Canterbury Education Board.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 June 1922, Page 4

Canterbury Education Board.

FRIDAY, JUNE TO

The Hoard met at Christchurch on Friday.

Present: -Messrs O. \Y. Armituge j (chairman), W. A. honks, M. J. 'Hignoil, .1. Mingo, K. Jl. Andrews, .1. G. Gow, J. Jamieson, C. 18. I liompson, ! A. Pevorill, W. P. Spencer, and the Hon J. Griinmond, ALL.C. Appointments recommended, included Miss X. M. Hopkins, assistant mistress at Greymont.li ; Miss Stewart, sole teacher at Hatters; Miss L. Nolan, sole teacher at Olcurn ; Mr G. Murray, sole t&eiieV at AVaiho. heave of absence was granted to Miss E. Ward, Hokitika, for two months; Mrs \V. A. Farnell, assistant mistress at Greymouth, additional month (without salary); Miss, E. Dale, probationer at Woodstock, a week. Resignations received and accepted included Mr G. -Murray, sole teacher at Uruee Hay; Miss ('. Kerr, sole teacher, Swedes .Mill. In reply to enquiry from the New Zealand Educational Institute, it was agreed to receive applications by teleg7am if received before the closing date. A letter was received from the Department, asking for an expression of opinion in regard to the desirability of the Commissioner of Police conducting prosecutions against parents whose children do not attend school regularly. It was agreed to disapprove of the proposal for reasons to he stated. Mr White (West Coast truant oflieer) reported that the attendance had been very good up to the last week, when a prevalence of colds was noticeable. A number of truancy lists had been sent in; 3 ordinary ami (i final notices had boon issued. A letter was received from the Hepartment and the Senior Inspector wrote to the same effort, suggesting that the schools close for spring liolidavs from Monday. August 28th. as the teachers’ examinations would then commence. The Hoard was recommended to agree to the proposal, the Normal School Committee to he recommended to make similar arrangements if practicable. A deputation, consisting of Prof. Shelley and Mr H. H. Owen, from the Music in Schools Association, waited on the Board in regard to a proposal that a specialist in music should he appointed to visit the schools ns the Hoard might determine. It was stated that il the authorities would grant a subsidy, the Association would hold itsoll responsible for an equal amount. It was agreed that the Association should put their proposals in writing when uo doubt the Hoard would give them its sympathetic consul 'tuition. A Totter was received trout the Native Trustee advising that ground rent for the Greyinoulih ollice site had been increased from £J TOs to £G Ids per

T.i.vlorville. — An application for repair of front fence was referred to the foreman for attention.

.Workshop.—lt was resolved that the small gas engine he sold lor tMI and Hint a m-coia! hand Tangve ho purchased for £lO3.

The Foreman's report tor the mouth was received and adopted. Ara'inra ' .Road. The ( onmiittec In lie advised that lemnval ol out-oftico not considered neces-ary.

Aiatika. An application tor repair of fence was referred to the Foreman to attend to.

Awatuna. — Representations were made by Mr 1.. Kelly regarding the rebuilding of the school. It was resolved that application he made lor a grant for a school costing about £2->d.

Hnxler’s Mill.—An application for a tank and small repairs to building was referred to the Foreman for attention.

Blackball.—An application from lbe teacher for a new tank ■ for residence was referred to the Foreman for atten-

tion or report. Camerons. —A report was received front Mr liignell regarding the use ol the play ground by a member of the Committee. The report was adopted, a copy to he sent to the Committee. (Heymoiith. —An application for new lour locks and picture moulding, and for a grant of £3O towards new gates, was granted. Kaiata. -The Department advised grant of £2(12 for removal of school building from Kamaka. It was resolved that the Foreman he instructed tu proceed with the work. Kanieri. —The Department advised grant of £llll for the rebuilding of the school. It was resolved that the Foreman he instructed to proceed with the work.

Kokiri.—An application for repair ol verandah and school gales was reterretl to the Foreman for attention.

Rama. —An application for repair of front fence was referred to the foreman for attention.

A letter was received from Lite Minister of Education in reply to the Hoard's letter concerning the appointment of teachers. The Alipister stated that the Hoard appeared to overlook a section of the Act, which was framed in ort.lcr to leave a great deal to the discretion of the Hoard. This section explicitly stated that if the Hoard and Ike Senior Inspector regarded some other candidate than the one who is highest, on the graded list as more suitable for tho position under consideration, that teacher may receive the appointment. The Minister could not agree that the matter of suitability for locality should become a mote important factor than it is at present in the- appointment "I teachers. The lei ter was received. A letter was received from the New Zealand Education Hoards’ Association concerning the advisability ol holding a cunlcreMce of Education Hoards.

Air E. H. Andrews moved that the Hoard should support the proposal. Newspaper articles, inspired, be would suggest. hy the Eduenl ional Institute' c r some other educational body, Intel been advocating the abolition ol F.elucalion Hoards. In his opinion this would he a blow at local government and an absolute calamity. Thousands of pounds had been raised locally, and doubtless in other districts, for purposes whi< -i in many cases should have keen a charge on the Department. He was -nee that centralisation in any form would he detrimental to education. He would not, object to the abolition of hoards and commit Lees if lie' was sure of getting something .more effective, hut there seemed no possihil:iv of this. The Board’s secretary had made an effective reply to certain articles, and the speaker would like to emphasise that while the expenses of hoards were being cut clown those of the Department had increased hy 111 per cent in three years. The public should know that the attempt, to prove Ike extravagance of the hoards was a failure. Tfe often wondered wluit many ■ f the departmental officers did when he took into account the almost invariable delay in replying to communications. The motion was carried.