EDUCATION.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19162, 19 November 1927, Page 11

EDUCATION.

CANTERBURY BOARD. i MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Canterbury Education Board was held yesterday. Mr C. S. Thompson (chairman) presided, others present being: Messrs W. P. Spencer, *fi. Wild, W. 11. Winsor, J. G. Gow, W. A. Banks. G. W. Armitage, J. Maze, V. Johnson. T. Hughes, and E. H. Andrews. In accordance with notice, Mr Armitage moved: "That the December meetings of the Board be held on December 14th, loth, and Kith." The resolution was carried. Staff. The Appointments Committee reported as follows:—Miss A. Kane's appointment to Uray's corner was confirmed. The following ■ resignations were accepted:—Arundel, Mi?s K. L. Dearsley; Birdling's Flat, Miss «J. E. SI. Burns: Cricklewood, Miss V. M. Bate; ' Fondalton, Miss It. AndersoD; Lismore, Miss E. M. Smith: Monavalc, Miss F. L. Tizard; Paroa, Miss £. Griffiths; Southbridge, Miss I. Webster: Kpringbrook, Mr C. T. Wild; Waipara, Miss E. Sloan. It was resolved lo send letters of appreciation to Miss Anderson (Kendalton), Miss Tizard (Monurale), Miss Griffiths (Paroa), Miss Webster (Southbridge), and Miss Sloan (Waipara) in view of their long service. Consolidation of Schools. Amberley—Application was received for consolidation ot school iu this district. It was resolved to advise each of the committees concerned, and to ask their views on the proposal. Uromore—Keport was received from visiting deputation regarding possibility of consolidating Fairton, Uromore, and Xcwland H'-hools. It was resolved that the deputation visit Fairton again on November to finalise tho proposal, if possible. Mothveu—Keport was received from visiting deputation regarding the charges for conveyance of pupils in the school buses. The report was adopted, and it was resolved to take no further action in the meantime. Winchmore —Keport was received from visiting deputation regarding closing of school, and conveyance of pupils to Allenton. As the proposal was not acceptable to all parties, it was resolved, on tho recommendation of the deputation, to defer consideration of the matter for six months. llaward"n—Complaint was received from several residents regarding (he running of the buses. It. was resolved to refer the matter to the committee for its comments. Probationers. An application was received from 6cverai probationers asking for extension of their terms, the Department stating that it could not approve of any extensions. It was resolved that the following sub-committees be set up to interview the candidates in the various districts with the senior inspector:— Ohrifstchurch, Messrs Andrews and Banks: Timaru and Ashburton, Messrs Gow and Hughes; West Coast, Messrs Andrews and Wild. Special Classes.The Department asked that arrangements be made for an additional special class for backward children in the southern part of the City. The letter was referred to tho Normal School Committee. The Department asked that information be collected as to the number of pupils who are not intending to proceed to secondary ncb'ools, and who would attend a continuation class in their primary schools if those were established. It was resolved to supply the information. Only two branches of the Institute had agreed to contribute towards tho establishment of a teachers' library. It was resolved to proceed with the proposal if 8 total sum of £42 could be contributed by the teachers, the library to be available to any member of the teaching staff. Miss Chaplin presented a report on her activities during tho past year. It was resolved to thank Miss Chaplin for her report, and to congratulate those interested on the j;ood work that was being done. The report was adopted. Buildings Committee. , The Buildingi Committee reported ' as follows: Hawarden —In reply to the Board's enquiry if there would bo any prospect of a grant being made for a residence if forma, application were made, the Department asked whether it would not be cheaper to move one of tho existing unoccupied.residences to Hawarden. It was decided that the matter be referred to the architect for report. Uangiora—A letter was received from the Department advising that a grant had been approved for the erection of four classrooms, n freo room, cloakrooms, and teachers' room for the infants at Rangiora, and out-offices i'ur the whole school. South Canterbury. Ashburton —It was resolved to inform the committee that its application for a, grant to- j wards the cost of filling the school baths could not be acceded to, as the Board had no iunds for this purpose. . Cricklewood —A letter was received from Mr Titos* Muir, Cricklewood, complaining that the trees which were injuring his crop had not yet been removed, and if action were not taken immediately he would submit a claim for damages. . „ ~ . , It was resolved that a copy ot Mr Muir b letter be sent to the committee with a request that the Board be informed of tho steps iv (the committee) proposes to take in regard to the removal of the trees. Timaru West —A letter was.received from the Department stating that it had given careful consideration to the proposal to erect a new infant school at Timaru Vest, but ps Timaru Main, bnly 90 chains from Timaru West, had ample spare accommodation, it could see no reason why the Board should not regulate attendances at the Wost School. The committee wrote covering the following resolution passed at a meeting of householders held recently: "That the attention of the Minister for Education be called

