WEST END SCHOOL.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 June 1922, Page 6

WEST END SCHOOL.

MEETING OF THE COMMITTEE. A meeting of the committee of the West End School was held on Monday night. Present: Messrs. Jas. Garcia (in the chair), J. Brokenshire, J. Lobb, J. Hawker, J. Hoskin, A. Coad, G. Ericksen, and. W. H. Broome (secretary). The headmaster (Mr. D. P. Evans) reported that during the month 34 pupils had been admitted and 16 withdrawn, leaving the present roll number 648. The average attendance was 596.6, being 94.07 of the roll. Should this attendance be maintained to the end of June, the school would be entitled to another teacher. He again drew attention to the overcrowding in some of the classes. In Standard I room they had pupils unseated, as there was insufficient room for more desks. No more desks could be‘ placed in Standards IV and V rooms. This meant that for the future pupils seeking admission in certain classes would have to be refused. Last week, Messrs. S. G. Smith, M.P., and R. Deare, with the board’s architect (Mr. C. H. Moore), visited the school to enquire into the existing conditions; also to view the site of the proposed shelter. The report also stressed the need for moze and improved out-office accommodation. Owing to the ’ withdrawal of permission to play football on Western Park reserve, the boys were now without a football ground. He also reported on the necessity for clearing gorse from the land on the bank of the river. The recent queen carnival was referred to, the headmaster remarking that the results had exceeded the most sanguine expectations; but they had not foreseen that there would be such a crowd. Great credit was due to Messrs. Hoskin, Petty and Lobb, the organisers; the teachers who had worked and carried out the ceremonial so efficiently, and the ladies of the Kawaroa Park committee, who bad worked under very heavy conditions and carried out the catering for such a large crowd to such a successful end. Discussion took place over the report, members stressing the necessity for something being done to improve the conditions regarding the overcrowding. It was recognised that the Education Board fully appreciated the position and were using every endeavor to impress the matter on the Education Department. It was pointed out that already this year the roll number had increased by 50. The headmaster was authorised to have the gorse cleared from the river-bank, and discussion took place on the question of beautifying the bank. It was resolved that the chairman ask Mr. E. Maxwell, of Rahotu, if be will inspect eke site and report to the committee on the most suitable trees for planting. It was decided to apply to the Western ‘ Park Board for permission to use Western Park on two days a week for football practice. In the meantime application will be made to the committee in charge of T Reserve for permission to use that reserve. The secretary submitted a balance sheet, showing that there had been a credit of £l2 4s in connection with the recent carnival queen crowning ceremony. Members were unanimous in expressing their appreciation of the success of the function and the hard work that had been done by those concerned to ensure this success. It was resolved to place on record the committee’s appreciation of the work of Messrs. Hoskin, Lobb and Petty (organisers), the teachers (particularly Misses Anthony and Harper), the ladies of the Kawaroa Park committee for attending to the catering, the Kawaroa Park committee for the use of the bungalow, the judges of the fancy dresses (Mesdames Walker and Weston, and the Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson), who officiated at the ceremony. Letters of thanks will also be forwarded. It was decided to have a photo of the carnival group taken and placed in the school. The question of holding another fancy dress ball in aid of the school funds was brought up, and Mr. Hoskin was authorised to go into the question and report at next meeting. In reply to the resolution passed at the meeting of householders drawing attention to the danger from trams passing the school, the Borough Council notified that the tramways manager had issued instructions that all trams were to slow down when passing the school during school hours.

Messrs. J. Hawker and 0./ G. Ericksen were appointed a visiting committee for the month.