EDUCATION BOARD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVII, Issue 23, 27 September 1913, Page 8

EDUCATION BOARD.

j MONTHLY MEETING. At the monthly meeting of the Taranaki Education Board there were present:—Messrs 11. Trimble (chairman), G. A. Atllain, R. .Masters, A. M. Bradbury, W. Rogers, A. H. Halcombe, W. L.KuiuieUy, A. Morton and J. Young. Technical Director's Report.—Th • monthly report of the technical direr tor (Mr A. Gray) was as follows: —

"New Plymouth.—At tnis centiv two new classes have commenced, viz., a first-aid class under Dr. Wade ana Airs Dockrill, and an adult cookery class with Miss Grant, the newly appointed cookery instructress, in charge. The demonstrations given by Miss Grant on the first night u. the cookery class gave students aidea of the quality of the work to be done, and all were highly pleased. I should like to see more pupils attending this class. The first-aid class is a strong one of over 20 students. A circular to the master plumbers oi the town has been instrumental in securing some new pupils for the plumbing class. 1 find employers quite anxious that thir men should take advantage of the institution. J am particularly glad to have their cooperation. I have been making inquiries as to what becomes of students who obtain their certificates from this college. I find that many of them are doing good work, in other centres. Among the many' positions hilled by ex-students of the plumbing class J might quote the following :—(I) Waterworks foreman and inspector of Nel son Borough Council; (2) in bushier:.' in Nelson; (3) engineer Gonville Borough Counicl; (4) waterworks loreman, Waitara Borough Council. Thei. there are several in business in the adjoining towns. If sufficient pupils are forthcoming T propose to start a class in advanced carpentry, with special attention to working lines and roof construction. The instructors will be Messrs Sandford and Boon. T have to thank Messrs Webster Bros. for about 50 samples of American timbers. The specimens'will be hung in the college. I have also received some very interesting samples, illustrative of different coal formations.

"Stratford ceMre. —The mechanical engineering class at Stratford has been-doing good work. Tho superintendent (Mr F. Tyrer) reports that four of the students sat for their drivers' certificates and all pa seed. Four additional students have 'been enrolled, so that the number, of student? has .not decreased. With regard to the agriculture instructor scheme, th? following additional companies have promised support, viz., Capo Egmont, Xgaere, and Tariki. , I have to thank tho chairman for attending the meeting and securing the co-operation of the last named company,!'., , MEDTCAL RECORD CARDS. The inspectors (Messrs W. A. Ballantyno. and R. G. Whettor), recommended the Board to adopt the following arrangement of scholars' medical record, cards:— Q) f When a..bead teacher ascertains,.definitely that . a child has left his school, he shaU,,immediately forward the card hy post to the secretary of the Education Board of his own district. (2) The'head teacher of the school to which the child is transferred shall make application for such card to the Education BoarJ where the card is lodged. The Board adopted the recommendation. BOARDING SCHOLARSHIP HOLDERS. With regard to a memorandum from tho Education Department with reference to the control of boarding arrangements for holders of Junior Nan'onal and Education Board Scholarships, tho inspectors reported that they were of opinion that provision should be made whereby the Board would bo enabled to exercise some

control over the arrangements made for the boarding of scholarship holders. They thought that the resolution passed by the Secondary School conference held recently in Christchurch would probably best meet the case. The resolution read as follows: —"That the Conference is of opinion that principals of Secondary Schools clioukl be authorised to report to the local Education Hoard on the suitability of boarding arrangements made by Junior District National scholars with a view to ensuring the proper housing and supervision of such scholars."

The report was adopted. The Board decided to purchase the shelter shed at the Oeo school for the sum of €l7, and to give £6 for removal of the old school building on to Mr llikaka's land.

