NEW PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 March 1920, Page 7

NEW PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOLS.

MBETING OF THE BOARD. The New Plymouth High Schools Board met last nteht. Present: Messrs. L. C. Sladden (chairman), H. Trimble, J. S. For, A. E. Washer, P. W. Atkinson, L. A. Nolan, and E. P. Webster. An apology for absenco was received from Dr. E. F. Fookes. THE BOYS' SCHOOL. The Principal of the Boys' High School [Mr. \V. H. Moves) reported that the school re-oponed on February 12 with a roll number of 390, of which 190 were boarders. Thero were 90 pupils in the preparatory departmerant. Just, as the boys had settled down to work for the year, however, an outbreak of Influenza necessitated the closing of the school. He urged that.« properly equipped sanatorium should be erected, as without this It was utterly impossible to conduot the school work successfully. Owing to the increase in the roll and the consequent shortage of class-rooms, three classes were now being conducted at the racecourse, The completion of the new rooms would provide sufflcler/t classrooms, but would leave the school without an agricultural laboratory. It was. essential to provide facilities for this work, as a large number of boys now take agriculture, The marticulation results now to hand were excellent. Twenty-one boys tad gained full passes, and four partial passes. Other successes included one UniTerslty Scholarship and three Taranakl Scholarships. Staffing had again required attention, and Mr, G. Bertrand, a returned soldier, had been appointed. Mr. H. V. Searle arrived In New Zealand on March 6th. and would resume his duties almost Immediately. The cricket grounds ("eeded attention, and better facilities should be provided for mowing the grounds. He sugcested that a horse-drawn mower should, be ordered. It was now over a year since the school was built, and nothing whatever had yet been done to the ground surrounding the school. As the Prince of Wales would be visiting the school at the end of next imonth it waß felt that something ought to be done in this direction. A stone wall was required at the site of the present cutting it the entrance to the grounds to provide a support, as it was contemplated to fill in the cutting to a level with the cricket grounds.

TIIE GIRLS' SCHOOL. The Principal of the Girls' High School (Miss J. R. Barr) reported an Increase in the roll number which now stood at 180, Including 48 pupils of the preparatory school. More boarding accommodation was urgently required. She reported that Miss Sella Hurle, a pupil of the school, had gained the distinction of being the first candidate from the New Plymouth Girls' High School to gain a Junior University Scholarship.

GENERAL. An extra grant of £3OO was mado by the department for additions to the glrl3' Bchool. This makes the total departmental grant 9 for the work £I3OO. , It was decided to call tenders for the work at once. The matter of providing sick room accommodation at the boys' school, was left in the hands of the Building Committoe, with power to act.

It was resolved to moke application to the department for two additional class rooms, making four in all, at the boys' school. This would complete the wing now In course ot construction. It was pointed out. that the Increasing attendance warranted this ■ action on the part of the board. It was decided to obtain a quotation for a horse-drawn mower for use on the boys' cricket grounds. Mr. Atkinson made the suggestion that a groundsman, whose duties should includo that of a cricket coach, might be obtained from among tho Home emigrants on application ihrqiigh the High Commissioner. Individual members of the Board decided to donate £1 each towards the cost of the atone wall mentioned by Mr. Moyes iu hl3 report.