr, J. E. Reid, and C. W Schultz, the first five beingelected-

Al the ensuing committee meeting Mr AV McDuff was reappointed chairman and the Rev. E. H. Brooker reappointed secretary. The necessity for another shelter-, shed was brought up by Mr Foster, and after discussion it was decided to approach the. Education Department. It was decided that the regular monthly meeting be. held on the second Monday in the. month. TURUA SCHOOL. Strong comment was voiced by the outgoing committee at the great apathy shown by the majority of the parents and householders of Turua inthe interests of their children’s education, and school welfare generally, as shown: by the small- attendance at the annual meeting. There were 16 present, and Mr J. Mules presided. Reporting on the committee’s operations during the past year Mr F. H. stephens, its chairman, pointed but the large amount of work that: had been done on the . grounds by way of levelling, asphalting, and general improvement. The headmaster, Mr J. Brownlee, reported that at the beginning of the year the roll number was 164, and at the close 163, the average attendance being J 42. Both the average attendance and the school, work .had suffered during the year owing to the epidemics of measles and chicken-pox during the winter months, and the influenza epidemic in November, which had necessitated the school being closed for 10 days. Another cause was the break in the work on account of the headmaster’s absence for three months bn sick leave. At the fancy dress ball in May. 1924, the sum of £32 had been raised, and with the cash in hand and the. subsidy there was sufficient with which to purchase a piano for the school. A further £lO 8s was obtained at the breaking-up ceremony, and on this a subsidy Mould be obtained and the money spent in concreting a culvert to the horse pad--dock. The roll number at present was 155.

The reports were adopted and votes of thanks accorded the chairman and members of the committee, and also the staff of the school. Nominations for the committee were Messrs J. W. Chapman, A. B. Aberhart, C. Dale, S. S. Murray, T. H. White, S. G. Williams, J. A. Walker, L. Pentecost, and J. Schmidt, and the first seven were elected. At the subsequent committee meeting Mr J. W. Chapman was appointed chairman and Mr J. A. Walker secretary.

It was decided to again carry on the hot cocoa service during the winter months, and plant a belt of shelter trees along the southern boundary fence.

KERHPEEHI CENTRE.

The meeting at Kereepehi was attended by seven persons, and the committee clected comprlsed Messns J, H.