to the fact that out of 171 pupils in the infant department only six live outside the school area or ' district, and that 69 of these pupils are accommodated m sheUer sheds under most unsuitable conditions which are seriously affecting the health of the children. We as parents therefore strongly protest against the long delay in the erection o' suitablo accommodation already promised. The committee stated that a copy ■ of the above had been sent to the Minister for Education, the member for Tiraaru, and the Leader of the Opposition. It was resolved that the matter be left in the handß of the South Canterbury members (Messrs Armitage, Gow, Hughes, and Maze) to effect a' settlement, after a conference with the committee. Tinwald —The committee asked if the Board would sanction the purchase of a section comprising quarter of an acre in the centre of the school grounds, which was used by the children as a playing space.. This area is part of an estate which is being wound up, and the purchase prico is £25. It was Uecided to ask tho committee to state what it would be prepared to find towards the cost of acquiring the section. Waitohi Upper—ln reply to the Board s enquiry tho committee advised that its prom ised contribution of £lO towards the lftyv>™ down of a drill area was not a voiuni »\ one but was part of accumulated £u*'i.-. The question of making a grant for tuj carrying out of the work was referred to Messrs Armitage and Maze with authority to expend £lO on a suitable drill area. Willowby—A letter was received from the Department admitting unsatisfactory conditions obtaining at this school, where two teachers have to carry on . their work m one room, but pointing out that there were a verv large number of schools in the Dominion similarly situated, and if a grant were approved for the remodelling of the Willowby school it (the Department) would be faced with the necessity of making grants in the other cases, which under existing financial circumstances would be out of the question. The Department expressed regret that the proposal would have to be postponed until more urgent cases had been dealt with. It was resolved that a copy of the Department's letter be sent to the committee. City and Suburbs. Aranui —A letter was received from the committee thanking the Board for the levelling carried out at the school, but drawing attention to an area between the temporary building and the levelled portion which is in a hollow, and in which the water lies in winter. The contractor is prepared to complete this work for the sum of £ls, and the committee asked that the Board sanction this expenditure. It was resolved to reply that the Board was prepared to make a grant of £5, tho committee to arrange for the work to be done to the best advantage. Cashmere—A letter was received from Mr Chas. Ogilvie, Cashmere (requesting that the Board take measures to drain the playing field at the school, as at present in wet weather the water found its way to his property and to the properties of all the residents immediately below the-school ground. The matter was referred to the architect for report. Christchurch West—The Department wrote acknowledging the Board's application for a grant for the replacement of the remainder of the old wooden school, admitting the unsatisfactory conditions obtaining in the old building, but stating that in vew of tho position on the Board's urgent list, and of the urgent necessity of taking steps to relieve overcrowded City schools in Christchurch, the rebuilding of the remainder of this school would have to stand over, at any rate, until later in the present financial year. when the funds available would be more readily ascertained. It. was decided that a copy of the Department's letter be sent to the committee.

Elmvood—The Department -wrote statin? that it preferred additions shown in the sketch plaD forwarded under cover of its letter to the two additional class-rooms on the open-air principle as shown in the Board's plan, and that if the Board agreed a Tevised estimate of the cost of additions in accordance with sketch plan be submitted. Messrs Thompson and Vinsor were deputed to deal with the position and to draft a suitable reply to the Department. - Mount Pleasant—A letter was received from the Department authorising the Board

