SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 April 1921, Page 8

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

HOUSEHOLDERS' MEETINGS. Particulaiw of elections of school committees at the 'householders’ meetings in various districts on Monday night are given belpw, INGLEAVOOD. (From Our Own Correspondent.) The people of Inglewood must surely be starting to take a new interest in their school-affairs, for whereas at the annual householders’ meetings it has generally beew- found difficult to collect enough eligible persons to fill the nine seats on the committee, this year there was a muster of fully twenty to represent those interested in a school of 300 children. A stranger to the dull apathy of parents in regard to educational affairs would, if he studied their numbers, naturally conclude that either very large families were the rule, or that there were an astonishing number of orphans in t'his locality. The twenty who met elected Mr. R. Fawcett, chairman of the outgoing committee, to preside.

The report anti 'balance-sheet for the past year were adopted. In this connection it is interesting to note that on February 28, 1921, 'the committee had a credit balance of £209 in the bank for the fourteen months ending on that date. This his since been increased by over £5O.

A very hearty vote of thanks was passed to the ladies and teachers’ combined committee, who organised the bazaar to aid the school funds last November, when over £l6O was raised. The same committee is still running monthly socials in the Town Hall for the same laudable purpose. Without such aid and a deal of voluntary work, the pitiful capitation grant of £92 would not nearly cover the absolutely unavoidable expenses of the school, which, even with rigid economy, mount up to £175. A unanimous vote of thanks to the headmaster and teaching staff of the school was carried for the good work of the year, and the spirit of co-operation shown in everything done to forward the interests of the children. The election resulted in the return of Mesdames Coldwell, Partridge and Winter, and Messrs. G. Burrows, P. M. Glenie, C f James, A. Kennedy, N. King and H. Manby. The committee resolved to meet on the second Tuesday in each month at 7.30 p.m., for the ensuing year.

STRATFORD.

(From Our’ Own Correspondent.) The annual meeting of householders in connection with the Stratford District High School was held on Monday night. In the unavoidable absence, through sickness, of the chairman (Mr. J. W. Boon), Mr. C. D. Sole was voted to the chair. The attendance was very small, only sixteen being present, including five ladies.

The annual report disclosed a very satisfactory state of affairs. The average attendance at the school for the year 1920 was: Primary department, 567; [ secondary department, 188; a total of 755. The average roll number was 871. On March 31, 1921, there were on the registers the names of 875 children, and the average attendance for the quarter then ended was 737. At the end of 1920 all pupils who had been two years or longer in the secondary department sat for some public examination, and the results showed that the high standard of the school’s work had been maintained during the year. In the intermediate examination, 21 children were successful; I in the Public Service, 6; and in matriculation 16 gained full, and 7 partial passes Two pupils won the junior national scholarships, and one a senior national, and the Bayly Memorial Scholarship was won 'by a Stratford boy. Of those who were successful in the matriculation, 15 had been but three years doing secondary work. At the. beginning of the present year two permanent teachers in manual work were appointed for our centre. Classes of primary school children from most schools in the district now attend the local technical school on one day each week for instruction in manual work and science work. The girls’ shelter shed. 61ft. by 33 ft., is now completed. at a post of £605, the committee finding £305 and the Education Board £3OO. Cocoa will be served to the children in May. the waiter being heated temporarily in a copper, but an appeal is to be made to the householders’ meeting for funds to-instal a Clarence heater, two washing sinks, water, drainage and electric light. The ne.w Technical High School is being erected, but will not be available for opening in June, as was enticipa-ted The seaside excursion was (again a great success, the attendance of i parents and children proving a record, i The committee has experienced a very I strenuous year, having to make special ! efforts tn raise funds to cope with the increased expenses, especially in fuel supplies. • The balance sheet showed that the receipts from all sources had amounted to £752, including a balance of £260 brought forward, and the expenditure to £477 5s Tn speaking to the report, the chairman said it was pleasing to realise the high standard of education that was maintained at the school. Regarding the finances, householders should recognise that .although a credit balance was shown there was very little money to work on, there being actually a debit balance of £25 after all the* liabilities had been met.

The motion for the adoption of the report was carried. As only the required member of nominations was received for the committee, no election was necessary, and the following were declared elected: Messrs J. W. Boon, H. Sanderson, W. Abraham, E. A. Alger, C. D. Sole, D. M. Clarke, W. Pinhey, G. Smart and E. G. Foster. Mr. Fitzgerald asked what was being done in regard to standardisation of pehool books, and the chairman replied that the Education Department was considering the matter, and he understood that books for certain classes had already been standardised, and would shortly to be issued by the department. The question of raising farther funds for the coeoa scheme was discussed and it was mentioned that an appeal will shortly be made to the public for support for this necessary matter. The chairman referred appreciatively to the work of the staff, stating that the Stratford School had a name from the North Cape to the Bluff for primary education. He moved that the meeting place on record its high appreciation of the services of the headmaster (Mr. Tyrer), and the staff under him, for the splendid results they had obtained. This was seconded by Mr. E. A. Alger and carried, Mr. Tyrer, replying, expressed the thanka of himself and the staff for the resolution. ’Speaking in regard to the [coeoß scheme, hp said they had a strenutime in front of Thej. h#4 fl.-

