HOUSEHOLDERS' MEETINGS.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 April 1918, Page 6

HOUSEHOLDERS' MEETINGS.

CENTRAL SCHOOL. There was an attendance of about 40 at the Central School meeting, including several ladies. Sir. P. J. White, a member of the Board of Education, was voted to the chair-

The chairman of the outgoing com' mittee (Mr. S. G. Smith) -read tihe annual report, and the financial statement was presented by the secretary (Mr. I'. A- Coleman).

The committee, in its report, stated inter alia, that it desired to congratulate Mr. R. L. Mcllroy, M.A., and his staff, on the state of efficiency which the school enjoys. The roll number of the school continues to show an increase, so much so that at both Vogeltown and Central pupils have had to be refused admittance, owing to the lack of accommodation. The roll number at the end of the year was 680, the highest in the history of the school, the average attendance during the year being 601.6, or 90 per cent, of the roll. Eighty-seven pupils made full attendances during the year, and 81 misled not more than five times. After referring to the many changes in the personnel of the school staff, the report stated that Miss I. Dempsey, one of the most capable members of the staff, was compelled by failing eyesight to relinquish her position and the committee has placed on record its hearty appreciation of the capable and loyal services rendered to the school by Miss Dempsey. Miss E. Pearce, of the Stratford District High School, succeeds iVliss Dempsey, and takes up the duties on May 1. In the meantime the work is being undertaken by Mrs. Waters, who again kindly consented to act as temporary teacher. Notwithstanding the many changes and shortage of teach era, we are fortunate in retaining such a strong and capable staff. Beautifying of Grounds.—During the past year considerable advance has been made in beautifying the school grounds The committee has now in hand the work of regrading the flat at the Central grounds, after which it will be sown down in grass. The question of abating the dust nuisance, which caused so much annoyance to the residents in the vicinity of the school grounds, was very carefully considered. Tar-sealing, oiling or laying down in grass were all gone into, and the committee's decision to adopt the latter proposition was influenced by the fact that on the one hand the dust nuisance would be dealt with and on the other, a really good cricket football and sports ground would be provided. The committee is indebted to Mr R. S. Browne, the board's director of agriculture, for his assistance in connec tion with the plots, : the general scheme; to Messrs. E. Cook, borough engineer, H. J. Moverley and W. Way, foi their invaluable assistance in connection with the regrading scheme. At the Courtenay Street grounds the committee decided to move several old and unsightly pines, and to replace them with more useful and ornamental trees Garden plots of a nature that the younger children can take an interest in are to be a feature of the work there. Since this work was started the board has decided to remove the old residence now standing on the sectioa at the rear of the school, and to add the section to the present playground. The area to be added will be doubly welcomed as providing more breathing space for the infants attending the school.

Vogeltown School.—Despite many difficulties occasioned by overcrowding, the teachers at this school (Miss Jemison and Mrs. Wilkes) have carried out their duties satisfactorily. The committee has made further representations regarding the urgent need for the erection of a full-time school at Vogeltown. The hoard has had fresh plans prepared, and the chairman of the board has within the past few day 3 made special representations to the Department in Wellington with a view to having this work taken in hand immediately.

The Central School.—As desired by the laßt annual meeting of householders, the committee made representations to the board with a view to having the present worn-out and insanitary buildings at the Central and Courtenay Street schools replaced by modern and suitable buildings, but the board has replied that while it recognises the need, it considers the present time inopportune for takiug such a big proposition in hand. Outdoor Life of School.—The outdoor life of the school has been well fostered during the year Jjy Messrs. Mcllroy, Bulliatis and Day. Swimming, life-saving cricket, football, athletics and physical training are all regular features of this branch of school work. The boys of the Central School had the honor of annexing the Ngamotu Shield at the recent initial Taranaki Schools Athletic Championship meeting, and to them our congratulations are offered.

