EDUCATION BOARD

Otago Witness, Issue 4028, 26 May 1931, Page 19

EDUCATION BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Education Board was held on Wednesday morning and was attended by Messrs James Wallace (chairman). P. Al’Kinlay. J. H. Wilkinson, R. H. Todd. G. Livingstone, W. R. Brugh, T. D. Fleming M.L.C., James Smith, Janies Horn, and W. Al. Cooper. REQUESTS FOR GRANTS. The Totara School Committee applied for a subsidy of £4 towards the cost of top-dressing asphalt. The total cost would be £l6 5s. —The application was held over over. The Kia Ora Committee asked for assistance (1) towards the cost of forming a grass court (total cost £10) and (2) toward the cost of levelling the floor.-— The first application was refused and the second was held over for a report from the architect. An application for renovations to the headmaster's residence at Pine Hill (cost £25) was granted. The Lawrence school teacher's application for the renovation of his residence (total cost £6O) was granted. The teacher of the North Taieri School asked for the renovation of one room (cost £S). —It was decided to carry out the work SCHOOL BOOKS. The Ravensbourne School Committee forwarded a resolution adopted at the annual meeting of householders—“ Th.it this meeting of householders requests the Education Board to appeal to the Government to make the procuring of school books easier for primary school children during the present economic depression.” The chairman said that if the headmaster of a school would certify that children were unable to purchase the necessary books the board would have to supply them. It was decided to explain the position to the secretary of the Ravensbourne Committee. SCHOOL GRANTS. The following resolution, passed at the annual meeting of householders at Forbury, was submitted to the board: — “That a letter be sent to the Education Board entering an emphatic protest against the Government for the reduc tions in school grants.” The chairman: Thank goodness, it is not the Education Board that i educed the grants. The letter was received. SCHOOL DENTAL CLINICS.

A circular to chairmen of all dental clinic committees from J. Saunders, director of the division of rental hygiene, was read to the board. The circular stated that owing to the serious financial stringency it had been decided that in addition to their present obligations local committees would, through the dental clinic committees, be required to contribute at the rate of £3O per annum for each dental officer or nurse regularly stationed in a district. A a means of assisting com mittees the Government had decided to give them power to impose a small charge for each child receiving treatment, no child to be excluded because parents were unable to pay. The chairman said that this matter was not directly connected with the board's business. Mr Wilkinson spoke of the very fine work done by the clinic connected with the Kensington, Arthur Street, Normal, Albany Street, North-East Valley, and George Street Schools' Clinic Committee, and said that the increase asked for was very small in comparison to the benefits received. The circular was received. NEW ALBANY STREET SCHOOL. The Education Department, in acknowledging a communication from the board, stated that equally with the board it was anxious that the work of erecting a new Albany Street School should be >roceeded with forthwith, and that it was taking immediate steps to secure ratification of the grant. Mr Wilkinson reported on the visit of the chairman, himself, and the secretary of the board to Wellington in connection with this matter. He said that they had been introduced to the Minister of Education by Mr Fleming. The deputation had pointed out that there had been a long delay in making a start on the erection of the building, and that a vote had been made for its erection. Moreover, that instructions had been given for the foundations to be laid. They had also stated that although the recent earthquake had altered the ideas of the Government regarding the nature of the buildings that should be erected for schools—that the Government would not now permit" brick buildings—they hoped that there would not be unnecessary ifelay in going on with the Albany Street School. They had told the Minister that if the work of construction were gone on with at an early date it would help to improve the position as regarded the unemployed. The Minister had been very sympathetic, and he had assured them that he would have the work pushed through as early as possible. IMr Wilkinson said that the board might expect to get some definite information any day. The chairman said that the Minister was very definite that there should be no brick buildings. They had told him that they would willingly take brick buildings in Otago, or that the school could be built in anything the department liked, so long as they gave them the school. A telegram had been sent to the Minister on Monday, and he had hoped that they would have had a reply before them that morning. It had, however, not come to hand.

