EDUCATION BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 53, 24 August 1911, Page 3

EDUCATION BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Education Board was continued yesterday morning, when all the members were present. TEACHERS' TRAVELLING EXPENSES

Some discussion ensued over the question of payment of teachers' travelling expenses when transferred. The matter arose out of a letter from the secretary of the Taranaki branch of the Teachers' Institute, enclosing the following resolution passed at the last meeting of the branch: —'That owing to the great expense incurred by many teachers when being transferred from one school to another, the Board be-respect-fully i'sl;ed to make arrangements \-hereby such expenses should 'be paid." The letter further stated that "'the Department had given power to boards to transfer teachers, and the Institute think tli.it it is <,nly just that the Department should Miply the boards with funds Id carry out the transfers. This was n-oial in other Government departments."

ilr. Kennedy remarked on the absurdity of the application. In many cases transfers meant promotion, and it nil only right that the teachers should p»y their own expenses. Mr. Cargill moved—That the Board does not approve of the general principle that the expenses incurred by teachers when transferred should be paid, but admits that there are cases when the matter should be considered. In speaking to the motion, he said he admired the subtlety of the letter. It was cleverly written. It asked the Board to apply to the Department for funds to pay the removal expenses. To do so the Board would have to affirm the prin- I ciple. Then when the Department had refused to supply the funds the teachers would turn round and say, "You ■ have affirmed the principle and must now pay the expenses." It would be unfair 10 pay fravelling expenses in all casus. lie pointed out, that under the old system of inviting applications for positions from teachers, the successful teacher always paid his or her own expenses. When a teacher was promoted"" or disrated he should certainly pay his own expenses, but the speaker admitted that there were cases when the Board transferred teachers to serve its own ends in the interests of the children. In these payment of expenses might be'considered. Mr. Adlam seconded, and the motion was carried.

A COMPLAINT. Another resolution was received from the Taranaki branch of the Teachers' Institute as follows:—"That this Institute views with regret the growing tendencv c? the Board to allow certain mat- j ters likely to embarrass teachers in the execution of their duties to be made public through the medium of the press." . The letter was received without discussion. AiLF. BAYLY SCHOLARSHIP. The conditions governing the Alf Bayly Memorial Scholarship were before the Board. They were the same as last yea*; except as regarded the athletic competition. Mr. Cargill stated that , previously it was-- possible for a candidate to win the scholarship without obtaining one mark in athletic competitions. The present conditions made it compulsory that 80 marks should be obtained in the athletic competition. The maximum marks obtainable in-this were 303, and it was possible for every boy to get 140 marks by equalling the standard. TECHNICAL CLASSES.

The report of the Technical Organiser (Mr. K. .1. Heatley) was adopted as follows:

Stratford.--Classes in book-keeping, drawing and dressmaking were being carried on for the second term. Continuation classes had not been started this term. There was a likelihood of dressmaking classes commencing at Midhirst or Tariki. An instructor had 'been secured for a course in utility poultry keeping, which would be gone on with if sufficient names were forthcoming. The wool-classing courses were about finished. The attendances thereat had been rather disappointing this year. He had especially to thank Messrs Sims and Mail for the energetic assistance received.

Inglewood.— A meeting of those interested in a course of agricultural and dairy work was held with the object of forming a class. Very few names were given in, and it was not likely that the class would be started now. The dressmaking class had not been commenced for the second term, the country members being now too busy to attend, and there not being sufficient support from those students in Inglewood.

Opunake.—Classes in book-keeping and dressmaking had been arranged for at this centre, with good prospects. A sewing machine had been procured and sent down.

New Plymouth.—The classes were, going on about the same as first term. No new ones had been commenced. The continuation and commercial classes courses were 'best attended. The term of the one-day-a-week class for farmers! sons would shortly cloce. Next year the course would commence earlier. Tried as an experiment, it had shown that in the country there were boys who were precluded from regular attendance at secondary or technical courses, and that these would attend if the course could be made of use to them. Sufficient names had been given in to commence a class in poultry keeping. Mr. Gordon, of Waitara, had signified his willingness to take up the class, and doubtless the course would prove of great benefit to those desirous of making poultry keeping pay. The approach to the Pendarves street entrance of the Technical College had been formed and was very much improved.

General.—During the month he had held meetings at Inglewood and Bell Block,'and visited the schools at Frankley Road, Opunake. Oaonui, Rahotu, Ware'a, Kaimata, Waitui, Tarata, Dudley Road, Mahoe and Rowan. The epidemic of measles had somewhat interfered with school work generally, several schools having been closed. The seeds sent for had come to hand, and would be sent out shortly to the schools taking up agriculture. j GENERAL. The action of the Oka to, Stratford, Tongaporutu. Akititi, Denbigh, Tikorangi, Htiiroa, Wliangainoniona, Raupttha, Koru and Warea school committees in closing their schools on account of an epidemic in those districts was confirmed. The Kaimiro School Committee was informed that provided the teachers were agreeable the school might be kept open during the spring holidays, as the school had already been closed for three weeks on account of illness. Misses l<\. O'Brien (West End) and Arthur (Central) were granted leave of absence owing to illness. Resignations were received from Mr. 11. Cation, sole teacher of Hurimoaua and Taliora schools, and Miss McDonald, sole teacher, Okoke. Messrs (!. Watchorn and C. S. Galton were appointed commissioners of the Puniwkakau school district for the ensuing year. ft was resolved to order 1000 copies

! • / J of Mrs. Gardner's cookery book for the J use of the cookery classes. ! The Secretary for Education, Sir E. C. : [ Gibbes, wrote that in view of the rules \ at present governing the grant of funds f for the improvement of teachers' resid- i ences, the Minister was unable to agree to an application for a grant for im- / J proving and enlarging the Norfolk resid- | ence. I

The -matter of the Oeo school site was referred to Mr. Young for his further consideration.