SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 55, 21 October 1914, Page 8

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The monthly meeting of the Stratford School Committee was held last

vveiling, there being present; Messrs d. Skogluud (chairman;, E. Cramer, if. Lawson, W. McDonald, E. Hancock, 13. Sanderson, J. W. McMillan, E. Jackson and C, Smart. HEADMASTER’S REPORT. The Headmaster (Mr E. A. Tyrer) reported: The school attendance remains satisfactory, the daily average oeing about 650. There are a few cases! in which children are unable to attend school through sickness, but there are, only a few; and it seems as if,'for once, we are to get through the spring! without an epidemic of any kind. The annual examination* of the Primary School is to begin on the 20th hist. The central examinations for certificates of proficiency (Primary Schools) will be hold early in December. In the High School classes the examination of,the juniors will begin in the third week in November, of the seniors ,n the first week in December. For die latter examination we have rather nore Candidates than usual and three >f our candidates for the Taranaki Scholarship are probably better prepared for the competition than any we mve yet sent forward. We have received from the New Plymouth High School a courteous invitation to send two of our boys to compete at their sports’ meeting in a race which is open to all the Secohadry Schools in Taranaki. Mr Moyes is also good enough to ask our boys to be guests at his school while in at the meeting. Needless to say we appreciate his kindness. It will.be necessary for you to make some inquiries as to when the sports competition for the Bayly Memorial Scholarship will take place. In my opinion it would be wise to hold the competition in one of the southern centres this year. I shall be glad if /on will let our caretaker have a man for three or four days so that the fences of the new horse paddocks can be put in order at once. VISITING COMMITTEE. The Visiting Committee reported as follows: We visited the school se/eral times during the month, and found everything satisfactory. The caretaker is making good progress with .the removal of trees on the west side of, the Headmaster’s residence, afid the school boys have done ike wise on the eastern . side. Given ine weather, and at the present rate if progress, the work should be completed in about five or six weeks.

The renewal of the swing, as recortinended by the out-going committee has been attended to, tlie work being completed by Mr Jos. W. Boon yesterday. We \yould advise that the nving be painted or tarred.

We would like the committee to give as power to engage a man for (say) a reek to assist tfio caretaker in reinov:ng and re-erecting fences for horse paddocks. The- water trough will also ■equire to be removed from the preleut horse paddock to the new one. Che water could he laid on from the technical School,■ -which is a distance if about 12 yards.

The caretaker requires a new hanlle for the cobweb broom (about lift n length), rpf - Ihe swimming season has again arrived, and a number of swimmers have isked that tl* baths be opened, and ve think this should be done as soon is possible. In this connection, the '>aretaker would like, to have small ticket receipt books .printed to enable nm to keep a strict account of the ickets sold to casual bathers. • The work of repairing blinds and

•tlier improvements lias not yet been ittendc'd to, Iml we understand the vork will be put in hand next week. AX UNSATISFACTORY REPLY. A letter as follows was read from the Taranaki Education Board in reply to the clerk’s letter relative to the holidays caused by the absence of telphers at the Physical Instruction Ca up:—l am directed to inform yen u answer to your letter of the 18th inst. that the Education Department feed the date of tlie Physical Instruction Camp.” Mr McMillan expressed the opinion that it was by no means a satisfactory reply, in which other members concurred. NEW BLINDS. A letter was read from the Education Board stating that the Overseer would do what is absolutely necessary to the blinds at the school, and if necessary, nut in new ones. ANNUAL PICNIC. It was unanimously decided that the annual picnic be held at the East End (Fitzroy), New Plymouth, on the first Thursday in February, and that application be made to the Railway Department for the use of carriages on that occasion. OPENING OF THE BATHS. The chairman having expressed the view that several folk wished to have the baths opened, it was decided that Messrs Smart and McMillan be empowered to make the necessary arrangements. HORSE PADDOCK FENCE. Arising out of the Visiting Committee’s report, Mr E. Jackson was appointed to supervise the shifting and erection of the fence in the horse paddock and the engagement of an extra man as desired. , vi . A LITTLE PAINT. 1 Some, discussion took place over the painting of the swing mentioned in the Visiting Committee’s report, one member humorously suggesting that it be painted red, white and blue. However, in the end red was the color decided upon.