TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1916, Page 7

TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD.

IIONTHLY MEETING. 1 The first monthly meeting of the new-ly-elected Taranaki Education Board was held yesterday, when there were present: Messrs. R. Masters (chairman), 11. Trimble, S. G. Smith, C. A. Wilkinson, E. Dixon and Rev. Chappell. In the absence of the secretary, who is away on leave, Rev. A. B. Chappell acted as secretary. A letter \va« received from the Fitzroy School_ Committee, congratulating the members of the Board upon their appointment, and expressing the hope that the good feeling that had existed between the Board and the committee would continue. The chairman reported that , he had made the following temporary appointments: —Stratford, Mis* N. Moore, assistant; Hawera, Miss D. Mason, assistant; Marco, Miss A. Gleeson, head teacher; Central, Mrs. P. Firth, assistant; Kaimata, Miss E. Drake, assistant; Durham Miss A. McCarthy, sole teacher; Huiakama, Miss R. Hill, assistant; Waitara, Miss E. Arthur, assistant; Oeo, Mr. X. S. White, sole teacher; Tariki, Miss G. Uiompson, assistant; and Kahui, Mr. D. Longley, sole teacher. The report was received and adopted. TECHNICAL COLLEGE. Mi. A. Gray, director of technical education, reported that the number in the day classes were: Commercial BS, domestic 20, engineering 39, agriculture 0, woodwork 1, arts and cscience 17, a »«tal of 171; the evening number of students was 105. The suggestion that the plumbing examination should be conducted in sections would, he thought, be acted on. As far back as 1014 this suggestion went to the Plumbing Board from the district, and from . correspondence rece'vcd it would ' appear that the examination would be so held. This would be a great convenience both to instructors and pupils. The plumbing class had been harder hit by war conditions than any other. In New Plymouth they were struggling along with it, but in Stratford it had been impossible to hold a class. The engineering class having been placed 011 so -good a footing, he would be glad.if something could be done to place the woodworking class on the same efficient plane, This did not refer to the manual classes,, which were sufficiently conducted by Mr. Sandford, but to the purely technical classes. What was wanted was sufficient support to warrant the appointment of a first class instructor competent to teach all the branches. At the beginning of the year they had to discontinue the class in cabinetnniking, but he would be glad to have it revived during the next term if the students were forthcoming. At Stratford, in addition to dressmaking, shorthand, English, arithmetic, and mathematics already reported, a technical class in cookery had been formed. At luglewood a healthy class in dressmaking had just concluded its first term with a role number of eleven,

AGRICULTURE. " Mr. Sergei reported that weather conditions hud not been favorable for much outside work. He took the boys again up to Messrs. Duncan and Davies, where they had a solid day at pruning in a neighboring orchard. Mrs. Lander very kindly gave all afternoon tea. They also visited Mr. Wade's orchard, where the trees were kept in excellent, order. He expressed appreciation' of the loan by Mr. F. Cornwall of his lever-plough, Mr. Lock ot his discs,. Mr. Parkins of chain-harrows. The generosity displayed by various settlers was very encouraging, and.in striking contrast with the treatment of the Education Department. It was not a very dignified thing for him to suggest the loan of implements from certain settlers, who, however, received him with the greatest kindness and courtesy. He had not received a penny for agricultural implements from the Department. Farmers' Instruction. —The last month was about the worst he had experienced as far as weather was concerned, and the work has suffered accordingly. He had been to Kahouri Bridge, Pembroke Road, Te Kiri, Opnnake, Lepperton, Awatuna, Bcaconsfield Road, Egmont Village, and Piliama. There was an increasing amount of inquiry through the post for ■.lis opinion on agriculture matters. Tt might not be out of place to say in thi 3 report, in conjunction with Mr. Fulton of the dairy division, that he was suggesting to the two A. and P. Associations which were established in the district in which he worked, that boys'judging stock competitions might be instituted.

