HOUSEHOLDERS' MEETINGS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 285, 25 April 1911, Page 8

HOUSEHOLDERS' MEETINGS

NEW PLYMOUTH CENTRAL SCHOOL DISTRICT. j The annual meeting of householders of the New Plymouth Central School district was held last evening, when about thirty attended. Mr. John Paton occupied the chair. j The secretary read the balance-sheet, which showed receipts for the year £93 Is 7d, and expenditure £BS 7s lid, leaving a credit balance of £7 13s Bd. | The chairman of committee, Mr. F. P. Corkill, read his report for the year as under: — I The schools under the control of this committee comprise the Central for girls and boys, and Courtenay street for im-l fants. . During the year there have been no material changes in the staff, which consists of headmaster, seven as-, sistants, and six pupil teachers and pro-! bationers.

Eoll and Attendance. The average number of children on the rolls was 590, and the attendance 539.5, or over 90 per cent. Lately there has been an im-j provument, the attendance for the Janu-| ary-.Marih term averaging over 95 perj cent, lliis excellent result may to some extent be attributed to the prcvailingi fine weather and the rather drastic pro-1 visions of the new Act which relate t«j absentees, though mainly due to the) splendid tone pervading the whole school. After reference to the cadet movement, Mr. Dempsey's quarter-century | celebration, and to the proposed school: baths, the report continued: | . Boy Scouts. Throughout the yeari Chief Scoutmaster Sullivan (one of our teachers) and Scoutmaster Mclsaae have given of their best in the promotion of this movement, and their labor of love is keenly appreciated by the boys form-' ing the Central Battalion, and little less' so by the parents. The kindness of these j gentlemen in devoting so much of their j leisure to the welfare of our lads cannot be too highly commended. It has been suggested that some of the Scouts are apt at times to forget for the moment that home duty should be the first duty, and that before going out to do ''good turns" to strangers-and the public generally, care should be taken that jobs helpful to mother and father have not been overlooked. Financial. tee's income amounted to £BO Bs, and it cost £BO 6s Od for cleaning and fuel alone. Last year our capitation was' £B7 19s 5d (equal to about 3s 3d on an I average attendance of 533 children), and we paid £72 Ss 4d for cleaning and firewood. Every Education Board gets from the Department a sum of lis 3d per head for all school-going children in its district, and hitherto the allocation of a portion of this to the committee has been left to each board. The result j has been that in some districts the com-j mittees have been much more generously dealt with than in others. With the object of ensuring a fairer distribution of the funds it was last year enacted that "the grants to committees shall amount in the aggregate for all the committees taken together to not less than five shillings and sixpence for each child in average daily attendance in the education district." Unfortunately no minimum for any school has been pre-j scribed and, according to the scheme of apportionment devised by the Taralinki Board, the position of the Central Committee will be very little improved,! ■ indeed it would appear that it will bl rather worse. The sum to be paid to the committee for the present year is calculated at £lO2, but the board proposes to deduct from this £ls paid to the Borough Council for water supplied to the Central and Courtenay Street schools. Why the children of ratepayers should be specially charged for the water consumed by them while attend-, ing school, passes comprehension ! If this charge is persisted in, the committee's revenue in 1911-12 will amount to; £B7 (about 3s 2y 3 d on an average of 539), and it cannot possibly carry on! with this sum. The caretaker receives £65 per annum for daily attention to. the t\VD schools, old fusty wooden buildings a quarter of a mile apart, one well' over 30 years in use and the other near-] ly as ancient, and, having regard to the! manner in which the work is done, the committee feels itself an involuntary party to an undoubted ease of "sweating." The caretaker ought to be getting at least another .£l2 per annum. By way of, comparison may be me»-| tioned the pay of the caretaker of th»l adjacent Technical College and Educa-j tion Offices, both brand new buildings of modern construction and the former little used during four or five monthi of the year. For this service the Education Board pays £72 per annum ani extras, and an application for an in-1 crease is now under consideration. Benefactions.—The committee take*! this opportunity of acknowledging thel gratuitous services of our secretary,' Mr. (.'. T. Mills', who has for some years, past in consideration of the chronic impeeuniosity of the committee, waived' the small salary which was formerly! paid to him and his predecessors in the office. Thanks are also due to all who 1 recently assisted in the erection of a'' swing boat at the Infant School, Mrs.) Martin and Miss Bountree, who paid for the material, and Messrs. Hartnell, Griffiths', Boon, Monk, and Xixon and Grant for work done. Bible Reading.—Two years ago, on the almost unanimous' vote of the' parents, the committee afforded facilities' to the ministers to attend once a week,' out of school hours, for the purpose of giving Bible instruction. This work has been faithfully carried on through the past year. J Some discussion followed. Mr. F. C. J. Bellringer asked for a clearer statement respecting the unhealthy condition of the cadet move-' merit. i Mr. Cov-kill pointed out that the cadet movement had in previous years heen a fine feature in the school. Under Mr. Dempsey's direction two strong corps had been created in New.Plymouth, but during the past twelve months, owing to friction with headquarters, interest had lapsed. He believed in lads being • trained to shoot and take an interest : in military matters. I , Mr. G.'McGahey thought that the : committee was partly responsible for i the poor muster at Coronation time. I ] Mr. Cm-kill explained that the officers i and many of the cadets were absent at i the time of the parade, and this perhaps i accounted for the poor muster. I i Mr. Bellringer, replying, hoped the i cadet movement would not be allowed I

