CANTERBURY EDUCATION BOARD.

Hokitika Guardian, 19 October 1925, Page 4

CANTERBURY EDUCATION BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Canterbury Education Board was held on Friday at Christchurch. Present— Air T. Hughes (Chairman), and Messrs H. J. Bignell, AY. P. Spencer, AY. Jl. Johnson, E. IT. Andrews, G. \Y. Armitnge, J. G. Gow, R. Wild. J. Maze, W. A. Banks, and S. Thompson. Dr E. Alarsden, assistant director of Education, Air T. B. Strong, Chief Inspector of Primary Schools, Air M. -McLeod, senior inspector for Canterbury district, ami Air . K. Purchase, principal of the. Normal Training College, conferred with the Hoard on various mailers aifecting education. A circular was received from. I lie Department drawing attention to the* fact that teachers were not to he permitted to transfer without Raving served the statutory time in their present positions, unless there were very special circumstances.— Received. It was resolved that a suggestion of the District Health Officer, that attention be drawn to the necessity fur cleanliness in using books, be sent to the Education Gazette for pnbliea-

tion. Mr MaclCav (Truant Officer, West ■Coast) fepcu Led having visited six schools and interviewed eleven parents. Mr Thompson asked if Mr Ranks had supported or opposed the employment of married women teachers, when the question was considered by the Council of Education and Mr Banks replied that he had voted in tavour of their employment, hut had made iL quite clear when doing so 'that the Board’s resolution was to the.contrary. The Roa Committee wrote drawing attention to the dilapidated condition of buildings, especially the hoys’ latrine, fencing, spouting, porch and wash-basin. The application was referred to the Foreman for attention. The Ruatapu Committee applied for papering of the residence and it was resolved to instruct the* Foreman to have this work carried out if deemed advisable. The Foreman’s report for Hie month was received and adopted:— Kumara.—No tenders having been received for the purchase Tor removal of the old school building it was decided that the demolition of same should he carried out by the Board’s own staff. Hlakelown.—Extra renewals and replacements in connection with school building authorized. Taylorville.— Ergent repairs to school building authorized. A letter was received from the Commissioner of Crown Lauds, Hokitika. re granting the use of a piece "I hind for troc-pinntiiig which was recently worked out. by a sawmill. 11'- ('ommissiomr iec cinunonded the use o| anolher area, and enclosed a plan to show its location. Resolved J that the matter he left in Mr H. .1. Bignell’s hands to report at next meet- | ing. AGRICTLTUR AL R EP< >RT. Mr . 11. Johnston (Agricultural Inspector) reported:—l beg to present my report on the Agricultural work of the West Coast Schools for the month of Scptembcr-October. The following visits were made: Kabila, Te Kinga, Aralika, Kolciri, Blackball. Inchbonnie, Taylorville, A rah lira Road, TOokatahi Lower. Kokatahi timer, Koiterangi Lower, Koiterangi T’ppcr. I’aroa. Camerons and Greymouth primarv.

The weather during the month has been particularly atrocious, consisting of violent thunder storms, gales, hail storms and some thirteen inches of ]rain. Lndor such conditions it lias been almost an a standstill.

Some tree planting as per the Forestry Department’s .scheme is to lie carried out at Hokitika and Arahura Road as soon as the ground is fit. The Forestry Department has also supplied me with seeds for distribution to the various schools.

Mr F. 11. Grace, Forest Extension Officer, visited the Const a few days ago and interviewed me in reference to the work contemplated here. In reference to the letter of Mr C". Rose, Secretary of A.P. and I. Association, Greymouth. to the Board re children’s competition classes. I hog to report as follows: “Five small classes' are to be included in the Association’s programme at the furthcoming showin February. These are open to pupils of the schools if they wish to compete. The seed being provided by the Association. The competition will not entail any burden or extra work, and I am of the opinion, will be an incentive to more thorough work in the school gardens.”—Received.