HOUSEHOLDERS MEETING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 1391, 27 April 1915, Page 2

HOUSEHOLDERS MEETING.

The annual householders meetings for the elections of school committees, was held in the various schoolhouses in the Wanganui Education District last night. The attendance at the local meeting was not as large as could be desired, only 23 being present. Mr Hornblow was elected chairman.

The Chairman’s annual report and the balance-sheet for the period ending December 31st, 1914 (which appear in full elsewhere in this issue), were read and adopted.

For the election of a committee of nine for the ensuing year there were 12 nominations, and the result of the poll was as follows : Messrs Chrystall 22, Hornblow 21, Dr. Maudl 20, Hussey iS, Woods 17, Betty 17, Henderson 16, Raine 16, Perreau 16 (elected), Mitchell 13, Claris 9, Donkin 9.

On the motion ot Messrs Hunt and Freeman, a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the outgoing committee tor their services.—ln speaking to the motion the mover expressed disappointment at the very small attendance, which was evidence that the residents did not take the interest they should in education matters. The outgoing committee had done excellent work, and were entitled to the thanks of the community. Mr Chrystall eulogised the good work ot the Chairman, who had for many years taken a very keen interest in the welfare of the children attending the school. He was an excellent Chairman, and the speaker was pleased to work with him.

Mr Henderson also spoke in eulogistic terms of the Chairman’s work, saying he was the right man in the right place. Mr Hornblow in replying, said he had served seven years on the committee, and he considered he had done his duty. This would be his last term. It was regrettable that more interest was not taken locally in educational matters. The local school was costing the State about ,£ISOO a year, aud in view of this large expenditure residents should take more interest in its welfare. During the last seven years a very large sum of money had been extended on the grounds, which were now second to none in the Wanganui District. Under the new Act there was now to be an alteration in the Education Districts aud it was possible that Foxton would be meiged into another district but he hoped it would be retained under Wanganui, as he did not think they could receive better treatment than that meted out by the Wanganui Board. Mr Jackson, head teacher, recorded his thanks to the Committee and the reaching staff for their hearty co-operation during the year, and the meeting terminated with a vote ol thanks to the chair.

| CHAIRMAN'S REPORT. Indies and Gentlemen, —I have the honour to present to you the annual report. Twelve meetings were held during the year, attended as follows :—Messrs Hornblow, Hussey and Henderson n, Perreau 9, Thompson 9, Betty 8 and Chrystall 8, Woods , 7 KentJohnston 4, Mitchell 5. During the year Mr Kent-Johnston resigned, and the vacancy was filled by Mr T. Mitchell, as being next on the list of unsuccessful candidates at the preceding house' holders’ meeting. As a result of a resolution passed at last annual meeting, re lack of school accommodation, the Board was approached and sanctioned the proposed additions, and made application to the Department for a grant of ,£340 for same. I am pleased to report that the Department has authorised the expenditure, and the work will be carried out by the Board’s staff at an early date. The additional class-room will meet the requirements of the school for some years to come. The necessity for improved ventilation in certain class-rooms has also been brought under the notice of the Board, and the latter’s architect has visited the school and reported ou this matter, and the work will also be proceeded with. Minor improvements have been effected to the building during the year. A considerable sum of money has been expended ou grounds improvement during the period. A 6ft. corrugated iron fence has been erected between the front of the school and the old cemetery, and the pine trees removed on the fence line, at a total cost of ,£lB ids. The Borough Council was asked to meet halt cost of this work, but as they had no legal claim to the adjoining land, the Committee made application to the Board for half cost, which was granted. Portion of the girls’ playground was levelled and grassed, at a cost of for which the Board also granted a £ for £ subsidy. The most important piece of work during the year was the laying down of an asphalt tennis court, at a cost of ,£36 odd. The ground in the locality has been levelled, fenced, and a hedge planted dividing it from the main playground. In point of provision for recreation purposes, the school now ranks second to none under the Board’s jurisdiction. The fence in front of the master’s residence was lowered to the level of the footpath, and the Borough Council removed the hill on the footpath in the locality, thus creating an even approach, A sum was expended in this connection by the Committee in re-erecting the fence and putting down concrete steps to the master’s residence, at a cost of about The gardens continue to receive the attention of the head teacher and scholars, and add to the attractiveness of the school

