SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 April 1916, Page 6

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

HOUSEHOLDERS' AXXUAL MEETINGS. The animal meetings of householdere throughout the Ta raiuiki Education Board's district were held last night to receive reports on the past year and to elect new committees, CENTRAL The anminl meeting of householders was held at t)ie Central School last night. Mr. F. J. Bellringer presided over «i moderate attendance, and made reference to the apparent lack of interest shown. Mr. C. T. Mills, secretary, read statement of accounts showing that the credit balance at March 31, 1915, was 2s, but at December 31, 1915 it was £lB 5s lid.

In the course of his annual report the chairman stated: "The balance sheet indicates that the finances of the committee are in a much better position than for some time past. The committee were unable to carry out any improvements of a permanent nature to the school grounds during the year. Owing to the many calls on the public for patriotic purposes, it -was deemed both inopportune and unwise to appeal for funds to carry out some necessary improvements. The regradng of "Poverty Flat," a portion of which ; s vested in the Board, and only held by the committee on sufferance, is a work that requires attending to, but an application to the Board for a subsidy was promptly turned down. Evidently the Board does not even wish to encourage committees to improve the Board's own property. The committee again have pleasure in congratulating Mr. Dempsey (headmaster) and his staff on the good results obtained during the year. The number of children gaining promotion was increasingly great, this" being evidence of the untiring zeal and earnestness displayed by the teachers in carrying out their duties. The committee desire to draw attention to the progreess made by the children attending the Courtney street infant school. Mr. Dempsey draws attention to the increased interest, which he notes with pleasure, that many parents talcs in the progress of their children, and their eagerness to assist in their advancement. Such a spirit of mutual help and co-operation is much appreciated by the teachers, who know from experiene-i that a little help at home has a good effect on the work at school. During the yeas several changes have taken place in'the staff. Messrs. Sissons and. Partridge joined the Expeditionary Forces, and are now at, or on their way to the Front. It is a source of pride to know that four of our teachers answered the call to the Empire. Early in the year Miss Vickers resigned, and was replaced by Miss Williams, «ho lately retired, the vacancy being filled by the appointment of Miss Anthony, from the Wanganni district. Mr. Day replaced Mr. Sissons, and Miss Mouat replaced Mr. Patridge. Mrs. Firth and Miss Drake held temporary positions during the filling of the vacancies.

"At the end of .Tune a school was established lit Vogeltown. some 30 pupils being transferred from the Central. This school was placed in charge of Miss Wilson, who was ably assisted by Mrs. Wilkes, (lie mil number at the opening of iiii--. school ncing about . 50, ranging from infant s up (o. standard five. In compliance '.villi a request from the l)i'|iar(ineiit, the Board in November last attached (Ins school as a side school to the Central. This arrangement, however, is only temporary, and will be rectified as soon as funds are available for the building of a school at Vogeltown. From June to November this school was under the control of Commissioners Messrs. G. W. Browne, W. Gordge, and J. Laurence, all of whom displayed commendable, zeal and energy in carrying out their duties. "The roll number at the end of the year was 563, with an average attendance of 522, or with the side school included: roll Gl3, average attendance 56!), or nearly 93 per cent, of the roll. The punctuality and attendance of children throughout the year has been remarkably good. "On Friday afternoons outside of school hours Bible instruction has oeen regularly given by the ministers of the different churches of the town and the committee are advised that these classes are being attended by at least 9.5 per cent, of the children, many of those who formerly absented themselves, by their parents wishes, now voluntarily remain with the others. The physical side of education has receicd a greater prominence at the school during the year. Half an hour daily, out of doors, is now devoted to this work, with occasional movements ill school during, or between lessons. The system, if carried out as laid down, is an excellent- one, and with proper progression, should have a beneficial effect on the health and physique of the rising generation. The School Committees Association, to which your committee is affiliated has been busy during the year an *he 'interests of school committees and education in general. and by its activities has certainly justified its existence. "No report to this meeting would bo complete without special reference to the patriotism and self-sacrifice of the children attending the schools. As in the previous year, the pupils have again given their prize money to be used in ameliorating the sufferings of the sick 'nd wounded in connection with the war. The two extreme departments, the infants and standard VT„ have alone subscribed over E2O, while the standards, besides contributing in cash, have made up and dispatched through various channels over 500 articles consisting of clothing for the Belgians, material for the •'qnipment of the hospital ship, and comforts for the soldiers at the front. The members of the* "Busy Bee Club." to which many of the children belong, have contributed not only the result, of their labors, but have also secured the interest and co-operation of their parents. The carnival, organised by the school, assisted by good friends, was an outstanding success over. £2OO being netted, .Cl5O going towards No. I Stationary Hospital, and the balance for comforts for our soldiers

"Tim stall' at -the school at the present time is one headmaster ton assistants, and three pupil teachers. The committee desire to record their appreciation of the valuable services rendered by the whole staff during the year, and to thank then' for the interest they all take in carrying out their duties, such interest being maintained outside of school hours."

! The report was adopted, and the 'chairman received thanks for it, to which |h" suitably replied.

