SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 9, Issue 528, 4 May 1920, Page 2

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS

PUKEKOHE. RECORD NOMINATIONS. The annual meetings of householders in Pukekohe and outlying districts were held last night. At Pukekohe there was a small attendance, though very slightly better than that of last year. Mr. F. Perkins, as chairman of the committee, presided. The balance sheet showed a credit of £lO6. In discission on the balance sheer Mr. K. E. Wright suggested tint, seeing the large amount spent in cleaning the school, trimming the hedges, etc. it would be cheaper and more satisfactory to employ a caretaker.

The secretary said the cleaning of the school and the Oddfellows' Hall cost £5 and £1 a month respectively. About £2O a year would cover the cost of cutting blackberries and doing other odd jobs. In moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, the chairman said that the inspectors had ccnimented favourably on the past year's work, even though it had been marred by sickness. Mr. Russell asked that the headmaster's report should be produced. The chairman said such a report had not yet been produced during his seven years on the committee. The secretary said it had not neen done in his twenty years' experience. Messrs C. K. Lawrie and E. E. Wright submitted that the report should be forthcoming, as in Hie case of other schools. Mr J. Russell asked if there was not an inspector's report. The chairman replied that thero was, although it was not in his possession at the moment, but these reports were usually available for publication in the "Times."

Mr. Russell proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the outgoing committee, and especially to the chairman whose efforts had been largely •«■- sponsible for the advancement of the technical school. Mr. Lawrie seconded, and the motion was carried in acclamation. Nominations. The following members of the retiring committee were nominated:— Messrs F. J. Morrow, W. Wyatt, A F. Brown. F. Perkins (chairman). M. Shaw. E. Smith, J. Patterson (secretary). Also Messrs J. W. Johns, C. Cooper. J. G. Ward. A. P. Daysh. Rev. S. Nixon. C. K. Lawrie. D. Clarkson, H. E. Gundy, J. Russell; totalling 16. At this stage Mr. J. G. Ward moved and Mr. Laird seconded a motion that it to the incoming TOiimittee that a headmaster's and inspector's report should be prepared for another year. The chairman remarked that in previous years there had been no interest displayed by the parents, only seven-*«• eight attending the annual meetings. Under such conditions it would have been almost a waste of time to furnish exhaustive i eports. A member asked why a notice of the meeting was not advertised locally, in the "Times." The chairman replied to the above by enumerating a number of outside papers that a notice had been advertised in.

Mr. M. Shaw regretted that there were no ladies on the committee, or nominated. ,The nominations were then received, the results being as follows: — Messrs F. Perkins 25, W. Wyatt and J. Patteison 23 each, A. I . Brown 22. M. Shaw 21. F. Morrow 17. W. Johns and J. G. Ward U each. J. Russell 15. The latter named three are new members. Five of those nominated weie absent, but none of them was elected. Mr. Shaw moved a vote of thanks to Messrs Perkins and Patterson foi the good work they had done, especially in getting land for the new school.

While waiting the result of the election, Mr. Perkins spoke of the , prospects of the new school, stating ' that there would be accommodation . for from 200 to 250 scholars. In order to have the school on high j ground an additional acre had been [ purchased, on which an amount of £3OO was to be paid, and therefore j lie invited subscriptions. The Board , of Education was keenly desirous ol ' getting this high acre, and would provide £l5O if the residents would find the other £l5O. Naturally, the same people who contributed for the purchase of four acres previously 'inquired could not be expected to put their hands in their pockety again. '. He hoped there would be a genero is response. Mr. Perkins also hoped • that an exhibition would again be • held during the coming year. He also ■ detailed other matters of general in- ' terest to the school, stating among : other things that the school at pre- • sent w*tmrossly overcrowded. In re--1 site Mr. Perkins said • the McGough family had done well by Pukekohe in selling the land so reasonably. Also, Mr. John Schlaep- ; fer, who did not reside in Pukekohe. had donated £ls for the new acre required. In subsequent discussion Mr. A. F. Brown characterised the sanitary arrangements of the school as being an absolute disgrace. The chairman said the problem was a most difficult one, but the borough drainage scheme- would solve it. Mr. Laird suggested that a record should be kept of the attendance at committee meetings of the various members. —Carried. On the motion of Mr. V. S. Roberts, seconded by Mr. Davies, the* committee were instructed to write to the Borough Council asking that the drainage scheme be pushed forward without delay. Mr. F. Perkins was reappointed chairman unanimously. Mr. J. Patterson was asked to keep on as secretary but wished to be relieved. After much persuasion he agreed to act. The monthly meetings were arranged for the second Tuesdays, 8 p.m. in summer and 7.30 in winter. TUAKAU. 'Die annual meeting of householders was held last evening, Mr. E. T. Frost presiding over an attendance of about 25. The retiring committee, consisting of the following, was reelected:—Messrs E. T. Frost, H. 1 McGuJre. F. Lang. J. Drumgool and L. Lozun. At a subsequent meeting of the committee Mr. E. T. Frost was elected chairman and Mr. H. AlcGuire secretary. WHANGARATA. The following committee was elected:—Messrs P. J. Cooney (chairman), Thompson (secretary and treasurer), Wilson. MeGahan and Jos. Fulton. MERCER. Great interest Mercer school elections. Large attendance householders, i Nominations: Messrs Crowhurst, Car- c ter, Oliver. Hullett. Mobbs, Dunsmuir, J Robinson. Hogan. Bilderbeck. Elect- | ed: Messrs Bilderbeck, Carter, Crow- l hurst. Hallett. Oliver. i