to lose interest. He also considered that the householders should he better represented on the Education Board, and that Mr. CorUill would make an excellent member. Mr. Paton regretted that the committee had so little money to carry out the necessary works at the school. Unless they got a larger grant matters would not improve this year. The speaker also referred to the good work of the headmaster, Mr. Dempsey. In reply to Mr. Bellringer, Mr. Corkill explained that the Taranaki Education Board was made up of country members.' Respecting the lis 6d received by the Education Board from the Department the Board had to pay out to school committees at least 5s 3d. Some schools. got more than others, and the smaller! the school the higher the amount givenj One school got as high as 7s fid. This school had for eight children attending its school five members of committee. The Central School committee had nine members, and an attendance of 600 I school children. The country school committees could, of course, outvote the towns when the Education Boards were elected. Personally, he would not go ; on the Education Board at any price. | I He thought that the committee could I perhaps economise this year by getting ! the Borough Council to take off the £ls , now charged as water-rate from the | Central and Infant Schools.. j The report and balance-sheet as read I were adopted. I 1 Votes of thanks were accorded to the I outgoing committee, and to the secre-| | tary, Mr. C. T. Mills, who for some j years had given his services gratuitously. I . Several householders strongly favored I swimming baths, and hoped the incom-| . ing committee would do all in its power • to have baths erected at the Central School. I The Kev. Evans moved a hearty vote of appreciation to Mr. Dempsey and j staff of the Central School, and Mrs. I Martin and staff of the Infants School, for the excellence of their work during ' the past year. In addition to good re- [ suits in the schools, there was a splenI did high tone and good principle instilled 1 into the children.—Carried with acclamaI tion.

