NGATEA HIGH SCHOOL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXX, Issue 5476, 18 September 1929, Page 3

NGATEA HIGH SCHOOL.

MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The Ngatea District High School Committee held its monthly meeting on Monday evening, Mr W. McDuff presiding over Messrs C. Vagg, C. S. Foster, W. Wylde, R. Comthwaite, and W. Chappell (secretary). Additions to School. Mr A. W. Hall, M.P., forwarded a letter from the Minister of Education advising that Cabinet had approved a grant for additions to the Ngatea school. The Auckland Education Board advised on September 2 that its architect had been instructed to prepare plans and invite tenders for the work as early as possible. The secretary reported having interviewed the architect in Auckland, and had learned that the new classroom was a detached building in the north-west corner of the school ground. It would be 22ft by 21ft 6in, and would contain two rooms and a corridor. The situation and design would be such that all the sunlight possible would be obtained, arid it would be possible to extend the building when required. The two new rooms would be for the infant department, and would make room available in the main school for the surplus of the secondary department. The building would probably be finished by Christmas.

Additional Land. In reply to the committee’s request for additional land, advice was received that a right-of-way 20ft wide and adjacent to the school ground had been set aside as access to the newly acquired sports ground. The Lands and Survey Department had been asked to finalise the matter. The secretary reported having interviewed the Commissioner of Crown Lands on the subject w’hen in Auckland recently, and he had also had Mr W. G. Hayward represent the matter to the Land Board. . Improveriients. Mr Foster advocated erecting a sheep-proof fence on the western boundary of the sports ground. The fences*on the other sides had been made sheep-proof, and the Hauraki Plains Meat Co. had agreed to graze sheep on the area on frequent occasions to keep the grass short. The work was authorised. The chairman reported having arranged a working bee of local, settlers to remove a drain bank and fill hollows on the sports ground. There would be at least five carts on the job. Sports Gear. If within the committee’s power, it was decided to subsidise contributions by the boys of the school towards the cost of providing cricket gear. Membership. Mr H. F. Louch was nominated as a committeeman in place of Mr E. C. Barriball. Capitation Allowance. The Education Board advised that consequent upon the additional Government grant the board had resolved to increase the allowance for incidental expenses by five per cent. The secretary stated that the sum would be about £3. Staffing. The Education Board advised that Miss Burns, assistant in the secondary department, had been granted leave of absence until the end of the year owing to the serious illness of her father, and that Mr H. S. Vant had been appointed relieving secondary assistant. Ornamental Gate. The secretary reported having obtained catalogues and quotations for iron gates suitable for the main entrance. The money for this was in hand, being part of the sum raised for ground improvements. In view of the provision of an extra classroom, it was decided to defer the matter until it was seen whether a new entrance was to be provided.