Patriotic Funds.—We again call attention to the liberal manner in which the children of the school have responded tc the various patriotic funds. The infants and standard 0 between them have contributed £2O by regular weekly contributions, while the other standards bring the total for the year up to £63, and to this must be added a further sum of £45 from the fancy dress ball. Altogether the school has contributed over £460 since the war started for patriotic purposes, and in addition to this the girls have made over 1400 articles for the Red Cross, or other patriotic purposes. During the past two years the sum of £27 was also collected for the Dr. Barnardo Homes. In view of the fact that for several years the children liad willingly agreed to forego their prizes in order to help patriotic funds, it was decided last year to give prizes, instead of certificates.

Roll of Honor.—The task of computing a list of names of all old boys who have taken part in the present great war, to place on a roll of honor at the school, has been found to be very difficult to obtain a full and complete list, but it is hoped to make a definite move shortly with the list already compiled. Those whom we have recorded are Sergeants H. D. Skinner and S. C. Foot and Sergt.Major Sheppurd, who have won the Dis tinguished Conduct Medals, and Sergeanl Foot has also had a bar added for a further act of bravery. Four of the staff volunteered for active service. Lance Corporal Partridge made the supreme sacrifice. Mr. Bertrand was wounded several times, and then returned to New Zealand for a commission, and he and Messrs. Sissons and Stanton are still doing their bit. General.—The finances of the commit' tee are in a satisfactory condition, with a credit balance from last year of £l7 10s sd. We received as capitation N £ 124 14s, including a war allowance of £l4 The chief item of expenditure is that of the caretaker's wages, £B4 14s Id; incidental expenses were light, and our credit balance at the end of the year is £4O 9s 9d in bank and 12s 3d in hand.

The report and balance-sheet were Adopted. The Chairman complimented, the committee on the success of its work, and? commented particularly on the interest created amongst the children in sociaE and |*triotfe rotten, u fridtneed by r

the amounts raised for those funds.durling the past year. Me said the main end of all teaching was to make the children lit to take their part in the 'world, and their interest iu llicso mattetrs was of the ''utmost importance. Mr. Smith stated that the plans of the hoard's overseer for the school building at Vogeltown had been seen by Mr. Coleman and he, as a practical builder, was satisfied that If the school was built according to those plans there would be a very good school, and the 'building would be so constructed as to make additions easy as the needs of the growing districts might demand. A motion expressing the thanks of the meeting to the headmaster and Staff oi the Central School, the stall' of the infant school, and of the Vogeltown School, was carried with acclamation. Mr. M'llroy, in replying, said the staff had had a very happy year. He spoke personally of the yeal. consideration shown to him during his temporary occupancy of the headmaster's position, and he bespoke for Mr. Stratford, when he took up his work, the same help and assistance. A vote of thanks was auoorded to the outgoing committee. Mr. Smith suitably replied.

In announcing the nominations received, Mr. Smith said that one of the nominees (Mr. F. T. Davis) lived outside the Central School district. The Chairman ruled that in consequence of that the nomination of Mr. Davis was irregular, and he would not be eligible for election.

Mr. Davis asked for definite information as to the boundaries of the district. He said he had applied at the Education office, and had been refused the information desired. He further stated that lie considered he had been treated unfairly, inasmuch as his nomination had been in the chairman's hands a wee* before the closing date, and it was not until a few hours before the closing time that he had Wen made aware of the fact that his nomination would probably bo regarded as irregular on account of the locality of his residence. I

Mr. Smith said he did not consider it any part of the chairman's duty to ascertain whether all nominees were residents of the school district. He thought that was the duty of those seeking nomination to such a committee. He regretted that Mr. Davis lived outside the district, as he thought he would make a very good member of the committee. He resented however, the inference that he had done anything unfair. The Chairman read from the minutes of the School Committee, including a hoard minute, and Mr- Smith read the Gazette notice indicating the district boundaries, and the chairman held to his ruling that the nomination of Mr. Davis was irregular. The election was then proceeded with, and resulted as follows: —Messrs S. G. Smith. l'\ A.Coleman, G. 11. Dolby, Girling. H- .Benton, H. V. Griffiths, A- T. Moore, T. Hardgreaves, H. L. Northern. Messrs Davis and Short acted as scrutineers.

