TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 317, 17 June 1915, Page 6

TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Taranaki Education Board was held at New Plymouth yesterday, when there were present: .Messrs H. Trimble (chairman), G. A. Adlam, J. Young, R. Masters, A. M. Bradbury, V. Mackay, K. Marfell and A. Morton. Mr. A. H. Halcombe was granted leave of absence from the meeting. TECHNICAL DIRECTOR'S REPORT. Mr. A. Gray, Director of Technical Education, reported that the elasscs at New (Plymouth were proceeding satisfactorily. The Borough Council had notified the Board that Mr. W. IF. Short had been appointed the representative on the advisory committee. 'At Inglewood a class in veterinary science would be conducted by Mr. Mason, of Stratford, and an evening class in agriculture by Mr. Sergei. At Stratford Mr. Smart would conduct classes in theoretical and practical plumbing. The Stratford Borough Council had donated £lO for the furtherance of technical work in that district. iuG-RICULTURAL INSTRUCTOR'S REPORT.

Mr. 11. G. Sergei, agricultural instructor, reported that in continuation of hia series of lectures, he had visited Norfolk road, iNgaere, Pembroke road (Stratford), Tarata. Tariki, Awatuna and Lcpperton, and the attendances at the lectures wore deemed satisfactory. Everywhere farmers had been moat attentive and afforded him an excellent hearing. The scheme for boys' cropgrowing competitions was regarded favorahly, and he pointed out that experimenting by farmers would, he felt sure, he extensive Mr. R. Stevens, of Maketawa had kindly offered three-quarters of an acre for demonstration purposes. He hoped also to experiment in the direction of growing feed for pigs, mostly fodder crop 3. Several committees foi supervising' boys and experiments had been formed and were as follows:—Norfolk road: Messrs J. Brown, R. Stevens, J. W. Burgess and Thomas (roll secretary) ; Ngaere: Messrs L. K. Tarrant, H, Taylor and S. 'D. Walker; Tarata: Messrs A. Corkill and P. J. Egglcton (roll secretary); Tariki: Messrs W. V, Harkhess, A. E. Cowley and 11. Rumball; Awatuna: Messrs S. Parquliar, J. Carey, E. iPeppcrell, H. Rowc and Surrey (roll secretary). IBefore breaking up for the holidays he and the boys had sown some oata and prairie grass on about half-an-aerc, and it would be interesting for the hoys to see how the prairie grass did under the circumstances prevailing. TEACHERS' OAMP AT MOTJMAIIAIvL ■Mr. J. G. Ellis, agricultural instructor, reported that in response to the circulat sent out. Ijy the secretary of the Board re the altove, about twenty-five teaeheri intimated their willingness to join the party for obsoft-ation ' and instruction. The "secretary ('Mr. Whitcombe) arranged for free railway tickets with the Railway Department. The stormy weather which prevailed upon the eve of the date fixed for making the journey had the effect of reducing the number, four ladies and four gentlemen failing to make the trip. The party spent a pleasant and profitable time at "the farm, and came away considerably richer in their store of knowledge appertaining to agricultural life and work after their | week's sojourn there. The value of a visit to Moumahaki lies in the fart that so many of the various phases of agricultural work are represented there, and the added value of a lengthened stay was in that the observations are not made hurriedly, and the lessons were allowed to sijiklSiito thfe absorbing mSru\ and not make a mere temporary impression, This was 'what he aimed at in arranging the expedition, and he was quite certain that the impressions made and the lessons learned will be lasting. Several interesting and instructive lectures were delivered at pre-arranged periods by the manager (on the horse), the assistant manager (on Ayrshire cattle), the plant breeder (on potatoes), and the head gardoner (on some garden products). Excursions were made under his own supervision, and lessons subsequently given upon the observations made in the various departments of agricultural work carried on, amongst the root crops, in the lucerne fields, in the grass plots and pasturage paddocks, amongst the hedge plantla and plantations, in the orchard, vegetable and flower gardens, etc. Wlrilst they were on the farm preparations were being -made toy the officials for the Winter Show exhibits and they were being afforded a splendid opportunity of making some observations in the process of selection for exhibition, and the visit was also suitably timed to witness the harvesting of certain crops. The kindness of the manager (Mr. T. W, Lonsdale) and his staff, as on the occasion of the Stratford visit, was again repeated and was even more pronounced. Nothing was spared to ensure the party's comfort or increase their knowledge. They were met a't the station by a drag large enough to convey the whole party. On the Sunday afternoon the drag was again placed at their disposal, and the party driven afoout 12 miles through the Waitotara Valley, and gives the opportunity of seeing the country ■which surrounds the farm, and in a hundred ways the people on the farm showed their interest in us, and helped us to spend such a time as will make this week live in our memories for many da vs. It was resolved to forward a vote of thanks to the offinals of the farm. OVERSEER'S REPORT. Mr. C. H. Moore (overseer) reported that the new class room and alterations at Talaraimaka would be finished within a week. He suggested that the back wall of the kitchen should be moved out at a cost not to exceed £l2. They should be able to make a start with the additions at Douglas school in about a fortnight and he suggested that the committee should be asked to make arrangements to hold the school entirely in the hall during the alterations. The committee had undertaken to excavate the foundations and would probably bear half the cost of tjje same. He had authorised the necessary supply of material for the garden fence, the teacher to find the labor. Renovation of the interior of the residence would be attended to when the general painting and repairs were carried out. He recommended u revolving cowl for Awatuna school chimney to obviate smoking. He had visited Cardiff and recommended various alterations to the residence, and also to the drainage. He also recommended that the Board pay half the cost of the tubs and copper and fix them in the wash- ! house, they to become the Board's property. Necessary repairs to the stoves at Durham and Radnor had been attended to. He had plans in hand for :t school at Radnor and a building to accommodate the agricultural classes at Stratford, lie recommended that the Bell Block school committee should hi. allowed to extend the shelter shed on I the usual scale.