Mr. Cray reported the following companies had decided to subscribe to the scheme of agriculture for a further period of three years after 101(1: Okato, Mangorei, I.epperton, Tariki, Maketawa tnd Bell Block, while the new companies to come in were Stratford, Kaimata, and Rahotu. He expressed gratitude to ;hairmen and secretaries of companies, as well as from practically all the suppliers with whom he had come in contact from whom he had received much courtesy and assistance. Mr. Trimble kindly visited the Stratford and Maketawa meetings and was successful in both instances. Mr. J C'onni tt further added to his long list of kindnesses -bv taking the Bell Block meeting. T'ne chairman pointed out that Stratford had only agreed to join the scheme for one year. The report was adopted. Various payments recommcded by the uireelnr were agreed to. INSPECTOR'S REPORT, Mr. A. J. Morton (chief inspector) reported that the efficiency of the schools visited ranged from fair to very good. There was nothing arising out of these teports to which the inspectors desired to draw special attention. He presented an itinerary of annual visits from the beginning of July to December 15. To reach as many schools as were included in the statement, they had had to take liy one inspector grade 3a ami even larger schools in one day; to shorten the time given to the larger schools; to omit certain schools, and to combine others; to leave 110 school days for Board business with the exception of the actual meeting day, nor for the preparation of tests, nor for any special attention to manual or teachers' classes; to take some schools 011 Saturday; to assume that the inspectors will not be prevented by illness from completing the programme. Quite apart from the strenuous nature of the task, they desired to exprgss disappointment with reference to the limitation of opportunities for the assistance of the teachers by advice and demonstration and for organising the work of the now combined district. Mr. Trimble asked whether this report was to take the place of the summary of the inspector's visit to each school that was formerly read at the Board's meeting. Mr. Dixon considered that a Reports Committee should be set up to deal with the individual reports and submit a report w anything exceptional.

. Later in the meeting it was resolved to set up a committee, consisting of the chairman, Messrs. Smith and Wilkinson. Mr. Wilkinson referred to the imperative need for an additional inspector. Willi over !">(! schools added, it was evidently impossible for the inspe'ctor s to get through the work in the waj desired. Some of the new schools were large. He moved that the attention of the Department be drawn to the need for an additional inspector. Mr. S. (}. Smith seconded. The chairman considered it was unreasonable to ask two inspectors to do the_extni work, especially as the new district included Olmra and Awakino, where travelling was dillieult. He considered the question of economy had been studied at the expense of eli'ciency. Mr. Dixon pointed out that evidence of the need for an additional inspector was shown by the fact that ten schools had had to be omitted. Rev. Chappell, in supporting, stated that the Board members were a little surprised when Mr. Whcttcr was removed instead of an additional inspector being appointed. Evidently the Department had worked by rule of thumb 011 the basis of school population. The resolution was carried. OVERSEER'S REPORT. The Board's overseer (Mr. C. H. Moore) reported that painting and various repairs had been attended to at luglewood. Various details had been attended to at Lincoln, Central, Toko and Korito. In connection with removing store and additions to the New Plymouth, lie respectfully suggested that the timber shed attached to the technical wood-work room be removed to the other end of that building instead- of putting it on to the proposed workshop; 011 account of the shed being rusticated outside and the store, workshop, etc., are of iron also, the proposed lengthening cf the shed for a paint shop would need to l>e the same width. Tenders had been called for the erection of an engineering room in concrete or brick. He proposed to carry out the wood work and all necessary fittings in connection with this contract. The work of levelling the site would be gone on with as soon as the weather will allow. He had met the Fitzroy School Committee, who had agreed to put in a septic tank and bear the whole cost of the drainage, provided the Board erected the necessary buildings and installed the flush system. He recommended that this he accepted, especially as he was assured there would be 110 system of borough drainage for many years. In connection with the enlarged district he asked the Board to consider the advisability of having depots, say, at Stratford, Eltham and Iliuvera. t This would mean a shed for storage of plant and odd material, and be a great convenience in working these districts. The overseer's report was received and adopted. In connection with the establishment of depots, the overseer was instructed to submit estimates at next meeting, when the matter will be discussed. The matter of a new tank at Rawhitiroa was referred to the overseer. The overseer was instructed to make enquiries as to electric motor available

