WAIRARAPA COLLEGE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 18 April 1939, Page 5

WAIRARAPA COLLEGE

ANNUAL MEETING OF PARENTS’ ASSOCIATION SUCCESSFUL YEAR REVIEWED. PLANS FOR THE FUTURE. The activities of a successful year were reviewed, and plans for a further campaign were discussed at the annual meeting of the Wairarapa College Parents’ Association, held last night. There was a large attendance of members and the president, Mr F. C. Daniell, who occupied the chair, stressed among other things, the need for the provision of a hostel for girl pupils. Speaking to the annual report, Mr Daniell said that one of the matters that should be considered by the Association was the number of children from the Wairarapa who were going to 'another district' to receive 'an' education, which he considered they should get at Wairarapa College. They had been fortunate that a decision had been made to amalgamate the two schools, and more fortunate still regarding the manner in which the amalgamation had been carried out. An expenditure of over £lOO,OOO was represented in the land, buildings and equipment at the College, and it was up to them to see how best they could be used.

After stressing the need for a hostel for girls at the College, Mr Daniell said that every effort should be made to utilise to the fullest extent the facilities available for practical instructions at Penrose Training Farm. Three boys had been going to the farm each week, but the question of transport was the biggest problem to be overcome. The question of Maori education, he said, was another matter that merited the consideration of the Association. With such a splendidly equipped school tnere was plenty of room fojr the Maoris as well as tne pakehas, and there was no reason why the good work which was being done at Gladstone should not be further extended. Mr Daniell said that an effort was being made by the Association to provide decent cloak rooms for the Assembly Hall, and the plans had been approved by the Education Department. The library could also receive attention, and in that connection the Trust Lands Trust had made a very fine, gesture in paying half the salary of a librarian and by making an annual grant. It was a matter for regret that the playing areas were so burnt up, but nothing could be done on account of the hosing restrictions. It looked as though they might be faced w-itn that problem every year. Alongside the baths, however, there was an excellent spring which, when measured last week, was found to be giving forth 9000 gallons of water an hour. He suggested that at a cost of from some £5O to £6t) a pumping motor could be installed which would provide a water supply of about 4000 gallons an hour.

The following officers were elected for the ensuing year: President, Mr A. Owen Jones; hon secretary, Mr A. J. Towns; committee, Mesdames H. E. Pither, J. Aikman, J. Kerslake, N. H. Prior, A. W. McKenzie, A. J. Towns, G. C. L. Dickel, A. O. Jones, Judd, Howard and Shearer, Messrs F. C. Daniell, A. W. McKenzie, G.' C. L. Dickel, E. W. Tooby, S. Miller, J. McGregor, H. E. Pither, W. Grantham, Parsons and L. R. Wilton; hon auditor, Mr A. W. McKenzie. The Principal of the College, Mr G. G. Hancox, expressed the appreciation of the staff and pupils of the help the Association had been to the school during the year! The result of the year’s activities, he said, fully justified the existence of the Association, which had been a source of great encouragement to the staff and himself. Whatever the occasion might be they knew they could rely on the wholehearted support of the Association. Referring to the financial position, Mr Towns said the credit balance as shown in the report was the position at February 28, but a statement of receipts and expenditure to date revealed a credit balance of £194 4s. The annual carnival had realised £240 7s 9d. Reference was made by several speakers to the excellent work performed last year by Mr Daniell, who refused again to accept nomination for the position of president. Mrs Pither also thanked? Mrs Daniell on behalf of the ladies’ committee for her interest and good work. In the course of a discussion on the activities for the coming year, Mr Jones said that a committee was bringing down a report on the cost of purchasing a motor vehicle to convey pupils to the Training Farm. It was decided to arrange a working bee to clear the newly acquired land recently donated by Mrs Nops in readiness for the laying down of tennis courts. Arrangements for the annual ball, gala day and other events were also discussed. The date of the annual ball was tentatively fixed" for June 7. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report, which was adopted .stated:—"Finance. The financial statement for the year under review shows a credit balance of £l5 14s Bd, being the outcome of net proceeds of a card evening, and the annual ball. This amount has been credited to the funds of the Association. During the past year the activities of the Association have been as follows. —Card Evening: This function was held in the Assembly Hall on May 16, and proved a success both socially and financially, althougn the committee were disappointed that more support was not given to this card evening by the parents. Annual Ball: This first annual ball of the Association was held in the Assembly Hah on June 29, and proved an unqualified success; the attendance being about 301). Opportunity was taken by a number of young ladies to make their debut, and were presented to Mrs G. G. Hancox and the Mayoress, Mrs T. Jordan. Social Evening: —A social evening was held in the library during the year by the Association, the invited guests being the Board of Governors and their wives, and the College staff and their wives. This evening was held with the view that the Board of Governors. College staff, and the committee of the Parents' Association be given the opportunity to meet one another and become better acquainted, and also to exchange views on different subjects. Opportunity was taken here of thanking Mrs wops who had donated to the College through the Parents’ Association an half-acre of land adjoining the Hostel. Mr Daniell on behalf of the Association thanked Mrs Nops for. her generous gift. It is proposed to use this land for laying out tennis courts for the use of the Hostel Boarders. Tree planting:—A tree planting ceremony took place in the College

grounds, and about 24 deciduous trees were planted by the wives ol the Board of Governors and lady members of the committee of the Parents Association. In connection withi these functions, opportunity is taken hcie t thank all ladies who so kindly assisted with the supper arrangements. Th 'hanks of the Association are due to Mr and Mrs Hancox for their generous help at all times in any movement toi the benefit of the Association, and also the. College staff for their heln and co-operation at all functions The ieport was signed by Messrs F. C. Daniell, president, and A. J Towns, secretary.