PRIMARY EDUCATION

Evening Star, Issue 22445, 16 September 1936, Page 11

PRIMARY EDUCATION

DEPARTMENT'S GRANTS INCREASED MEETING OF OTAGO BOARD Increases of 50 per cent, in the grants for the maintenance of buildings and of school committee allowances were notified by the department to the Otago Education Board, which commenced its monthly meeting to-day. Present: Messrs James Wallace (chairman), D. C. Cameron, N. H. Colquhoun, D. T. Fleming, W. Morgan, W. R. Brugh, W. H. Cooper, D, Marshall, W. D, Sutherland; C. E, Richards. The department intimated,a considerable increase in the amount of the grant for incidental expenses qf school committees. The amount included a special provision of 10 per cent, of the total for improvements to school grounds. The increase, which was equivalent to about 50 per cent, additional, dated from April 1 last. It was decided to thank the department and to inform committees that the expenditure of at least 10 per cent, of the total subsidy on the improvement to school grounds was mandatory. The department is to be asked if committees may reserve the grounds allocation for other years. The department advised that the grants for the maintenance of buildings for the year ending March 31, 1937, were equivalent to an increase of about 50 per cent. SUBSIDIES GRANTED. The Weston Committee was granted half-cost for top-dressing asphalt, the estimated total cost being £l2. To assist the installation of a radio at Musselburgh School, the sum of £3 was granted. Mr Wallace said radio was coming into every school, yet the board was allowed a limit of £3 as a grant towards installation only. Funds raised for libraries and pictures were subsidised, and perhaps the board could consider a scheme for subsidising funds locally raised for the purchase of radio sets. The Broad Bay Committee applied for assistance in laying down new asphalt (estimated cost £25) and topdressing present asphalt, £1 ss. If the new area were put down in concrete the cost would bo about £42.—lt was decided to provide half-cost, the committee to be allowed to decide the material to be used. The Tokarahi Committee applied for assistance in repairing the asphalt. The architect reported that this would cost in concrete £25, in asphalt £l7, while to top-dress and repair the cement portion would cost £4 10s.—It was decided to givo half-oost for asphalting. SHED AT CAVERSHAM. The Caversham Committee asked for assistance in converting one of the old playsheds at the old school into a storage shed at the new school. The present shed was too small for the motor lawn mower, garden tools, sports gear, etc.; additional material was estimated to cost about £8 10s, but the architect reported that he estimated the additional material will cost more than that. A grant of £8 10s was made. REMODELLING AT MAHENO. The Maheno Committee applied for the remodelling of the school and renewal of the front fence. The architect reported that the school comprised three classrooms, one of which was not in use. The two rooms in use were remodelled in 1928, the interior being painted at the same time. Although the lighting windows were

ratter high from the floor, the conditions generally were quite good for this type of , building, and he bad no recommendation to make. Regarding the fence, the architect reported that material to fence the full length of the frontage was forwarded m 1934. The committee had fenced nearly half the frontage, but had used most of the material sent through spacing their posts and droppers much closer than was originally intended. Material to complete the fence would cost about £2 2s. The report was adopted, the board deciding to provide the material for the fence. ARCHITECT’S RECOMMENDATIONS. The Architect stated that the type of fence for the roadline asked for by the Clydevale School Committee would cost £8 10s. If split posts were substituted for jarrab posts, the cost would be reduced by about £2 11s.—Split posts are to be provided. The Ngapnra Committee offered to find the labour if the board will find the material for renewing the fence on the main road. The architect reported that material for a cyclone chain netting fence with jarrah posts, rails base, and capping pieces would cost £29 10s, and, without capping piece at base, £24 11s.—The architect is to report on tbe cost of an ordinary fence, the difference in cost to be settled between the board and the committee. The Architect reported that the office at the Palmerston School was an inside room and the only available lighting was from the skylight high up in the roof. This skylight was of little use as a lighting unit, and the room was very dark, being suitable only for a store room. To make tbe room more habitable as an office would necessitate a new ceiling at about the 10ft level, a glass sash in wall between office «yid corridor, and the whole room painted out in white, the estimated cost being £22. Wash-hand basin in teachers’ room would cost about £5. To paint the interior of the dental clinic would cost about £5 10s; it had not been painted since 1928.—The architect was instructed to report on tbe erection of a new office, and it was decided to carry out the other work. The Palmerston Committee stated that the position of the head master’s residence was unsuitable, and suggested that the board dispose of it and procure one or erect one in the town. The architect reported that the residence was situated beyond the town and about half a mile north of the school. It was some 200yds in from the road, and there are no near neighbours. The residence was built in 1879, and comprised six rooms with the usual conveniences, such as hot and cold water, enamel bath, basin and sink, and a good water supply. With the exception of some borer in the back portion, the building was in very sound order and was recently renovated and improved.—Referred to the department. Regarding the Tapui Committee’s application for the repairing of the road fence, the architect reported that the fence was in bad order. The committee was willing to assist it the board would make a grant of £5 towards the cost.—The offer was accepted. The Ardgour Committee asked for the erection of a bach for the teacher, as boarding accommodation was not available. —The committee is to be advised that unless accommodation is provided the children will he conveyed to Tarras. NEW ROOM AT TATNUI. The department intimated a grant to cover the cost of the erection of an additional classroom with cloakroom and teachers’ room, in accordance with the plans submitted by ' the hoard.

HOSPITAL CLASS AT OAMARU. The department wrote approving of a special class to bo established m the Oamaru P.ublic Hospital, and it authorised the appointment of an assistant of grade 1, who will spend half time," say evey morning, in the hospital class, and the remainder of the. timo in the Oamaru North School, Arrangements are to be made with the Waitaki Hospital Board. TAHAKOPA REQUIREMENTS. The Tahakopa Committee renewed an application for a conveyance _ service from the direction of Harringtons mill. There were six children eligible for conveyance, the capitation amounting to 3s per school day, or £3O per annum. Eight families would contribute £1 5s per annum, equal to £lO per annum. The contractor for Smith and Campbell’s mill offered to carry out the conveyance from Stoddart s gate for 6s per school day, or £6O per annum. This would leave a shortage of £2O to be found by the department, to whom the letter was referred, with a recommendatiob to make a grant. The committee wrote objecting to the proposal to move the cottage to Tawanm. The cottage was used as a tool shed and storeroom, and the head master intended to use it further for instruction in light woodwork.—-The architect is to report on the cost of providing a teacher’s residence at Tawanui. INCH CLUTHA CONVEYANCE. Application was received from eight residents of Inch Clutha for the conveyance of their children to the Stirling school. There were 20 children available, nineteen of whom were eligible for capitation, amounting to 9s 6d per school day. It should Tie possible to get the conveyance carried out for this amount. It was decided to call for tenders for a three-mile service.