THE STORE AND WORKSHOP. The chairman, Messrs. Trimble antiMorton, reported that they had considered the.matter of the enlargement of the store and workshop, and after consulting with the overseer, recommended (1) That in their opinion it would be desirable and economical to manufacture as much a f possible of the school furniture; (2) that in order to provide necessary accommodation for a workshop and store, the present store and office should be moved back, and that a workshop, 42ft by 25ft, should be erected; that the timber store should be removed and a paint store, 18ft x 10ft. should bo erected. . The total estimated cost was £214. Machinery to the value of £ISO would be required, which they recommended should be obtained when necessary. The committee recommended that one first-class joiner should be employed at present, who would also be responsible for sending out furniture and taking charge generally of the stock. At present they had no recommendation to make with regard to the overseer's suggestion that a motor waggon should be obtained. The report was received .and adopted. TEACHER'S REQUIREMENTS. Mi. R. Mellroy, secretary of the Taranaki Teachers' Institute, forwarded copies of resolutions passed regarding the recently issued graded list of teachers. These resolutions, which are to be .submitted to the Minister, point out the absolute need that teachers should he supplied with the marks upon which they are graded. That the Minister he asked to withdraw for revision the. graded list on the ground that one principle 011 which the scheme is drawn is wrong, inasmuch as the inspectors in the various districts are evidently working 011 different. ideals.

'Hie institute also asked Hint, subject to the secretary's oltice stall 1 lining agreeable, the Hoard should allow the oltice stall' to deduct teachers' yearly subscriptions from their September and October salary, as was done in other associations. Agreed to, subject to the stall and teachers being agreeable. The Teachers' Institute also asked that tin. Hoard should supply free of charge, the cheque books required in connection with the payment of teachers' salaries and allowances. The Minister hail recently slated that teachers' salaries should be paid in full, and lie expressed surprise that such was not the case. It was pointed out that teachers now had to pay the cost of the cheque, viz., id each month. Several members of the Hoard expressed the opinion Hint the teachers should not have to pay that amount. Mr. Smith moved to that effect, but withdrew his resolution. Mr. Di:.'on suggested that the matter should be deferred pending the Board ascertaining what the cost would be. It might, said Mr. Dixon, seem a small sum, but it would probably mount up in the aggregate. ADJUSTMENT OF ACCOUNTS. The Wanganui Education Board notified that the chairman and Mr. Hemingway had been appointed to meet representatives from the Board in connection with the adjustment of accounts, etc. It was suggested that the conference should take place at Hawera or Wanganui. After a little discussion, it was resolved that the chairman, Messrs. Dixon and Wilkinson, bo appointed the Board's representatives, and ■ that the place of meeting be arranged. It was'also resolved that the building overseer be instructed to report as soon as possible, 011 the condition of all the schools taken over by the Board from other education districts. Messrs. Dixon, Wilkinson and the chairman were also appointed a committee to' make the necessary adjustments with the Auckland Education Board. FINNERTY ROAD SOHOOL. Mr. E. S. Bennett stated that the Finnerty Road settlci'9 had managed to

