SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTION.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3025, 20 April 1926, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTION.

ANNUAL MEETING OF HOUSEHOLDERS. The annual meeting of the householders held in the local schoolhouse last evening for the purpose of receiving the annual report and balance-sheet of the retiring Committee and electing a new Committee, showed a livening of interest in school matters, the attendance being in the vicinity of fifty persons, residents of Foxton Beach being present in good number. Mr. F. Woods was elected to the chair. The annual report (published in our issue of Saturday) was taken as read on the motion of Mr. Christie, and the balance-sheet was read by the secretary, both being adopted.

The Headmaster’s report (published elsewhere in this issue) was read by Mr. Mason, and received. At this stage AH’. Perreau took the chair, and conveyed the apologies of Messrs Jno. Ross, Rooi'e, Stevenson and Hornblow for their unavoidable absence. Mr. Perreau reviewed at some length the work of the Committee, which had lifted an amount of £IOO from the Education Board as accrued subsidies, thus enabling them to carry out necessary work. He stressed the fact that the public, in giving £1 to the Committee for school purposes was actually' giving £2, on account of the £ for £ subsidy of the Department. The establishment of the District High School in Foxton was, he said, an achievement of which the Committee felt especially proud. Mr. Perreau mentioned that harmony and co-operation had existed throughout the year between the teaching staff, Committee and parents, and he thanked them in this connection, also remarking that the past year had been one in which there had been received less complaints than he remembered during his twenty years as a committeeman. Ihe establishing of a dental clinic in connection with the school had taken a great deal of the Committee s attention. This was a most important question, and the Committee

had made several visits to Levin for the purpose of studying the system in operation there, and Levin Committeemen had also visited Foxton. The Foxton Committee were disappointed with the response received from parents up to the present, but the speaker thought possibly that the scheme may appeal to parents now that it had actually come into operation. In conclusion, Mr. Perreau mentioned the good work of Mr. Alf. Fraser as Board member in cooperation with the Committee, especially in connection with the establishment of the District High School.

The election of nine Committeemen resulted as follows: —Messrs Perreau, Alsop, F. Wloods, A. Stevenson, Jno. Ross It. Rangiheuea, 11. Hutchins, W. 11. Walton, J. K. Hornblow.

Those Committeemen present returned thanks for being elected. The matter of the erection of a High School building was discussed at some length, and the following resolution was proposed by Rev. Walton and carried unani mously: —“That this annual meeting of householders strongly urges the Education Department to proceed as soon as possible with the erection of a suitable building for the High School.” The chairman mentioned that he had learned from the Board’s architect that Foxton was already on the list for a High School building. Mr. Perreau also brought forward the question of the establishment of swimming baths, and urged the new Committee to do all they could in this matter. Referring to the matter of the dental clinic, Mr. Powell contended that one of the reasons why the scheme had not been taken up was the failure of the Committee to explain the details. Rev. Walton then explained at some length the details of the scheme, and the difficulties that had to be contended with in launching it. Mr. Adams spoke on the question of accommodation for the girls’ cooking classes and recommended that a suitable building be erected in the school grounds. Mr. Mason said he had written the board after the fire had destroyed the Town Hall, reporting the loss of the class-room and equipment, and had negotiated for temporary premises, furnishing full details at the request of the Board. Mr. McMurray brought forward the matter of the appointment of a second lady teacher to the High School, and in objecting to such appointment moved the following motion, which was carried: —“That this meeting of householders protest against the action of the Board in appointing a second lady teacher lo the High School and that the appointment of a male teacher is necessary.”

The meeting then terminated and the newly-elected Committee met and appointed Mr. F. Woods chairman. The apopintment of secretary was held over, the Rev. Walton to act in the pro tern.