EDUCATION BOARD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 301, 18 December 1914, Page 7

EDUCATION BOARD.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Taranaki Education Board was held at the Board’s office, Xcw Plymouth on Wednesday, when there were present: Messrs H. Trimble (chairman), G. A. Adlam, J. Young, R. Masters, F. Mackay, 'A. H. Halcombe, E. Marfell, and A. Morton. Leave of absence was granted to Mr A. M. Bradbury. , .AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTOR. With reference to the matter of agricultural instructor, which was referred hack to the special committee at the last meeting of the Board, the committee reported that after fnr. ther consideration, they recommended: (1) That an appointment he made of an agricultural and dairying instructor for the primary schools as recommended by the Inspectors at a salary of £250 per annum and travelling expenses. (2) That a teacher

of agriculture and dairying be appointed for the Technical School at New Plymouth, such teacher to spend three days of each week in giving instruction at the school, the remainder of his time to be spent in giving lectures' to farmers throughout the district, and in visiting farms generally, the salary to be £350 per annum and travelling expenses. The committee made that recommendation believing that land sufficient for the purposes of instruction would be available at a reasonable rent, for the use of the technical students.

In moving the adoption of the report, the chairman said that the

committee had gone very thoroughly into the question. They had not been able to fall in with Mr Gray’s request for an instructor at the Technical College alone, but the recom. mendations would, be thought, be agreeable to all. With regard to the land, he understood that some eight acres at Fitzroy belonging to a gen, tleman at Lepperton could be obtain,ed at a nominal rental for the first five or six years. The success of the whole scheme depended upon how many students could be secured. If successful in its initial stages, he felt that it would become a lasting institution of great benefit to the district. Mr Mackay seconded the adoption.

Mr Masters considered that the time was not far distant when an instructor would have to be appointed solely for the Technical College. Mr Mackay questioned if the salary proposed for the schools’ instructor was sufficient. Mr Mjirfell said that it was the same as for a grade IV. school, and if found necessary, it could be increased at any time. The report nvas adopted, and the two positions will be advertised. OVERSEER’S REPORT. The overseer (Mr C. H. Moore), reported that material had been forwarded for work at the Stratford Infant School, which would bo placed in hand in the course of a few days. A new tank had been fixed at Tariki. He proposed to carry out additions to the Bird Road school during the holidays. He suggested that a small shanty should be built at ;the Kai. mata school, at '-a cost not to exceed £l2. GENERAL. The resignation of Miss L. Hart, assistant at Stratford, was accepted. Authority was received from the Education Department to proceed with the additions to the Bird and Musker’s schools. The matter of taking portion of the Puniwhakau school grounds for a horse paddock was left in the hands of Mr Masters.