SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2175, 27 April 1908, Page 4

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

MANGAI’APA SCHOOL. The Mangapapa School Committee met on Friday evening, there being present: Messrs. McLeod (chairman), Brown, Ellery, Grundy, and Goldsmith. The headmaster (Mr. R. Cole) reported that owing to the wet weather the average attendance during the month was 143.(i, whilst the roll number was 174. A report was drawn up, to bo placed before the meeting of householders on Monday evening. It detailed the changes that had taken place in the personnel of the teaching staff, and mention was made of the annual visit of the Inspector whose report on the efficiency of the schooi was considered - very, satisfactory. “For a considerable time,” says the report, “it has been recognised that the accomodation at the school was quito inadequate for the number attending, and representations were continually made to the Department for extra room, both by . the Hawke’s Bay Education Board and your committee, but without effect. After loim delays, the Minister for Education? when passing through the district, saw that the needs of the school were urgent, and authorised tho Board to proceed with the erection of another class room, and ho voted £4OO (afterwards it was raised to £500) for the purpose. The room, wo understand, is to be double the size of either of the present rooms, and is to lie detached from the main building. Some delay is taking place at present with pushing on tho work, as the lowest tender for tho work is somewhat over the authorised amount. In order to allow for the increased numbers at the school, your committee have erected a temporary class room in the boy’s playground, capable of accomodating over 50 pupils. The committee’s thanks are due to those who have enabled them to arrange the temporary room. Tho progress of tho, district is.shown in the growth of the school; at the present time there are 1.74 pupils attending the school. Last year the average, attendance was 129. if it 'keeps up this year to 151, the school will 1)0 entitled to another assistant, so parents can - increase, the efficiency of the school by insisting ou regularity of at tendance of the children. During the year arrangements were made by your committee to observe Empire Day and Arbor Day in fitting ways. The latter day affords good opportunities of beautifying the surroundings of the school, and we should strongly reccommend that this year the work that has boon started in this way should bo extended. The receipts for the year have amounted to £79 7s 7(1, and the expenditure to £57 (is 4d, leaving a balance in hand of £22 Is fid.”