THE CENTRAL SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8154, 11 July 1906, Page 3

THE CENTRAL SCHOOL.

TO THE F.DITOK. Sin, — Comment is made in this morning's Ni:\vs on' the. apathy displayed by members of the Central School Comm'ttee in not attending the meeting for the purpose of raising funds for the benefit of the school. To my mind, the blameworthy persons are the parents who, year after year, fail to take sufficient interest in the welfare of the scho-il to give half an honr when the elf,-lion night conies round, and so allow the same little coterm lo be returned time after time. Of th" committee only three are slid to be parents of school-going children and if si it can hardly be won-'lerel that their management is so indifferent. At the last annual meeting of householders the chairman exprossed his unwillingness to accept re-eloctinn, mid at once two of the others intimated that if he did not stand they would also retire. Unfortunately there were no parents there to take them at their word and put. in men with a little more life, and so the little mutual admiration society was again returned Perhaps next year more interest may be displayed by those immediately concerned. Meanwhile we must not blame the men who are doing their little best for us.—l am, etc., A Neglectful Pabent.

TO THE EDITOIt. Sib, —It seeius to me that the householders, or the householders' children, are going to suffer for the lack of interest displayed at the annual meeting of people connected with the Central School. Is the committee awake ? At that meeting there was a lot of talk about want of money for carrying on the ordinary work of the school. The committee was going to economise in all directions, and was going to try and " raise the wind." So far the committee appears to have done nothing, waiting, apparently, for the Education Board to step in with a grant. I should like you to have a look at the state of the grounds, and then compare them with those of the smaller schools. lam convinced that the sleepiest body in Taranaki is the committee which has to look after the interests of Central School pupils.—l am, etc., Mother of Five. THE CHAIRMAN'S EXPLANATION.

In reference to the paragraph in Monday morning's issue, to the effect that the committeemen were conspicuous only by their absence, not one putting in an appearance at the meeting of ladies, Mr Collis, chairman of the committee, informs us that the committee had no intimation of tho date of the meeting. During May, he says, Mr Dempsey (headmaster), informed the committee that such a meeting was contemplated, and asked the co-operation ot the committee. This was promised, eyery member of the committee being ready and willing to assist. A little later, on June 18th to be correct, the headmaster wrote ic his monthly report '• " Exhibition, etc.

—I have invited a number of ladies to meet at the school on Wednesday, at 3 p.m, to discuss exhibition and sale of work matters." He gave no hint that the attendance of committeemen or their wives was desired. Had such an intimation been made, the committee weuld have been represented personally, and their wives would also have attended and given assistance. Mr Collis thought it was due to the Committee that some explanation should be given, for not one of the members that he had interviewed so far had been asked to be present at I lie meeting. "I notice," said Mr Collin, " that the next meeting of the ladies is to be held on Monday, lOth iust. If ihey want any of the Committee this time, they could not have chosen a worse night, for it's our regular meeting night." In answer to a query regarding the state of the finances, Mr Collis re-

ferrcd to the meeting at which a committee was set up to consider ways and means. At that time, lie stated, the committee wanted to know where to get funds to carry on, and the idea was that failing the disclosure of a satis-1 factory state of affairs the committee I would resign, and leave the ISaord to administer Central School affairs. The subcommittee, however, found that there was due to the committee from the Education Board a sum of £lll from a special Government grant. Hepresentations were made to the Board with reference to the sanitary contract, and a grant of £7 Ills was made on that account. A considerable sum had now been received in capitation, and the committee's finances were in a very satisfactory state. The principal trouble was, of course, that the severance of the West End School district, while materially reducing the Central's capitation, had not greatly reduced the expenses of management.