Mr Masters' notice of motion that a finance committee ho set up was held over until next meeting. Accounts amounting to £3090 0s lid were passed for payment. 01JS EBVATIOX SCHOOLS. Several replies were received to the Hoard's circular letter to other Board's asking for co-operation in urging on the Education Department the necessity for the establishment of observation schools ;is recommended by the Taranaki Board's inspectors in their annual report for 1912. The Nelson Board said the question had been under its consideration for sonic time past, and it heartily supported the proposal. The Wanganui Board also gave its support. The South Canterbury Board did not consider that such observation schools were necessary in its district, and thought the better way to reach the end in view would be the appointment of a capable experienced teacher, who by taking charge for a short time of schools taught by inexperienced teachers, should train such teachers in the art of teaching and of managing schools. The Wellington Board said it had referred the matter to the inspector and the principal of the Training College for con-

sideration. Otago had referred the matter to its inspectors and, after liscussing their report, had "received" the circular letter. TEACHING IN THE PORCH. Wtih regard to the Central School •oimnittee's application for the installation of a heater in the porch of the Courtney street school, the chief inspector (Mr W. A. Ballantyne) reported that he had gone into the matter carefully and could not recommend that the request be granted. His reasons were: (1) There are several schools in the district in which classes ire taught in the porch, and if a beater were placed i» the Courier;.";," •street school other schools would be 'filially entitled to heaters ; (2) he was if opinion that teachers should not he compelled to teach the children in the •jorch, and if the seating accdmmolation of the rooms is not sufficient rhen the Department should be called ipon to provide the extra accommodation. The report was adopted. EDUCATION AND DEFENCE. Reporting, at the Board's direction, .vitli regard to a memorandum from die Education Department, wherein ;t was asked that the Board should instruct the teachers to render to the Defence Department a list of all boys leaving school who were fourteen or approaching fourteen years of age, the inspectors said Jchat they did not see their way to make any recommendations in this direction, as they were jf opinion that the onus of supplying the information required should he thrown not on the teacher, but on the parent. Mr Kennedy: What's to hinder the lefence officers going round the schools periodically and finding, out the in formation themselves An officer is stationed in each district.

Inspector Whetter said the thing which had influenced the inspectors in •rawing up the report was that there was a little friction already over the matter, and they did not think it ad visable that the teachers should have to prepare the returns. Such a course might lead to friction with parents •vho objected to compulsory military training.

' Mr Morton : T don't see that. The teacher would merely be carrying out •lis duty.

The Board, after further discussion, referred the report hack to the inspectors for further consideration. This was done on the motion of Mr Kennedy, who suggested to the inspectors that they should consider the question )f the Defence officers collecting the information themselves from the schools, OVERSEER'S REPORT. The Board's overseer (Mr C. 11. Moore) reported that after considerable delay, tho material for a new chimney at the Tututawa residence had arrived, and the work would be put in hand immediately. At the Durham School minor repairs had been effected. WHANGAMOMONA SCHOOL. The District Health Officer at Wellington (Dr. H. Chesson) wrote with regard to tho; insanitary conditions it the Whangamomona school, stating that it was impossible to keep such faulty structures in a satisfactory sanitary condition, and again urging that the Board should have the recommendations of August sth carried out forthwith.

■ In reply to the Board's letter in this connection, the chairman of the Whangamomona school committee said: — "The out-offices are kept in a clean condition, and £ne health officer had no fault to find as far as cleanliness is concerned. His objection is to the system of using a pit, and that of •ourse is a Board affair. The remedy lies in the Board's hands."

Replying to the chairman the overseer pointed out that Whangamomona is very wet, and the ground holds rain-water. At times the quantity of rain-water'' made the pits look worse than they really are.

Nothing further was done in the matter.

The Whangamomona school committee was granted £2l Os 6d for hedge plants and gravel. A grant of £6 was made for the improvement of the school grounds at Lepperton.

The question of obtaining a lease of the land for the Hurimoana school was referred to/Mr Kennedy for a report. A £ for £ subsidy, not to exceed £'.), was granted to the Ackland Road school committee for the improvement of the school grounds. Minor matters in connection with the Hurford, Makahu, and Koni Schools were referred to the inspectors for reports. Tn connection with the extension of the Duham school ground .the Board decided to acquire, for £2O, a piece , 0 f land which had been used for many vear< »"»s <v horfo r.addock.

The matter of the Mohakau school site was r-fornd to the chairman for inquiry and report. Mr J. P. Keevc was appointed a school commissioner for the Mohakau school district in place of Mr Jonas, resigned.—News.