SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS

Otaki Mail, Volume XXVIII, 30 April 1920, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS

OTAKI. Only seven householders and the headmaster attended the annual meeting of householders at Otaki on Monday night, when Mr J. R. Bills occupied the chair. The Chairman read .the balancesheet, which showed the receipts to be: Cr balance last year, £-1-1 3s 6d; grants from Education Board, £6l 10s 10s; total, £IOS lls Id. Expenditure: Cleaning school, etc., £37 33 Sd; fuel, £2 Is Pil; lighting, water and sanitary service, £ls 2:3 2d; books, maps and furniture, £3 9s; other petty expenses, £1 9s; total, £59 Ss 7d. This left a credit balance in hand of £l9 5s 9d. The balance-sheet had been duly audited. Mr Bills also read the annual report, as under: — .

"During the year we have had several changes on the school staff. We had the pleasure of welcoming Mr Rudkin back to his old position in the school after doing his duty’ at the war. We lost the services of Miss Burbush from the school staff. Miss Lambert was appointed lo fill the position. We I rust there will be no more changes during tho year. During the winter months the children were provided with hot cocoa at a small cost at lunch time, and was much appreciated by them. We trust the same will be continued this year. The thanks of the parents and committee aro duo to the headmaster and staff for the trouble taken in connection with the same. The roport of the inspectors in connection with the school work and attendance is highly satisfactory. During tho year the school has been thoroughly cleaned and disinfected, and all sanitary arrangements have been well attended to. We have also had the flagpole overhauled and placed on a concrete foundation and made thoroughly secure. The annual picnic was not held this year on account of unforeseen circumstances. Our thanks are duo to Mr A. .1. Watts for the beautiful banner presented to the school in connection with the peace eolebration held during the year. Thanks of the committee aro due In tlife headmaster and staff for thoir assistance during the year. Following is the number on the school roil: 201, .■resent: ISI. The attendance of the committee during the year was: Mts Bills 7, M. H. Ayre 7, Rev. Petrie 5, M r Anderson 7 (resigned), A. J. Watts *>. j. p. Bills 9, P. Bennett 2 (resigned), i. as chairman, wish to thank my fellow committeemen and ladies for their support. and co-operatiou during my term of office.’’

The report and balance-shoet were adopted without discussion. The election of committee was then proceeded with, and the following were duly nominated, viz., Mrs J- R- Bills, Messrs J. R. Bills, H. Nicolaon, Walts, M. H. Ayrc, and Rev. Petrie. As the only other householder present declined nomination, the chairman declared the above-named six duly elected. The committee has power to elect a seventh member.

Hearty votes of thanka were accorded the retiring chairman of committee <Mr J. R- Bills) and secretary (Mr M. H. Ayre) for their valuable services. The mover and seconder of this motion (Messrs Niculson and Penn) said the committee had done very geod work in the past, and deserved the hearty thanks of the householder!.

Mr Bills, in acknowledging the vote, said he had not intended to seek roelection, as h» had had some sixteen or seventeen years’ service. However, as so few scorned willing to undertake the duties, he was willing to continue to act for another term.

The Chairman said he regretted that the children had not had their annual picnic this year. Owing to the epidemic and other reasons it had been delayed, and then, owing to the absence of several prominent committee members, it had been deemed wise to abandon this year’s picnic and instead to give the children a picture show. Unfortunately the picture show had not eventuated either, but Mr Ayre stated that he had made arrangements with the owner of the picture theatre, and doubtless the now committee would be able to give the children their treat at an early date.

At a. meeting of the new committee, held subsequently. Messrs Bills and Avre wore re-elected chairman and secretary respectively.

