TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 April 1916, Page 8

TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the Taraliaki Education Board was hold ou Wednesday. Present: Messrs. H. Trimble (chairman), A. Morton, E. Marfell,' G. A. Adlam, 11. Masters, E. Mackay, and Rev; A. B. Chappell. Messrs. A. 11. Haleombe and J. Young were granted leave of absence. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT.

The chairman reported that during the interim lie had made the following temporary appointments: Petone, Maurice Smith; Carrington, Miss Muriel Kerton; Stratford, Misses Amy Gernhoefer and Anastasia Fitzgerald. TECHNICAL COLLEGE. Mr. A. Gray, Director of Technical Education, reported that at New Plymouth the numbers in the day classes were increasing slightly, and the work was progressing satisfactorily. Tiie evening classes were well attended, and good work was being cßme. In the art room the enamelling furnace had been fixed in position, "but on account of the smallness of the gas pipe it had not been usable. Some very good beaten copper work was being done by the day students. At the City and Guilds examination to he hold in June, they would present a larger number of candidates than in any previous year.

j Stratford. —The supervisor, Mr. Tyrcr, had applied for recognition, in the following additional classes: Shorthand, English and Mathematics. There was every likelihood also of a plumbing class being conducted. AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION. The agricultural instructor (Mr. Siegel), reported that during the last month he had commenced lecturing at Waitara Road. Tikorangi, Awatuna, Te Kiri, Egmont Village, Hurford Road. It was interesting to notice some results of what he might' terra his suggestions of last winter. The use of some of the rock-phosphate under certain circumstances had been amply justified and there had been striking results in connection with the use of lime; and the deepest cultivation of soil for swede turnips in many instances where climate conditions had been near normal ' had also been striking. Mr. A. Collins, of Te Kiri, on a piece of ground which had had roots for three years followed by deep ploughing, had perhaps one of the best crops he had seen this season so far. He found more than he anticipated that the roller was a much neglected implement in Taranaki, and hoped on the experimental areas at Fitzroy and Corbett Road. to demonstrate its values as time goes on. Reporting on the agreultural course, | he stated that at Corbett had completed sowing about 3J acri!s in temporary grass, one part each imported Western Wolthe, Colonial Western WoltliK Giant Italian rye, anil It-isli Italian rye. In connection with these they had carried out experiments in different ways of cultivation, rolling, etc., hoping to demonstrate the value of certain general recognised principles. Besides, they had manured one part with phosphate manure and one with added nitrogen. This coming week it. was hoped to go to Fitzroy and commence ploughing there. Fencing was piratically finished at Corbett Koad, and he wished to record Mrs. King's kindness in pro- , viding a large billy of tea every day. MANGOREI DISTRICT SCHOOLS. ' Messrs. H. Trimble (chairman), A. Morton, and Rev. A. B. Chappell, who were appointed a committee to report on the position of the Albert, Kent, Korito, Lower Mangorei ar.d Upper Mangorei schools reported that they had visited those schools on February Int. There were, at the time of their visit, only six children on the roll of Albert school and as both Korito and Egmont Village school were within an easy distance tliey recommended that that school should be closed. At Kent and Lower Mangorei there were at present 17 and 8 children, respectively, and after giving full consideration to the question they were of opinion Jliat if a site for a school could be obtained on the Junction Road between the Mangorei dairy factory, and tiie Mangorei bridge, these two schools should be closed and a central one erected on the new site. They did not recommend that the Korito and Upper Mangorei schools should be interfered with. They considered that the Albert school building should be allowed to remain in view of the possibility of its being required to oe again used as a school at some future time, and that the overseer be instructed to inspect the Kent school building to determine whether it was in sufficiently good order to permit of its removal and re-erection or. a new site. They recommended that the Lower Mangorei school with the land should be sold, the proceeds to be used towards cost of purchase of new site, and erection of buildings, and that negotiations be entered into with the Land Board for the sale to them of the Kent site.

