NGATEA SCHOOL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5216, 14 December 1927, Page 3

NGATEA SCHOOL.

MEETING OF COMMITTEE. GENERAL BUSINESS. The committee of the Ngatea District High School, met on Monday evening, Mr W. McDuff presiding. MEMBER RESIGNS. Following on the trouble ventilated at the previous meeting concerning the operation of summer-time in the s ihool Mr Burke wrote resigning from the committee. Mr G. T. Davidson had tendered his resignation at the previous meeting. Mr Burke’s letter was as follows : “In my opinion the ballot taken on the hour for school to open in the morning was not a fair go from start to finish, and was not sanctioned by the committee, as stated on the ballot paper. Furthermore, I have good reason to believe that all parents: did not receive a ballot paper. I therefore wish to resign from the committee.” i The chairman said that it seemed unnecessary to deal further with the matter. The subject had been discussed fully at the previous meeting, when Mr Burke was. present. He was sure all parents had got a ballot paper. Eighty-eight papers had been issued and 84 returned. The headmaster, Mr W. Chappell, detailed the method adopted in issuing the ballot papers. The only chance of parents not receiving ballot papers was due to children failing to deliver them. In the four cases where papers were n°t received back the parents were communicated with by telephone. It was decided to nominate Messrs W. Clark and R. Rowlings to fill the two vacancies. ADDITION TO HALL STAGE. A letter was received from the secretary of the Ngatea Hall Committee taking exception to the fact that an addition had been made to the stage for the recent concert without the permission of the Hall Committee. The chairman said he could not understand what exception could be taken by the Hall Committee. No harm was done. He was doubtful whether the communication had come from the committee, as he was a member of if and had not heard of a meeting since the concert. Mr Foster said there .was. no doubt that permission should have been obtained.

On his. motion the secretary was authorised to reply expressing regret. SCHOOL CONCERT.

The secretary, Mr E. Barriball, reported that the net profit of the recent school concert was £29 ss. It was decided to apply for a subsidy. On the motion of the chairman a vote of thanks was accorded the staff for its work in organising the concert.

Arising out of a discussion on acquiring a first-aid outfit, as recommended by the Mr C. 3Foster suggested applying to the Edu-, cation Board. —Agreed to’. After paying off the debt -?n t’.c cocoa-heating apparatus the money, together with the subsidy, will be., applied to acquiring a couch, electric kettle, gramophone, and a sewing machine. It was decided to seek information concerning the installation of a septic tank. GROUND IMPROVEMENTS. The Auckland Education Board wrote advising that a grant of £26 had been authorised for expenditure on tarring and sanding work, and that a special grant of £27 10s, being half the balance of the estimated cost, would also be available. The chairman stated that Mr Basham would place the level pegs in position during the Christmas holidays. The headmaster reported that all parents and residents of th© district had been circularised advising that a call would be made shortly for dona-, tions.

The committee authorised: the collection and appointed collectors.. A donation of £1 Is was received from the Ngatea Presbyterian Ladies’ Guild towards, the gounds improvement scheme in token of appreciation for tlie use of the playground for the recent garden party.

The donation was thankfully received. The headmaster urged that the parents or guardians of the present standard six scholars of all the Plains schools should be circularised in regard to the advantages of the secondary department. The Education Board had circulars available. He had obtained lists: of parents from the other headmasters, and with the approval of the committee would forward them. *

The scheme was approved, it being mentioned that the roll number next year would probably be nearly thirty-