SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 16 April 1919, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

The annual general elections of school committees in tho Wellington Education Board's district took rjlaee on Monday night, but in this district, very little interest was displayed in the majority of cases.

OTAKI. At Otaki there were only eleven householders present, including five of the old committee and two teachers. The Kev.. G. P. -Petric. was elected chairman of the meeting. The balanec-sheet . was considered very satisfactory, there being a creditbalance of £-M 3s Cd.

J The annual report was read as fol- ' lows:— The influenza epidemic, towards the end of last year, prevented ■ tho usual December examinations being hold, and in consequence the actual results of the year's working could not be accurately ascertained. Scholars were pass--ed into the higher standards according to tho general character of their work during the year. This arrangement,' though not nearly as satisfactory as the examination, was the best that could be done under the circumstances, and appears to have met with "tho general approvalof parents."- The chief inspector's report of the w ; ork- done at the school is' very satisfactory,' and the general condition and management of' the school is to be commended. During the year the school was thoroughly disinfected. Tho matter of enlarging the school has been brought under the notice of the Education Board, and it is hoped we will have an additional room erected for the infants' class. The improvement to the playground and levelling to the paddock has been done. It still wants a few pounds spent in top-dressing, and when done the. boys should have a good ground for cricket or hockey. A new fence is just about completed in front of the school. When finished it will be a great improvement to the old one. We have had the pleasure of welcoming home Mr A. E,, Eudkin and Mr W. B. Smith, juit. Although not in the best of health, wo trust they will soon be well enough to take up their duties again. The annual picnic/was held in the Old Mission Grounds and was a great success, and the thanks of the committee are duo to the parents and public for their assistance towards making tho picnic a success. In conclusion, the committee wish to thank the headmaster an«i staff for their assistance during the year. 'Die number on the roll is 22-I.—J. E, BILLS, Chairman.

The report was considered highly satisfactory, and a hearty vote of thanks was aGcordcd the committee for line work accomplished. The Rev. Petric addressed encouraging remarks to the teaching staff, and hoped the headmaster, Mr W. Burns Smith, would long remain in his present position to carry on his; good work. On tho motion of Mr H. Nicolson, seconded by 3lr Albert'Smith, the committeemen present, viz., Messrs! J. E. Biljs, A. Anderson, P. Bennett, M. H. Ayre, and Mrs Bills, together with the Kov. Pctrio and Mr A. j. Watts, were elected a committee for the ensuing term. Tho mover and seconder of ike motion declined nomination.

At a meeting of tho newly-elected committee Mr Bills was re-elected chairman and Mr Ayre re-elected secretary.

WAIHOANGA,

No "interest was shown in the election at Waihoanga, only three gentlemen and two ladies being present. Four of those present—Mrs Duggan, Messrs Clark, Blanchard and Standish—constituted themselves a committee. The fifth member will he nominated by the committee and duly appointed by the Board.

At a committee meeting, held afterwards, Mr Clark was appointed chairman and secretary.

PARAPARAUMU,

The annual meeting of householders to elect a school committee at Paraparaumu was held on Monday evening, when eleven were present. For the five scats seven candidates were nominated, viz: Messrs C. Clark, Charles Hunt, J. Killiek, M. J. Lynch, B. Mantle, R. G. Maelean, and C. B. Reeve, and on a ballot being taken Messrs C. B. Reeve, J. Killiek, R. G. Maclean, M. J. Lynch and B. Mantle were eleeted. Those returned comprised four members of the old committee, with Mr B. G. Maclean in place of Mr Malcolm Maclean, who is at present absent from the Dominion.

MANAKAU. j There was' a good attendance of .nineteen householders at the meeting held at .the Manakau seboolhouse. Mr Miles was in the chair. After the minutes of the iast annual meeting had been read and confirmed, Mr T. Clifford, chairman of the outgoing committee, read the following report:—"l have much pleasure in presenting the report and balance-sheet of the Manakau State School Committee for the year ending April- 34th, 2919. During the year there have been many drawbacks owing to the epidemic and much ill-health to our schoolmaster (Mr Miekle). whom we sincerely hope will enjoy better health in the future. There have been a number of improvements dono to the sekool property in the last year—a school flagstarrerected. many.trees planted, a coalhouse erected. and in hand the forming of asphalt path from school to master's house, and would strongly recommend the incoru-. ing-committee to make a?jxkais,:i.- vr ""' -from big sate £e j.fce.R*'*' i ,ati Ve held our--'' -P Mt slaaxej „anual picnic at Psekaka_"*in, which was much enjoyed. I might mention: that no concessions were made ,by the Railway Department for "that day. I/as chairman, wish to thank aiy fellow-continitteemea fer tlieir SBjisorfe

and co-ox>eration during my term of office. May the incoming; committee have a prosperous year." Tho inspector's report w.as also read, showing things -were working most satisfactorily at the school. Tho balance-sheet also showed a healthy state of affairs, financially,. there being a fair 'credit balance in hand.. . ] On. the : motion of Mr Andrew the outgoing committee were heartily thanked for their riast services, while a similar Vompliment was extended to the head- j master (Mr Miekle) and staff. j The followiiig-'eommittee was elected: j —Messrs J. Nicholson, H. Miles, J: j Blair, C. Phillips, T. Clifford. j Some little discussion ensued in re- ; gard to the insanitary condition of the • middle classroom, and the meeting re- - solved to make representation to tho ' Education Board, urging that thnt'ipor- . Hon of the building be improved, or a ' new part substituted. The matter of xieace celebration* was .' discussed in formally, but .no action j was taken by the meeting. A successful, mooting closed with a j vote of thanks to the chairman. .> Mr T. Clifford : was re-elected chair- '. man of the committee, and Mr J. Blair ; secretary. I

WAIKANAE

The annual meeting of householders took place in the school last Monday evening, when some eighteen householders were present. • Mr T. Brown was elected to the chair.

. The annual report submitted by the Waikanae School Committee stated that the school was being conducted most efficiently. The roil totalled 76,'while the average attendance was 64 for the last quarter. The sum of £l3 was collected and expended on the children's picnic and prizes. The public of AVaikanae also donated an amount, of £S towards a tennis lawn for the girls of the school. The.balance-sheet disclosed a credit balance of £9 10s Sd on December 31st, IDIS.

It was pointed out at the meeting that the grant received for incidental purposes is insufficient for the efficient maintenance of the school. After some discussion on this question and also that of teachers' salaries, the following resolution was moved and carried unanimously: (.1) That in the opinion of this meeting of householders the

time has arrived when the educational grant should be increased to £3,000,00(1; (2) that the status of the teaching profession should lie raised and salaries paid in keeping with the work; (3) thatgreater inducements should be given to young people to take up the profession of teacher.

The following were elected as the. school committee for the ensuing year: —Messrs T. Brown, A. W. KobeTts, E. Hooper, H. E. Heffcr. aud G. E. Kemsloy.

TE HOBO. About 17 householders attended, Mr Evelyn McDonald presiding. The new committee 'is as follows: —Messrs W. W. Westa'way (ckaii man). W. Vj. Clelaud, S;-B; McDonald (secretary)-, and Mesdames Cleland and Trotter. It was decided to recommend to the committee the necessity of supporting i,lc Education Department's proposal relative to hot drinks I'or children during the winter months. It was reported that there, was a balance of about £3O in hand, £23 of which would be for a bicycle shed, while the remainder would probably be spent in asphalting the school grounds.

OHAU,

Messrs' C. I. Harkness (chairman), E. G. Wall (secretary)? E. Hogg.T. Wchipcihana, J. Cameron, J. Hanson. J, Davies.