CANTERBURY EDUCATION BOARD

Hokitika Guardian, 12 March 1917, Page 3

CANTERBURY EDUCATION BOARD

The monthly meeting was held on Thursday lait. There were, present —Messrs C. H. Opie .(chairman), C. S. Howard. E. H. Andre ss, G. W. Arraitage, J. Maze, W. A. Banks, J. JamieeoD, a. Peverill, H. J. B.gneli, J. Grimmond, W, M. Hamilton and T. W. Adams. The Agricultural Committee reported that arrangements had been made for teachers’ elapses in Nature study for ons week at Hokitika and at Greymouth, railway expenses and board allowance of £1 per week to be paid. Tfie committee presented a copy of a report by Mr W. A. Banks dealing with tbe tour of West 'Coast schools by Messrs Bank?, Grimmond, Bignell and Martm, in connection with agricultural instruction. The report was adopted.

Mr Armitage moved that a committee shouid be sot up to consider the practicability "or otherwise of dividing the Canterbury Education District into wards for administrative purposes. He said that the present board was unwieldy, and its work was 'too great to enable every detail to receive proper consideration. He nominated Messrs Andrews, Hamilton, Banks, and the mover as a committee. Mr Grimruond seconded the motion. The chairman said the motion was an attempt to defeat the objects of Parliament in combining districts, Mr Peverill said the board had no power to set up wards. Mr Hamilton said the amalgama-

tion of the district boards was a stupid blunder, and a disastrous calamity to the cause of education. After further discussion of the question of setting up wards, the motion was put and lost, Messrs Armitage, Howard, Hamilton, Banks and Grimrrond voting for it, For coatimjaMioo of news see fourth page

A telegram from the Greymonth School Committee asking the Board to appeal on behalf of Mr J. F. Wilson, of the Grey month School, was considered.

Mr Grimmond moved that the Board receive the letter and inform the Greymoath committee that a male substitute would be obtained, if possible, to fill Mr Wilson’s place. The motion' was seconded by Mr

Peveriil, and carried. The tender of T. Sotheran £548, was accepted for tbe erection of a new school at Paroa. Tbe other tenders were, 0. O’Neill £590 18/ and Hcdgkinson &Co £673 5/. Plans had been sent on for approval of a new school at Camerons.

Authority was given to accept a tender fur a new school at Mikonui and an additional room at Waitaba.

Monday, April 30tb was fixed for the election of School Committees.

The Humphreys Committee wrote asking the Board to appoint Miss M. Brnce as assistant mistress, Miss Bruce having given every satisfaction.—lt was resolved to accede to the request. Miss Agnes M. Horne was appointed probationer at Otira. Leave of absence was granted to M : ss Dixon (South Baach School) for a month.

Miss M. Jones of Stafford and Miss J. M. Dowlmg of Paroa applied for transfers and the applications were referred to the Inspector. A request by the Stafford Committee for labor for the school garden and a wheelharrow was referred to Mr Martin.

The action of Mr Grimmond in supplying 3 additional desks for the InterWanganui school was approved. The request of the Committee to have the roof of the school painted was granted, cost not to exceed £5.

Tbe Lower Kckatahi Committee forwarded an explanation regarding thß blacksmith occupying part of the school ground. It was resolved that Mr O’Brien be asked to remove the old residence which he purchased off the school grounds before Ist May. _ Requests by the Stafford Committee for repairs to chimney and verandah, aud painting of bell tower wers granted. The Department wroie declining the Board’s application for permission to sell the Woodstock residence. Copy of letter to be sent to teacher and Committee.

It was resolved that louvres instead of hinged windows be placed in lavatory at Hokitika sohool as requested by the Committee.