It was decided to thank the deputation for its efforts.

MAINTENANCE GRANT.

The Education Department wrote notiE'mg a further reduction of £197 >er month from April 1 last, making a total deduction for maintenance of £447 ner month. _ H The chairman: Alultiply that by 12. Ine letter was received. MANUAL CAPITATION.

Ihe Education Department notified that the >nanual capitation would be reduced substantially this year and that the exact aniount would be forwarded shortly. J. lie letter was received.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

A protest was received against the Alexandra School Committee election being ratified. It was pointed out that the re- ■ members had been elected, but that three had since resigned, and on<> of the remaining five would not sit; consequently there was no quorum. It was decided that if there were still five members- of the committee “alive” they could accept the additional nominations required. If there were not five coinmitteemen the board will advertise to fill the vacancies. In regard to the elections of the Flag Swamp School Committee, it was stated that the chairman of the householders' meeting had stated that he could not accept voting papers unless the full number required on the committee was voted for. He would not accept a straightout voce for, say ; one committeeman.—The chairMe upset the Milton election on exactly the same ground. It was not likely, he said, that the result of the election would have been affected, but it might have been. —Mr Fleming moved that the election be sustained.—Mr Cooper moved as an amendment that a fresh election be held.—The amendment was carried It was decided to uphold the election for the Ratanui School Committee. An objection was raised because one householder had included the name of a man who bad not been nominated in his voting paper. Ihe opinion was expressed that the actual results had not been affected by declai iug this vote informal. It was decided to hold another election for the Wairuna School Committee. Here, again, the chairman insisted on the householders voting for the full number of committeemen required. At the meeting of householders to elect the Waikouaiti School Committee it was stated that the wives of householders had been debarred from voting, and it was decided to have a fresh election.

SECOND DAY. The meeting was concluded on Thursday. Mr James Wallace occupied the chair. ATTENDANCE OFFICER'S REPORT. The attendance officer (Mr J. E. Ryan) reported for the month ended May IS. He stated that prior to the schools closing on the Bth instant for the term holidays the attendance, with the exception of schools affected by illness, had been very satisfactory. There had been various forms of illness prevailing, principally scarlet fever and diphtheria, but so far a limited number of schools only had been affected —Brighton and Forbury mostly —the former having to close for two weeks. The epidemic of whooping cough in Palmerston School seems to have run its course, and nearly all the pupils were expected to return when the school 'resumes. Apart from these illnesses, the average attendances throughout the term had been very good. At the close of the term a number of the country schools averaged from 96 per cent, to 98 per cent. Among the city and suburban schools, Maori Hill was worthy of mention, its average for the whole term being 96.9 per cent. Considering the fact that the attendance had been affected by illness during the last two weeks of the term, this average was very good. The attendances at many of the other large schools was equally good. The chairman expressed pleasure that the attendances were keeping up so well. FINANCIAL. Accounts amounting to £20,176 0s 8d were passed for payment. Dealing with financial questions, the chairman said that when committees complained about work not being done, they should remember that the board had only some £7OO a month to go on. There was no money in the Treasury, and that was the whole position. It was not the Education Department, but the Treasury, which was cutting down the funds. RESIGNATIONS. The following resignations were accepted:—Cuthbert Parr, headmaster, Anderson's Bay; Peter G. Stewart, headmaster. Arthur Street; Isabella T. Currie, head teacher, Leith Valley; George H. M'Lean, sole teacher, Circle Hill; A. Eric Paterson, sole teacher. Kaihiku; James G. Lcckie, sole teacher, Maclennan; Rita T. Symonds, sole teacher. Matakanui; William D. Sinclair, sole teacher. Otekura; John D. Rodger, sole teacher, Popotunoa; Hilda Beaufort, sole teacher, Waitahuna West; Emma J. Hare, infant mistress, Alexandra District High; Rcinga A. Anderson, fifth assistant, Kaitangata; Tui W. M'Donald, assistant, Leith Valley; David Hepburn, first assistant, Maori Hill; Mabel Saville, second assistant, Naseby; Eva M. Williams, seventh assistant, Oamaru South; James J. Buchan, senior secondary assistant, Tokomairiro District High.