MANAKAU,

The householders’ meeting at Manakau on Monday night was one of the biggest held at Manakau. some forty persons being present. Mr T. Clifford occupied the chair. The balance-sheet showed a gratifying state of affairs, there being a credit balance cf over £32 in hand. The headmaster read the inspector s report, which was of a very satisfactory nature. The secretary read tho school committee’s annual report, which will be published in these columns. There were eight Dominations for tho

committee, viz,: Messrs, piair, T. Clif- ] ford. Phillips, Kpfoed, Hornlg, Dun- ; cum. W. Colville, and Bathgate. A i ballot resulted in the first-named five being declared elected. Hearty votes of thanks were accorded the retiring secretary and chairman for their services. A discussion ensued with regard t« the school grounds, a question being asked as to what portion of the property was set aside for recreation purposes for the children. The Chairman said a letter had been sent tc bho. Edun*tion Board asking fo. information on this xnatier- b'-. —» reply had been received as yet. Mr Phillips said there was not sufficient room in the present playground to enable the boys to play football. ;si*bout endangering other children. He i suggested that another paddock be ••c-cured to enable rhe boys to play reotball. .. It tr»» stated that i£x Injje htii

generously allowed the boys to use his grounds for football, and had encouraged the lads In the use of the ground, but, at the same time, the children had to cross the railway lino to reach the ground, and this was thought Tather dangerous. Mr Inge thought they should ascertain exactly what part of the school property could bo utilised for the children’s recreation. The matter will be enquired into further.

The schoolmaster lia3 offered the use of ground which he is leasing, for the benefit of the children. The matter of the Prince’s visit to Otaki was also discussed. The meeting decided that the younger Manakau children should go to Otaki, firovitdod the arrangements for the Prince’s journey were not cancelled. Mr Andrew was deputed to, confer with Mr Brandon (Otaki) with' respect to the number of children who would go from Manakau.

At the conclusion of the meeting, tho Chairman thanked the householders for their attendance, and said it heartened the school committeemen in their work to see the parents taking an interest in the welfare of the children.

At a meeting of the new comruittCO, Mr Clifford was re-elected chairman,

and Mr Blair secretary. . f WAIHOANGA. There were ten householders present at Waihoauga on Wednesday night, when the following committee were appointed:—Messrs A. T. Thompson (chairman), F. Standisli (secretary and treasurer), A. Butt, H. IV. Stevona and Mrs Butt. Remits from the teachers’ institution were received nud discussed by the meeting. Two or these, which were as under, were adopted unanimously:— 1. Thai the school age bo extended lo sixteen years lo ensure a free, compulsory secondary education.

2. That more trained teachers be obtained. and to this end that better salaries be paid to teachers • With regard to a further matter discussed fully, tilt' meeting unanimously passed the following resolution "That this meeting protests against any proposal to alter the system ot educational administration by abolishing the. local school committees."

PARAPARAUMU SCHOOL. There were fourteen present at the schoolhouse on the occasion of the election of the school committee. Mr O. B. Reeve, chairman of the retiring committee, presided. The financial position as stated by the chairman showed a credit balance of £lB 2s. The election resulted in the return of Messrs R. G. Maclean, VI. J. Lynch, C. B, Reeve, W. Clunie, and A. Ilardhum. Other nominations were Messrs E. Clarke, M. Fisher and L. Dabscheck. A number of motions from the secretary of the N.Z.E.I. were "received," but at a later stage of the meeting a motion was carried "urging upon the Government, the need of making the teaching service more attractive by iucreasiag the salaries paid to teachers and bringing them into line with othGr Government servants."

Mr White, headmaster, emphasised the need for the offering of greater inducements to men to enter the teaching profession. On the motion of Mr C. Hale a hearty vote of thanks was carried for th* energetic work rendered bv the old committee.

A resolution carried with applause was moved by Mr L. J. Howell, "That there be recorded on the minute; an appreciation of the valuable services rendered by Mr Ben Mantle during his twenty years’ connection with the committee.

Tho committee subsequently elected Mr C. B. Reeve as chairman and Mr A. Hardham secretary. TE HORO. New committee: Messrs H. Catley, H. L. Beauchamp, F. H. Best, A. Judd, and E. P. Mather. Full details will appear in our next issue.