HOUSEHOLDERS' MEETINGS.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 May 1917, Page 6

HOUSEHOLDERS' MEETINGS.

WEST END SCHOOL. There was an attendance of about 20 at tlie West Knd School meeting, which was held in the gymasium, Mi- A. K. Smart presiding. KEPOET lAiXD BALANCE-SHEET. The committee reported the year had been a most successful one in every respect. The finances were in a satisfactory condition, and the work of the Echool itself is (as it always has been) of the highest order. It was unnecessary to eulogise the work of the staff under the capable guidance of Mrs Dowling, for the public were well aware of the fine work that has been accomplished in the past. Beference was made to the steps taken with the object of acquiring the Brooding estate, adjoining the school, for the purpose of enlarging the playground, and the interview with the Minister of Education in connection with the removal of the school to another site. The Minister promised to give the project of ultimately removing the school to the Tukapa ground favorable consideration. The school attendance had been satisfactory, the roll number at the last meeting of the committee being 502. A good deal of the sickness at the school was probably due to the creek at the back, iwihich should be cleared of willows and put in a proper channel. A concert held the week previous to the prize distribution realised £ll ISs. The ceiling of the gymnasium bad been covered with beaver board and was now regularly used as a class-room. It was previously much used for social functions, and was a fruitful source of Revenue to the committee, but that was now impossible. Evervane lias the utmost confidence in lira Dowling and her staff, and it urns considered the report would be incomplete without recording the appreciation of everyone concerned, with the school under het eapaWe management. The balance-sheet showed receipts as £lO5 9s, and expenditure £9l l'Ss Bd. There was a credit balance of £37 4s Id, as. against £23 13s 9d at the beginning of the year. The chairman, in moving the adoption of the' report and balance-sheet, said that the balance-sheet was in a very satisfactory condition.

Mr J. Garcia, seconded. Mr Sole considered the committee should endeavor to obtain some rent for the use of the gymnasium, as 'by its being utilised for school purposes, the committee was deprived of revenue from letting. When the Director of Education said that the school was not overcrowded, he probably did not take into consideration the fact that some T2 children were being taught in the gymnasium.

The chairman stated that the committee had tried to obtain rent for its use, but had not succeeded. In addition to losing revenue, tho committee liad to pay "2s per week extra for cleaningAfter a little discussion the report was adopted. AX URBAN AREA. The chairman drew attention to the recommendation by the Council of education that the number of members for an urban district "which, now stood at two members for each <KVBOO or part of 80.000, should be altered to read one member up to M.OOO, and two from If,ooo to 00,000. Jt was resolved, on the motion of the chairman and Mr R. J. Deare, that this meeting of householders desires to urge the Hon. Minister of take steps to declare the borough of New Plymouth an urban area within the meaning of the Education -Act, and we further urge that the number of members for Buch urban area should not be less than two. ELECTION OF COMMITTEE. Twelve nominations .were received for the nine seats on the committee, and the election resulted as follows: Messrs A. K. Smart, »T. S. S. Medley, W. Thomson, E. T. 'Bullet, J. Sandeis, J. Bennett, J. Hawker, J. Brokeushiie, J. Hurle. GENERAL. The chairman referred briefly to the advantages of the proposed site at Tukapa and also the outcome, of tho deputation to tho Minister. Votes of thanks were accorded Mrs Bowling and the staff, and also the retiring committee. In acknowledging, Mrs Dowling said that the stall was working under difficulties, as the school was overcrowded. The uso of the gymnasium mas unsatisfactory, as it should be utilised for the boys for a shelter shed. There was now no place where the children could play in wet weather, and it was impossible to thoroughly nir the rooms. Mr Smart also returned thanks on behalf of the retiring committee. CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEE. At a subsequent meeting of the committee, Mr A. K. Smart was re-elected chairman and Mr W. W. Thomson secretary, CENTRAL* SCHOOL COMMITTEE. The annual meeting of householders was held in tho Central School Jast night, less than 30 being present. Mr C. E. Bellringer was voted to the chair. COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The. annual report referred to the resignation of Mr. Dempsey after over 32 years' service as headmaster, a position ho had filled with conspicuous ability and success as evidenced by his having retained the esteem and confidence of the Board, the Committee, teachers, parents and children. Mr. H. A. Stratford (now on active service) had been, appointed to the vacancy. Mr. Mcllroy meanwhile acting as temporary headmaster. Amongst other members of the staff at the front were Messrs Bertrand and Sissons, wmle Mr. Stanton goes into camp next monti. Sergeant Partridge had made the' supreme sacrifice. It was stated that the same high standard of success had been attained as in previous years in spite of stall changes and epidemics, the work of the staff deserving congratulations, 31 pupils having gained proficiency and six competency. Mrs. Martin's work at the infant school was eulogised, and the results obtained at Vogeitown by Miss Jemison and Mrs. Wilkes were described as splendid, although the work was carried out: under adverse circumstances. Special attention was drawn to the assistance given by the children in patriotic work whereby a total of £63 was raised, and 300 articles made up for the Red Cross, the Belgians, and "our own boys at the front." In connection with physical exercises, swimming and life saving had been taken up in a more systematic manner, but •4" nf

