ELECTION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 6 May 1925, Page 2

ELECTION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEES

MOTDEKA

The annual inerting of householders, held in the High Sehuoi on Monday evening, was well attended, there being about bO present. Mr G. W. Boundy occupied the chair. The balance sheet, presented, was ndopled on the motion of Messrs H. Manov and I’. (1. Moffatl.

Annual Deport-in presentingf tin; annual report, the committee again wishes to express its thanks to the public and school staff for their splendid support in all matters pertaining to the welfare of our educational institution. Not only has this, been abundantly demonstrated on the monetary aide, but the school itself lias gained in prestige and now occupies the leading position in tlie Board’s area ; thanks to the enthusiasm of the headmaster and his assistants, who are imbued with a. praiseworthy desire to raise the steandard of educational matters in this district. The exhibition of school work was an eyeopener in this respect and went a long way to impress parents with the practical value of the methods adopted to make our rising generation proficient and lit them for the more important, duties of citizenship. The amount raised during the past year for indoor and outdoor improvements easily constituted a record and householders will be gratified to hear that due regard has been paid in the expenditure of the funds Mo both the social and scholastic sides of school life. One cannot flourish without tlie. other. Tennis courts have been constructed for the girls of our High School, so much so that tlie engagement of a third assistant in this division is in sight; and a science laboratory is now in course of erection to prevdo much needed instruction, without the extra expense of journeying to the centres for those who desire to add to the productive worth of the land, enhance the value of our primary idustries and extend their faculties for research in scientific matters. Concomitant with this has been the successful effort- tc raise an amount for the purchase of an up-to-date lantern, which iias been brought about by the gratuitous offer of leading.citizens lecturing in aid of the fund. These movements should assist, in placing the feet’ of our youth on the slippery ladder of fame. The question of the establishment of a Junior High School t-o bridge the gap between the primary and secondary aspects of school life lias received serious eosideration and the proposal, should materialist during the next year. The question oi upkeep of tno dental clinic, brought into being by the School Committees' Association, but sustained to a very great extent, almost to breaking point as regards cost by this committee, is causig some concern arid it is hoped that outside committee, whose children have benefited, will sec their way to pay their contributicns without, tlie central bodv

"duuninfg’ ’(ho delinquents under tins iiead. This is, of course, failing the Government’s decision to maintain the clinic as part and parcel of its campaign to see to arid encourage a strong and mile manhood in this Dominion. The school journal, “Tlio VV-cka” has made its initial bow to the public and contains much information dealing with the lire of our schools and its various activities, not to mention historical facts connected with the struggling days of the settlement and the lot, of tho-sc who helped in their time to ouild a sound foundation for those coming after them. It is imj.issible to particularise in naming those wiio have- proffered their services in func- *•>< us for school purposes aml we can only encompass them in a eoniprehonsD e \ote of I hanks. What the coming year holds, is in the lap of the gods, but. the committee, though losing the excellent services of two of its old and tried members (Messrs Tredrea and Desaunais) has other ambitious schemes in hand which, with the customary support should be brought to fruition in tlie coming term. In moving tlie adoption of the report, Mr S. B. Canavaii commented upon the lack of interest that existed in school matters a few years ago compared with tlie enthusiasm that is to-day displayed, even by the pupils themselves. The improvements carried out and the standard of efficiency achieved during the past year bore testimony to a splendid com rnittee and to an excellent headmaster and staff, to whom Mr Canavan moved a hearty vote of thanks.

Mr P. G. Moffatt seconded the resolution and also spoke of the great work accomplished by the committee, headmaster and stall'. The election of a committee of nine members for the ensuing year was then proceeded with. Those elected were: — Messrs G. W. Boundy, C. B. Morris, 11. \V. Stevens, J. T. Brough, J. N. Batemam P. V. Knapp D. Goodall H. Hart, S. P. Clav.

At a subsequent meeting of the committee, Mr Boundy was re-elected chairman, Mr Morris re-elected secretary and Mr Bateman elected treasurer.

LOWER, MOUTERE At the householders ’ meeting in Lower Moutere school only nine residents were present. The following com. mittee was elected : .Messrs T. Goodall (chairman), (J. Limmer (secretary and treasurer), C. Madigan, D. Wratten and Mrs M. V. Limmer. LMUKURI Umukuri has recently been proclaimed a school district, and 20 householders were present at the first meeting held on Monday evening. The committee elected is as follows :—(Messrs W. Fowler (chairman), S. B. Dobbic (secretary and treasurer), C. P. Fry, Harry Fry, il. Delanv. TASMAN

The annual meeting of householders attracted only a.small attendance. Mr F. E. Nottage was voted to the chair. The report and balance sheet were presented bv the lion, secretary. 'Hie chief ' matters of interest were the carrying out of the combined school sports at Tasman on Armistice Day, the further improvement of the playing area, at Tasman, and the fact that a slight fa.llimr off in the attendance at the school laid resulted in the school being reduced a grade on the classification list. 'I he last-mentioned fact carried with it a reduction of £2 per quarter in the allowance for incidental expenses and gave rise to considerable discussion. The opinion was freely expressed that a more equitable allocation of funds might very easily be made in the direction of slightly increasing the allocation to grade T schools, and making graduated reductions where the attendance fluctuates, keeping the payment in proportion to the number of children in attendance. A small credit- balance was carried forward and the report indicated that (his would he required for further work on the playing area. Ihe old committee. Messrs Nottage (chairman). Young (lion, secretary and treasure]). Goddard, Burton and Darvall, were unanimous!v re-elected.

-SUBURBAN NORTH The annual meeting of householders took place at Hillside School, 12 being present. Mr R. 0. Withers was voted to the chair. Tire secretary read the statement of accounts for the past year. The -income, including balance at end of February, 1925, was £ll9/9/11, and

expenses for the same period £92/4/10, leaving a balance of £27/5/1. The election of the new committee was then proceeded with, when the, foll< zing were oleeted : Messrs H. Eavner, A. .10. Wbitwoli, K. M. ('order, T. E. Hay ton and JO. (1. Westley. Air 11. Raynor was chosen chairman and W. If. Alborough was appointed secretary and treasurer.

RIAVAKA Mr T. (). Chiitenden presided at the householders' meeting and the following wore elected to the commit tee :—Messrs I>. L. nrmnmond (chairman). B. J. Gondall (secretary), C. Hart (treasurer), I'. Fauchello, E. Sparks, E; Bate, and 0. (Jo.odman.