SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTION

Shannon News, 3 May 1927, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTION

HOUSEHOLDERS' MEETING. The annual householders' meeting waa held in the schoolroom last evening, there being about sixty householders present. The chairman (Mr E. L. Tippler) presided. The secretary reported that, the balance sheet had not yet been returned from the auditor, but there was a balance of £13.3 5s 3d in hand, after the year's working, this being made up of £9O in the special fund, which was money that had been collected for special purposes and £4B 5s 3d in the general fund. ' CHAIRMAN '8 REPORT. The chairman (Mr. R. L. Tippler) in his report stated that during the past year the Committee had been kent busy, but he was pleased to state that good results had been obtained. A vast amount, of work has been carried out by way of improvements to the school and grounds, the most important being the purchase of half an acre of land from Mrs Better, for the purpose of increasing the playing area, this proving a great acquisition. This area has been ploughed and resown in grass. The ground on the eastern side of th«. infant school has-been dug and planted and faced with boulders. An incinerator has been installed, thus allowing the rubbish to be burnt every day. For some time the Committee have bec-n in regular correspondence with tho Board in respect to a septic tank being installed at the school. The Board had agreed torinstal same if the committee provided half of the cost which is £B7. Th(j Committee had agreed to this, but the Board have been so slow in attending to this matter, that it will have.to be handed over to the incoming committee to carry out. A larger shelter shed for the boys and seating has also been promised. There is also a lecommendation to the incoming committee ,that the girl's play area be ploughed and "resown. Extra pipep have been laid under the main building and dnfants schoolroom to provide water for gardens and f6' facilitate the work of washing down the building. See-saws have been erected for the girls, thanks to the donors and builders. Last winter the children were provided with hot drinks at a cost of 3d per head. Mr. and Mrs White attended to this matter, y thus relieving the Committee of a lot of responsibility for which they were' accorded -.a hearty vole of thanks. Miss White has offer ed to supply the drinks this winter at the same cost as last year, any surplus to go to her as remuneration. This offer has been accepted. The bus service to Kingston road, Buclley a'id Mangaore was thoroughly gone into by the Committee. Sub-committees along with the ' headmaster, visited Kingston, road and Buckley and m ■*?■.. the parents'. The bus to Kingston road was lost,, as there Avas not sufficient children 'over the mileage to warrant the bus continuing. Buckley was more fortunate, but the Mangaore run was cut down by a mile. Mr. White was put to a 7 ot of trouble over this matter but he lias the Committee's thanks fov his efforts. The breaking up ceremony for the Christmas holiday took plact at the school in the presence of a largs' number of parents, when the certificates, prizes and Chamber of Commerce medal were presented. The annual picnic at Plimmertori was held in February and provided a great success. The scholars also visited Palmerston North on the occasion of the , visit of the Duke and Duchess el's ork. The committee reporting on their behaviour, had stated that" it was excellent and a credit to their teachers. The sixth standard pupils under their teacher, Mr. Morgan, visited the Power House at Mangaore, the committee thanking Mr. Blackwood and his, staff for giving the scholars this op portunity to improve their minds. Dur-. ing the year Mr. Watkins, owing to leaving the district, resigned his seat en the committee, Mr. Christian was appointed in his place. Mr. Watkini had been a member of the commitfot for some years and had proved himself a splendid worker in the interests of the children, therefore his departure was to be regretted. In conclusion, the Committee wish to convey their appreciation to the .eaching' staff for the assistance they have at all timos rendered and to the Press for reports of meetings. Also to thank all those who have assisted them either by work or donations.

