SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 830, 23 April 1910, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The last ordinary meeting of the local school committee was held in the school house on Thursday night. Present: Messrs Hornbiow (chairman), Betty, Bullard, Henderson, Levett, Read and Speirs. The headmaster was also in attendance. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs Rev. Aitken and G. Coley. It was reported that the cupboard for cadets' equipment would be gone on with as soon as the details were placed in the hands ol the contractor.

The secretary was requested to make application to the Board for a New Zealand ensign. The headmaster’s report set forth that owing to sickness among the pupils, the attendance fell off at the end of last quarter and the beginning of the present quarter. A marked improvement had been shown during this week. The average attendance for the quarter ending March 31st was 307.7, while the averages for the first two weeks of the present quarter were respectively 257.3 and 295.6. The roll number at present is 369. During the recent storm, a certain amount of damage was done to the school fence. Re school gardens, the headmaster would like to see this matter put in hand at once, as the Board had been informed that the school would take elementary agriculture, and the headmaster had applied for the necessary science apparatus. The term holidays will begin on Monday, May 9UI, and Monday, August 20th, lasting for one week. —The report was received. It was decided to include the repairs to fencing in the school ground improvement scheme. The visitors (Messrs Hornbiow and Henderson) reported upon their inspection, and certain minor repairs were being attended to. Mention was made of the pleasant environment of certain class rooms.

Mr Eevett reported the result of the recent concert held to raise funds to meet the expenses incurred at the recent picnic, which showed that a small deficit was still outstanding. Votes of thanks were accorded to Mr Betty and the performers for getting up the entertainment. Disappointment was expressed by committeemen at the lack of public support extended to the concert, which led Mr Henderson to facetiously remark that as a draw a prize fight should be organised. A lengthy discussion took place re the committee’s finances, and it was pointed out that in order to meet necessary requirements the school improvement fund had been drawn on.

The chairman stated that Mr Pirani (chairman of the Board), and Mr Alf. Fraser would visit the school on Monday next in respect to the completion of the front fence, laying off portion of the ground for gardening, and dividing the boys’ from the girls’ playground. —It was decided to meet at the school at 10 a.m. on Monday. After discussing other minor matters, the meeting rose.