Mr. Dempsey briefly replied, stating that he and his staff had done their best and were trying to do better. I A vote of thanks was accorded to all who had assisted in giving assistance! in erecting the swing boat. I Mr. Fookes asked if the matter of a gymnasium for the school was being proceeded with. He was strongly in favor of such an institution.—Mr. Dempsey thought a gymnasium could be made self-supporting. He had consulted an instructor, who considered that I an entertainment would pay all expenses! incurred. He (the speaker) hoped to see both gymnasium and swimming schemes prosper. He had been promised a great deal of assistance from parents in erecting the baths, and hoped all parents would help, thus showing sym-l pathy with the teachers. Mr. S. G. Smith proposed a resolution protesting against the Borough Council's charge of £ls for water sup-, ply, and that a request be made to that body to remit the charge.—Carried unanimously. i The election of a new committee was then proceeded with. Nine members were required, and ten nominations were received. Mr. H. F. Russell, however, withdrew his name, and the following were elected: Messrs. F. P. Corkill, J. Grant, M. Rudd, E. Chattcrton, G. H. Dolby, J. Paton, Sid Smith, Rev. Osborne and Rev. Evans. The New Zealand Educational Institute forwarded a circular concerning a Dominion promotion scheme.—Mr. Corkill considered that as insufficient information on the subject was given, no action be taken.—Agreed to. Votes of thanks to Scoutmasters Mclsaacs, Sullivan and McGahey, and to the chair, terminated the meeting. FITZROY. The annual meeting of householders of the Fitzroy School district was, held last evening. There were present: Messrs. Tisch (chairman). Pepperill (secretary), Coombes, Lee, 1 Aroa, Griffiths, Francis, Rev. Kempthorne and Johnson (headmaster). The headmaster, in the course of an interesting report, touched on the necessity for the enlargement and improvement of the school grounds, and also for the provision of a better sheltershed. "On a moist, muggy day," he wrote, "the air becomes so thick that you might almost cut it with a knife." A better shelter-shed should be erected, and might be used as a gymnasium.— Referred to the incoming committee. The committee presented its annual report, which traced the work, month by month, of the school during the year, and recorded the committee's thanks to and entire satisfaction with the staff. Reference was also made to the clean, bright and happy appearance of the pupils, and the high standard of efficiency and of discipline maintained. On the motion of Rev. Kempthorne, seconded by Mr. Coombes, it was resolved that the report be referred to the incoming committee to deal with and to i take what action they think best on the I various matters therein referred to. I The secretary read an abstract of the I accounts as follows:—Credit balance at beginning of year, £4 13s; receipts, £27 lis Od; expenditure, £2B 17s 3d; which left a credit balance of £3 7s 3d at 31st March, 1011. Mr. Johnson read a statement of the piano fund, showing that at the present time in addition to the piano being paid for, there was a credit balance of £5 (is 3d. He also went on to say that during the year the amount collected towards the piano fund was £7O lis 6d, independent of food stuffs provided by the people of the district for the various socials. He felt gratified in being able to eall attention to the fact of the Fitzroy people's generosity, especially that of Mr. A. J. Mcintosh, who (with his own donation) had collected an amount of £l3 to be handed over to the piano fund. Out of the £5 5s 3d Mr. Johnson purposed purchasing a Hazard's perfeei target, comprising two B.S. rifles, etc., to be erected in the school grounds for the iise of the cadets. This target would in the ordinary course cost £7 15s, but on interviewing Major McDonald at the Scorcher Bay camp, near Wellington, he had found that if the school decided to purchase this target the cadet department would give £ for £ subsidy, thus reducing the price to £3 17s Cd. The Cadet Department had called in all rifles used by cadet corps, deeming the rilles dangerous for use by the cadets, hence the steps to purchase the target

