PRIMARY SCHOOLS

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLV, Issue 119, 22 April 1925, Page 3

PRIMARY SCHOOLS

HOUSEHOLDERS’ MEETINGS, SANDON. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The annual meeting of householders of Sandon School was held at the county oflieo on Monday evening. The attendance was very fair. Air W. E. Pearce presided. The chairman said it was only fitting that the meeting should express its symMrs P. Bowater and family eir bereavement. Air Bowater had been a member of the committee for some years and had always taken a keen interest in the welfure of the school. The motion was carried, all present standing. The report and balance-sheet was read, showing a debit balance on the working of £4 2s 4d.

The chairman in his report drew attention to the fuct that 19 meetings hud been held during tho year, with a full attendance every time with only one exception, when one member was out of the district. During the year new books to the value of £5 8s 3d had been added to the school library. Regarding the improvements, to the ground, 10 working bees had been held during the year. The general response hud not been very gratifying, but with tho labour available considerable improvements had been effected. The annual picnic held on 19th December was quile a success. Prizes to tho value of £ls were distributed, the cost being met from the proceeds of two children’s dunces organised by the ladies, while the balance owing on the piano at the school was ulso met from this source. During the enforced holiday a few of the Indies and members of the committee had givefft the school a thorough cleaning and fumigating. 9 he report and balance sheet was adopted. Sir Pearce, before vacating the chair, thanked tile committee for their assistance during the year. On the motion of Mr IT. J. Fagan, Mr W. 15. Pearce was elected to take the chair for the meeting. On the motion of Mr J. It. Crouch, a hearty vote of thanks was carried with acclamation to the past committee for their services during the year. For the positions on tho new committee eight nominations were received. The ballot resulted in the election of Messrs \V. iv. Pearce, F. \V. 'l’ostevin, J. Masters, 11. Oppatt and A. Anderson for the new committee. At a. meeting of the new committee, Mr Pearce was elected chairman and Mr Tostevin secretary. It was resolved that applications be called for the position of caretaker, same to be considered at a meeting to be held on Wednesday, 29th inst. Accounts amounting to 11s 6d were passed for payment. Tho meeting then adjourned. GLEN OROUA. The annual meeting of householders was belli in the Glen Oroua School on Monday evening, Mr A. Terry presiding. The chairman's report showed that during the year the school had been well maintained and looked after by the committee. The school ground had been ploughed and re-sown, a wood-house built and the inside of the school re-painted; also that electric light had been installed in the head teachers residence. The head teacher’s report showed that the attendance for the year had been very good, but owing to the measles the school concert had to lie postponed. Tho balance-sheet showed a credit of £37 which the chairman stated was very satisfactory. The committee for the following year is : Messrs Scott, Terry, Howl, VI heeler, and Farland. A3HIIURST. (From Our Own Corr«*»ond«nt.l There were 17 present at the annual meeting of householders when the report and balance-sheet, which showed receipts at £l2B 14s Id, expenditure £llO 15s lu, and a credit, balunco of £l7 19s, were adopted. The report was as follows; —After due consideration to the recommendation from the householders’ meeting last year, the committee decided to take no ation in connection with the erction of memorial gales at the school entrance. During the year repeated requests have been made to the Eductaion Board with a view to having our present deplorable building either re-mod-elled or rebuilt, but up io the present nothing beyond an inspection by the hoard s architect has been done. Minor necessary repairs and improvements have been carried out to the building and grounds. During tho year £l4 worth of new books were added to the school library. The attendance for the year was well maintained. For the December quarter it was 134. At the 1924 examinations nine pupils gained proficiency certificates, four competency certificates and four junior free places. The stalf is to be congratulated upon the number of pupils taught to swim, no less than 40 swimming* certificates having: been presented, which is most creditable when it is remembered we have no public baths and the river is not well suited for swini ming. An active part has been taken m the various school games and local scholars bavo visited other schools and visiting teams have been entertained here. J he school has been well represented among prize winners at the various shows. I he annual picnic was abandoned owing to tho epidemic. With tho exception of the transfer of Mr T. A. Tlardie to tho Trmning College and the appointment of Miss M. M. Sunders as pupil teacher, tho stall of tho school is unchanged. As you are aware the schools have remained closed until to-dav owing to tho epidemic which has been the cause of terrible suffering, and in many cases death, to the children of our Dominion. Although this most unfortunate prolonged holiday lias delayed tho opening of the school, our headmaster assures us lie has every confidence of making up the lost time before the end ot the year. During the year two old and enthusiastic members of the committee, Messrs T C Burton anil W. H. Read, resigned owing to their leaving the district The following were elected a committeevMessrs W. N. Brewer (chairman), G. K. Ta.vtor (secretary), W. R- 74' Thorne, \V. G. Romley, G. Hall and D. C ThoTollowing resolution was unanimously carried:— That this meeting of householder, respectfully urges the Education Board to proceed with the re-modelling of this school as promised in 1923. OROUA DOWNS. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The annual meeting of the Oroua Downs school householders was held m the schoo. on Monday evening. There were very tew present. In the absence of the secretary, the chairma<i read the report of the year s work.. The work of the school has been very satisfactory. Good progress has been made with improvements to the school and surroundings, and satisfaction was expressed with the improved appearance of the grounds. Tho work done during last year includes concreting all round the school, fixing and painting of fences, fixing flagpole and putting new shelves in the school. The school funds show a very satisfactory amount in hand to begin the year. Some time was spent in discussing future improvements. No changes were made in tho personnel of the committee the present members being: Messrs Witton (chairman), E. Fergusson (secretary), 11. Gawler, li. Proctor and J. llurtley. LINTON SCHOOL. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Tho annual meeting of householders held in the Linton school was well attended. Mr A. E. Paget occupied the chair. Two members of tho outgoing committee, Masers Jos. Bntchelar and E. Larsen, declined nomination, and the nominations of Messrs James and Lash were received. The new committee comprises Messrs A. Paget (chair), G. llampson (hon. sec.), S. Irvine, F. Lash and James. Tho balance-sheet was read and adopted. On the motion of Mr Alhvright, the outgoing committee were accorded a