venient locality at tlie eastern end d; tho town was stressed, it being a recommendation to the incoming committee to consider the question. At the end of the year the roll number had risen to 654—a record—while the average attendance was SGO.

The committee expressed their appreciation of the action of the Borough Council in remitting half the charge for water supply, also of the helpfulness of the Board, its secretary (Mr. Whitcombe) and the overseer (Mr. Moore), and concluded by stating that the pressing needs for the future were better buildings, larger air spaces, and medical advice after medical inspection.

The balance-sheet showed receipts totalling ds lid. including credit balance last year of £lO 5s lid; expenditure totalled £llO 14s Gd, the credit balance being £l*7 10s 3d. The position was considered very satisfactory, and after a brief discussion tho report and balance-sheet were adopted.

THE LATE HEADMASTER. Mr S. G. Smith, chairman of the committer spoke in appreciative terms of tho cervices rendered by Mr Dempey. Mr 33ellringer stated that lie desired to add a few remarks to Mr Smith's appreciation. He had Icnown the retiring schoolmaster for many years, and knew that his relations with teachers and committees had always been of the best.

Mr White was pleased that tlie sciiool was being well looked after under the control of Mr Mcllroy, Who had proved a yerv able seconder to the headmaster.

Mr Mcllroy thanked the meeting for tlie kind remarks made. He would have to ask tlie indulgence of tlia committee for a few weeks till he got matters going again. Tlie following were elected to the committee: Messrs S. G. Smith, H. G. Dolby, V. Griffiths, F. Coleman, F. Hardgreaves, 'Northern;. G. W. Browne, \V. Hooker, and F. Head. A vote of thanks was accorded to the retiring committee. Mr S. Smith, in reply, said the importance of the school warranted a modern building instead of the present premises. The room they were in mas all right, but it was probably the only detent room available. He thought a recommendation from the householders to the injcoming committee recommending the Board to consider the question of erecting a more modern building, might help the committee. Mr Tiellringer agreed with the suggestion. BOARD REPRESENTATION. Mr. Smith brought before the meeting the! question uf representation on the ,board. At present New Plymouth, as an urban area, was entitled to two members, but owing to the anomaly that exists in large centres the Council of Education proposed a now scale, and if this were adopted this centre would have only one-member on the board against six from the other portions of the province. He, with Mr. White, represented ilia northern ward, and although having several large schools, only commanded •32 votes, and other schools represented 200 votes. He had brought the question before the Minister of Education, and bo bad promised to bring it before the Council of Education. Mr. Smith then moved: "That this meeting of householders desires to urge the Minister of Kdwr.tirii U iake steps to declare the borough of Now Plymouth an "urban area" within the meaning of the Education Act, and ■further urges that the number of members for such urban area should not be less than two members."

Mr. C\ E. Bellringer seconded, the mo, tion being carried.

A voto of thanks to the chairman concluded the meeting. Mr. S. G. Smith was re-elected chairman for the ensuing term, and Mr. C. T. Mills wa r . appointed secretary (pro tern).