big building without the conveniences necessary to carry out what was looked for, and the whole of the money -was exhausted without provision being made for boiling water. He felt sure the-wo-men present would realise the difficulty of providing cocoa for such a number of children. The staff Would, however, do its best under the circumstances, buthe suggested that socials or entertainments should be held to raise the necessary funds for providing the conveniences.

Votes of thanks were also passed to the outgoing committee, and to the caretaker (Mr. C. Rowsori). Several of the members of the committee specially referred to the excellent manner in which Mr. Rowson had carried out his duties. . v At a subsequent meeting of the new committee Mr. J. W. Boon was re-elected chairman. Mr. J. H. Thompson was reelected secretary and treasurer. There was a fair attendance of householders at the meeting of householders at Ngaere on Monday night. Mr. T. E. Coleman occupied the chair. The chairman, in outlining the work of the past year, stated that eight meetings of the committee and two working bees were held. Fences, hedges, ornamental trees and, flower pots had all received attention, Messrs. Moss and Lester receiving special thanks for of plants and shrubs for the garden. Satisfaction with the progress of the school from the scholastic side was expressed. 'Eulogistic reference was made to the school show held in March last, and which has already been fully reported our columns. It had resulted in the addition of £ll 17s to the committee’s funds. A record* balance was disclosed, but work let would considerably shrink this. The report concluded with a reference to the excellent relations among the

committee, and with the teaching staff. Appreciative© reference was made by the chairman to the board’s action in building a verandah along the infant room, and otherwise adding to the convenience of the school. The old committee ware re-elected

without opposition, it being felt, as one householder put it, that it would be a pity to break up such an excellent team. The meeting also passed hearty votes of thanks to Mr. Edmondson for his as-

sistance at the recent concert, and to the teaching staff for the excellent work done during the year. Mr. J. H. Thomas, in a happy little speech, made eulogistic reference to the committee’s work, and moved a hearty of thanks to them, which was carried by acclamation. A discussion on tooth-brush drill brought forth the general opinion that the department ought, at least, tp provide suitable cupboard accommodation

for the mugs and brushes. Mr. Deem, Government Fields Instructor, is to judge the local school children’s mangold plots on Wednesday, May 4. It is understood that Messrs. Tarrant and Walker, local members of the Farmers’ Union, who are acting as supervisors of the scheme, are taking a party of the competitors to one of the outside districts to see what is being done there. • At a subsequent meeting of the com-

mittee, Mr. T. E. Coleman was reappointed chairman, and Mr. A. D. Walker secretary. The other members are Messrs. Taylor, Tecofsky and Bocock.

PEMBROKE ROAD. ,

Mrs. I. Cuthbert presided over the. meeting of householders in the Pembroke School on Monday night, there being a good attendance. „ The annual report stated that the past year had been a most successful one. Early in the year Mr. Boyle resigned and the children, parents and committee felt they had lost a friend as well as a teacher. Mr. Boyle took a keen interest in the welfare of the children and helped the committee considerably by assisting at ail socials and dances. The ■chool suffered somewhat by having altogether five teachers during the year, but under the capable tuition of Miss Barns, the present teacher, the pupils were improving rapidly. The organisation teacher, Mr. Curteis visited the school on several occasions, illustrating some modern methods of teaching which had been adopted by Miss Barns. The report referred to the success of the tooth-brush drill adopted in the school, and also to the potato-growing competition in which the school secured fourth I place. The committee had not yet re- ! ceived the inspector’s report, but Barns’ report was very fair. The pupils ; had attended very well. The road from ' the school gate to the school was not yet completed owing to the difficulty of securing metal, but the stone (30ycft) was ready to be crushed bv the County Council andxthe work would need £o be carried out by the incoming committee. The committee had made a-, special effort to secure a piano for the school, and had collected from the residents of the district and from socials held in the school the sum of £l2 19s 2d. to which was to be added a sum of £3 frojn the sale of an old piano and £3O being the net proceeds of a social and dance held in the Stratford Town Hall. The committee desired to thank all who had given assistance during the year, special reference being made to Mr. Hutchinson, who had given a cord of firewood. The chairman had written to the Education Board several times regarding painting of the school and necessay repairs, but nothing had been done so far. The balance in the bank was £32 15s 4d. and the new committee ’would have ample funds to meet all expenses and leaving a good sum in hand. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Mrs. Cuthbert and Messrs. E. Hutchinson, E. Gould, M. Newbold and J. Jans were elected as the new committee, and Mrs. Cuthbert was re-elected chairwoman.

