SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 1067, 22 February 1913, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The monthly meeting of the local State school committee was held last night. Present : Messrs Hornblow (chairman), Barber, Betty, Geo. Coley, F. W. Fraukland, Hunt, Henderson, Hussey and Alex. Speirs. The Chairman reported that the ventilation in one of the class rooms was so unsatisfactory that it was affecting the health of the children. Upon the headteacher reporting the matter, he had communicated at once with the chairman of the Board, who had given instructions to have extra windows erected without delay in order to flush the room with fresh air. Instructions had been giveu to have the work done at once and the improvements would be completed next week. He had also invited the Board member, Mr Fraser, to make an inspection of the school in respect to replacing the stoves and flues with grates and chimneys. Mr Speirs furnished a report on the subject to the Board, through Mr Fraser, but owing to the Board’s large overdraft consideration of the matter was held over till next meeting. The headteacher reported that the average attendance for the past three weeks was 336 out of an average roll number of 360. Since opening 39 pupils had been admitted and 23 had left. The present roll number contains 16 more names than for the last quarter of last j ear. Miss McHardie and Mr Burgess, assistant teachers, took up their duties on Feb. 3rd ; Miss M. Collins was appointed pupil teacher on Monday last. Certain repairs were suggested.—The report was received.

It was decided to forward a letter of thanks to the teaching staff for their assistance iu respect to the annual concert.

Messrs Speirs and Betty were re-appointed visitors for the month.

Matters in connection with the school excursion and picnic were then discussed. The Chairman reported that the Railway Department had sanctioned a special train to Ashhurst and that the Ashhurst Domain Board had placed the grounds at the disposal of the'commiltee. The committee were indebted to Mr Geo. Coley for canvassing the townspeople for subscriptions and he had succeeded in putting up a record in this connection. His efforts had been rewarded to the extent of ,£23 17s 6d and he hoped to increase this sum to The Chairman had extended, on behalf of the committee, an invitation to the Catholic school children to attend the picnic-

Two tenders were received for catering for the children at the picnic and a sub-committee was appointed to obtain further details from the caterers with power to act.

Mr Speiis was appointed to take charge of unsold excursion tickets as from Tuesday night and to supply same to those requiring them at the railway station at 7.30 on Wednesday morning.

The headteacher and a subcommittee were appointed to purchase prizes for races, etc., to the extent of £6.

The Chairman’s action in inviting the Catholic children was endorsed. Information was asked in respect to conveying the children from the Beach to the school. The Chairman explained that the Board had the matter in hand. Three tenders had been received, viz., irom Messrs Watt Bros., J. Senior and H. Coley. The names of 12 childien, of school age, had been handed in.

Other minor matters were discussed and the meeting rose.