EDUCATION BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVI, Issue 255, 26 March 1914, Page 6

EDUCATION BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. At tlic monthly mi-cling of the Taranaki Education Board yesterday, there were present: Messrs. H. Trimble (chairman), G. A. Adlam, W. L. Kennedy, A. M. Bradbury, J. Young-, K. Masters, W. Rogers, A. H. Ualcombe and A. Morton. TECHNICAL COLLEGE RETORT.

The Technical Director (Mr. A. Gray) reported that the night classes re-open-ed on the 2nd inst. Tin- numbers at present attending were:—Mechanical engineers, 7; electrical engineering, 9; plumbing, 5; book-keeping, 11; shorthand, 12; English, jun., 12; arithmetic, jun., 12; precis and correspondence, 7; dressmaking, 10; advanced book-keep-ing and auditing, 3; proficiency class, 4; mathematics, 2; mechanical drawing and construction, G. A class which ought to have been better supported was the cabinet-making class conducted by Mr. Riddles. At present it was discontinued for want of support. He was endeavoring to obtain from the Department free passes Tor students from Waitara, Inglcwood and Stratford, so that the plumbers and others from these centres could come into the classes here. Miss Bell, the dressmaking instructress appointed by the Board, had taken up her duties. The home nursing class was now conducted by Nurse Sinclair in place of Sister Florence, who had been removed from the district. Miss Bell and Messrn. Duff and Kirkpatrick were visiting Stratford on one day each week. Mr. Henry was at work iii Section A. of the dairy companies as outlined to * the Board at last meeting. Mr. E. C. Isaac, the Departmental Inspector, visited Hie College on the IHIi, 10th and 11th inst.

INSPECTOR'S REPORT. Tile chief inspector (Mr. W. A. Balkntync) reported that in order to extend the work of the rural classes at Stratford, it was intended to arrange for a course of work for fourth year pupils, Up to the present the rural course of work had exteneded over two years only. Occasionally a few pupils had remained on a third year, but only on one 'or two occasions had a pup'il remained for a full year. At present there were nine rural pupils who had all passed the Public Civil Service examination and wished to continue their studies. If adequate arrangements were made there was a prospect that the number of senior pupils would increase. To provide for a full programme of advanced rural education, it would be necessary to appoint another teacher. He therefore recommended that Miss Amy Gcrnhoefer be appointed to assist in the work at .£6O per annum. FIXAXCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The Finance Committee recommended that tile Board purchase a motor-cycle and side-ear and sell • sa me to the overseer on time nayment, and that the Board alow the overseer £3O per year for running expenses, the.Board to have no further liability; and that the matter of repayments of the cost of the bicycle be left in the hands of the chairman to arrange. MAHAKAU SCHOOL SITE. Mr. 1!. Masters, reporting on the question of. a site for the Mahakau School, stated that he had visited Kiore and seen several suggested sites. In his opinion there was not'a really suitable one in the locality, which was mostly hilly and swampy. The section he would recommend was one on the corner of the Heao and Maliakau Roads. It was suitably situated, but limited to two acres. The existing school site was totally unfit for the purpose for which it was u-sed, and he had received -•- -"■-» to rent it, which he recommended should be accepted. After a short discussion it was decided to adopt the report, with the exception of the part relating to the lease of the old school site, and to apply to the Department for a grant for the. purchase of the new site. KOTARE SCHOOL. The chief inspector, reporting on the question of the establishment of a school at Kotare, as applied for by the settlers of that district, recommended that a school be established if a building and a teacher could be obtained. He understood that a teacher was ava.iln.Ue, and that the secretary of the Board had applied to the Public Works Department for the use of the Covernment whare for the school. The report was adopted. OVERSEER'S REPORT.

The overseer (Mr. C. H. Moore) rcported that tlie new school at Mimi 1 Imil lx-en completed and tlie section 1 fenced. Tlie alterations to the windows 1 at the Urenui school had been carried < out, and a new tank added. Huri- < moana School had been cut out ready to bolt together in sections. Ho < suggested that the site ho settled on < before the bad weather eainc. Pukeho 1 residence had been started and the Purangi School was being painted. The material for the Itaupuha residence would be on the site and a start made shortly. As instructed, the ventilation of the Central School had been improved in the east wing. It bad been necessary to remove part of the Gothic sashes and replace tliem with moveable sashes and frames. Tic suggested that the corresponding windows in the west wing be likewise treated. The Fitzroy shelter shed had been painted, and small repairs attended to. The floor of the infant class-room was worm eaten. He recommended speedy renewal. There 1 were several small repairs necessary at Kaimata, including painting the kitchen. At Raupuha the teacher wished some division between the classes. The windows were not suitable to have a dark curtain put up, and a light one would do. Posts had been supplied to the Ngaere committee and an iron gate ordered for Hurimoana. He had prepared a plan for moveable partition in the Technical College. The report was adopted. BIRD SCHOOL. In answer to a letter from the Bird School Committee, again urging the necessity for the enlargement of the school on the grounds that it was being occupied by seven more children than it had originally been built for, it was decided to inform the committee that the question had again been brought before the Education Department. HURIMOAXA SCHOOL. The secretary of the Hurimoana School Committee wrote that the question of a new school at Hurimoana was discussed at a meeting of householders, and as by reason of the continued delay in the provision of a habitable school building and a competent teacher a number of / children had been sent to other schools, ■y it was decided that the present need was i for the accommodation of children on the railway works at Hurimoana.

The chairman was authorised to inspect the llurimoanu and Tahora districts and report as to school requirements. WEST END SCHOOL GROUND. In reply to a letter from the West End School Committee, again urging the necessity for enlarging the school playground, in view of the increased and increasing attendance at the school, it was decided to inform the committee that this question was brought under the notice of the Minister for Education when he was in New Plymouth, but he was not favorable to the expenditure of the large sum of money necessary to acquire Hie land. STRATFORD SCHOOL. The question of enlarging the infants' room at the Stratford School, according to an application by the committee, was referred to the inspector for a report. The necessity for enlarging the playground will again be brought under the notice of the Education Department. VOGELTOWN T SCHOOL. The secretary of the Central School Committee wrote forwarding the following resolution:—"That while there is neeesessity for a side school at Vogeltown for the lower standards, this eommmittee is of opinion that under present conditions a full-time school is not required."—Received. GENERAL. It was decided to grant leave of absence to one teacher for the purpose of attending an educational conference at Wellington in July next. The Stanley School Committee will be granted a subsidy of £ for £ up to £3 towards the cost of gravelling. The. following matters were referred to the overseer:—Repairs to residence at Kaimata; new tank (if necessary) at Oakura; general repairs at Tuna; repair of blinds at Stratford; supply of new gate and a report on the ventilation at Stanley; repairs to out officcß at York; alteration of windows and repair of asphalt at Central; and a new floor when convenient at Fitzroy. The Marco School Committee applied for a subsidy towards the cost of laying down an Asphalt tennis court.—Refused. It was decided to grant a subsidy of £2 10s towards the cost of concreting the floor of the shelter shed at tlio Tuna school. Accounts amounting to £358!) were passed for payment.