SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 52, 26 February 1912, Page 5

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

MONTHLY MEETING. \ A meeting of the Stratford School Committee was held on Saturday evening. There were present: Messrs C. D. Sole in the chair, P. Skoglund, G. Smart, A. Stewart, J. Butcher, and S. Clark.

The Chairman and Visiting Committee reported on the business done during the holidays. The annual seaside picnic had been hold on February Ist, and was *a great success. It would be necessary next year to make provision for more tickets and it would be well to make provision for tlfis and to interview the traffic manager on the question. The railway arrangements were not up-to-date; but any inconvenience that was caused was purely the fault of the Railway Department. Further, it would be necessary to obtain a separate office and employ one man for the sale of tickets. They had entered into an arrangement with the Territorials, who are to use the shelter shed and grounds two nights a week. The financial arrangements were satisfactorily adjusted. They interviewed the Board’s architect, and pointed out several omissions in the 'building—to wit, a new bell, electric light, repairs to gates, and a few odd details. Application had been made to the Board to have these matters attended to at! once. Part of the new building will be ready in a week or two for occupation. It would be necessary to set up a sub-committee to make arrangements for the opening of the buildings.—The report was adopted. Mr Skoglund moved that the trees in front of the new school building be removed to give proper access and light to the building.—This was carried unanimously. The Headmaster reported that the school was now classed as grade x —that was, one with an average attendance of from 600 to 650. “On reopening school, after the holidays, we admitted quite a number of children, and our daily average attendance is now 682.

High School work.—As your Committee is aware, we do a considerable amount of science work during the year. In fact, at present our science room is being used ten hours per Week. As no gas is laid -on at the town we have had to use spirit lamps for heating purposes. These are both costly ; and unsatisfactory. One of the Wellington High School inspectors pointed out, while here, the urigent necessity of getting some more up-to-date, method of providing heat,, arid suggested my applying for aljgrant for this purpose. Hp said that if ,a local donation was forthcoming,he was i sure that the Education Department wduld .grant a gqps bonus,. , I , wish, therefore, Diat your, Committee apply to the | Bqard,. asking j that body to instal the, plant referred to. iin a letter before you; and, further, that you will see your way to make a grant, by way of bonus, for the, same purpose. The grant will need .to- be from funds which have not already gained a bonus for the Department. I have a definite promise, from the Board’s architect, that two rooms of itheinew,bujldjpg,,will be placed at,our disposal on the ,4th March. After that date the Salvation Hall will not bp used by any/of. our classes.” I | The. report, was adopted. \) ~ , In the matter of the gas heating arrangements, the , Chairman and Mr Skoglund were deputed to confer with the Education Board with regard to the installation of an Aerogen gas plant, to vote an amount not exceeding £2O, and to report at next meeting. f ' It was decided that a letter be 'sent to the Stratford Co-operative Dairy Company intimating that the Committee had passed a very hearty vote of thanks to the Company for supplying milk free of charge for the school picnic. Application has been made to the Board that a. female teacher be appointed to the vacancy to the staff.

Accounts to the amount of £ls were passed for payment.

Messrs Skoglund and Smart were appointed a Visiting Committee for the ensuing month. The Chairman stated that the funds were in a very satisfactory position. There would be a good credit balance at ,the end of the financial year, March 31st.