HIGH SCHOOL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 148, 17 November 1914, Page 4

HIGH SCHOOL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the Board was held yesterday, there being present: Messrs. E. Pockrill (chairman), Ewing, Fraser, Gray, Hutchen and EyrclCenny. The Inspector General wrote declining to entertain tho claim for £2-1 15s in respect of woodwork classes. Mr Moyes subsequently attended the Board anil explained that the claim was for work in 1013. He stated that the boys did not go to the classes now; also he' had received an account for bookkeeping instruction of the boys at the Technical College amounting to £2C. There was, he said, no capitation for bookkeeping. Consideration of the matter was defered.

Miss Grant, head of the Girls' School, wrote resigning her position, as the strain of her work necessitated a,year's rest. Hhe thanked the Board for the consideration received. The chairman stated that he had seen Miss Grant, and was satisfied there was no course to pursue but to accept the resignation, as it was likely that her health would be prejudiced by her keeping on with the work. He greatly regretted that this step was necessary, as Miss Grant was doing excellent work. He moved that the resignation be accepted, and that Miss Grant be given six months' leave of absence on full pay, in recognition of her past services. Mr Eyre-Kenny seconded tho motion.

Mr Ewing was averse to giving six months' leave on full pay, and he moved as an amendment that the time be limited to three months. lle did not think tho Board eould afford so much as six months.

Mr Fraser pointed out that in the past the teachers had worked for very small pay, and that fact was taken into consideration when six months' pay wast piven to Mr Pridham and Mr Ward on their leaving the Board's service. Mr Gray said the only reason for not following the example set in the other cases would be that the Board was hard up. Mr Hutehen supported the motion.

At the suggestion of Mr Byre-Kenny the amendment was withdrawn, Mr Kwing giving notice of motion that in no case in future should a grant of more than three months' pay bo made to any teacher quitting the Board's service. The motion was then carried. Mr J. H. Quilliam wrote stating that the terms of the lease of the property by him to the Board were not being observed, and giving notice that unless immediate action was taken to make good the breaches of the covenant he would be obliged to take steps to compel compliance therewith. The chairman said lie had inspected the property and had not found much to complain of, though he admitted that some of the hedges wanted cutting and the roller had been put on rather late. A man was employed regularly at work there.

Mr Fraser said the plucc was in very fair order.

It was decided to acknowledge the letter, but to disclaim neglect. The Director of the Technical College wrote applying for a grant to the funds, mid pointing out that the Board's payment for dressmaking class left a loss of £l> 10s.

At a later stage Miss Grant attended the meeting and explained the matter. It was then decided to defer consideration of the application. Mr Stanley Smith wrote offering a site for the Girl's School with a frontage on the Mangorei Road, which he claimed would be excellently suited for the purpose.

It was decided to inform Mr Smith that the Board did not require the land in question. The Town Clerk wrote stating that the Borough Council was willing to meet the Board relative to the stormwater channel from the Avenue Road, with a viw to arriving at a satisfactory agreement. It M'as decided that the chairman and Mr Ewing be authorised to arrange the matter with the Council.

With reference to the breaking-up ceremony a proposal was made that there should he a separate ceremony for the Boys' and the Girls' schools. After a short discussion, the proposal was adopted, the chairman being authorised to arrange with Miss Grant for a lady to addrcßS the girls. Accounts were passed, and the Board rose- ■ .x.;..