HEADMASTER »S • EEPORT

Mr A. T. "White in his report, pointed out that the question of regular attendance pf scholars, at school was of vital importance to everybody, and as he considered words did not convey much, he had drawn up on a blackhoard a list of figures showing the position for the last term, which showed the roll number over this period to vary fura 346 to 357, the attendance per week ranging from 315 to 324, the number absent being fiom 31 to 38. This, he said, was not a fair thing to either the teachers, scholars or parents. No doubt sickness was responsible in some cases, but more than 50 per cent, were away for no reason whatever. During the first five weeks after the holidays;, five to seven per cent, remained away on holidays. The second quarter had shown an improvement, but there wab still room for further improvement and he appealed to parents to help them in this matter, as if the school did not have an average attendance of over 3L'l the Board would have no sentiment in reducing the teaching staff. Referring tc the conveyance 6f children to school, he said Mr Johanson was bringing seven children, under ten years of age, in from Miranui daily. He had been this for nothing, but on learning th<; position he had arranged for himt' get capitation. He drew the attention j of parents to what is neglect on the | •tart of some in not giving proper attention to the medical officer's report, on their children, also to the:r failure to support the dental scheme, which he said he would be soiry to-see lapse. He also expressed disappointment at parents not coming into line by providing the school uniforms for their children. The uniform of red.and grry looks as well as any and it would bo fine to see thorn all dressed alike. Ee was afraid that it is only a farce at present, *aa only five to ten per cent.

of the childrenjiressed in the uniform. He thanked the teachers for their co- . operation and assistance, also the rs- . tiring committee who, he said, had be3n a pleasure to work with; the parents who has assisted in a great many ways, Mr C. C. Franks for the free use cf his ear in taking children to the doctor or to their homes when taken ill, also to Mrs Bums, who is severing connection with the school, at the end of the month, she having been a great . help to the school and himself. OLD COMMITTEE RETIRES., Mr Tippler, in vacating the chair, thanked the committee, teaching staff and pareits for the support accorded him during the past year. Mr Blackwood, in expressing his appreciation of the work of the retiring chairman, said he had never work ad with any chairman who had shown such zeal as Mr Tippler. The school was his baby. They also had every eausj to be pleased with the support aecord : ed by the public and they were grate-, ful for their help, rZlso to the teaching . staff and children for the manner in which thay had carried out the concerts and other functions. Mr Butt also spoke on similar lines. Mr Bovis, as a householder, expressed his appreciation df the retiring committee's work. The work, he said, was always arduous and did not carry any medals. A committee man's work .was only when he left the district or died. He asked the meeting to accord them a genuine New Zealand vote of thanks by acclamation which was carried unanimously." Mr Brann then took the chair. SWIMMING BATHS. ' ,In connection with the erection .of swimming baths at the school, whifih had been placed on the agenda parer on the motion of Mr W. N. Brown, a member of tne retiring committee, it was resolved that it be a recommendation from the meeting to the ineom ing committee "That the matter be held over until the poll of ratepayers is taken for municipal swimming Daths. In ther.eyent of the ratepayers/voting against it, the incoming committee then proceed with the erection of baths at the school with the*Board's assißtancV-" of a £ for £ subsidy. Also that they r be 25 yards or 33 1-3 yards long, cham- •"* pionship size, which would thus allow ■; the children to qualify to compete -- with children of other schools for cham- * pionship honours.' *■• " V" ■« '-I ELECTION OF-COMMITTEE. : ' .? ; ; Messrs*J/fT>Bovls and H.'V. Hud-'. \ so,n were appointed Scrutineers and the J election proceeded,' resulting as( fol- "■ lows: —Messrs *R. L. Tippler, *A. R. , ;'-' Blackwood, *E. Buft, *J. Bowler, *W. 5 Lankshear, .Coates, : ; J. Riches, G. .; Booker, ,T. V. Burns were all elected. The defeated candidates wereT. Ingley and J. Sinclaii. Those marked with an asterisk were member ef the old committee. : . All the candidates then returned '- thanks, with the exception of Mr T. Ingley, who was unj&ble to be present owing to having met with an accident..'--'''* during the day, whereby he fracTuretl his thumb. ... f A vote of thanks,to the chair ter-' , minated the meeting. At a meeting of we new committee afterwards, Mr Tippler was re-elected chairman, Mr J. VJ< Burns secretary, and Mr; A. BlackwcJod, minute secretary.