FITZROY. Jlr. W. 0. Reid (chairman of committee) presided over a moderate attendance. The chairman reported, inter alia, as follows:—That the school is maintaining its standard of excellence under the supervision of tjhe headmaster (Mr. 0. Johnson) as regards tiie work done, the best criticism is afforded by the inspector's report dated October 25, I'UIG, show-' ing the work that came under review gave evidence that we have knowledge, ability, and discipline, three great essentials, splendidly applied in the training of the young people AC the beginning of the year the number of scholars on the roll was 177: to-day the number had readied '202. At the last public examination eight pupils from the school sat for the proficiency examination, and of these all were successful with the exception of one. An '"Honors Board" has been obtained, and will bo put up in the school, showing the pupil i who have accepted the call to service on the nation's behalf.

We are pleased to report that there has been no occasion to employ the services of the truant inspector during tho past year. Probably some of the

urents are not aware that their children, after leaving the primary school, may attend continuation classes at the New Plymouth Technical College, and that the 'Department lias made it compulsory that boys and girls between the ages of 14 and 17 should attend. We feel sure that parents will realise tho importance of vocational training and give the children the opportunity of equipping themselves for the high state of efficiency which will be demanded in the future.

Unfortunately, owing to the war, wc have been unable to get ministers to carry on the work of Biblical instruction, but trust that when things settle down to a normal condition the work will go on uninterruptedly. The removal of Mr. iA'. .Tone;;, of Huriniinna, and the death of our secretary ('Mr. George White) caused two vacancies on the committee. These vacancies were filled- by the appointment of Messrs F. Duckworth and K. Day. Realising the importance of elocutionary training, the committee propose holding, about the middle of June next, elocutionary and musical competitions. We would suggest to tho incoming committee that tliia programme bo carried out, and fed sure that this will be tho forerunner of competitions being held for the whole district under the auspices ol the School' Committees' Association.

Frequent applications have been made to the Education Board for improvements. and in every case the committee have been treated most courteously by .tooth 'the individual members and the staff, and particularly the Board s overseer, Mr. C. Moore. During the past few years the following works have been carried out: Erection of a. gymnasium room, filling, tarring and sanding a portion of the school grounds, atid the installation of a septic tank, the total cosb being approximately £27'o. These improvements have.aU ibeen said for by voluntary suti-

scriptions and subsidies soceived from the Education Board. Wc hope the incoming committee will not lose sight of the intention of the present committee to extend tho floor of the gymnasium, so that all our school entertainments may be held there. The statement of accounts for the past year shows a debit balance of '£3 17s Id.

The chairman gave an outline of the proposed musical and elocutionary programme, and expressed the opinion that it would be a, splendid move, both for the school and outsiders. He hoped the committee would take tne matter up, and prove that the Fitzroy school was very mueh alive. He referred to the improvements effected, and congratulated the committee on the work, which was ah paid for. He warmly thanked the committe for their assistance and courtesy during the whole period of his chairmanship. Mr. 0. Johnson (headmaster) referred to the honors board donated by the chairman, and at his instance a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Eeid. In reply to Mr. Hoskin, the chairman explained that the reason why the committee had a banking account instead of using the P.O. Savings Bank was that they had found that in handling so much money it would be out of the question to use tho savings bank. The report and balance sheet were adopted The chairman then brought up the question of the effect of tho new proposal of the Council of Education with reference to the curtailment of members of urban areas on education boards. It was decided to urge the Minister to declare New Plymouth an urban area, with two members on the board. The following were re-elected to the committee: —Messrs. W. C 4. Eeid, Arden, W. Griffiths, I. Aroa, H. Grayling, R. Day and F. Duckworth, Mr. Eeid only consenting to act after considerable persuasion. A discussion took place with reference to what took place on the Minister's visit, and the chairman made a satisfactory explanation on the subject. At the statutory meeting of the committee, Mr. Reid was re-elected chairman, Mr. Duckworth secretary, meeting ,nights 'being fixed for the second Monday in the month. STANLEY ROAD. Mr G. Sangster presided over ail attendance of 2'2 householders. Tho following committee was elected: Messrs T. H. Wellington (ehairir.au), W. J. Wellington, J. Chard, J. McCracken, and J. Phillips. "