CANTERBURY EDUCATION BOARD.

Hokitika Guardian, 10 August 1920, Page 4

CANTERBURY EDUCATION BOARD.

The Canterbury Education Board mot on Friday laat at Christchurch. Present:—Mr E. H. Andrews, (chairman) ; Hon J. Grimmond, M.L.G., and Messrs C. S. Howard, H. J. Bignell, W. ABanks, G. W. Armitago, A. Peverill, T. Hughes, W. P. Sponcer and C. H. Opie. Appointments made included: Opawa Mr. A. J. Wickes, headmaster. ■ Designations received included: Plea, sant Point, Air A. J. Wickes, headmaster; Waitaha, Miss C. Wright, sole teacher ; Wataroa, Mr C. Lucas, master.

APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE. The Appointments Committeb reported that tlie Department had issued a circular stating that the proposal to in. crease conveyance allowance was under consideration and asking for a return as to the numbers of children affected. The Department had drawn attention to a provision for the establishment of model schools for the training of teachers. It was agreed to refer the matter to the senior inspector and the principal of the Training College for consideration and report to a joint committee''of th e Appointments and Normal School Committees. In regard to the small number of qualifying candidates in comparison with the number of entries for tlie national scholarship examinations the board had been informed by the Department that head teachers would be required to make selections from their pupils and present only those who had good prospects of qualifying. In Canterbury 10 per cent, of junior candidates and 18 per cent, senior scholarship candidates were successful.

Tlie report was adopted. MR AIARTIN’S REPORT. Air Martin reported:—ln respect to tlie proposed Dairy School for WestCoast teachers on which the Board has asked me for a report, I may say that this school was definitely arranged for in 1918, but the influenza epidemic broke out. the week before the proposed date of commencing. So many breaks took place in the school year following that Mr Valentine and I thought -it best to let tlie matter drop for 1919, but both of us thought it wise to hold it in 1920. Agriculture will never lie a strong feature of West Coast farming, hut dairying will, and especially as a large percentage of lessons must of necessity be conducted indoors on account of local weather conditions, it is highly desirable that the teachers be given a run through the course of dairy science before being asked to include such work in the school course. Tlie capita, tion for this subject is 12s Gd in place, of 5s for Agriculture. I propose to go across and conduct much of this science myself, Air Ridley being anxious that T should. I suggest that Air AfcCaskill he. asked to nominate the 20 teachers most likely to benefit from the course, (as had ben done by Air Valentine), and that this instruction be given in November or early in December. I’ersonally I do not wish December, as tlie McFarlane Shield competitors must be visited in this month. Each student will personally do all the experimental work of the course which in all schools will be supplemented by a school garden. The report was adopted. AIR RIDLEY’S REPORT.

Mr Ridley reported for July as follows:—A mild epidemic of influenza is, slowly travelling through my districts. In effect some schools are closing as others are opening. With breaks from this cause I have continued programme of Alondays, Grey D.H.S.: Tuesdays. Hokitika D.H.S.; Saturdays, Grey Teachers’ Classes; and have visited the following primary schools:—Rotomanu, Aratika, Hokitika, Humphries, Blue Spur, Koiterangi Kokatahi Lower, Runanga, Barrytown, Ngnhere and Moana. ’The West Coast scheme is making work more definite and uniform, and is enabling travelling officers to cooperate. The spirit in whic-lv it has been tackled is encouraging and could I assemble the notes they would make a valuable collection. The result to date that I hope will have most effect is that we can se© really just how much we have to do to reach any standard at all. X appreciate your several complimentary remarks, but some of your members and officers know of features of work that are not creditable. Most of the features that are satisfactory are due to the effort of teachers working on their own plans.

My covering letter stated who compiled the scheme of work and any claim of it being my own is an injustice to them which I wish to remove. I beg to acknowledge receipt of 100 Northern Spy rooted cuttings in good order from Mr Moodie for Grey D.H.S. Mr Allison had them planted the same day. Re “Greymouth workshop and garden.” I received your reply of 13th inst., and following verbal communication from your architect, Mr Penlington; Coast foreman, Air G. Bignell under countenance your Grey member, Mr H. Bignell, “it will eventually be necessary for workshop to have whole of garden under discussion, and the Board are prepared to provide for fence to be put in working order, a suitable area of ground provided it can "be purchased, leased or otherwise satisfactorily secured.”

I conveyed same to Mr Allison and the School Committee have been negotiating for a suitable site. I trust arrangements can be made in good time. Meanwhile please endorse the intimation. GENERAL. A letter was received from the Department granting £3BOO for rebuilding school at Cobden, and pointing out that the Board had So far received no replacement money on account of this school. It was resolved to ask if the Rebuilding Fund could be drawn on for the purpose. Greymouth Technical High School.— To avoid unnecessary delay and to try and alive the Engineering Room ready for uso at the beginning of next year tlie Architect has given instructions to have the Engineering Room, which is a separate unit ,erected by the Board’s workmen. It is proposed to call for tenders for the Alain Building at the same time as tenders are called for tho erection of the Cobden school. Tho residents of the northern part of the Wataroa district having protested against proposed site of school, the Chairman and Mr Grimmond were deputed to visit tho district and meet the settlers, with a view to a final settlement of the question.

A request from Keenan Bros for in_ creased allowance from Rimu was referred to th e Chairman to inquire in-