WEST END SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8136, 16 June 1906, Page 2

WEST END SCHOOL.

The We#it End School Committee met on Thursday evening. There were present: Messrs Gilbert (chairman), Nixon, Smith, McWhinney, Mander, Bennett, Deare, Gardner, and Siinmonds.

The committee decided not to proceed at present with lighting the school with gas, and the matter of erecting a fence to make separate grounds for boys and girls was allowed to stand over for six month.-, on account of the cost.

Application will be made to the Gas Company to put in a ring at the sehoo' for the teachers' use.

The matter of tho need of increased accommodation at the school was discussed. The report of the head teacher, Mrs Dowling, included the following : "The average attendance for the month is 273, the roll number being 311. The present week's average is 291. This is particularly good, being 93 per cent, of the roll. If tho attendance increases much more, it will be necessary to have more accommodation. There are at present 87 on the infant roll, aud it is, to say tho least, most inconvenient to have no class room, and to teacli classes in tho hall. The room that was intended fo? a classroom has to be used to seat the First Standard. It is a most unhealthy room for both children and teachers. lam constantly having notes from parents to place children out of draughts, but it is an impossibility to do so. I should suggest, therefore, that your committee ask the Board to make suitable alterations so that a classroom may be provided."

It was decided that the Education Board be written to, drawing attention to the urgent need of increased acmmmodation, and that the above-quoted portion of Mrs Dowling's report be embodied in the letter. The chairman and Mr Simnionds will wait on the Board in connection with the application.

It was decided, after discussion, to give the caretaker one month's notice. The meeting decided to procure Ik'cwood supplies, and to erect the old desks in the playground for scats.

It was decided to ask Major De:npsoy, and through him the other cadet oUcers. to withdraw their resignations, the committee expressing ih utmost confidence in the oillcers, and its full appreciation of tho good which has already resulted from their work in connection with tho cadet movement. Deahn<> with the same subject, a letter will be sent to the Education Board, regretting the stand taken by Ihe Board regarding the cadet movement, which had resulted in the resignation of all tho officers, and deploring the loss of the great amount of good that had already resulted from their work.

A resolution was carried, regretting the death oE the late Mr Seddon, and sympathising with Mrs Seddon and family, adding: "As Minister for E lucation, the lato Premier ever disdayed the keenest interest in the welfare of the children of this colony."