EDUCATION BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 130, 23 November 1911, Page 4

EDUCATION BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Taranaki Education Board was commenced on Tuesday night, when there were present: Messrs. H. Trimble (chairman), \V. McL. Kennedy, A. Morton, A. H. Halcombe, G. Rogers, ,). Young, and G. A. Adlam. '"•; ;'

Jjeave of absence was granted to the Rev. J. McAithur. ~ j-,. ■. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT.

The chairman said he had granted a number of teachers the necessary leave of absence to enable them to sit for the University (examination held at the beginning of the month. Whangamomona Additions.—The Department suggested that the proposed moveable school should 'be built by the Public Works Department, which had erected schools at a comparatively small cost in otluer districts. He had agreed to the suggestion, and arrangements had been made for its construction, though on a smaller scale than was originally suggested. This building would be the property of the Board so long as it remained in the Taranaki district. Mahoe.—On receiving Miss Breen's resignation Miss A. Smith was appointed assistant.

The report was adopted. TECHNICAL REPORT,

Mr. F. J. Heatley, technical organiser, submitted his report on technical work throughout the district as follows:—All the technical classes had closed with the exception of book-keeping at Opunake, dressmaking at Tariki and New Plymouth, and Mr. Hutton's classes at New Plymouth. Owing chiefly to Mr. Sandford's exertions, a fair sum had been raised locally towards installing a motor and other fittings for wood work, metal work, etc. It was hoped to raise a sum of £SO in all. During the month he had given instruction in dairy work and agriculture at Stratford primary, Cardiff, Omata, Warea, Rahotu, Oaonui, Te Kiri, Awatuna, Pihama, Opunake and Frankley road schools.—Adopted.

UNCERTIFICATED TEACHERS. Messrs. W. A. Ballantyne and R. G. Whetter, inspectors, reported that after considering the matter of the Department's grant of £SO for the purpose of assisting uncertificated teachers to qualify for the teachers' D certificate, they recommended that classes be established at Stratford, Urenui and Oaonui, each place being a convenient centre for the schools in which uncertificated teachers are engaged. Classes in three different subjects for the D examination, suitable to the requirements of the teachers interested, would be held under suitable instructors every alternate Saturday. This would probably absorb all the money, but if the Department were willing to increase the amount the scheme could be extended by establishing and maintaining a system of tuition by correspondence that would meet the cases of the few teachers in the service who are so remote from any centre or whose requirements in individual subjects were not such as could be dealt with collectively. —Adopted. AN INQUIRY.

The Board went into committee on various matters, and on resuming it was reported that, in answer to the request of the Waihi school committee, an inquiry be held in the school house on Tuesday, 28th inst., into the charges brought against the teachers by the parents, and that Messrs. Trimble and Morton be a committee to hold the inquiry. It was resolved that Mr. Donald Eraser be informed that the Board is satisfied with the explanation made by the teacher at Uruti, and sees no necessity to hold an inquiry.

GENERAL.

Mr. W. A. Ballantyne, Director of Technical Education, reported that the New Plymouth Borough Council had again voted £25 and the High School Board £3O respectively towards the funds of the Technical College.—lt was resolved that a vote of thanks be forwarded to the Borough Council and to the High School Board of Governors for their donations to the New Plymouth Technical College. Miss Cowles was granted leave of absence for one month from November 22, 1911. Y KSTERDAY'S PROCEEDINGS. The meeting was continued yesterday, when all the above members were present, with the exception of Mr. G. Rogers. URUTI ROAD SCHOOL.

Mr. W. A. Ballantyne, inspector, reported that he had visited Uruti district to inquire into the question of the Upper Uruti road school, where he was met by a deputation of settlers, who urged that the permanent school be placed on the Board's site within three miles from the Uruti .school. This was too close to the Uruti school, and he recommended the Board to acquire the school building and site at Musker's, which was, he considered, best suited to meet the needs of the district.

Mr. Musker also wrote that as exception had been taken to his offering to sell or exchange his site to the Board, he now offered the school and a site on any part of his road frontage free of cost to the Board. He considered this would be doing the best in the interests of education in that small district. He pointed, out that he had been put to trouble and expense in building the school and keeping the teacher for the first eighteen months of its existence, and that the settlers at that end were only anxious to keep their small school as meeting the requirements of the district.

Seven residents of the road forwarded a petition asking the Board to remove the school to a more central site lower down the road, and they would undertake to pay all expenses incurred. It was resolved that the inspector's report on the application for a transfer of school sites at the Upper Uruti he received aad adopted. It was also resolved that Mr. Chas. Muskcr be thanked for his generous oiler of tiro school site, and that he be informed that the Board will be pleased to accept it and that application be made to the Department for a grant to purchase the school building.

NEW SCHOOL DISTRICTS. Mr. A. H. Halconibe reported that at a meeting of householders held in the Uruti Hull on November 14, the following boundaries were decided upon for the three districts:—Mount Messenger school district: All the sections north of Messrs. Bryant and Maudsley's sections to the top of the Mount Messenger saddle. The following were elected a committee: Messrs. Sutton (chairman), Wells, Eraser, Brough and Feake.