environment. A concert was held during the year in order to provide funds to meet the Committee’s obligations, and resulted in a return of ,£33 7s. The Council provided the hall and picture programme free of charge. Your Committee expended a sura of about £5 on prizes, which, however, is not disclosed in the balance-sheet. By reason of the unsettled state of affairs your committee abandoned the annual picnic. The average attendance at the school for the period ended December 31st was: 354 out of an average roll of 388. For the first quarter of this year the average attendance was 361 out of 389. The work of the school has proceeded satisfactorily during the year and although the toppingoff process at the annual examination was not as satisfactory as your committee and headteacher could desire, still the Board marked its appreciation of the excellent administration and organisation by constituting the institution an observation school. Your committee has not been called upon to investigate complaints trom parents and the utmost harmony and hearty cooperation has existed between members of the staff and committee. Arbor Day was fittingly celebrated. Magistrate Poynton on two occasions visited the school and delivered interesting and instructive addresses to the pupils. The janitor has faithfully carried outbisduties and his remuneration has been increased. The financial position as set out in the balance sheet to the end of the financial year, December 31st, disclosed a debit balance of 13s yd, the receipts from all sources totalling £153 8s Bd. Under the new Act, which came into operation this year, the committee will in future benefit by increased capitation to the extent of 7s per quarter. The general account opened with a debit of 10s qd, and closed with a debit of ,£23 iiSsd, but during the period only 3 capitation grants were received and four payments were made to the school cleaner, otherwise the account would have been in practically the same position as last year. The ground account opened with a credit of ,£3O qs rod, and during the year the sum of £6S is 6d was received by way of proceeds of concert, donations and subsidies. The expenditure on improvements totalled £ss 17s 3d, leaving the account in credit at the end of December ,£l2 9s id, as against ,{,'3o los qd last year. This large expenditure and the extra payment to the cleaner accounts for the difference in the balance this year. Last year there was credit of 14s yd and this year a debit of 13s yd. At present there is a credit balance of ,£l2 17s 2d, the balances of the various accounts being: Picnic cr £4. 16s 2d, grounds cr £<j Ss yd, library cr £s 123 yd, total .£l9 17s qd, bal. M general account dr £7 os 2d, leav- 1 ing bal. at bank Iys 2d. There * are no outstanding liabilities. Your committee is pleased to report that the attendance of the children is excellent, and despite epidemics the school has not been closed. The staff take a keen interest in the outdoor pastimes of the children and in this connection the school girls won the hockey championship last season. In conclusion your committee desire to thank the Board, the staff and the general public for the interest manifested in the welfare of the institution during the year.—Yours etc., John K. Hornui.ow, Chairman.

BALANCE-SHEET.

RECEIPTS. £ S, d. Balance from last audit 29 14 7 Education Board : Capitation fees (£SO 14s), Subsidy fencing (£ls 15s), Subsidy Gardens (£l2 93 6d), Grant Sanitation (£4 ss) 83 3 6 Borough Council: Grant, grounds (£5), Refund Hall Hire (£2 2S 6d) ... 726 Donations: Mr Nation Arbor Day (£l), Mr Jackson, fence (10s) ... 110 0 Concert Receipts ... 34 14 6 Balance on Dec. 31, 1914 13 7 £156 18 8 EXPENDITURE. School Cleaning 34 n 0 Fuel 546 Books, Stationery, etc 316 Repairs 626 Grounds Improvements 85 17 3 Sanitation 8 10 0 Picnic Expenditure ... 211 4 Conceit Expenses ... 310 0 Disinfectant 255 Sports Material I 15 0 Miscellaneous 2 12 o Cartage and Freight ... 18 2 £156 18 S

A meeting of the newly-elected committee was held after the householders meeting, and Mr Hornblow was unanimously reelected Chairman and the Rev. Mr Raiue secretary. It was decided to meet third Thursday' in each month at 8 o’clock p.m. ■ It was decided to affiliate with the Wanganui School Committees Association, it was resolved to urge upon the Board the necessity of providing the extra accommodation without delay. The Chairman was authorised to write Mr Burgess of the teaching staff, who has volunteered for the front, conveying the committee’s best wishes for a safe return. It was decided to meet at the school on Wednesday, May sth, and decide upon new works to be , undertaken. Messrs Betty and Cbrystall were appointed visitors ior the month.