Mr. G- ,H. Dolby moved that it be an instruction to the incoming committee to consult with the board as to whether arrangements can be made, in laying out the grounds of the Courtenay street School, to preserve, owing to its historic associations, the old building at the rear of the school, which the board proposes to demolish. The motion was seconded and carried. Mr. A. T. Moore moved and Mr. G. W. Browne seconded that it be an instruction to the incoming committee to apply to the board for the erection of a shelter shed at the Vogeltown School. The motion was carried. A letter was received from the New Zealand Educational Institute asking support for a campaign in favor of urging necessary reforms in the national system of education. The resolution submitted was as follows:

"That this meeting of householders heartily supports the campaign of the New Zealand Educational Institute in urging for necessary reforms in our national system of education, and we strongly urge the National Government to largelv increase the educational vote for 1918."

Mr. Smith, in moving the motion , said he thought it was quite time some of the reforms promised years ago were carried into effect. He thought that if the money was spent now it would be well spent, and would secure better value than if spent later. He referred to the great demand for efficiency, and said that unlesg facilities were afforded for making the educational system as efficient as possible, the children could not be properly equipped to take their place in the world- He urged larger playing area, better school buildings, and smaller classes, also more inducement to secure satisfactory candidates for the teaching profession. The motion was seconded by Mr. T. Mills, and supported by the chairman, Messrs F. Davis, W. F. Short, and R. L. M'llroy, and carried unanimously, and it was decided to forward copies of the resolution to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance, the Minister for ■Education, and to the member of Parliament for the district. A motion was then carried that the Government he asked to subsidise the voluntary subscriptions to the New Plymouth Boys' High School by £ for £. A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings. At a subsequent meeting of the newly-elected committee, Mr. S. G- Smith was reelected chairman for the enuring year, Mr. F. A. Coleman secretary and treasurer, and Mr. G. H. Dolby deputychairman. The regular meetings were fixed to be held on the second Tuesday in each month. On the motion of M)v Moore, seconded bv Mr. Benton, it was resolved to apply to the board for the erection of a shelter shed at the Vogeltown School.

WEST END SCHOOL. There was an attendance of about IsiO, including number of ladies, at the West End gymnasium. Mr. ,T. B. Roy was voted to the chair. The report, which has already been published, was adopted without discussion. There were seventeen nominations for the nine vacancies on the committ*.:. Messrs Fitzpatrick and Bullians were appointed scrutineers.

The chairman stated that the nominations of Messrs F. Hodson, A. C. Taylor, H. W. Busby, A. 0. Murphy, L. Gilbert, and A. H. Carter were informal, not having been pnt in the manner prescribed by the Act, and he therefore could not allow them to go to the poll. If the gentlemen interested thought that his ruling was wrong they could bring the matter before the Education Board, so that in the event of it being held that his ruling was incorrect a fresh election could be held.

Mr. Blsnchard, on behalf of the gentle--1 meß4nterested>4BSm«^^that-41i&tac-

tion would be taken. He claimed that the nominations wero in time and that it was intended that the men should be nominated, and he thought the chairman might strain a point and let the names go forward to election.

The chairman stated that the absence of a nominator made the nominations! ineffective. The form put in merely showed the candidates' willingness to allow themselves to be nominated, and their signature was witnessed. The fact that they were working under a comparatively new Act probably accounted for the misunderstanding, the election now being conducted much on the lines of local bodies.

The chairman, in reply to Mr. Blanehard, stated that he did not wish to take an arbitrary view of the matter, but would merely say that the nomination;! did not comply with the Act, and he had no power to waive the Act.

Mr. Medley regretted that the gentlemen, who had intended being nominated, could not go to the poll. He liked to see a fair vote and let the people express an opinion. Mr. Smart concurred. After some further remarks the election was proceeded with and resulted as follows: W. \V. Thomson 05, J. S. S. Medley 84, E. J. Bullot SO, J. A. Hawker 78, A. K. Smart 77, W. J. Bennett 70, J. Garcia 07., J. Brokensliire 01, J. Sanders 58 (elected), W. H. Broome 54, and C. A. Edwards 46.

