TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIII, Issue 211, 12 September 1901, Page 2

TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD.

The Education Board met on Wednesday. Present—Mr. McAllum (Chairman), Miss Heywood, Messrs Adlam, I Wade, Allsworth, Mackay, Kennedy. Faull, and HigDett. j The architect reported that the Dur-ham-road school contract was completed. The old desks had been stored*" in Mr. BoWs yard. Ther* was an a'count of £6 14s for work done at Warea school. The erection of the Pohokura school was making satisfacfactory progress. The Opunake Commit'ea reported that tbo chimney of the infant rcom I was blown down, and that repairs weie ! required to the roof.—Referred to tho ■ architect wi'h pawer to ac*. j An application was made for ate ich- ; er's residence at Riwan-road. - Placed 1 on the list of urgent requirements. The SJisbuiy-road Committee wrote advocating that the school Ke enlarged by lengthening instead of raising tho roof, as ordered by the Board on April last.—Referred to tho architect to report. With reference to th* question of asphalting at Stratford, Mr. Mtckay said he bad inspected the grounds, bun j could nit see wh?re the proposed 300 ■ yards was to be put. He suggested that steps should be taken to prevent 1 the overflow from the tanks damaging the surface, by providing drains. On inquiry he fcucd that the Borough of Stratford was puttiDf down asphalt ' three inches thick at 2s 6d per yard, ; but as that depth was not required at ; the school he considered that 480 yards , could be done at 2s.

Mr. Kennedy a'so reported the reresult of his inspection, and estimated the cost at .£6O. He read a private tender amounting t > .£lO3 10s. Mr. H'gLtttt said ho also had itfspeotnd the pronnd", and considered that the architec 's ultimate included pt ovision for making a thoroughly good job.

The architect stated that he bad made provision f >r 200 feet of drain pipes, and £ls for contingencies. Mr. Mackay m-ved th.it considara lion of the question te deferred.' Mr. Allswortb, in seconding the motion, pointed out the advantage of this course, as there was much to be said on the matter, and the work c utd not well be done till the summer holidays. The motion was carried,

The Chairman's action in appointing Messrs Campbell and Thomas temporary assistants at Strafford was confirmed.

The Chairman reported the circumstances ie'ative to the closing of the Okato school by the chairman of the School C mmittee on the occasion of the inspector's visit He mentioned that proceedings had been taken against Mr. McCillum, on whosi application the hearing of the casa was adjourned until Thursday. Meanwhile, Mr. McCullum had taken legal advice, and had intimated that he intended to p'ead guilty, and the question was as to whether a nominal or full penalty should be pressed for.

Mr. Allsworth moved that the chairman's action be confirmed

Thii was seconded by Mr. Wade. After some discussion, in which the question of penalty was referred 'o, the motion was carried. It wa? decided to leave the chairman to instruct the Pol'citor a« to the Bord's views on the matter.

The Toko Committee applied for the erection of an infant school at tbe township. Mr. Hignett moved tbat the matter be referred to thi Inspector for his report. Seconded by Mr. Adlam.

Mr. Allsworth said hi could see whit was contemplated by tbe commi'toe, namely, they were trying to ge bahind the Bord's r-solution agaioa moving the tchool from its preset

Mr. Mackay was glad that the people of Toko were so astute. He had no doubt that they h*d in vi<>w the removal of the school to th« towosbip and .considered they were right in so doing. t After sons e further discussion, in which it was po'nt d out that an infant school at the township would not benefit tbe settlers who w'shed for » school on •he Standi«h road, the motion win carried.

I Application wjlr made, on behtlf of | the Sash and Door Company, f r permission to lay a tramway through part of the master's grounds at Toko, and to pay £4 per annum for the privilege. The School Committee app-oved.—Be ferred to the R-se'ves Cammittee. The Toko Committee notified their approval of Mr. Clark'i re-appoint-ment.

Mr. Hill, Slaol'y-road school teacher, submitted a copy of hj» diary, showing time-fable of ope' ing coKonl.—A copy is to be «■ nt to the committ-*.

