HIGH SCHOOL BOARD

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 247, 18 April 1912, Page 2

HIGH SCHOOL BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the New Plymouth High Sehol Board was held yesterday, when there were present. Messrs N. K. McDiarmid, M. Fraser. E. DockrMl, D. Hutchen, Judge Eyre-Kennv, and Dr. Fookes. A letter was received from Mr. S. Percy-Smith, apologising for his absence, and he was granted leave of absence. Dr. Fookes, who had forfeited his seat on the board'owing to being absent from three consecutive meetings, was reappointed to the board. THE SCHOLARSHIP RESERVES. Mr. D. Hutchen, chairman of the subcommittee appointed to attend the recent conference re the Opaku reserves, reported on the result of the conference, a report of which has already appeared in the Daily News. Mr. H. Trimble, chairman 'of the Taranaki Education Board, forwarded the extract recently published in the Hawera Star to the effect that the members representing the Wanganui Education Board at the conference had waited on the Prime Minister with a view to establishing an agricultural school at Moumaliaki. He trusted that the High School Board would make every endeavor to bring the result of the conference before the notice of the Minister of Education, as it was evident that the Hawera people were going to use their efforts towards getting the funds diverted from university purposes in order to use them for merely secondary work at a schol at Moumahaki. He pointed out-that the reserve was set aside originally for higher education when there was no University in New Zealand, and it would be monstrous to allow it to be diverted at this late date. Higher education, he continued, was sadly needed among the farming community, especially amongst the host of inspectors and instructors now among them. He added that it was only following out the spirit of the Education Act in setting some of the scholarships aside, especially for agriculture, for the provision compelling students to take the course leading to the B.Sc. degree was the nearest" approach to agriculture that could then be made, as the degree of agriculture had not then been established. He would certainly protest on behalf of the Taranaki Education Board to a diversion of the funds. It was resolved to forward a copy of the minutes to the Minister of Education at Wellington. RAILWAY PASSES. _ Mr. W. H. Moyes brought up the question of free railway passes issued to pupils attending the New Plymouth High School. He pointed out that these tickets were not available on Saturdays.. It was often found necessary for hoarders to remain until Saturday/and they were then compelled to pay the usual fare. He stated that boys at other schools invariably used their passes to travel home on Saturday morning, which was usually set aside for shooting practice and for class firing for cadets. This could not be done at any time unless boys were let off school work. He emphasised the fact that boys onJy used their tickets to travel home. He had communicated with the stationmaster at New Plymouth, who forwarded a reply from the district manager, who stated that the tickets could not be made available on Saturdays The train left New Plymouth at 4.20 p.m., and arrangements should he made for pupils to catch that train. It was doubtful whether weekly boarders should be granted free season tickets. Mr. Moyes asked the board to endeavor to obtain permission for the tickets to be available on Saturdays. It was resolved that a copy of the letter be sent to the Minister, with a request that he should give the matter favorable consideration. CONSTITUTION OF THE BOARD.

The question of the constitution of the High School Board was discussed. The Bill brought before the Upper House by the Hon. Kelly provided that three members of the board should be nominated by the Governor, one each by the Taranaki County Council and New Plymouth Borough Council, and two elected by the parents or guardians of the children. Mr. E. Dockrill moved, according to notice of motion, that three should be appointed by the Governor, one by the Education Board, and three elected by the parents of children attending the school. He could not see where the borough council or county council had any interest in matters pertaining to the High School Board, whereas the Education Board had. Mr. Fraser seconded. Judge Kenny considered two elected members would be sufficient. Parents were too apt to be ruled by their children. They had prejudices, founded often on children's complaints, and three members elected in this fashion would perhaps give a preponderating influence of a dangerous and mischievous kind. He also thought the board would be an inferior one. Mr. Fraser considered that it would be patent to anyone that two elected members would be merely a make believe. It would be a ease of the parents' voices crying in the wilderness. The motion was carried. In reply to a question by the chairman. Mr. D. Hutehen said that he was not in any way responsible for the Bill, which did not contain his proposals at all. The Chairman then expressed surprise a>> to its origin.' GENERAL. The Secretary of Education asked the board to forward a report of the year's work for publication. Particulars are to be submitted. The Education Department notified that the Board's classes for manual instruction had been reorganized for the year 1012.