SHANNON SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Shannon News, 4 June 1926, Page 3

SHANNON SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

MONIHLY MEETING

' The above meeting was held m the schoolroom on Wednesday evening. Present: Messrs R. L. Tippler (chairman) A. Blackwood, iE.'Butt, G. Watkins W. Birown, J. Bowler, Lankshear C. Gronquest, J. Roberts (secretary) arid A. T. White (headmaster). CORRESPONDENCE. CONVEYANCE OF CHILDREN.

From secretary, Wellington Education Board, re the minimum distance far conveyance of children, stating the Committee's letter was .before title Board at its last meeting, and he was directed to point out that the determination of the minimum distance for -conveyance does not rest with the Board, hut is a subject of Government regulations operating throughout New Zealand. " The distance selected as the minimum concurs with the maximum distance of compulsory attendance at school. As the" result orf frequent conferences on the subject of conveyance the Board is satisfied that the Education, vote would not at the present time stand the large additional cost that would be required throughout New Zealand to give effect to the committee's recommendations from the householders' meeting to reduce the limit from three miles to two miles.—After discussion ( as to the position locally, the secretary was instructed" to write to the secretary of the Board asking what arrangements have been made for the conveyance of children from Kingston road, Maugaare and Buckley roads. "• ' >•

SEPTIC TANK. The secretaiy vd the Board wrote re the septic fault, etc., stating that thei supervisor of buildings lias now estimaited the probable cost, and the estimate exceeds £SOO. In ordinary circumstances the arrangement is' now that- the Committee and the Board each find a quarter of the cost and the Department half the cost. Restricting the contribution of the c-oim-iuittee to the septic tank and to proportion of the uttiugs, it is considered that a contribution from the committee of about £B7, i>y the Board of over £2OO and -by itlie Department £250, would l-e .required. The letterj further asked if the Committee would be prepared to raise this sum. The ' Board is on its part prepared to help. The work proposed above involves the provision of H seats for the main , school and six seats for the imams. Mr Blackwood ©aid ,the matter was well worth an cliort by the Committee to raise the money. The present sanitary arrangements were not satisfactory and they had .to' look to the future health ui the children. He contended thai if a decent argument , was placed before the public, he did not think from his experience of the town, that they would fail to raise the money. He then moved that an effort be made by the • Co'inmittee to raise their portion of £B7 towards Urn cost of the septic tank, drains, etc. The chairman, in supporting Mr Blackwood, said the drain' was always overflowing, discharging into the gully, and it was unhealthy. The motion, which was seconded toy Mr Butt, was then unanimously carried. It was also decided to write and inform the Board that the committee agreed to their proportion of cost as set out. REPEAL OF CONSCRIPTION. A letter was received from the National'Peace. Council .asking if the Committee were in favour of their member of. Parliament working for the. repeal of conscription.—Received.

VISITING COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The visiting committee tor trie past month, Messrs R. L,. Tippler and A. ■Blackwood, in their repon , agreed that the work of tar-sealing, s the ground was very unsatisfactory. In the drill court the clay was showing in several places, while in the main ( ground the surface was breaking up badly.

It was only two months since this work was completed and if allowed to go for twelve moths all! the money that had been spent would be wasted. Something would have to be done. The incinerator (two tanks) the report says, is a disgrace. The area set aside for planting on Arbor Day was inspected, and a few loads of soil is required to make it level. When the plants grow it will add to the beauty of the grounds as well as provide shelter. In respect to the septic tank site the committee recommended that all the sanitary buildings be carried to the outside of the school grounds, thus enlarging the playing area. At present they are scattered all over the grounds. Minor repairs were needed in the school building. Mr Watkins said that correspondende had passed between the Board and Committee in regard to the incinerator, but the Board had done nothing- in the matter and he would like to see another letter sent expressing the Committee's opinion in strong terms. Also that a letter should be sent to the Clerk of Works asking him to come and inspect the tar-sealing before it is allowed to go too far, pointing out that the Committee take strong objection to the way this work has been earned 'Out. Mr Brown expressed the opinion that the Committee should have some say in the supervision of work for -which they have to pay a portion of the cost.

The recommendations of Mr Watkins were then' carried. _ . SCHOOL UNIFORMS. Mr Cronquest said he thought the Committee could take it for granted as no comments had been received

from parents, that they were satisfied with the school,uniform. Mr Blackwood did not agree that that uniforms were satisfactory. He said he had visited the school and had found that there were as many as four or five different shades of grey and'a similar number of reds being -worn. He did not agree with the light shade of grey selected, he contended a darker shade would be more serviceable. He wanted to know who had mart*? the final selection, as he understood that before a final selection was made the matter was-to be referred back to the Committee. He said the drapery firms should be given a sample of the shades selected The headmaster Mr White) said the actual choice of shades 'had been left to the teachers and he had left it to the lady teachers to select shades oi each colour, which was submitted to him. He had sent patterns chosen to each drapery firm, but unfortunately two firms had not adhered to the standard of shades he had forwarded. He agreed that the variety of patterns and shades being worn needed attention. Further discussion followed us to the most suitable shades and patterns. On the motion of Mr Brown, the chairman,. secretary and headmaster Were appointed to make a selection of the most suitable shades and styles from the dresses now being worn by the children, samples of "which will be sent to each parent.

GENERAL, A letter was received from Mr U. H. Just, nurseryman, stating he will forward something for planting on Arbor Day.—-He was accorded a vote of thanks, • It was decided to hold Arbor Day at the School on Wednesday, July 14th. t , . The secretary was lirtstiructed- to forward a letter of thanks to the Horowhenua Rugby Union far their donation of a football to the school. The headmaster (Mr White) reported the attendance at the school the past five weeks was 326, 322, 317, 314 324, an average of 320, with a roll number of 360. He said that during the past week nine children had been admitted and four had left. The attendance on two occasions had been below 321, which was the minimum of the grade of the school, this had been brought about by epidemics of mumps, measles and whooping-cough. A vote of thanks was accorded Mrs White for preparing the- cocoa for the children.