TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 100, 24 November 1916, Page 3

TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD.

The Taranaki Education Board mot ;iL New Plymouth on Wednesday, when there were present—Messrs 11. Masters (chairman), C. A. Wilkiusqn, M.P., E. Dixon, 8. (L Smith, H. Trimble, and the Rev. A. B. Chappell 1 . CHAIRMAN'S REPOB.T

The chairman (Mr R. Masters) reported that during the month, together with Messrs Dixon and Wilkinson, he visited a number of schools in the Southern Ward, and on the whole found the schools and grounds ill' a satisfactory condition. The only schools that called for any special attention were those at Xormanby am* Okaiawa. The former was in a, very bad state of repair and should have the urgent attention of the Board. If the Board decided to build in brick or concrete, application should be made at once for the difference in cost between those materials and wood; but if in wood he recommended the Board to undertake the erection of the building at the earliest, possible moment. Regarding Okaiawa, this case was not so urgent, and as building material Avas so expensive at present, this building might be loft for a time. It was, however, in a bad state of repair and should be the next school to be built after Normanby.—Adopted.

CHIEF INSPECTOR'S REPORT. On the Chief Inspector's recommendations it was decided to apply -to the Department for grants for ditions to the Tokirhna, school, and for the erection of a new school at Tahora. The report was adopted. OVERSEER'S REPORT. The overseer (Mr Moore), reporting to the Board on the work done by the mechanical staff during the month, sjatisg as follows: Stanley,, new school.—This buildsing is boarded 'up and roof is'covered hi. Owing to scarcity of labor generally the work is not going on as fast as one would wish. Stratford.—The painting of all the technical building (outside) was completed, and also the windows and doors of the main school. The western wing will receive attention when the proposed alterations to. the' infants' school are carried out. The destructor is also completed. Cardiff.—At Cardiff gravel was supplied as instructed. I am waiting'for - a reply from the committee in regard'' to the outbuildings. TEMPORARY APPOINTM EXTS. The Board supported the action of the chairman in making the following temporary appointments: "Waiongotta, Mrs Paterson, sole teacher; Okaiawa, Miss Barkla, first assistant: Okaiawa, Miss D. Morse, second assistant; Ackland, Mrs 11. Linn, sole teacher; Eltham D.IL, Mrs F. Allen, assistant; Purangi, Miss A. McCarthy, sole teacher. GENERAL. The Board accepted Miss E. Knox's resignation from her position as sole . teacher of the Ackland School. Correspondence was received from the Pukengahu School Committee regarding a new school, and. in reply, it was decided to state that stops were being taken to have a school built to suit requirements. It was also derided to apply to the Govern-' moot for an increased grant in connection with the Pukengahu school. A tender for the erection oi the school was accepted.

The transfer of Miss Porter from the Kent school to Korito was authorised. It was resolved, in answer to a letter written on behalf of the Finnerty Road settlers, to state that Hie Hoard was doing its utmost to obtain a grant from the Department for the ereetion of a school on the Finnerty Road. The atmosphere was electrical I'm- a few moments prior to the dosing. • An account for £1 lis 8d for requisites purchased by the Eltham School Committee from .Messrs C. A. "Wilkinson, Ltd., was referred to the Board, and .Mr 11. Trimble, noticing the account, rose and took strong exception to the Board having any business dealings with a firm the principal of which was a member of the Board. The principle, he said, was a wrong one, and he could not emphasise the point too strongly. Before Mr Trimble had concluded his remarks. Mr Wilkinson rose and warmly took Mr Trimble to task. "Mr Trimble is jumping to conclusions," he said. "He wishes to insinuate that 1 want to nse my position as a member, of the Board in order to further my trade. I absolutely refute it. This transaction lias nothing to do with the Board. The Eltham Committee, requiring a few articles made the purchases at my shop. I knew nothing about it until a moment ago. And Mr Trimble is trying to make capital out of the matter. T am surprised at him! There is no reason at all for his remarks. I have never dealt with tinBoard!" The chairman (Mr 11. Masters) said he had always teaken care not to do business with the Board. Mr E. Dixon expressed the opinion that members made a sufficient sacrifice for the Board as it was, and it was nofcW ,tfmt Atef * lumkl r KJK?a eluded;from doing business witli it. Mr S'"'Gi Smith rose to a point oi order,''and said the account was not before the meeting. The natter then dropped .