EDUCATION BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 28 August 1907, Page 3

EDUCATION BOARD.

The monthly ineeMng of the Taraitaki Education Board was held last night. There were present: Messrs Jas. Wade (chairman), Li. A. Adlain, G. Tiseh, J. ±>. Morison, W. Monkhouse, 11. Trimble, W. Kennedy, 11. Faull aud A. Morton. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT. The chairman reported having made temporary appointments as follows: Mutau and I'urangi, Mrs Farnhain (from September 1); Central, Mr Coates (from September 1); Fitzroy, Miss Brown (from August Ist, during Miss Morison's absence); Pihama, Mrs Brereton (from 20th inat., during Mr Mason's absence); Eltham road, Mrs Birkett (from September 1); Mr Long had been appointed teacher of the Matau and Purangi halftime schools. Miss Isabella Mace had been appointed cadet in the Board's of- ; fice, out of six applicants.—Adopted.

ELECTION OP CHAIRMAN. Mr Tiscii proposed the re-election of Mr Wade as chairman for the ensuing year. He considered Mr Wade had carried out his duties in the best Interests of the Board, and carefully studied tho finances.

Mr Monkhottse seconded, remarking that Mr Wade had given a great deal oi time to the work of tho Board.

Mr Wade was unanimously re-elected, and returned thanks for the confidence expressed and the honor conferred. When he first took office he had had no idea that he would have been able to carry on as chairman for such a long term. He acknowledged the kindly consideration of the members and' the assistance rendered by the Board's officers. He had carried out his duties straightforwardly and honestly, as he hoped still to lie able to do. Reviewing briefly the work of the year, Mr Wade said there had been several changes, and the Hoard had at times been faced by problems of some difficulty. But they had overcome the difficulties. He congratulated the Board on its wise appointments. They were now catching up arrears of work, and everything was going on nicely and smoothly. He mentioned the very amicable relations between the Hoard and the Department, the teachers, and the Board's officers. Perhaps things had never before been so pleasant. Mr Wade thought the Board might fairly congratulate itself on the work achieved. They had completed and opened the fine technical school at New Plymouth. He regretted that the affairs of this school financially were not all that could be desired, the erection fund being .€2(10 in arrears, principally on account of the New Plymouth Borough Council having misled the B.iard by first promising a contribution and then rescinding their resolution after the Board had accepted tenders and entered into responsibilities, reckoning on the Council's assistance. But, on the advice of the Minister for Education, they had gone on, and he hoped that there would be legislation to enable the Council to carry out its original undertaking. The splendid site for the Technical School was a matter for which they had to thank the Board's nominees on the Boaid of School Commissioners, and particularly Mr E. 0. Allsworlh. Returning to the stalling, Mr Wade congratulated ihe Board on the appointments of inspectors, who had turned out so satisfactorily. He concluded by referring to the great necessity for the erection of offices fol the Board's own use, and for the safer keeping of records. This matter, he thought, was very urgent. He believed the difficulty could be overcome by borrowing to provide the funds.

FINANCE COMMITTEE,

The Finance Committee recommended that the Egmont Village committee be informed that the inspector has been instructed to supply necessary blinds, a'ld that the Board supply fencing material, gates and hedge plants, a-} asked for, that the Board grant a .€ for X. subsidy up to £0 for lluiroa schoolgrounti improvements; that if the Department's grant of C 125 is still available the additions Jo the Toko teacher's residence be proceeded with at once; that a ventilator be put in roof at Jnglcwu,rt M-hool, and that £3 10s be refunded to

he committee for preparing the agri'iiltural plots: that the Board grant milerii'l for the erection jf out-oflfce ml outhouse at Upland roaj; faa\ £4 ie granted for laying off Agricultural

plot* at Ma hoe: th.it n new clock, basin I and imigs be sii;h>'v.-1 to Rahotu Seh.vd, | ami that the Boi-i-l urge mi tho I Department the necessity for additions to the teacher's residence; that the. Stratford committee bo informed that the Board could nut exceed the amount previously recommended to be grunted towards the cost of fencing around the school; and that additional lights be placed in two of the the class rooms, but there should be no need for additional ventilators: that the Board rent an additional office at a cost of £lO per annum.

ARCHITECT'S REPORT

The architect's report dealt with the completion of additions and repairs at Stratford, Cardiff, Okato, Waitara, Fit* roy, WorOey road, and Inglewood.— Mr Faull objected to the extent of the Cardiff alterations without the consent of [he Board.—The chairman explained the circumstances, and the Board approved of his action.

The tender of Mr J. W. Boon for the alterations and repairs fo the Cardiff school and resilience, at £1(50, was accepted. : " !-V;B'p TRUANT OFFICER. "

The Truant Officer wrote, in reply to a complaint of the Kaimata school commute, that he had always made a practice of sending out notices to parents before issuing a summons for irregular attendance. But if he had to take a summons or two for any school, anil he found that there were others in default, he sometimes sued without notice, in order to save expense. One trip would do to serve s-veral summonses. This happened at Kaimata. He added: "The member of that school committee who ,was summoned has been prosecuted more

than any other person in Taranaki." ! The matter of the drainage and standpipe at the Fitzroy school were left in tie hands of the architect to attend to at once, and that he will also have the out-offices removed to a new site and thoroughly repaired. CHIEF INSPECTOR'S EEPORT. i Chief Inspector reported ii of applying to the Department lo erect a school at the corner of Okofo and Kaka roads; that the windows of the Ratapiko school needed alteration to give letter lighting; that the desks at Oaonui were in good ord'T. and he had no recommendation to ni:;lce; and that now desks were required in the infant room at Inglcwood. The report was adopted, and action will be taten as recommended.