STRATFORD SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 33, 10 February 1915, Page 7

STRATFORD SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The monthly meeting of the Committee was held last evening, and was attended' by Messrs P. Skoghmd (chairman), H. Sanderson, T. Lawson, E. W. Hancock, K. Jackson, G. Smart, W. .McDonald and J. .McMillan.

COMPLAINTS ABOUT THE BOOKS.

The Chairman stated that he had received complaints Irom two local stationers that they had not been given lair treatment in the matter of the new books for the school for the present year, one opposition shop having been allowed to have a monopoly. Mr McMillan asked if the complaints had boon put in writing, and on being informed in the negative, said he objected to any further notice being taken of the matter.

The Chairman, however, said he considered the complaints had been made to him in his social capacity, and he leit bound to bring them before the Committee. The special complaint was with regard to the “Welcome Reader,” and he asked the Headmaster (Mr Tyrer), who was present, lor an explanation. Mr Tyrer yaid he was only too glad to offer an explanation. According to the Education Act, in regard to supplementary readers for use in the school, teachers were allowed free latitude. In the junior classes they could got two or more, but one, especially, to be a continuous reader, and in the senior classes three or four, but one at least a continuous reader—that was a book with continuous stories. He 1-ad set to work to get them in New Zealand, but not being able to d, so, l ad sent Home _to the publishers (books produced). As early as last June McMillan and Sou’s traveller was *;i Stratford with, specimens oi the “Welcome Reader,” which filled the bill, and he immediately ordered enough for the school. The books were later on approved by the inspectors of the Education Board, which decided that the books might be used in Taranaki. The books arrived at Stratfoid the day tiie school re-opened, and thinking it would be better that eacn child should have its own book he did not take them over from Mr Hopkins. "Jlie books came to Mr Hopkins only because he is agent for McMillan and Son in Stratford, In not taking over the books, probably, he had made a mistake. He pointed out that children in the Stratforu School were not required to have nearly so many books as

were necessary in other scnools. Barents had never complained to him oi having to buy too many books. Further, the Board had ordered these books, and they would be used later in all Taranaki Schools. .

In reply to members of the Committee, Mr Tyrer said he had ordered from three dozen (for the lowjer afcan- , dards) to five dozen (for the higher standards) for each classi ?" He'Had procured a sot of these books last year lor Standard 1., and they were now in the school. It was not compulsory I to buy tJiom.

) The Chairman said that Messrs Grubb and .Moon had made tiic complaints.

Mr Lawson said, in regaid to a complaint about exercise books, that although four books were of equal qual-

ity in every way, but with different titles, 'only the ones called “ritfai■ford.” and which could ho procured only at Hopkins’, were accepted by the teachers.

Mr Tyrer: That is news to me j any exercise ouoK is used so long -as the paper is decently good. As to drawing books, tiie size was larger alter Standard JL. In conclusion, Mr Tyrer said he was glad to be able to make the explanations to the Committee, and lie then retired.

I ne Chairman said that in the past it a.,,i snot been necessary for the children. to buy the continuous reader, winch were paid for out of a grant from the Board for the purpose, the fact was that Mr Tyrer chose the hook, which w : as accepted by the inspectors, and only a Stratford bookseller had the sale of it, and having the monopoly lie had charged what ho liked, it was not fair to parents and lie would advise them not to buy the book.

Mr Hancock said it was only fair that Messrs Grubb and Moon’ should have had the opportunity to soli the book.

Mr McMillan again protested at discussing the complaints, seeing that they were not in writing. Mr Hancock suggested the Committee should buy the books and supply parents at cost price as near as possible. Education was becoming as dear as if the children were sent to a boarding school. Air McDonald, who spoke as one with experience of hook-selling, said there was always a loss on the school books.

Instances were given in connection with the local complaints where two drawing books wore ordered by the teachers before the holidays, and when the school opened these were condemned and two fresh books had to lie purchased. With 80 in the class, there were thus 100 hooks absolutely useless. Then, again, the drawing hooks, with only a few pages used, had to be discarded and new ones obtained. The Chairman remarked that the Committee could not think of going in for a scheme of buying the hooks for distribution. Seconded by Mr Smart and carried. One parent complained to a member of the Committee that before the break-up bis boy was put in the i’°w class and the list of books was bought, but when the school re-opened, he was told he had not passed. The hooks

wore Llierclhro useless.— Iho Comiiiittoc wore iiu'luiod to take the matter jocularly, throwing the blame upon the bov, as childish memories were often at fault, but the member who brought up the complaint said the parent was prepared “to appear before the Committee and substantiate his statements. Wo understand that the correct list of promotions was published in the “Stratford Evening Dost” on December 18th. The published home price of the Reader was lOd, and the price in Stratford was Is Id. After discussion. .Mr McMillan moved:—That, the Headmaster’s explanation bo conveyed to those parents complaining; that in future all complaints must be sent in to the Committee in writing; and that parents be informed that it was not compulsory to buy the “Welcome Reader,” as they could be procured free of charge at the school. , HEA DM ASTER ’ S RE PORT. The Headmaster (Mr Tyrer) reported: The Education Board’s special instructor in agriculture, Mr Ellis, visited the school to-day, and took charge of the boys in our rural classes. 1 hope to arrange for these boys, about Easter time, a week’s camp at the Moumahaki Government farm, with Mr Ellis in charge of them. An application has been forwarded to the Education Board to hand over to our school classes for agriculture purposes, the Board’s land on Broadway South. Our intention is to carry out, on this plot general experiments in agriculture. Arrangements may be made with the A. and P. Society to carry out, also, under their auspices, a few experiments in which the farmo/rs ot the district are interested. The new portion of the play grounds requires put- • (ting in order as soon as possible. I I understand a sub-committee is already dealing with the matter, and wish to suggest that the members of that committee bo re-appointed to carry through tile work they have in hand. r Phe report was adopted. VISITIXG, COMMITTEE. -.mm'- |, A report was submitted from the i Visiting Committee re the removal of three sheds, and it was agreed that

fresh tenders he called, the Visiting Committee to deal with same.

The secretary was instructed to write to the Board re the removal of the foundations of the headmaster’s late residence, which had been left hy the contractor foV the job.

Messrs McMillan and Jackson were appointed the Visiting Committee for the month.

GENERAL

Accounts in connection with the recent picnic have not been completed, and no report thereon was available. Accounts were passed as follows: Daily News 6s, Electrical Supply Co. ts, J. Petrie £1 ‘10s; Beckett and Corlott'£3. \