TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 32, 24 September 1914, Page 2

TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Education Board was held yesterday. there being present: Messrs H. Trimble (chairman), A. Morton E. Marfell, 11. Masters, G. A. Adlam, j. Young, A. H. Halcomb©, F. Mackay, and A. M. Bradbury. A STRATFORD PROTEST. The Stratford Committee wrote protesting against the schools being closed for a fortnight immediately prior to the annual examination, the results of which would no doubt suffer. It was hoped that better arrangements would be made in fu ture for holding teachers’ classes in physical culture. Mr Masters said he understood that the main objection was to closing tbo secondary school, it being very advisable not to have a break m the secondary course at a very important period of the year when pupils were preparing for the examinations. The chairman considered the diihculty was very much exaggerated. The New Plymouth High School had just had three weeks’ holiday, so that the difficulty did not affect that school. It was very desirable that the young teachers should attend the physical culture classes. Mr Bradbury said that the fault, it any, lay with the department, not the Board. He moved that the committee he informed to that effect. 'Mr Morton considered that the interference with the studios of those who were- preparing for examinations was serious. He thought that the secondary department should not be closed and that arrangements should be made to keep it open so that the pupils could continue their studies. Mr Mackay took the same view as tlu» previous speaker, and advocated arrangements being made to continue clio studies. If it could be done it should be done.

The motion was carried. Mr Morton moved; That the chairman he requested to arrange whereby the secondary department at the Stratford school may he kept open, or partly open, during the time that ohysical classes are being taken in New Plymouth, so that those pupils intending to sit for matriculation and other examinations may not have their routine of work broken. The motion was seconded by Mr Masters, and .carried.

COMMITTEES’ REQUIREMENTS. The Stratford Committee wrote asking that the copper runners for the blinds at the school should be replaced by wooden ones.—The matter was referred to the overseer.

The Douglas Committee wrote stating that they had done all that was possible by way of diverting children to other schools. They emphasised the need of improved lighting for the school, and again urged the erection of a teacher’s residence. , Mr Marfell advocated an application being sent in to the Department for alterations to the school and the erection of a teacher’s residence, and this course was adopted after some discussion.

The Kohuratalii Committee forwarded account for hedge plants, and asked for .authority to procure lewt of plain wire to repair fences.—The request was complied with. , GENERAL.

The Chairman reported the temporary appointment of Miss 1). James is sole teacher at Puniwhakau. The Works Overseer reported that the improvements to the ventilation and general repairs had been attended to at the Stanley school, and the painting of the outside of the school was now in hand.

The question of letting the Ackland school site to the Midhirst Dairy Co. was discussed, and it was decided that as the site is required for the children’s horses, the lease to the Dairy Co, bo cancelled.

The Public Works Department notified that a portion (264 perches) of section ID block 13, Pouatu (part of

a school site) was required for the purposes of the Stratford-Kawakawa railway, and had been taken under the Public Works Act, compensation being made under the Act.—Received. Mr Cbas. Watchorn wrote consenting to act as commissioner at Puniwhakau, and stating that ho had obtained Mr H. 13. Worthington's consent to act with him.