SHANNON SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Shannon News, 7 October 1927, Page 3

SHANNON SCHOOL COMMITTEE

MONTHLY MEETING.

The above meeting was held in the Schoolroom on Wednesday evening. Present: Messrs R. L. Tippler (chairman), A. Blackwood, Coates, E. Butt, J Riches, G. Booker, J. V. Burns (secretary) and A. T. White (headmaster). Leave of absence was gi anted Mr. J. Bowler through sickness. GROUND IMPROVEMENTS Some time ago the Committee offered to tar seal the playing area during the summer holidays, if the Board supplied Newcastle tar, but on the Board notifying the committee that this tar was unprocurable and offering to supply an inferior tar the committee withdrew their offer as they considered it was not right to spend money that had been raised voluntarily on poor quality tar. The Board have now atvised the committee that they will try and procurd-the Newcastle tar and will notify the committee as early as possible if it can be secured. —The comaction was confirmed. VISITING COMMITTEE’S REPORT. The Visiting Committee for last mouth, Messrs Tippler and Blackwood, reported that during their inspection the main item to come under thennotice was the drain from the school which runs into the cesspit by the woodshed. Apparently the cesspit is not functioning properly and is smelling and in the hot weather will become a menace from a health point of view. They were of opinion that another cesspit should be dug at once. In regard to the maerocarpa trees on the main road, they proposed getting someone to take them away. The box thorn hedge will then have a chance to grow and at a future date they could erect a wire fence. Several taps at the school required new washers. On the motion of the. Chairman it was resolved to write to, the Education Board explaining the condition of the cesspit, pointing out the danger to the health of the children and asking them io have another cesspit constructed. The secretary was instructed to dispose of the trees on-the main-road. GENERAL.

The Education Board is to'be written to for permission to purchase tim ber at Mangahao for the purpose of making seats so that the children can sit down to have their lunch. It was decided to call a meeting of ladies with a view to getting up some function to raise funds towards the eost of a septic tank and other nec68Slt HEADMASTER'S REPORT. ,

The headmaster (Mr. A. T. White) reported that the cocoa issue has closed for the season after a period of twelve weeks. It had not been taken advantage of as much as last season. The total receipts were £lO 17s 6d, expenses £9 18s 2d, and with the amount in hand from last season, leaves a balance of £3 4s 4d." The average, attendance for the period since his last report was .339, 327, 322, 328, 330, 339 and 338; average for the quarter 326; roll number 361 for the quarter. Referring to the cricket pitches, he stated the ground was fairly rough and there had been minor accidents last season. He asked if it could be managed to have two concrete pitches put down. The work would be done by voluntary labour by the boys and masters under the supervision of some competent person, —The Committee decided to give assistance. FREE .DENTAL CLINIC.

Messrs Guy and McClure, chairman and secretary of the Tolcomaru School Committee, waited on the committee for the purpose of obtaining their cooperation in agitating for the establishment of a free dental clinic foj school children in the Manawatu'. Mr. Guy stated that his committee had been fighting for some time foi a free dental clinic.. The Department had informed them that if the Committee provided a room they would supply a dentist. His Committee had pro cured a suitable room, but they were afterwards informed by the Depart ment that it was their intention to ccn

tralise as much as possible. Therefore his committee had again discussed thi question and had decided to ask for tin co-operation of the neighbouring schoo. committees with a view- to obtaining a centre. He did not see why children in the cities were more entitled to frei treatment than those in the country.

He pointed out the expense many country parents were under ii the treatment of their children’s teeth, while in the. case of children w-hose par ents were in poor circumstances, these often had to go unattended.

The committee were unanimous m supporting the object and as a resuh of the discussion which followed it was decided to write to all the school com-' mittees in the Manawatu district between Tokomaru and Paekakariki, ask-, ing for an expression of their \'iews on the matter. It was suggested that Levin should be the centre.