CANTERBURY EDUCATION BOARD.

Hokitika Guardian, 20 August 1926, Page 4

CANTERBURY EDUCATION BOARD.

ANNUAL MEETING. The Canterbury Education Board met at Christchurch on Wednesday. There were present:—Messrs T. Hughes (chairman), E. 11. Andrews, W. Johnson, C. Thompson, W. Winsor, J. G. Gow, J. Maze, W. A. Banks, W. P. Spencer, G. Armftage and 11. Wild. An apology for absence was received from Mr H. J. Bignell, who was ill. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. In moving the nomination of Mr Spencer, Mr Andrews said that he thought the office should be held by one man for a year only. He had the greatest respect for Air Hughes, but at the same time he was of the opinion that every member of the-Board should be given the chance of being elected as chairman. Several members spoke in similar terms. Air AVild, however, said that lie believed the chair should he occupied by the man most suitable to fill it, and that it might in such circnmstnees be occupied for an indefinite number of years. By 'acting as was suggested, members would bo working against the spirit of the Act, which had been amended previously in order to allow a two years’ tenure of office. He would nominate Air Hughes for the office again. Air Hughes withdrew his nomination, stating that in. view of the fact that six members had expressed themselves Las being in favour of a change, he would not feel happy in taking an additional term. He realised that the remarks made by members were by no means of a personal nature. Air Spencer was accordingly elected for the ensuing year.

I The following standing committees • were elected Appointments—Messrs Gow (chairman), Banks, Johnson, AVild, Hughes and Andrews. Buildings—Messrs .Thompson (chairman), AVinsor, Armitago, Bignell and Alaze. Finance—Afcssrs Armitago (chairman), Andrews, Bignell, Johnson, AFazs, Spencer, Thompson and Hughes. Agricultural, Afanual and Technical —Aiessrs Banks (chairman), Armitago, Bignell, Mazo,’ AVinsor and Hughes. Normal—Aiessrs Andrews (chairman), Banks, Gow, Johnson AA ihl. Winsor and Hughes. Committee -■>!' Allvice—Afcssrs Hughes, Purchase and M’Leod and Dr flight. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT. The •■anium.l reports came up for confirmation. The report of the chairman stated that schools were opened and. reopened at Charwoll Forks, Gray’s Corner, Gore Bay, Long Bay, Okarito, Teremakau. Wallis Siding; while those at Arthur's Pass, Ashley Gorge, Cbrleton, Cooper’s Crook, Jackson, La Fontaine, Lyttelton Hoads, Okarito Forks and Oxford West were closed, four on account of n consolidation scheme at Oxford. Secondary departments were added to the Methvcij and Sumner Schools. Motor bases for the conveyance of pupils wore in openlion at Clandcboye, Geraldine, llavihari, Lyiidhurst. Alaekonzio, Afethven. Ornri, Oxford, Southbridgo and AA'aimate.

I The lota! expenditure on all services was £471,938 Lis 3d. an increase over Ibe previous years cf £13,666, 9s 64, most of which was for improvement of teachers’ .a Maries. The board would respectfully hut emphatically point out that the maintenance grant, was, even with tho exercise of the strictest economy, from present May experience proving inadequate for the following reasons:—(l) Alost of the older schools, built forty or fifty years ago, had outlived their usefulness and required repLicenient. They could he maintained and remodelled into a comparative estate of efficiency only at considerable expense. (2) Tho high prices ruling for labour and material were embarrassing the board, c.g., the cost of painting haul doubled or trebled. At best the board, with its present grant, was unable to do more than repair the worst of its schools. Attendances were on the increase all round, and it would soon be necessary for another manual training centre to he established in the Christchurch alrea. Two hundred and sixty-one schools were recognised as taking agriculture, and the rural course was carried on at eleven district high schools, with an attendance of 404 pupils.