NORFOLK ROAD.

There was an attendance of 15 at the meeting of householders at Norfolk Road (Mr. W. Corney presiding). The annual report showed the finances to be in a healthy condition, there being a credit ba If. nee of £3O. The following committee was elected: Messrs. E. A, Lawrence, E. Davies, J. Reeve, E. Simrtions,and F. West. Mr. H. Trimble brought under the notice of the new committee the matter of establishing garden plot competitions, explaining that the necessary seeds would be supplied by the committee. The question was favorably considered by the committee,

RATAPIKO.

At Ratapiko the largest meeting of householders held in Ratapika School for the last eight years took place, thirtyfour being present. Fourteen householders were nominated for five seats on the new committee, and the following were elected for the ensuing year: J. Wella. J. Howard, H. Le Bae, F. Middle-

miss and E. Craig. At a meeting of the new committee held afterwards Mr. F. •Middlemiss was elected chairman and Mr. J. Howard secretary. ’rhe above speaks well for the new soldier settlement, as the new committee has no le<ss than four returned soldiers out of a total of five members. KAIMATA. Owing to non-attendance of householders, no committee was elected. ‘ HUIAKAMA. Mr. D. Kemp (chairman), Mrs. Kemp, Messrs. C. O’Neill (secretary), E. Carmichael, and G. Lamplough. WAREA. Messrs. W. C. Caldwell (chairman),’P. Brophy, F. Johns, T. Doyle, J. Fausett. OMATA. Messrs. E. R. Bayly (chairman), A. J. Luxton, A. Cox. AU. Mace, E. J. Sanger. OTHER CENTRES. Okato.—Messrs. F. Roebuck (chairman), Rev. Aker (secretary), C. Sears, T. C. Street and A. Roebuck. Upper Mangorei.—Messrs. A. H. Balsam (chairman), S. Rickards (secretary), J. K. Baker. G. Knauf and J. D. Pearce. Mokau.—Meeting, adjourned owing to insufficient attendance. Toko.—M. Gernhoefer (chairman), A. J. Chainey (hon. secretary), J. T. Kilpatrick, F. C. Milne, T. Needham, A. J. Griffiths and A. J. Carter.

Huinga.—Messrs. E. Marfell (chairman), J. R. Woollaston (secretary), J. E. Jamieson, T. Gordon and W. E. Sedgwick.

Midhirst.—Mrs. Wallace, Messrs. G. Smith, A. L. Witheford, T. Cookson, F. Carter, E. A Adlam, and G. P. Harkness. Mr. Smith was re-elected chair-man-and Mr. Harkness was re-elected secretary.

Hawera.—Messrs. T. C. Hobbs (chairman), T. Tait, E. Evans, A. Death, R. Bullock. L. A. Taylor, C. Brough, P. Pratt, and W. Spragg. Tawhiti.—Messrs. Walker (chairman), Bailey, Lewis, Winks, McDonald. Williams, and Allen. Tokaora.—Messrs. C. H. Washer, T. ‘ W. Bollond, V. H. Mills, T. H. Belton, and Fred Mills (chairman). Eltham.—Revs. J. G. Castle (chairman) and J. A. Hosking, Messrs. H. Bunn. C. R. K. Cumming, R. Gower, O. Manley, W E. O’Neice, B. Johnson, and J. 11. Streat Mangatoki.—Messrs. J.. P. Marx (chairman), Guy, Wright, Sulzberger and Webby. Rotokare.—Messrs. L. Morris, W. Nowlove, F. Coulter, J. Phillips, junr., and F. C. Rabbage (chairman). Otakeho.—Messrs. H. J. Eaves (chairman), L. Mackie (secretary), E. Putt, W. Verry, and E. Burke.

■ Mahoe.—Messrs. G. Anderson (chairman), Corbishley, Jones, Shrimpton, Smith.

Normanby.—Messrs. Murray (chairman), Grant. Chapman, Ballantine, Bell, Coxhead. and Green.

Kaponga.—Messrs. Ward (chairman), Hislop, Averv. Bertie, Kehely, Hill and Guy,

Opunake.—Rev. E. S. Harkness, Messrs T. P. Hughson, H. J. Newman, J. H. Windelburn, and T. H. Sinclair. Mr. T. P. Hughson was elected chairman, and Mr. T. H. Sinclair secretary and treasurer. Mata. —The attendance at the Mata householders’ meeting was insufficient to proceed with business and the meeting was adjourned. Rawhitiroa.—Messrs. Major (chairman), Silver, Swale, McKee and Hodgson. Finnerty Road.—Messrs. H. Thrush (chairman), J. Burkett, J. Robertson, L. Babbington and J. Carlson.