SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIII, Issue 2310, 2 August 1921, Page 2

SCHOOL COMMITTEE

The monthly meeting of the local State School Committee was held last night. Present: Messrs Hornblow (chairman), Geo. Coley, Jno. Boss, F. D. Whibley, A. Stevenson, Perre.au, P. Robinson, and Mr MeDon ell, first assistant. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs M T . Nye and C. Pearson.

The Chairman stated that, owing to indisposition, Mr Furrie, head master, had been unable to attend to his duties during the past week, and it would probably lie a month before lie would lie well enough to lcsunie. The Board had been asked (o send a relieving teacher, but had replied that, owing to sickness elsewhere, all the teachers were engaged. The Chairman said the headmaster, under medical advice, would not he able to resume duty this month. It was resolved to communicate with the Board and again request the services of a relieving teacher, and to forward a letter of sympathy to Mr Furrie. The Chairman stated that the Board had not yet appointed an infant mistress, the position being filled by a relieving teacher. The Chairman’s action in letting the old school residence was endorsed.

A report was received from Mr Nye, stating that the. levelling, etc., of. .the girls’ playground had been carried out satisfactorily by the contractor. In connection with this work, flic Chairman stated that the Board had sanctioned a subsidy of half-cost. The Chairman and Mr Whibley reported re negotiations for the acquisition of section adjoining the girls’ playground for swimming oaths. They had been informed that ilie Native owners would favourably consider the transfer of the seel ion lo the school, and negotiations wore In progress to this end. Nothing definite could lie arranged until Parha men t met, when the title would lie rectified. A mistake had been made in transferring' this section to the Borough Council instead of the old cemetery.

Mr Coley was thanked for a gift of Iwo loads of soil, and it was decided to lop-dress the front lawn, I lie carrying out of this work to he left in Ihe hands of Mr Coley. Messrs Pearson and Whibley were appointed visitors for the mouth. The average attendance was reported as 358 for last week. Mr Coley was of opinion that a number of children were not attending school us regularly as they should, .judging by (he number he had seen about the streets during school hours.

Mr Perreau asked what steps could he taken to assist the Beach it-shields to open a school at the seaside. After some discussion, it ''.'as decided to confer with the Beach residents on (lie subject. Accounts were passed for payment, nnd the meeting rose.