The following matters were referred to the overseer:—Supply of ladder nt Matau; tank at Ahititi; stove at Ihaia; mid wash-house at Infrlewood. The n]i])lieation by Mrs. ISuehler for some compensation for improvements at TV Kiri was referred to the overseer to report on.

STRATFORD HIGH .SCHOOL. Messrs R. Masters, E. Marfcll, and H Trimble reported that in consequence of a letter received from the Director of Technical Education stating that it was proposed to refer the question to the Council of Education, and asking r that the Board's opinion might be scire. as soon as possible, they had decided, after seeing the Stratford District High . School committee, to write to he Depart- I ment stating that the Board approved j of tlie proposal to din-establish the District High School and to establish in its place a secondary school. They had inspected suggested sites for the propo3-1 cd new school, but at present had, no i recommendation to make as to what was most suitable. Copy of a letter forwarded by the chairman of the Board to, the Director of Education in support was also submitted. The report was adopted, PITONE SCHOOL SITE. Mr. G. A. Adlam reported that he had visited the Pitonc school site with the members of the committee. After searching some time they had found two pegs, but could not find two corner pegs. These would be found later. The site chosen was fairly level and dry. The committee had agreed to fell and hum two acres of bush, watch the school during burning, stump and clear a sits of one and a quarter chain square, and remove the school to that site for a sum jf .-ClO ilOs. This he recommended. The report Was adopted. GENERAL. Mr. E. Marferi's report in connection with the leasing of school reserve, section 3, block 5, Omata, to Mr Fryday was received. The recommendation of Mr W. A. Ballantyne, Chief Inspector, that the platforms in the large room on the western end of the Central school be removed, so as to allow the rearranging of desks, was adopted. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT. The chairman reported that he hail made the following temporary appointments:—York, Miss C. Robertson, assistant; Raupuha, Miss M. Wilson, head teacher; Upper Mangorei, Miss L. .Williams, sole teacher; Okato, Miss !! Hunt, assistant. He had also appointee