Mr. Morton exhaustively covered the reasons that led to the report being drawn up. Albert Road people did not take kindly to the closing of their school, but he considered that no grave injustice would be inflicted. He had, however, promised them that the question of closing the school should be held over until next meeting to enable a deputation from the district to lay its views before the Board. Respecting a site for the proposed new school, he said that the property owners interested would render every assistance in their power. He pointed out that several years ago a similar recommendation was brought forward. He moved that the report be adopted. Rev. A. B. C'happell, in seconding, considered that in addition to probably raising the standard of education in the district by providing a larger school, the proposal touched the principle of economy of administration. The report was adopted. OVERSEER'S REPORT.

The disinfecting and general cleaning of schools had been completed at Fitzroy, Central, Inglewood and Waitara. Disinfectant bad also been sent to 9fi schools. Detailed instructions were sent to each committee of the smaller schools

with a request to have the matter attended to. At Pungarehu tempotary school nev out-offices, tank, and a small verandah porch were erected. The Hurimoana Junction school was just on completion, and would be ready to open next Monday. As instructed he had submitted a plan, at tiie request of the I 1 inrtcrty Road settlers for a temporary school in their district. He had gone into the matter of the Whangamomona school grounds with the chairman of tiie committee. He had started painting and repairs at the Marco .school, and proposed to go on to Pohokura and continue on through the schools in that district. Small urgent repairs were attended to at Kaimiro residence, and both school and residence would be painted later on. New tanks hfld been forwarded to Kaimata and Raupuha schools.

The report was adopted. The following matters were referred to the overseer: Stove at Stanley; new tank at Toko; pipes at Piko; desks at Mangahune; chimney and fencing material at Koru; cement for concrete path at Waihi; also matters at Patua and Oeo. ' ' OEO SCHOOL. The Board went into committee and on resuming it was reported that a resolution had been carried, "That the chairman's action in holding an enquiry at Oeo, into tlfe trouble between the teacher and the committee be confirmed, and that his report recommending the transfer of the teacher be received and adopted. On resuming, Rev. A. B. Chappell, moved that the Board, in. adopting the chairman's report, approve the chairman's action in holding an 1 enquiry and endorse the transfer of Mrs. Brereton from Oeo, in accordance with His recommendation and-her request. This was seconded by Mr. Marfell and carried, the chairman and Mr. Masters, voting against it. GENERAL. Mr. Minion stated that when in Ohiira recently he and Mr. Marfell intimated that as members of the Taranaki Education Hoard, they would be glad to discuss educational matters with settlers of that district, which will shortly form portion of the Taranaki district. As a result they visited five schools, and gained information that should be of value to the Board later. Several settlers expressed satisfaction at having come into the Taraanki Education-dis-trict. . '

Messrs. Rooney and Co., Whangamomona, were granted a ten year's lease, with improvement clauses, of Section 6, Block X., Mahoe S.D., at Tahunoroa. The action of the Bell Block School Committee jn opening their school at 9 a.m. and closing at 3 p.m. during the winter months was confirmed.

The action of Pungarehu, Waiau, Tongaporutu, and Marco school committees in closing their schools on account of epidemics in the district was confirmed.

The following teachers were granted leave of absence: Mr. W. J. Jones, sole teacher at Kina, on account of joining the Expeditionary Forces; Mr. J. li. Winfield, head teacher, Frankley; Misses G. Thompson (Kaimata-), Ida Miles (West End), M. Stott (Lincoln), Hunt (Te Kiri), Mesdames Henderson (Albert), and Burfitt (Mimi). > The Douglas school committee forwarded a resolution passed at the householders' meeting, regretting the unsatisfactory elate that the schools have been placed in by t)ie action of the Board in the procuring of proper books, and also requesting the Board to endeavour to have a universal system of books introduced throughout the Dominion, tho same to be procurable from the Education Department by the pupils at fost price. The first part of the resolution has bee i dealt with by the Board.

The tenant of the Koru school grounds ia to be required to comply with the terms of the lease. The Rowan School Committee was granted £1 10s, half cost of stumping, clearing and ploughing the school ground.

Tho tender of Messrs. Smart Bros., at 5 1-Rd per lb for the scrap lead used at the Technical College was accepted. A meeting will be held in the ngahu school oil May 10 for the purpose of defining a school district and electing a committee. Messrs. Masters and Mar. fell will represent the Board. Meeting-! of householders wil* be held on May 22nd to elect school committees in those districts that failed to elect committees at last meeting.