HOUSEHOLDERS' MEETING.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 April 1918, Page 7

HOUSEHOLDERS' MEETING.

WEST EN T D COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The nnmiitl report of the West End tithool Committee, to be subniited to Hie meeting of householders to-night, ' bUites that tlie work and conduct of the tsciiool lias been, as usual, of the highest order, largely duo to the line work of the' staff under the capable guidance of Mrs, Dowling, who has ever been a tower of strength to education in general and the West End school in particular. There has been a steady increase in the attendance for years, and this in Bpito of the fact that a side school was recently established at Westown. At the close of 1910 there were 485 children on the roll, and at the end of 1917 522. The average attendance for 1916 was '420.7, and for 1917 452. The increased attendance' giving an additional assistant. The health of. the pupils, under the circumstances, ha 3 been fair, when the dirty state of the creek at the back of the school is considered. This creek should have the willows removed and ibo pu in a proper channel. Reference is made to the forward move in regard to a new and up-to-date school on an ideal site, the borough ' council having expressed their willingness to exchange about five acres of Western Park Reserve (known as the Tukapa Football Ground) for' the present school site, the Minister of Education and the Director being delighted at the fine position, which is in every respect an ideal ono for a school. If the negotiations between the Borough Council and tho Education Board come to a satisfactory conclusion, a school will be built at Western PPark which will'foe a credit to the town and district. Every householder is urged to keep this desirable object in view and assist whatever committee ib elected to caTry out this laudalble project. If the school site is shifted it will be necessary to build a side school at MoWoa, which will be more convenient for children at that end of the town, but the Westown School can be closed, as the Tukapa site will serve for the children, in that locality. The outgoing committee and the Education Board have done everything possible to further this scheme, for they recognise that unless tho school is shifted more additions will be necessary to the present buildings, which are now quite out of date, and it will be necessary to acquire more land, and at the best a patched-up job would be the result. The gymnasium is still being used as a classroom, and the scholars have no shelter shed for rough weather, nor any place wherein' to take their lunches. The committee used to derive considerable revenue from the building for public meetings, etc., but this is now impossible, as the place is full of furniture. In view of the hoped-for re- ■ moval, tho committee have done less work than usual in permanent improvements. It would be well for tho incoming committee to keep this in view and reserve the money for improving the new site at Western Park if the proposal eventuates. On Octdber 22, 1017, the committee, in conjunction with the Kawaroa Park Society, organised a special effort on behalf of the Red Cross Society and raised £52 0s lOd. The usual prizes and Mr. Medley's specials were distributed at the end of the year- The outgoing committee—Messrs Smart, , Hawker, Brokensliire, Medley, Bullot, , Sanders, Bemiett, Hurle, and Thomson— I arc all offering themselves for re-elec- . tion, with the exception of Mr. Hurle, . Who, we regret, has decided to retire. The' balance-sheet showed a credit of £52 Us 2d.