find tlio money, £OO, to build a shelter j shed for the purpose of n school until sueli lime as the JJepiirtnieint would build a permanent school. The ground had been transferred to the Education Hoard. The mutter was very urgent, as there were several children over seven years of age, who were not able to attend any school. The matter was referred to the chairman, and the Department yuU bo communicated with. KK-INSTATEMENT OP SCHOOLS. The Director of Education notified that the Department could not entertain an application for 'a grant in connection with the re-inslatemeitt of a school deslroyed by fire, unless application had been previously made for the establishment of a new school and a grant had) been approved. In all such cases of replacement the necessity • for the proposed school must be firmly established, after due consideration of, the possibility of consolidation of schools in the district, either by means of a central school or conveyance pf pupils. Mr. Wilkinson said that this opened up a 'big subject. The usual departmental delay should not occur. The Government four years ago had set aside £1(J.000 per annum as an insurance fund for the replacement of any public buildings destroyed by lire. THE WESTOWN SCHOOL. A telegraphic reply was received from the Education Department stating that the application for a side school at Westown had been declined. Rev. Chappell considered a good ease had been made out for the establishment of this side school, as it would relieve the con gestion at the Frankley and West End schools, a ingestion that would become more acute as time went' on. He eon sidered that a strong appeal should be made to the Department, as this was nn urgent case. He m'oved to that effect. Mr. Smith, who seconded, understood that the residents of tje district ij,t the need of the school to be so urgent that they were prepared to pay for the rental of the building. This was borne out by the chairman of the Westown Committee. Mr. Dixon considered that in that ease the Board should open the school .without reference to the Department. Members considered there would be a difficulty over the payment of the teacher's salary. Mr. Dixon thought that one of the teachers from Frankley Itoad could be removed to Westown. Mr. Ballantyne (inspector) stated thai while the school would relieve the congestion at both Frankley and West End, it would not permit of a teacher being removed from either. He considered that the school was urgently needed. It was then unanimously resolved that application for a side school at Westown be renewed, as an urgent ease, staling that the settlers are prepared tj pay the # rental of the building.

GENERAL. ' The transfer of the "lease of part Section 41, Block XIV, Huiroa S.D.. from the estate of the late ,T. Jago, to Mr. T. G. Bell, was agreed to conditionally on everything being in order. Application by Mr. A. Gilbert for a lease of part Section 132, on the Ricliomnd Road, was referred to the chairman to report on. Application for a school at Whanga Road was referred to the inspector to report on. The action of the Pukcngahu, Tututawa, Wangaehu, and •Huiaknma school committees in closing their schools 011 account of measles, and the Okau committee on account of influenza, etc., was confirmed. Leave of absence, on account of illhealth, was granted to Miss M. Stott, sole teacher at Lincoln; Miss K. £. Smith, sole teacher, Kent; and Mr. II L. Honan, sole teacher, ll'atua. The Ratapiko School Committee were granted the wii'e necessary to fence a dangerous drain, the Committee being willing to provide the posts and labor. The Onomii School Committee applied for subsidy on work d"ne to the amount of £!) Us 4d, in forming and fencing a school garden plot.—lt was resolved to giant £3 iu accordance with resolution passed last year. The secretary was appointed to receive papers and documents on behalf of the Taranaki Education Board from the Auckland ami Waiiguiuii Boards, It was resolved to continue banking with the Bank of New Zealand, and the chairman and secretary were appointed to sign 'cheques. 1 The senior ■inspector recommended that the raised platform in room 3 at tile West End School should be removed and the flooi levelled. Tlie overseer re ported tiiat the work could he done for about , £3.—To be attended to. The A'ckland ".School Cjmmittee applied for and were granted'a supply of grass seed, estimated at lA'tlb; also newt, of manure, for laying down four acres for a horse paddock. The committee had cleared the land and had cultivated it for two years.

The Makaliu School Committee were also granted 500 hedge phnts and 201b 01 grass seed, Mr. Brewer also donating 201b of grass seed. The Education Department suggested Uiat the. Auckland Education Board should be allowed to control the halftime school at Paraheka.—Agreed to. The Board resolved to approve of the Belgian Consul circularising the schools in the interests of me suffering people of Belgium, and that the secretary supply him with a list of the schools in this district. AN APPRECIATION. Prior to the conclusion of the meeting, members made appreciative reference to the action of the Rev. A. B. Chappell in acting as secretary at the meeting, during the absence of Mr. P. S. Whitcombe, on leave, and eulogistic remarks wore made regarding his conduct of the meeting,