TARANAKI SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 312, 11 June 1915, Page 8

TARANAKI SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. The annual conference of the Taranaki School Committees' Association was held at the Town Hall yesterday, when there were present: Messrs S. G Smith (Central School), president, (i. 11 Dolby, F. A. Coleman, W. F. Short, A. V. Griffiths, and Rev. A. B. Cliappell (Central), G. Capper (Kaimata), J. B Simpson (Moa), H. C. Taylor (Ngaere), R. J. Deare, and Thomson (West End I, Cane (Matau), Bocock (Rahotu), .T. Woolridge (Okato), M. Cernhoofer (Toko), A. ,T. Chancy (Toko), C. Lo frock (Raupuha), F. C. Ycatc.?, and H. D. Shaw (Oarrington), R. M. Corncy (Fra'nkloy Road), E. G. TunneclilV (Pitone), A. Smith (Hurford Read), T. A. Bocock (Kaupulia), M. M. Knox, A. Tocker, and J. T. Aldridge (Ackland), T. W. Telford, J. W. Burgess, and W. Corncy (Norfolk), W. K. Morris (Oakura), C. 11. White, W Reid (Fitzroy), S. J. Kennington (Matau). The Mayor (Mr. J. E. Wilson) was present, and heartily welcomed the, delegates to the conference, and dctailod what had been done in connection with protesting against the abolition of the Taranaki Education District, which w.is the most important matter to come before the conference that afternoon. REMITS. The following remits were then dealt with: — TARANAKI EDUCATION DISTRICT. Mr. Short moved: "That this conference enters its .strongest and most em phatic protest against the proposed abolition of the Taranaki Education District." The proposal was most cordially supported by the delegates, and was carried unanimously.

On the motion of Mr. Capper, it wa* decided that the whole of tho local bodies in the education district be requested to forward resolutions of proteat against the abolition of the district. Mr. Cane (Matau) said he was surprised that all the delegates were not tumbling over themselves in support of this remit. They should bring strong pressure on the Taranaki members of Parliament, and he felt sure, that they would successfully oppose the abolition of the district.

The Rev. A. B. Cliappell said he felt sure that the feeling of the commission was entirely foreign to the retention of the district. Many of those who gave evidenco felt that they had attended there not to have their utterances heeded but to be cross-questioned on any objections they could raise. On the motion of the Rev. A. B. Chap pell, it was decided that every school committee in the district be asked to convene a special meeting on a fixed date, to be followed immediately by a householders' meeting to enter a strong protest against the abolition of the district, also that the incoming executive be instructed to take any further steps that may be necessary in the intercuts of Taranaki. THE REGULATIONS. The following remit was carried unanimously: "That this conference desires to point out the serious inconvenience caused owing to the failure of the department to issue the whole of the regulations under the Education Act, more especially in regard to those governing the granting of subsidies." MEDICAL EXAMINATION. After some discussion, the following motion by Mr. Dolby was carried :"That the association, while believing that the provisions of the Act in respect to the medical examination of school children had in the past been inadequately carried out, hopes that the Act will be properly administered in future." COMPTTITIONS, Mr. Simpson (Moa) moved: "Tint conference Consider the advisability of inaugurating a series of vocal and physical competitions in several centres of the district, such competitions being confined entirely to school work. That the Teachers' Institute be approached and their co-operation sought." The. remit, was carried after) a brief discussion, and the matter was referred to the incoming executive. STATUS OF ASSOCIATION. After some discussion on 'the desirability of the association having a legal status, it was decided on the motion of the Rev. A. B. Cliappell: "That the Minister be asked to so amend the Act as to allow school committees to pay affiliation fees to associations." SCHOOL GROUNDS. A remit dealing with the use of school grounds was thrown out. WATER SUPPLY. The chairman moved that: "The Board be requested to provide a better water supply for country schools." The matter was' referred to the incoming executive. A PROTEST. After the conference had received thereplies of the Education Board to the remits forwarded to them by the con ference, the Rev. A. B. Cliappell moved: "That the conference expresses its regret that the replies to the remits forwarded by last year's conference were not received until nine months had elapsed."—The motion was carried. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Officers for the ensuing year were then appointed as follow:—President, Mr. S. G. Smith; vice-presidents, Messrs G. H. Dolby (New Plymouth), Simpson (Inglewood), Bradley (Whangamomomi), Woolridge (Okato), Bocock (Stratford); secretary and treasurer, Mr. G. 11. White; executive, Rev. A. 1). Cliappell. Messrs Reid, Short, and Smart. GENERAL. The report and balance-sheet were adopted on the motion of Mr. Dolby, seconded by Mr. Capper. The annual subscription to the association was fixed at Id per pupil, with a minimum of 2s (id and a maximum of £l. Votes of thanks were passed to the Borough Council for the use of the room, the chairman, secretary, and press.