NEW PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 September 1917, Page 3

NEW PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOL.

MONTHLY MEETING. Tho ordinary meeting of tho New Plymouth High School Board of Governors was held on Monday night, nv-hen there were present: Messrs D. Hutchen (chairman). H. Trimble, J. S. Fox, B. W. D. Robertson, S. G. Smith, T. G. Hirst, L. C. Sladdcn F. W. Atkinson, and E. P. Webster. Leave of absence was granted to Dr. Fookes. GIRLS' HIGH SCHOOL. Miss Barr, Principal of the Girls' High School, reported that the school opened for the third term on September 11, the roll numher being 126, with' 30 girls in residence. As the bathing season is about to begin, might I suggest the desirability o): erecting a dressing shed on the beach in front of Strandon for the use of the boarders. We experienced considerable difficulty in this connection last season, and it would be a great convenience to have a small shed of our own as the East End Pavilion is too far from Strandon to he of any use.—lt was decided to defer consideration of the erection of the bathing shed.

BOYS' SCHOOL REPORT. Mr. W. H. Moyes, Principal of the Boys' School reported: The school opened for the third term on September 4, tlie roll number being: Upper school 167, lower school 6S. The number of boarders is 103. Eight boys left at the end of last term and four have entered. The staff remains the same as that of last term with the addition of Miss McLeod, M.A., of Hawera. Her appointment has enabled me to distribute the work much more beneficially, and I am looking forward to good results at rt>» <md of the term.

THE FARM. Mr. TV. H. Moyes reported on the small farming scheme undertaken by the board in connection with the boarding house, ft was now twelve months since a start was made to supply their own milk and the venture had proved successful, At the beginning of the third term, 1916 three cows were purchased. Two of these were still being milked and would tome into full profit again in the first term of next year. The third after milking well for about five months proved to be unsatisfactory, and was sold for £5 10s. Two extra cows were bought at the beginning of the winter Hid, with the other two, were giving sufficient milk to supply the house. From the wood saved from the old school building three pig styes have been built in the property leased from Mr. G. Pott. Up to the present only six pigs have been sent to the factory, 'but there have .proved to be such a source of profit that lie was arranging for eight pigs to be cured each term. As yet no vegetables had 'been supplied to the 'house. , A start had, however, been made with a garden and about 1500 cabbages and cauliflowers had been planted. About half an acre had also been put down in potatoes. The ivorl: had been seriously handicapped through the want of a suitable plough, find he recommended the board to purchase an implement suitable for the j class of work that had to be done. He felt confident that a still greater profit | would bo made during the next twelve months.

The farm account submitted showed a profit of £B9 0s Od; the principal items of revenue being milk £137 17s, bacon, £33 -Ills, calf skins 1 Ss 9d.

Members considered the results very satisfactory.

INCREASING THE BOARDING FEES. Mr. Atkinson moved in the direction »f increasing the fees at the Boys' High School in'lhe case of boarders and weekly boaters by £1 per term.' As parent*, representative he pointed out that parents must recognise they were getting value even at the term increase, because the cost of living had increased and also because the 'boys were Retting better accommodation at the new boarding school. Mr. Sladden seconded the motion. The chairman agreed with the proposni, which was necessary to make the boarding school a payable proposition. The motion was carried, and will take effect from the commencement of the new year. Mr. Trimble iwas the only dissentient. GENERAL.

The Commissioner of Crown Lands i,wrotc agreeing to allow the Lands ['Ranger to report on the Board's | reserves subject to the board paying the | cost. Members agreed that it was defirable that a report should he obtained and the secretary's action in making t'lio necessary arrangement was confirm-

The Southland High School Board asked what steps the board ;\vas taking in the matter of paying a, war bonus to its stall'. The chairman stated that the board's funds would only permit of salaries being paid according to scale. T!ie Wellington Education Board stated that it had several times represented to the. Director of Education that the monetary conditions on which leave was granted the rank and file of teachers, who had undertaken military service cither as privates or as non-commission-ed officers, should tfe identical 'with that accorded teachers serving as commissioned officrs.—No action taken.