PUKEKOHE DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 273, 8 May 1917, Page 1

PUKEKOHE DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL.

Householders Meeting.

In the absence of the chairman (Mr. F. Perkins), Mr. ,T. Pilkington presided over the annual meeting of householders held in the Pukekohe School on Monday, April 30th, the attendance numbering 30. The Year's Doings.

The chairman (Mr. F. Perkins), in his annual report, stated that during the year several changes in the teaching staff occurred owing to assistant masters joining the Reinforcements, but nevertheless the 'work progressed so well that the year had been the best on record. Every scholar present at Standard 6 examination secured a proficiency certificate, and great credit was due lo Mr. Barton for that result. In the various other Standards good work had been maintained, and Mr. Flavel and his staff were to be congratulated on the verysatisfactory state of the school. The number on the roll in the primary school was 352, with an average attendance, of 335, which entitled the school to another assistant teacher, and the Board would appoint one as soon as possible. In the secondary department the number on the roll was 35, with an average attendance of 31. The pupils did exceedingly well at the annual examinations in November. For the matriculation examination two were presented, and one passed. For the Civil Service 13 were presented, and 11 passed, all of whom had secured appointments. The results reflected the greatest credit on Mi ss Freeman, M.A., who had been nu>st thorough and conscientious in her work. During the year a step further had been made with the establishment of a Technical High School. The committee circularised the parents of children in the district, with the result that the High School had doubled, there being now over 70 scholars. Extra accommodation became necessary, and with the consent of the Education Board the committee arranged for the use of the Oddfellows' Hall, where the High School was now housed. The committee had made application to the Minister for Education for a grant for the erection and establishment of a Technical High School. The treasurer's balance showed a very creditable state of finances. The total receipts for the year were CM 17s 7d, and the expenditure £BJ ]2s, leaving a balance iu hand of £|fl 5s 7d. In conclusion. Iho committee tendered thanks to the teachers for their labours during Iho year, and to the Board of Education and it j officers for consideration and help at all times. The report of the superintendent of the Manual and Technical School (Mr. .1. Bellhouse) stated that classes were being held in English and arithmetic, book-keeping, shorthand and typewriting. trade drawing, woodwork, and dressmaking, and if students were to enrol classes would be held in home science and dairy science. There were now 8| 'students on 1 lie roll, and the active support of parents and employers was solicited in order that attendances might be maintained and improved, as it was a duty to the rising general ion to place no obstacle in the way of their aci|uiring knowledge of a technical character. The instructors of the various classes were capable and efficient, and were worthy of the loyal support of all those interested in education.

The reports wore adopted, Mr. Pilkineton remarkim.' that the increased attendance at flic ITil; 11 School had exceeded the committee's best, hopes, and ho believed that once a Technical

HHi School was established they would soon have 100 pupils as the jrrant of free railway tickets to Auckland would cease. Such a school, he added, would be distinctly a step forward for education in Pukekohe, and it would also mean substantial buildin.es and the appointment, of three or four resident masters. Appreciation was expressed by various speakers of Mr. Bellhouse s performance of duties as superintendent of the manual and technical branch, and of Mr. Johnston's services as instructor of the woodworking classes, it hein£ decided to ask the Education Board that for the sake of the continuity of the work Mr. Johnston should be allowed to continue his efforts in Pukekohe. Committee's Proceedings.

Subsequent to the householders meeting the committee, who. as reported in our last, issue, had been elected on a ballot, met, and Messrs. F. Perkins "and J. Patterson were reappointed chairman and secretary respectively. The advisory committee were requested to endeavour to arrange afternoon classes for shorthand and typewriting for the convenience of country students.