Mr. A. K. Smart referred to the urgent need for improved educational facilities, and moved: ''That this meeting of householders of the West End district urge upon the Government the need of (1) a better recruiting for the teaching service, (2) extension of medical and dental inspection, (3) compulsory continuation classes, (4) improvement in school buildings and grounds, and that a-copy of the resolution be forwarded to the Prime Minister, the Minister of Finance, the Minister of Education, and the Educational Institute."

Mr. Lyons, in seconding, said that the longer the -war lasted the more education would be needed after the war, and if the war ended quickly these educational facilities would be needed all the sooner. The chief need was education, and the only way to obtain this way to pay well for the best brains to teach the children.

Mrs. Dowling stated that the Educational Institute felt the only way to effect reforms was to excite public opinion. As local delegate to the Institute she had assisted in carrying ! the resolution asking for the reforms, and she gave a very interesting address on the need for them. The motion was carried unanimously Mr. Nash moved: That this meeting of householders organise with a view to actively urging the carrying out of these reforms.—Carried, Mr. Nash being aßked to act as convenor to the meeting- necessary to carry out the resolution. Mr. J. Clarke moved: That this meeting of householders is of opinion that education should be treated as a war measure, and financed accordingly.—-Sec-onded by Mr. Duffin and carried unanimously. REMOVAL OF THE SCHOOL. In responding to the vote of thanks Mrs. Dowling referred to the proposal to remove the school to Tukapa, which she strongly endorsed, i More playing area for the children was absolutely neceßsary The present ground was not large enough nor attractive enough, and though the teachers were quite willing to encourage the children to take an interest in sports there were no conveniences. At Tukapa the school would be in a position to be fed from all sides, which was most necessary for a school. The site was only one mile from the seashore, and it would be no hardship for any child to walk a mile She herself had had to walk nearly two miles, and had passed the sixth standard when she was twelve. The present site had not more than a quarter acre of playground, and since the holidays there had been two broken arms and one broken jaw on account of the congestion. Even should the paddock alongside be secured, it would not provide enough playground for 500 children. The proposed new site comprised five acres, and would enable the school to take an interest in gardening. She did not think the removal might take place in time to affect the children now attending school, but they should look ahead. She also referred to the lack of accommodation in the schl particularly in the infants' department. Mr W. W. Thomson moved: That this meeting urge upon the Education Department the imperative need for obtaining additional accommodation at the West End School and for moving the school to the site proposed at Tukapa. Mr. E. J. Deare, in seconding this, considered that they should move heaven and earth to place the school on such an ideal site.

Mrs. Blanchard considered it was rather late to bring forward such a resolution, many having gone home. The resolution was carried onlv one voting against it-

GENERAL. On behalf of the committee and householders,' Mr. A. K. Smart paid a tribute to the excellence of the work done by Mrs. Dowl'ing and staff during the past year, the work of the .school having been kept up to the usual high standard. He also referred in high terms to the work clone by Mr. Bary in the Sixth Standard. Both were accorded votes of thanks. Mr. J. Garcia moved —"That this meeting of householders urge upon the Government the need of subsidising the Bum raised locally towards the erection of the High School building.—Carried. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. At a subsequent meeting, Mr. A- K. Smart was re-eTected chairman and Mr. W- W. Thomson secretary. The third Friday in each month was fixed upon as the meeting day.

FITZROY SCHOOL. About twenty "householders, including some ladies, attended the meeting held at Fitzroy last evening. Mr. W. G. Reid, chairman of the School Committee, presided.