Mrs. Martin sewing teacher at Makahu school from May 28. He also recommended that application be made to the department for a grant,for an addition of 22ft. 10ft. to the Kaimata School, as suggested by the inspector; and that application be .made to the, department for a grant for erecting a partition at Bell Block. The senior inspector reported that in his opinion, there was no need to put in a partition at Egmont Village, but that an enlargement of the curtain would meet tho requirements. The report was adopted. SPOTSWOOD SCHOOL. Messrs D. J. Hughes, Chas. Warren, and 11. Williamson, a committee appointed by the residents of Spotswood, submitted a petition containing the names of 71 children, and asked the board to favorably consider the necessity for taking steps to purchase a scliool site at Spotswood, with a view to erecting a school thereon as soon as funds were available. The petition was referred to Messrs Adlam and Trimble to report on at next meeting. STANLEY SCHOOL. The application of the Stanley Cornihittee for a grant towards the fencing and preparing of the ground for a school garden was referred to Mr. Mackay with power to act. In accordance with a resolution passed at the annual meeting of householders, the committee also applied for a teacher's residence and a resident teaelier. On the motion of Messrs Bradbury and Morton, it was resolved to inform the committee that the department had notified the board that grants for residences were held in abeyance and that it would be useless to apply either for grants for new buildings or additions to the present residences during the war. TEACHERS' APPOINTMENTS. The inspector's recommendations as to teachers' appointments were adopted as follows: —Miss Lorna Williams, solo teacher, Upper Mangorei; Mrs. Butchler, sole teacher, Mangahume; Miss Colina Robertson, assistant, York. The following teachers were granted leave of absence; Miss Jean Auld (assistant) Oka to; Mrs. Jensen, head teacher, Ruapuka, to June 30; Mr. Eggleton, teacher, Tarata, for month of July. SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS. Mr. A. D. Beauchamp wrote objecting to the election of the Carrington School Committee on the grounds that one of the members elected, Mr. H. Shaw, was not a resident of the district, nor was ho a householder. He also complained that desks were allowed to reinaiii outside after a dance. Both matters were referred to Mr. Bradbury. Mr. A. A. Churchill also wrote to the effect that Mr. Perrott, who was elected to the Huiroa Committee, was not eligible, as he resided outside the district. It was resolved to inform the committee to that effect, and to ask them to nominate a householder in his place, VOGELTOWN SCHOOL. A deputation consisting of Messrs G. W. Browne, G. L. Lawrence, and Gordge waited on the board in support of a resolution passed at a public meeting of householders at Vogeltown pressing upon the board the urgent necessity of taking steps to establish a side school at Vogeltown. Mr. G. W. Browne pointed out that a full standard school was urgently necessary. Petitions had been circulated, and they showed that there were

!)G children residing in the district, of which some 54 would attend the new school. In connection with land purchased for the Vogeltown School, lie suggested that a committee of three should be appointed to look after the ground and keep the noxious weeds iu check. A letter was received from the trustees of the Vogeltown Methodist Sunday School, offering to allow the hoard the use of the Sunday School room at 10s per week. It was resolved that steps be taken to open a full standard school in the ' Methodist Sunday School building. | Messrs G. W. Browne, G. W. Law- i rence, and Gordge were appointed a committee to look after the school site at Vogeltown. RADNOR SCHOOL. Mr. R. Masters, who was appointed to report on the application for a school at Radnor, recommended that application should be made to the department for a grant to purchase from Mr. J. Vickers a site of 2i acres at the corner of Radnor and Cardiff Roads, at £4O per acre. The report was adopted. GENERAL. The resignations of Miss M. Johnson, sole teacher at Pohokiira, and Miss 0. 11. Knofflock, sewing teacher at Ihaia, were accepted. Mr. R. Mcllroy and Mrs. Dowling were granted leave of absence for four days in July to attend the annual conference of the New Zealand Educational Institute at Wellington. Mr. G. H. Pope, of Urenui, was given permission to take the spring holidays in July instead of in August for the same purpose. Mr. iFryday was granted lease of sec- : tion 3, block V, Ngaero, at 10s per acre. Mr. W. Dowd's application to lease portion of the Uruti school site will be referred to the Uruti School Committee for its remarks. It was resolved to inform the teacher j at Cardiff that the department doea not ' supply funds for the purchase of washing tubs and boilers. The New Plymouth Sash and Door Company's tenders for school furniture were accepted for a term of two years. The board decided, on the motion of Mr. Masters, to place £SOO on fixed deposit with the Bank of New Zealand for two years. Mr. P. S. Whitcombe reported that lie had audited all the scliool committee's accounts with the exception of Awatuna and Makahu. "In most cases the books were carefully kept. It was resolved to grant the Kaimiro Committee £ for £ subsidy up to 30s to level the ground for drill. The matter of fencing the Matau School grounds and other matters connected with the grounds were left in the hands of the chairman with power to act. The chairman is to report on the ap- | plication of the Waitul School Committee in connection with the removal and re-erection of the shelter shed.