Mr. Jolinson said that the cadets had been downhearted by the action of the Department in debarring the use of rifles in the corps, but since he had proposed to them to purchase the target they had been very pleased. The secretary informed the meeting :liat the committee had found it a very hazardous task to keep within the limits of its capitation, they receiving only £l9 lis (id for the first three quarters and £8 for the remaining quarter. The incoming committee, however, would not experience quite such a difficulty, as they would have not less than £32 for the first twelve months, the amount of capitation after that time of course depending on the attendance at the school. On the motion of Mr, Kempthorne, seconded by Mr. Lee, it was resolved to inform the Education Board that owing to an insufficient number of householders being present who would consent to nomination, this meeting approach the Education Board asking for a special meeting to be called for the election of a committee. Votes of thanks to the outgoing committee, the chairman, secretary, headmaster and staff, and the Daily News | concluded the business. WEST END. About fifty householders attended the annual meeting of householders of the New Plymouth West End School last | evening. Mr. J. B. Roy was appointed to the chair. I The«balance-sheet showed a credit bftV ance of £4 13s 4d. I The chairman's report for the..year co% gratulated the scholars and Teachers off I the excellent manner in which the duties had been carried out, making special reference to the organisation of the head- | teacher. During the year no heavy expenses had been incurred, but the new committee would have several proposals to face, notably asphalting and levelling of the school grounds. Some people thought school committees had no work .to do, but even if they only made school life more pleasant they would be doing a great good to the community I and the children attending the school. | The committee had been unanimously in favor of Bible-reading in schools, but the Ministers' Association had not been able to arrange hours so as not to clash with their other work. i For the new committee, sixteen nominI ations were received. A ballot was taken, and the following were appointed a committee for the ensuing year:—Mrs. Fred. Gilbert, Mrs. John Hurle, Rev. Kellow, Messrs I. Morrison, N. T. Maunder, E. T. Bullet, W. Thompson, Mclsaacs, and H. J. Gilbert. | The New Zealand Education Institute forwan'cd a circular asking the meeting to consider the fo'lowing proposal:— "That 1 his meeting <f householders considers t'"it in the best interests of education !• Dominion scheme for promotion I of teach rs is urgently required, and that this res 'ution be forwarded to the MlnI ister o" Education, Wellington." Mrs. Dowlin' explained the objects of the proposal, which was carried. i Votes of thanks ito the outgoing committee and the chairman terminated the meetiir.I At a subsequent meeting of the newly--1 elected committee Mr. H. J. Gilbert was ' re-elected chairman, and Mr. W. Bennett ' secretary. ; It was decided to have a full meeting 1 at an early date to consider the require- ' ments of the school.

FRANKLEY. Mr. \V. Bendall presided over an attendance of fourteen at the householders' meeting in the Fninkley gymnasium last night. | The report congratulated the district on the progress during the year. The finances were very satisfactory, residents having responded liberally to the appeal for funds to convert the old school into a gymnasium hall. Donations reached £43. The Waireka Minstrels gave their services at an entertainment, which realised £4 Gs. Euchre parties and dances i run by a sub-committee realised £l3 11 Is sd. The new school was opened in September, and the committee were un- ! der a debt of gratitude to the ladies' j committee who carried the opening funcI tions to a successful issue, realising a, pr«i fit of £7. An auction sale and garden I party helped the funds to the considerable extent of £lB 16s Od. In all, the ' gymnasium funds benefited to the extent of £Bl. During the year good progress had been made in connection with scholastic matters. There had been no change in the personnel of the staff, and good work had been done under the headmaster, Mr. Winfield, the assistant, Miss MeDiarmid, and Miss O'Rorke. The I attendance showed a slight decrease owing to changes in the district. The balance-sheet showed that the year started with a credit balance of £4 10s fld, and ended with a credit balance of £G fls 3d in the general account. The gymnasium account opened with a credit balance of £2 His Bd. Receipts brought this amount up to £lO2 Is 7d. The following committee was elected: Mesrs .7. Garcia (14), E. X. L. Okey (13), F. Xewell (10), W. Bendall (10), Tippins (10), Cole (10), Allen (9). A vote of thanks wa.s accorded to Mrs. Arden and Mr. Winfield for their aid towards the building of the new gymnasium. The resolution from the Teachers' In : stitutc—'That this meeting of householders considers that in the best interests of education a Dominion scheme for promotion of teachers is urgently required, and that this resolution be forwarded to the Minister of Education, Wellington"—was left over for consideration at next householders' meeting. A vote of thanks was accorded to the teaching staff and to the retiring members of the committee. At a meeting held afterwards, Mr.. Bendall was appointed chairman and Mr. 11. Cole secretary. The meetings of the committee were fixed for the first Monday i:i the month.