The election of the committee result- ''■ .n follows:—Messrs S. U. Smith 1.-I'iiniiaii), Rev. A, B. Cliappell (deputy r' 1 —>1:111). C. T. Mills (secretary!, G. H. "i'.'s-, A. Milne. V. H. Griffiths/W. Girl.l. !•'. Caleuian, T. Harderava,

The meeting passed a special vote of thanks to Mr. Dempsey arid staff, to the Ministers' Association {or religious insl ruction, to Mr ]'. C'oleinan for donation of an Honors Board and ballot box, and to Mr. C. Ahior for his Honors lloaid relating to the war. Special reference was made to those members of the stall' who had responded to tlic call of "'Duty and Empire." The meeting- showed their appreciation of the outgoing committee by reelecting them for the ensuing year, Mr. W. Girling- being the only new' member. The usual vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting. FITZROY. There was a good attendance at the meeting of house holders at Fitzrov, anil Mr. Win. Reid (chairman of the outgoing committee)) presided. In his annual report the chairman expressed pleasure in stating that the school under the supervision of the headmaster IMr. 0. Johnston), continued to justify the good name it lias borne in the past, the Inspectors reporting favorably upon the good work done. In the recent report the .remarks ranged from good to excellent. During the latter part of last year the parents had tlie opportunity of seeing samples of the children's work and it is intended to make the function an annual one so that the parents may see what is being done. The report continued: "During the .summer vacation the asphalt round the buildings received another coat of tar and sand which has made a really good jol> of it. The children are now able to play without getting wet feet, a, fact which was responsible for the diminution in colds during last winter. When the tap in the boys' yard is removed it. is intended to use the part at the back of the buildings for tennis courts. A short time ago the Board of Education hnd all the buildings thoroughly cleaned and disinfected in order to safeguard the he-ilth of the children. You will be pleased to hear that our caretaker has carried out his duties so faithfully that the. Hoard's overseer took only half the time he contemplated. Feeling assured that on account- of I lie installation of the tramways and the establishment in the district of important industries such as the large and up-to-date freezing works now being erected for the Taranaki Farmers' Meat Company, the school roll will gradually increase, and, feeling the necessity of enlarging the school grounds, the committee induced the Minister of Education, Mr. Hanan, to pay the school a visit. We were assured that, when the time arrived, the suggestions for improvements would be given effect to. To the headmaster and staff we feci deeply indebted for the earnestness and efficiency of their work during the year. The balance-sheet showed the total receipts as £6B 18s Oil, of which £3G llis fid represented donations. The expenditure amountcdlo £fiC 13s, 21, leaving a credit balance of £2 5s 4d in place of a debit balance last year of ISs 7d. The report and balance-sheet were adopted, on tiie motion of the. chairman, who expressed his gratification at the happy relations which existed among the members of the Committee. The whole of the retiring members of the Committee were re-elected—Messrs Reid, White. Griffiths, Arden, Aroa, A. •Jones, and IT. Grayling. A hearty vote of thanks to and appreciation of the services of the Committee and the teaching staff was carried unanimously.

It was resolved to urge on the Borough Council the urgent need for the completion of the metalling of Chilman street, which in its present state was the means of diverting pupils from the school. At the meeting of the newly-elected Committee held at the close of the householders' meeting Mr. W. G. Tie id was elected chairman, and Mr. 0. S. White cierk and treasurer. WEST END. At the West End householders' meeting there was a small attendance. Mr. A. K. Smart presided. The report dealt principally with the increased attendance, the roll number being 49(1 and the attendance on examination day 482 pupils, proving a record for the school. The accommodation of the schol, continued the report, lins been overtaxed, and we have been obliged to use the gymnasium as a classroom. The committee have repeatedly applied (through the Board) to the Education Department to build an infants' school and to purchase the adjoining property to erect same, and also for additional playing ground, without success. I'hey had applied tc the Education Hoard to have the gymnasium ceiled and the walls lined throughout before the winter, as at present it is cold and draughty and unsuitably as a class-loom. During the year Mrs. Rowling and the teaching staff organised a children's concert. \Vhich was most successful, enabling the committee to secure the usual annual prizes for merit and attendance. The committee congratulated Mrs. Howling and the stall' on the result of the examination and the good report of the inspectors. Mention was also made of the retention and enlarging of the Taranaki education district. The balance-sheet showed that the finance* had been carefully looked after, the year's working showing a substantial credit.

The following wore elected io the Committee:—Messrs J. Hawker, .Tolin Sanders, W, \V. Thomson, E. F. Biillot, •T, llrokenshire, C'. F. F.dwards. R. J. Deare, A. K. .Smart, and F. Tlardwidge. At tile meeting of the newly-elected committee Mr. A. K. Smart was again elected chairman and Mr. W. W. Thomson secretary. STRATFORD D.H.S. Mr. T5. blasters presided over an attendance of twenlv-fonr householder?. The following committee was elected: Messrs P. SUoi>luiul, f. Martin. J. W. McMillan. W. MeDonnrd, F. .T. McDonald, 0. VT. Lawn, H. Sanderson, K. W. Hancock and W. 'Pinhcv. Mr.. -1. YV. McMillan was elected chairman.