1 to accept Colonel Hobday'g Terr generous ] offer of £6OO towards the cost of 8 school. The Mount Pleasant Burgesses' Association I wrote asking that it be supplied with a 1 copy of the proposed plan of the school and given an opportunity of expressing an opinion regarding the type of building to be erected. A telegram was received from the Minister for Education reading as follows: — "1 have received a petition signed by 41 householders asking for Fendalton type of building with latest improvements. Grant was approved for open-air tvpe building. Kindly advise position. I shall be glad if the Board will endeavour to meet the wishes of the residents." A further letter was received from the Mount Pleasant Burgesses' Association, informing the Board that at a meeting of householders held on November sth a motion was passed bv 16 votes to 11 in favour of the school being of the Fendalton open-air type with latest improvements. It was resolved to inform the Minister and the Burge s ses' Association that, in the opinion ot the Board, the Tecnuka type of open-air school would best meet the" needs of the Mount Pleasant locality, as the school would be situated on the brow of the hill. \\ harenui—Jn view of the present financial stringency, and as tho extension of the site was not an urgent matter, the Senior Inspector stated that he was unable to recommend the Department to purchase the section offered to the Board for the purpose of providing extra playing space for the infants. The committee is to be informed of the decision. Tho architect's report for the month was received and adopted. Kaiapoi—Authority given for improvement of drainage at teacher's residence. Sewer connexions: Architect to be requested to prepare plans and estimates for schools that can be conveniently connected with sewers, with the object of obtaining grants from the Department. Heating of Schools. Consideration was given to an extract from ur. Baker-McLaglan's report recommending that facilities, irrespective of steam radiators, be provided for warming at least one room in the school when a medical examination is being conducted. It was resolved to inform Dr. Baker-McLaglan that when the erection of a new school is contemplated, the Department will be asked to give effect to her recommendations, and that in the meantime enquiries will be made, regarding the existing schools requiring extra heating facilities. ° Plaus Approved. r . T . h * follo "' in s'Plans were approved:— £?•'?• e . reh West - model school; Hornbv, additional room, master's office, and teachnir«roTivKsi!Ua'. additions; Kaikoura U. .i>, dditioiis; Timaru Main, dental clinic. Mr Thompson said the people at Mount f;™ <r.i eeme( ,' tO , b0 under a rnisapprehension. The school to be built there would bo on the open-air plan, although not of the same type as that nt Fendalton. The report was adopted. Kangiora School. Mr Johnson said the Kangiora School Committee was very divided in opinion as to the type of school to be built there. It was not a fair thing for the committee to change its mind so often. Somo of the members hud become very critical of the open-air principle. A deputation ..from the Kangiora School Committee was received. Mr 0. W. Tyler, chairman of the committee, said they had come to ask the Board's support for the- bungalow typo of open-air school. It was admitted that tho committee had changed its mind. The householders had taken a hand in the matter. Mr Thompson said tho Board had decided to have revised plans sent up to Wellington for approval of the typo of school sought. "We are quite ■ satisfied if that is so," said Mr Tyler. "We thought the grant made was for a school to bo built on the original plan " The Rev. J. F. Feron said that now their needs wore to be met they had no more requests to make. Mr Maze: Are you sure you know what you want? Mr Feron: Yes; the householders are unanimous, and the same remark is true of the committee. We can go home fairly happy. In reply to Mr Andrews, he said they could put up with the delay. He admitted that the meeting of householders had been organised by those in favour of the bungalow type. It- was resolved that the town members of the Board meet the members of the committee when the plans arc drawn up, with power to act. Agricultural Instruction. Mr J. Moodie, Chief Agricultural Instructor, reported as follows for October-Novem-ber: — "The winners of the McFarlane Shield, and the best sole charge gardens will require to be Eettlod ere next Board.meeting. I have selected the following schools as in the running for-both: Akaroa, Burwood, Belfast, Ouruhia, Rangiora, Ferneide, Ashley, Dunsandel, Eiffelton, Willowby, Tai Tapu, Irwell, Wakanui, Selwyn, South Malvern, Takamatua, Summerhill, Leithfield, Broomfield, and 1 Waipara. One or two may yet be added to ) the list. Manual Training. The Board received a deputation from Timaru. -;-..,. Mr A. A. Stead said the deputation was the result of a meeting between the Timaru Technical College Board o£ Governors and South Canterbury School Committees' Association. Mr W. Gibb said there had not been satisfaction in Timaru with the work in the manual training centre. The control of the organisation of the work • should be more local than at present. Mr E. MacFadgen said the Department was lin accord with the co-ordination of the j manual training work, and Timaru would be

satisfied if it got the Ashburton system. Mr Thompson asked whether the grievances had ever been reported to Messrs Gow and Haze, members for the district. Mr Gow said the complaints were of a general nature, and nothing was specifically stated. Mr Thompson assured the deputation that the question would receive careful consideration. A sub-committee was set up to deal witn the matter. The holding of a conference of Education Boards in March was approved. The Education Amendment Bill was discussed. Mr Andrews said there was little that was objectionable in.it, but some of the , Board's proposals had been dropped. |

Normal School. The Normal School Committee reported as follows: ■,.'«•■ The Principal reported that applications had been received from' South Canterbury probationers, although • the Department wished these to go to Dunedin; that, applications had also been received from various outside students asking to be admitted on account of family arrangements; that it was desirable that the usual issue of certificates should not be discontinued, as suggested. It was resolved that the Board, being satisfied that there was ample accommodation, admit all South Canterbury's probationers as students next year; that the outside applicants be admitted; and that certificates be issued as heretofore. The Department agreed to the continuance of the secondary department at the Normal School. A letter was received from the Department asking whether a spare room in the Normal School could be fitted up as a workshop for students, and Messrs Winsor and Andrews were deputed to confer with the Principal on i the matter. j The Department advised that it was arranging with Miss Winifred Houghton to give a course in eurythmics to a selected number of students in April next. The proposal was approved, provided no fees were charged. , The Department submitted a new scale of salaries for Normal School teachers, and asked that adjustments be made at suitable opportunities. The matter was referred to the Principal for report, the De P« t, " en '. o t ° be asked to delay gazetting the scale in view of certain anomalies that would " lse - The Department suggested the establishment of an additional class to take pupils from the southern part of the City. The proposal was approved, applications to be invited for teacher. 1 The report was adopted.