vote of thanks for the fine services they had rendered to the school during their period of office. On the motion of Mr Jos. Batcholar it was decided to forward a letter of sympathy to the relatives of Mr Massey expressing a wish for his speedy reoovery. Mr J. Lauridscn. spoke of the unsatisfactory state of affairs regarding tho conveyance of children from, Ruvenswood to tho school and said that, unless sonic better . financial arrangement was made, ho would be compelled to discontinue his bus service. The secretary reported that the Education Board had boon notified on three occasions hut no reply was yet to hand. On the motion of Mi James it was decided to further write tnc board and if no satisfactory arrangements could be made a deputation from Ravenflwood should apply directly to tho Minister either for aid in the matter or for the erection of a, school at Ravens wood. In the meantime Mr Lauridsen agreed to carry on for another month*. HEADMASTER’S REPORT.

The headmaster reported: A year ago our attendance roll was 86 and for some months the average fell 'below 81. Latterly we gained scholars bringing the roll up to 97 and the average for the whole year to 81. School re-opened on Monday with tin attendance of 85 and a roll of 93. We expect three or four additional pupils soon. This it quite satisfactory. The year’s work wa& somewhat interfered with by an outbreak of measles. Notwithstanding, a satisfactory standard wus maintained and we hope to regain as much of the lost ground as possible. I would recommend the committee to press for a uniform examination in proficiency throughout New Zealand so that the same time may be ailotted to such a subject as arithmetic in every school. Our football team had another year of unfailing success. At the Royal Show several girls were winners in the sewing and writing clashes, also a boy in drawing. The improved train service for pupils attending secondary and technVil schools is highly appreciated and I 1 i*el sure the committee will convey its thanks to thooe. who assisted in this matter. I have pleasure in sating that every assistance was rendered by the committee in advancing tho interests of the school and the response of the parent** in maintaining the necessary attendance is a matter for congratulation. SECRETARY’S REPORT.

The secretary, reporting on the work of the past year, took the opportunity to thank householders for their support by contributing to subscription lists in connection with the artesian bore and septic tank tor the school. The fund** he continued, have been forwarded to tho Education Board and it is hoped the work will soon be commenced. The committee during the year have had at their disposal the sum of £ll6 Bs, and of this £IOB 8s 4d has been expended on the following improvements and necessities; school cleaning and utensils, repairs to building fences, fuel, school stationery, library books, metal for paths, etc*. Last . year we had a credit balance of £39 14s 6d and, notwithstanding the improvements made this year, we are still in a good financial position, having a balance of £SO 14s 2d. Owing to Arbour Day being very wet no tree planting was done, but a very pleasant afternoon was spent by all who attended. The unnual picnic, which was to have been held at the Palmerston North Esplanade, hod to be abandoned owing to the epidemic, but it is hoped to muke up for it next year u<* the funds collected have been set aside for that purpose. I would recommend that the- committee appointed be asked to put before the board the need for an additional class-room. I do not think two teachers teaching iri one room is in the interests of the pupils and it must be inconvenient for them. There are tstill some improvements to bo made in connection with paths and draining; this work has been approved of but owing to Mr A. JO. Ourrin having been indisposed it has been loft undone. It is necessary that this work be attended to as soon as possible. The committee appreciate the monthly reports put forward by the headmaster as they are always found to be very helpful. The attendance of the committee. at meetings bus been very regular and they have worked well together in the interest of the school, always having in mind the welfare of the children. OTHER SCHOOLS. . Pohangina.—The following committee was elected: Messrs T. Sinclair (chairman), J. Galvin (treasurer), J. Moar E. Klink, A. Bowles. Taikorea.—Tho following were elected a committee at the meeting of householders: Messrs S. E. Algar (chairman), R. Hill, J. Wheeler, D. K. Johnston, E. Hancock (secretary). Mnkino. —Messr.* \Y. P. Bickers (chairman), A. Laing (secretary), P. Petersen, S. Prousc and A. Slialders.

Mount Biggs:—Messrs D. W. Reid (chairman), R. H. Buchanan (secretary), C. Masters, J. Mair and N. Nairn Aratika.—Messrs W. McLeod (chairman), IV. Vincent (secretary), G. Allerby, J. Walker and J. Whelan.

Table Flat. —Messrs J. Pettigrew (chairman). J. Kearney (secretary), D. Hogan, J. Kilgottr and W. Hogan. To Arakura. —Messrs 11. Bennett (chairman), T. If. Bennett, E. W. Thomas, C. Christensen, P. Hansen (treasurer). According to the report the year finished with a credit balance of £43 15s 3d The chairman pointed out that a great many improvements had been carried out, including a septif tank system which cost £231. The school was paving £IOO of the cost, the Kairanga County Council had granted £3O and a local resident, had donated the balance. A new piano had also been bought. Electric light had been installed, and it was hoped to have electric heaters also. Votes of thanks were curried to the committee for their splendid work during the year, particular mention being made of Mr Cleaver, who was not seeking reelection. .The teachers (Misses Bailey and Nairn) wore specially mentioned, a vote of appreciation of their valuable work being unanimously carried. There was a- fair attendance of householders.