EDUCATION BOARD

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 18906, 22 January 1927, Page 9

EDUCATION BOARD

YESTERDAY'S MEETING

CONSOLIDATED SCHOOLS. The Canterbury Education Board held its firßt meeting for 1927 yesterday, Mr W. P. Spencer presiding. Others present were: Messrs W. A. Banks, J. Maze, G. W. Amutage, W. H. Winsor, J. G. Gow, E. H. Andrews, C. S. Thompson, W. Johnston, I{. Wild, T. Hughes, and H. J. Bignell. A report was received from a visiting deputation regarding an additional school at L'pper Kokatahi. The report, which recommended that the schools of the district should be consolidated rather than that an additional one should be established, was adopted, steps to be taken in this direction if a reasonable tender for conveyance was forthcoming. A renewed application was received for the establishment of a school at Mount Fyffe. It was resolved to reply that in view ot the proximity of Kaikoura Suburban School, an effort should be made to arrange for the conveyance of pupils.

In connexion with the consolidation of schools and the conveyance of pupils, an application was received for an extension of the 'bus service at Oxford at the Carlton end.

It was decided to reply that this was hardly practicable, and that the applicants should make their own arrangements for conveyance. An application was received for the reestablishment of the District High School at Darfield. It was resolved to ask for information as to the probablo number of pupils, application to be made if thirty could be guaranteed.

Wainui residents wrote protesting against the Board's proposal to dispose of the school residence and sito as the public library was situated on the latter. Mr Thompson was appointed to visit the district and enquire into the position before the closing date of tenders, January 31st. The foreman's application for an extension of the Christchurch workshop was referred to the town members of the buildings committee with power to apply to the Department for permission to incur any noccsI sary expenditure. Open-Air Schools. A letter was received from the vice-presi-dent of the Open-Air Schools' League intimating that the executive was most anxious that the parents should have an opportunity of having tho case for the open-air school put before them whenever the erection of a new school was contemplated, and requesting that the Board give early notice df any new schools to be built in order that the League may co-operate in carrying out the Minister's wishes. It was resolved to reply that it was tho custom of tho Board to consult school committees when tho erection of new schools was contemplated, but that the information required by the League would be furnished on request. Kormal 6chool. The Normal School Committee reported that in view of tho decision to close the secondary department at the Normal School at tho end of tho year, and of possible alterations in tho status of Christchurch West School, the committee had resolved to consider at the forthcoming meeting the question of tho disposal of the staff of the Normal School. It was resolved to tvsk Mr A. Freeman for a report on the question of acquisition of additional land at tho now Training College. An application from tho Linwood School Conrmittco for tho erection of an additional room at the main school to accommodate the pupils at present being taught in SI. Chad's Hall, was referred to the senior inspector for a report. School Buildings. A report was presented by Messrs Armitage and Hughes on their enquiry into tho cause of the fire by which the Chertsey school residenco was destroyed on December 16th, 1926. Tho report waß adopted, and it was resolved that a copy be sent to the Department accompanied by an application for a grant for the replacement of the residence. A telegram was received from the Taylorville School Committee reading as follows: Owing to the sanitary and dilapidated condition of tho Taylorvillo School, parents are Bending their children to other schools. At the committee's meetin? the following resolution was carried unanimously:—"lf repairs to the school are not in hand by February Ist, the committee would resign." Mr Bignell was requested to interview the committee and explain the position. A letter was received frcm the Evans Creek School Committee reminding tho Board of its promise, made in July, to review the position regarding the establishment of a permanent school. 'lt was resolved that the matter bo referred to Messrs Bignell and Wild for a report.