The report congratulated the headmaster, Mr. 0. Johnson, and his staff on the state of efficiency which the school enjoys, notwithstanding the very trying circumstances which have existed during the past year. The number on the roll is steadily increasing, the present number being 212. This would have been very much higher had it not been that several intending residents with families have failed to get houses in the district The committee has been fully alive to the need of more accommodation at the school, and has lost no favorable opportunity to stress same. Representations were made to the Taranaki Education Board, at its last meeting, regarding the overcrowded condition'of the school, and the matter has been referred to the senior inspector to report on. Two medical inspections of the school been

made during the year, one liy District] Nurse Jenkins, and the other by Drs i Irwin and Patterson. In both cases pleasure was expressed at the cleanliness and general appearance of the children. The committee tenders its thanks to the scholars, parents and teachers for their, efforts in patriotic matters during the year. In the early part of December last the teachers and parents organised a carnival, from which a very substantial sum was raised, amounting to £SO 13s 4d, half of which was handed over to the Y.M.C.A., the balance being set aside for school improvements Since the last meeting of householders the gymnasium has been floored, a destructor erected, and the asphalt round the buildings received another eoat of tar and sand. The committee expresses its appreciation of the kindly action of Mr. Fineham, of Christchurch, in helping with the flooring of the gymnasium while on a visit to New Plymouth. The finances of the school have been satisfactory, the statement of accounts ending December 30, 1917, being as follows: Receipts, £ll4 7s lOd; expenditure, including debit balance of £3 17s Id, £lO9 10s Id; leaving a credit balance of £4 17s 9d to be carried forward.

The Chairman moved tihe adoption of the report and balance-sheet, and paid a tribute to the work of tho headmaster, Mr. 0. Johnson, and his staff, and also referred to the work of the school in regard to patriotic matters. He also expressed pleasure at seeing the ladies present that evening.

A circular letter was received from the New Zealand Teachers' Institute, requesting support in urging the Government to make better arrangements for education in the Dominion.

Mr. 0. Johnson, headmaster, stated that he thought all must admit that the time had come when something should be done to place the education question on a sound footing. The Dominion was in a very sound condition,' and that money was free was indicated by the huge totals going through the totalisator. In others parts of the Dominion some pride was taken in the schools, and they (the schools) were a credit to the towns. They should realise that unless tljey got the best brains available they were going to se« the profession take a retrograde step. The institute urged that the Government should be impressed with the necessity of -bringing those entering the teaching profession up to the same level of pay as was given in other Govern" moat departments. Mr. Day said the -eduactional system meted out in Taranaki was a disgnwi*. Committees, when asking for grants to effect repairs, were either turned down or given a sum totally inadequate to the requirements. They should go all they knew to force the* Education Department to improve the conditions of those engaged in educational matters.

The 1 resolution, as suggested iby the institute, was then carried. The Chairraap then drew attention to a letter in the Daily News that morning referring to a request that the Government should pay a, £ for £ subsidy on the donations received towards the completion of the New Plymouth Boys' High School. Mr. Reid stated that he was in entire agreement with the request, wliieh was a very reasonable one.

It was unanimously resolved that this meeting of householders of Fitfcroy urge On the Government the necessity for subsidising the donations made for the purpose of completing the New Plymouth Boys' High School, it 'being essential to the welfare of that school, in which the whole of Taranaki is interested, that the full accommodation provided in thi plans should be obtained without delay. The following were elected the new committee:—Messrs I. Aroa, V. W Ardem, F. W. Duckworth, W. H. Griffiths, W. G. Reid, H. H- Grayling (all old members), and E. Holden. The Chairman thanked the old committee for the courtesy and consideration extended him during his term of office.

The meeting then adjourned. At the first meeting of the new committee Mr. W. G. Reid was re-elected chairman.

HAWERA. (From Our Own Correspondent-) Hawera, Last Night. There was a large attendance of householders at the annual meeting held here to-night. Mr. R. Sage presided. There were seventeen nominations for the committee, the following nine being elected: Messrs Sage, Magnussen, Commings, Reid, Black, Pacey, Hobbs, Walker, and Death. A resolution was carried supporting the Teachers' Institute in demanding improvements in the educational facilities of the Dominion. The following resolution was also earned :—"This annual meeting of householders requests the Education Department to give immediate effect to the request of the Taranaki Education Board in the .-establishment of the Hawera District High School and the establishment of a Technical High School."

TARIKI. The householders' meeting lapsed this evening owing to want of a quorum.