Mr. 6. Eeerips' resignation as tvwchtr of Ci'diff was ace pte'. Leave of ab ence w*-- graced to Mr. Bichet.o Tuhitawa; Mr. Potts, Bell B!o k, and Miss Bicheno, Central, on ncwunt of i 1- ess.

Th« action of (he New Plymouth a d Stratford Committees in clnsiog their scho)ls on account of sickness was confirmed.

It w»s decided, on the motion of Mr. Higrett, second el by Mr. A lswo'th, that the Ok«to Committee be fu wished *ith a copy of the Inquiry Ounmitt'e's report.

The Inspector reo >mmend>'d that Mary Fleming, Pungarehu, and Georga Tuiecliffe. Lower Kent-road, who had passed Standard VI. with credit, be grunted fre» tuition in accordance with the circular from the Department

Mr. Alkworth pointed out that this raised the whole cjf&tion of higher! "ducation in relation to d a rict High Schools, and that at prcs nfc th<re was no understanding as to wb t was to be. done with these free tuition pupils. Re sugg'Sted tint the I spec'w's recommendations for fres tuition be sent to the Department, Mr. Muckay agreed with tho lit speaker. H • considered the Department was in a fog on the m itte r . It was decided t l at all tha Inspector's letters roc >mmending pupils for free tuition b« sent to the Department, and that the Department b-i urged to come to a definite decis o<i in regird to free tuition pupils, at as to enable Boards to understand their position. The s«oret*ry was instrue'ed to »p----p'y for 12 copies of the Defence Do partments" Infantry Drill Manual." TheEducaton Department ho'ified that the Poro o-tarao school having been moved into the Taranaki District, it was nee ssary for the Board to make arrangements for managing the school. The Public Works Department advised that the school should be moved to Ongarue, where there would be an attendance of from 50 to 70 children. The ranger rtported that the U enui Committee had great ! y improved the school grounds, and be bad received a ■ request for a tracing of the grounds, as

the committee was in some doubt as to the boundaries. The Waitaia West old school groi'iid was iu fair order.! The Waitara school paddocks, one of which was leased and another oscupied by the teacher, were not kept clear of gorse, etc., a* they should be. Furze, also, was growing on a street enclosed in the grounds. The Oinata grounds wen in txcelWnt order. Oakura giounds were in need of some attention, \ I having an uncared-for appearance and i I blackberry in the paddock. Tho Koru f I grounds showed much improvement, as also di i the Egmont "Vil age grounds. Swan's horse paddock required something farther done to the blackb rry The grounds nt Alb i t road and Upptr Kent road showed improvement in regard to subduing blackberry. Kentroad showed a litt'e, but not so much improvement as ho would like to s?e. He thought oi.e of the farmers in the neighbourhood might farm the grounds for a couple of years if a k«d to do so. Tre Finance Com mi-.tee reported as folbwß:

Manual ai.d Technical Instruction. With reference to the suggestion of the Inspector in his letter of the 20th July, that the Misses P : ggford and Hogg be instructed to visit one of the principal schools in the colony to study the working of kindergar'en, etc., we beg to st&'e that we have further considered the matter, and having ob tamed" »he requisite information in letters ntt'C ed from Christihurch and Timaru, we recommend that the tsachers named be instructed to proceed to thfse centres. The necsFsary agreement drawn up by the so'icnor is herewith attached. With regard to the letter from Mis Arrow, Wi would point out that the selection of th« Misses Piggf»rd and Hogg was mad<> by the organizing inspector (Mr. franc) for technical instruction, and as that department provides the necessary funds we are mt pr.-pared to go against, the recommondation. In the owe, however, of M ss Hogg not being able te proceed to Caristchurch, on account of sickness, we would recommend that Miss Arrow be rent as a substitute.

Mr. Hignett's no'ice of motion re Insp»ct<ir's annual report —We regret to find that tbe Inspector states that " owing to lack of time all schools were not inspected": and we hope that under the n*w system, by which ex amioations are conducted by he id teachers, tbe Inspector will be able to so re-arrange his work that hi will have no reason to. complain on the point in the future. Wi<h regard to the que«ti"n of small grants being allowed to School Committees to obtain se's of scientific applianc s for u«e in scho 1«, su>:h work could, as suggested by the Inspector, be made pm of a general scheme for technical education. We are of opinion 'that the proposal should be adopted, with an annual limitation of the expenditure, but should suggest that the matter should be deferred uaiil such time as th» qu Btion of technical education has assumed more defini'e shape and until we a-e quite satisfied thtt the funds c\n be used for the purpcs? indicate).