Uruti school district: From Messrs. Bryant and Maudsley's sections (inclusive) to the Moki bridge bounded by Mr. Johnston's sections 3 and 0 (exclusive). Messrs. E. Marsh and S. Campbell were appointed to make up the required number on the committee. Muskor's school district: From the Mold bridge, including Mr. Johnston's section :: ■•!;.' li. [,-. !lu> uppi'r watershed of l!:c Uruti, including all sections on both sides of the Uruti road above the Moki bridge. The committee elected were as follows: Messrs C. Barnctt(chairman), A. Alp, W. Old, E. Guscott and J. Murray.

At the meeting considerable discussion took place up on the present site of Muskcr's school, the feeling of this meeting being much against the site now in occupation, there being a wish to remove it nearer to the Uruti school as being more central. The settlers were informed that the inspectors had been asked to report and that tile policy of the Board was to keep the schools as far apart as possible. The report was received and adopted. FINANCE. Durham. —The overseer is to be asked to report on the Durham school residence and whether it is advisable to alter it or rebuild it. It was also decided to make a grant of £ for £ towards the coat of concreting the space between the shelter shed and school. Tariki.—The school committee forwarded a letter re defective drainage, and also re porch at the residence.—Referred, to the chairman with power to act.

Korito,—The is to report on the fence, and necessary repairs to the school are to be proceeded with. Warea—A £ for £ subsidy up to £+ will be granted towards the cost of fencing and clearing the school grounds. Dudley.—The overseer is to attend, to the leaks in the roof of the porch, and if necessary supply a new tank, also tar for the necessary asphalting. Puniho. —Permission was granted the committee to remove platform in th« school. The question of painting was referred to the chairman with power to act. Tarata.—The cost of posts necessary for the renewal of the fence around the school grounds was granted. Inglewood.—ln reply to application for a new stove the overseer was instructed to examine the range and have it repaired if necessary. OVERSEER'S REPORT.

Mr. C. H. Moore (overseer) reported that the wash-house, bathroom and general repairs at Norfolk road, with the exception of the chimney were completed, as were also the repairs at Egmont Village. Good progress had been made with the York residence. Plans had also been prepared for the • alterations to the W&rea residence. Plans would be ready to call for tenders for painting by the end of the month. In the matter of conveyance the work had increased so much that he found one horse was not sufficient. They had to carry all the. men's gear and tools, besides sundries, and the distances are so far that it was necessary they should be in a better position to get from one job to another. He therefore respectfully asked- the Board , to grant the cost of an extra horse and double harness and reasonable allowance fer keep. He also suggested that two extension ladders be obtained, and also a frame and trough made to enable them to sun print plants at a cost of 30s. The report was adopted. It was also

decided that the Board supply a horse and set of double harness, and that the •verseer be allowed 12s (id l per week for keep and shoeing the horse. The overseer was authorised to obtain the printing trough and ladders asked for. It was also resolved that a ladder be erected at the Tuna school residence. GENERAL.

The Truant Officer was instructed not to take action in regard to the Waihi absentees until after the Board's inquiry. The Whangamomona school committee is to be informed that permission may be granted the Whangamomona Sports Club to hold their sports in the school ground on December 20 provided that all daonage done is repaired. All pupil teachers sitting for the pupil teachers' examination were granted leave of absence. The following appointments of members of school committees were confirmed: —Ackland: Mr. Lumsden in place of Mr. Freeling, resigned. Tataraimaka: Mr. T. Morris in place of Mr. P. McOormack, resigned; and Frankley, Mr. W. Putt in place of Mr. J. Garcia, resigned. The action of the Puniwhakau and Makahu school committees in' closing their schools on account of measles was confirmed. Miss M. Breen's resignation of her position as assistant teacher at Mahoe was accepted. Mr. Knofflock's offer of ,a school site on the Ihaia road was accepted and the necessary steps will be taken to have an agreement prepared. The Board expressed itself in accord with the opinion expressed by the North Canterbury Board that in connection with any addition to or alteration of Acts latfecting Education Boards, thelatter should be informed thereof in time to allow them to give an expression of opinion. The Board also thoroughly endorsed the resolution forwarded to the Minister by the North Canterbury Board requesting that action be taken to provide a sum of money to enable boards to assist school committees in the erection of swimming baths. The secretary of the Wellington Education Board notified the election of Mr G. Oarson as a member of the tee of Advice, Wellington Training College, as representing Hawke's Bay Taranaki, and Wanganui.

FARM SCHOOL. It was resolved that the Board approve of the principle of the technical organiser's report and submit it to the Mimsler for his consideration with re gard to drawing up regulations for Agricultural High Sohook h APPRECIATION. ■Mr Richards moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr. J. B. Hine, iI.P., fo, the valuable assistance he had given to the Chamber during his term as member for Stratford. _ Mr. Richards said that uf course, this Chamber was distinctly of a non-party character, and would expect the Stratford member, on whatever side of politics, to give this assistance m representing its views to the prouer authorities. Thanks were justly \ M to Mr Hine for the time and trouble winch he had devoted to furthcrin" the aims of the Chamber. Mr. McMillan, in seconding, said that Mr. hue had undoubtedly been most attentive. The president said he had much pie-,. I s ' I ™, '" supporting the motion, and added that Mr. Hino had been just as attentive to the wants of the Borough Council and to every other local organisation which lnul approached him" on public matters. The motion was carried. On Mr. Young's suggestion, it wa< decide dto thank the Hon. Mr Mackenzie for having acceded to the request of the Chamber that a sum be placed on the Estimates for the improvement of the road to the Stratford Mountain House. This concluded the business of the i meeting.