APPOINTMENTS. The following appointments were made:—Cuthbert Parr, headmaster, George street; Alexander Bowie, head teacher, Otakou; Adam Eric Paterson, sole teacher, Tuapeka West; Edwin J. Tapp, sole teacher, Table Hill; Emma J. Hare, infant mistress, Kensington; Louie Kidd, infant mistress, Anderson’s Bay; Hilda Beanfort, seventh assistant, High Street; George H. M'Lean, sole teacher, Kyeburn. TRANSFERS. The following transfers were'approved: —James George Lcckie, sole teacher, Waipahi, from Maclennan; John D. Rodger, third assistant, Roxburgh from Popotunoa; Isabella T. Currie, head teacher, Pine Hill from Leith Valley. GENERAL. The Oamaru South School Committee asked that the ventilating and lighting of Standard IV room should be attended to while the board’s workmen were at the

school.—lhe architect reported that thia work was much needed and that the cost would be about £lB.—lt was decided to ”‘ e ’niprovements asked for. Ihe Ardgowan Committee asked that the position of the porch on the small loom shou d be improved.—The architect reported that the door entrance could be . at a e ? st .of *3,—On a vote being cation lt " aS deClded to decline the appli’lhe Education Department notified that a grant had been made for improvNoted k ea^ln £ the Training College.— The secretary reported that the account nbeJ Board for dinners supplied to children attending the Sara Cohen Memorial School from September to Bta a te C hi’TH teC to , £lB -- The mnr-b 1 the b ? T ard conld not carry on t int theT' i J i e , s ’’^ est ed, however vizU i- hoard should continue to provide dinners till the end of June—The suggestion was adopted. Ihe North-East Valley Committee wrote drawing attention to the iX ti ® factory condition of the southern portion aSk) > tbat S nait?enln?lv b ° g ‘.' Cn t( i ,ts remodelling, jubilee—Tj 1o In o£ the approaching jumice.—lhe chairman stated that this It wT 7 t' le hoard’s urgent list D Mn, a h.>li eCI 4 eC i t 0 JcaPPoint Messrs Witt tn L Parker M'Kinlav. and P. Board He S ° Uth ° taso Hi «h Schools COMMITTEE ELECTIONS. Ihe following recommendations regard--1 to committees which had not elected the full quo ta of members were submitted to the board:- ° l-ri.itlands Mr M'Cambridge; Hmh Stieet, Mr J. S. Skinner: Mosgiel, Mr G. Hendry: Owaka, Mr W. E. WrmbtD. Smith Mr L ' Blond en ; Purakauiti, Mr The recommendations were approved. r . ep ° rte d that 25 districts had first elect ion Ct 801,001 committees at the It was decided to hold another election on Monday. June 15. NGAPUNA SCHOOL. The following resolution was forwarded tron, i- I a meeting of Ngapuna householders- — lliat this meeting of householders directs the committee to request the Education Board to make provision for conlejing to school at the beginning of next year a number of pupils who will then be ready to attend.” After hearing the views of two residents of Ngapuna, it was decided that tiie chairman and Dlr Horn should go into the general position of school services in the district. FORESTRY LEAGUE. Mr E. Jack, secretary of the New Zealand lorestry League, wrote stating that Ills league was desirous of reviving interest in the celebration of Arbor "Day, and to that end was prepared to offer a pi ize of £5 for competition between the primary schools of the Dominion. Air A. S. Green, the board’s chief instructor for agriculture, said he thought the conditions under which the prize was to be awarded could not be carried out. The competition would be decided on icports received regarding the gardens at the schools. Air Green said he thought the league could be assured that there was a growing sense in Otago of the importance of tree-planting, and the improving of school grounds. It was decided that the board could not see the good of the competition, and to decline the offer.