As regards the establishment of kinder-gat ton schools in the larger contr»a f populnt : on, we beg to point out that this question is now being dealt with, and is in its initial stage, byt'e adnp'ion of the suggestion to smd the M>B?6B Piegjord and Hogg to centres of the colony to obtain the requisite instruction, which will then, be imparted to other schools in the district.

Respecting tbe es'ablishment at the Board's office of a small library of best works on education, for the benefit of the teacher?, we should be prepared to fully consider any proposal on the subjeot from the Teacbers' Institute. We presume that the r«qneft in thn finfc t!.stano3 should ctrnw from th.t body, s'atiog what it is piepa ed tj do, and how it requires the Board to RS^ist.

Mr. Mackay thought the "agr.emen 1 ;" regarding teachers att«nding outside schools to leira the kindirgarten system was a farce. Tu« Department should have given ths Boird a lead in the matter. He thought the Board would do bettar to obtain a teacher from one of the other districts to teach those here.

Mr. Alls worth nuv<d the adaption lof the report, He said Mr. Maakay | wan in the wrong in his remarks The Dep irtm<-nt had given a lead, and voted £IOO towirdtf expanse.-. Mr. Isiacs had a 1 so visi'ed the di ti>c% and approved the methods suggested by the Boud.

Mr. Kennedy seconded. Messrs Faull, Higoett and Adlam aUo spoke. Mr. Mackay again »pok«, contending that. kind»rg*ren could not ba learned in five weeks, and reiterating his previous remarks.

The Oh»itman pointed rut tViat the Board's o -n Inspector had piok»d oat these two teachura, who were to well ' quipped already thai a few week's fur her teaching wo Id make them au fait wi-h the work. „•>-■ Mr. Wade a'no spoke j««,w ' Referring to exajnjndttoni", Mr. Maekay a»id was done large'y by teachers did not lesson the Inspcbo 's wo.k, as he was ; responsible.

! Mr. Spe,icer, who w s present, ex plain* dth-> ex iminition methods, wh'ch did not as a whole r lieve hitn or Is+n his work.

Mr. Adlim said the Insportn did I not seem to hive any ?jnie time. But ,he (Mr. Adlam) thf.ught every should b» ex mined • ach year, »od that the Inspecor i-houM visit, within masonable tinv, any so'iool at which a n w te-ahor hid been appoiut>d.

Mr. Al'sworth dd vot wish to b.' harsh, but he thought, the I spe.to should now be able to test every schiiul under the new system. The committee felt that tho p'ac'ice of omitM'ng schools shoul'i not continue. Mr, Hignett agreed.

T>'e Ohairman said there were fom 31 to 3£ days available for ihe Inspector to deal with each school, iroludiog I inspection, examination, and tn veiling, I Accounts amounting to £l7 3a 6d (general), and £235 7s Id (building fund) were passed for payment. Mr. Kennedy's notice of motion re free tuition at the Stratford District Ei:h School (already published) w.'s brt ught up.

The Board adjourned at 3j45. Mr. Adlam sedbnd*i pro forma. Mr. Mackay thought th£ Department was somewhat in a fog (regarding free tuition, and he suggested the Board should await tho result of the letter already sent to the Deipartmen*. Mr. Allsworth said the mjotion had been held up for some timet owing to Mr. Mackay's absence. Thlat gentleman seemed to be mixing up present condi ions «nd what may', exist in future. The matter under /discussion was u-X affected by the latter, and the resolution ahauM be adopted! After some further dbcussiou \\xt mot ion was put, and, on division carried

by 7 to 2, Messrs Mackay ltd Faull vo'.ing with the Noes. Mr. Hignett moved that the £eserves Committee be asked to report oa tho question of obtaining a new site for a school at Pukearuhe.—Carried,