EDUCATION BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 265, 16 December 1909, Page 4

EDUCATION BOARD.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Education Board was continued yesterday, all the members being present.

A PROTEST. The Secretary for Education wrote: "I should be glad if you would consult the Wanganui Education Board regarding the proposal to open a school at Oeo. It appears to me that the proximity of the Otakcho school to Oeo makes it desirable that the interests of the former school should be considered." Mr. Kennedy moved, "That the Board regrets that the action suggested as to conferring with the Wanganui Board before opening a school at Oeo was not adopted in the case of the Makahu school when it was erected by the 'Wanganui Board, when additions were contemplated at Awn tuna. In every case J this Board fully enquires into all the facts before any steps' incurring expenditure are entered into, and are of opinion that the -Board is in the best position to judge the requirements of the district." Speaking to the motion, Mr. Kennedy said the Board was being treated like a lot of old women. They did not seem to be able to do anything right. Everything was being criticised by the Department, and they were not given credit for any honesty of purpose at all.

Mr. Rogers seconded, and the motion was carried. TEACHING STAFFS.

Extension of leave was granted to Miss 1 A. W. Bollinger (Franklcy) and S. Wyllie (Waitnra), absent on sick leave.

The following resignations were accepted:—Mr. T. J. C. Wilkins, Waitara; Miss M. Bullnrd, West End; Miss L. F. Riley, Huirangi; Mr. H. C. F'enton, Okoke and Piko; Miss D. Mace, Fitzroy.

Mr. G. W. Downs was granted a ten years' lease of section 16, block 12, Huiroa, at a rental of 5s per anaum. It was decided to invite applications' for all vacancies for teachers, applications to close on 4th January, and that the selection committee meet on sth January to deal with the applications, having power to act.

TE KIRI SCHOOL. Mr. Young reported having visited the Te Kiri school, at the request of the Board. He found that there were 03 children on the roll, with an average attendance of 47, and there was every prospect of further increase. Four new pupils would bo attending from one house after the holidays and there were about 25 children under school age. There were only three children attending from the sawmill, and only one child of a share milker. As the school floorspace was only 21ft x -20 ft, he recommended additions. —Adopted, and application to be made to the Department accordingly.

UNCERTIFICATED TEACHERS. Mr. Trimble moved, Mr. Morton seconded, and it was carried, "That all uncertificated teachers iu the Board's service be notified that the Board will alt the end of the year 1910 call for applications for all positions held by the following classes of uncertificated teachers:—(l) Those who have neither eat nor applied to sit for the teachers' certificate examination; (2) those who in the opinion of the Board's selection committee have not done satisfactory work in their schools; (3) those in charge of schools above grade 3. This does not apply to uncertificated teachers appointed previous to Ist January, 1908." ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £2332 18s 2d were presented for payment. Mr. Morton took exception to some of the charges for timber, particularly that supplied to the working overseer for the Huiroa school. He had seen quotations given by a firm for similar timber in smaller lots, and the (prices were fully !i per cent, lower than those charged to the Board. He had hiinselt recommended the overseer to obtain 'quotations from 1 a certain mill, but this iliad apparently not been done. Had that mill lieen applied to lie felt positive that the Board would have saved from £ls to £2O on the Huiroa timber alone.

Mr. Kennedy endorsed the protest. He jwjd Unit 25s per 100 ft for scomjiu * rusticating was beyond all reason. He could not understand why some of the timber had been taken to Huiroa ail the way from New Plymouth. The. accounts were passed for payment, with a direction to the chairman to make enquiries.