HIGH SCHOOL BOARD

Taranaki Daily News, 21 March 1916, Page 7

HIGH SCHOOL BOARD

ORDINARY MEETING.

The monthly meeting of the New Plymouth High School Board was held last night, when there were present: Messrs P. Ilutchen (chairman), H. Triaible, J. S. Fox, JO. P. Webster, F. W. Atkinson, 1!. W. D. Robertson, T. G. Hirst and Br, Fookes.

Messrs Robertson and Hirst, new members, of the Board, were welcemed by the chairman, and briefly returned thanks, THE GIRLS' SCHOOL. Referring to the removal of the Girls' High School to the racecourse buildings, the chairman reported that when it was found quite impossible to continue in the electric sub-station building an inspection was made of L. D. Nathan and Co.'s warehouse building in Courtenay Street and also of the racecourse buildings. The farmer was found to be unsuitable and. arrangements were then completed for the use of the racecourse buildings. The Jockey Club had generously offered the building* free of rent. On the Mdtion of the chairman it was resolved to forward a-letter of thanks to the Jockey Club'.

Miss Hodges, • principal of the Girls' School, reported that the number on we roll was unchanged. The attendance in both senior and junior departments had been very irregular, owing to the trying weather, the noise and vibration in the Senior school and the prevailing'epidemic. Two cases of diphtheria, among the day .scholars were reported to her on March 7, but there had'been no further cases. The removal of i the schoel to the racecourse was being effected and .the classes would begin In the new quarters that (Monday) morning. THE BOYS' SCHOOC, "**" Mr. W. H. Moyes, principal of the Boys' School, requisitioned for £0 for the purchase of agricultural tools, and also for £ll 13s for the purchase of apparatus for dairying work. The agricultural class now comprised 30 boys, and with the present equipment it was quite impossible to keep them .occupied when engaged in practical work. He also asked for a sum sufficient to purchase grass seed for the top end of the gully, .where a section (50 yards square had now been filled in. Two tennis courts were now available, but the boys were unable to use them for the want of wire netting, which would cost £B. He had made inquiries re piano and recommended tile purchase of one at £45. THE HIGH SCHOOL GRANT. In connection with, the financing of the Board's building proposals, about which considerable correspondence had taken place with the Government, also about which a deputation had visited Wellington on January 21, U letter was received from the Under-Secretary for Education as follows:

Sir,—ln reply to your letter of the 21st January last, formulating the Board's proposals in connection with the building programme and presented by a deputation on that date, I have the honor by direction of the. Minister of Education tostate as follows:—

(1) The Government regrets its inability to give any undertaking to make a grant to the Board of a sum of £4OOO towards the cost of the new Girls' High School; it can only undertake to provide, as previously promised, one-half of this amount When financial conditions permit. (2) There appears to be no adequate reason or justification for continuing to tho Board until a grant such as that desired has been made the rent allowance of £2OO at present paid in respect of premises occupied by the Girls' School and the Girls' boarding establishment. This is a charge primarily payable by the Board and the temporary nature of the allowance lias already been sufficiently emphasised. (3) As previously instructed by telegram under date lath February last no grant for building purposes is now available, and it becomes necessary for the Board therefore to negotiate for itself the necessary loan of £2OOO. in addition to its present indebtedness to meet existing commitments. When the Board is in a position to say that arrangements have been made for obtaining this further amount, steps will be taken to secure the Governor's consent.

(4) Consent to any further borrowing beyond the total £14,000 thus reached cannot at present be advised, even if as appears very doubtful, the security to be offered would be found sufficient for the purpose. In this connection the Board's attention is called to the fact that in setting out its building program in July, 1915, for the information of the Department £2OOO only, not £SOOO as now proposed, was set down for a boarding establishment for the girls, and that the. total• expenditure thus contemplated for all purposes (Including a Government grant) 1 \(as £II,OOO as against £16,000 now in view.

(f>). As to tlie proposed site for the Girls' School the Board has doubtless reason to regret that it did not take earlier action for the acquisition of the adjoining block clear of any undertaking for the forinati"" or exchange of roads, but it must be obvioug that until the status and title to the roaded porion of the block should he determined no further step would he possible. For the obstacle in the Board's way in this respect the Department can obviously take no responsibility whatever, and it has in fact ground of complaint that instead of being informed of the position of tilings it should have been left to find this out for itself at the expense of considerable trouble that should have been unnecessary. The chairman stated that the statement re the extra £"iOOO was erroneous. The increased amount was only £2OOO, and this was due to the enlarged building programme. Under date February 24th the chairman forwarded a lengthy letter coverirk the whole ground. To this a tcle<rain was received from the Prime Minister, on Saturday, stating tint a reply would be sent early in the week re the Board's ppplications for a grant. Consideration of the matter was deferred rill next- meeting.