EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

Taranaki Daily News, 24 August 1916, Page 8

EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS

IN THE NEW TARANAKI DISTRICT. Yesterday was the first business meeting of the newly-elected Taranaki Education Board, which now controls a considerable area of country merged from the Wanganui and Auckland districts. Quito a number of requests were received from school committees in both areas asking for new schools, etc. SOUTHERN SCHOOLS, Mr. A. Lees, chairman of the Okaiawa School Committee, drew attention to the need for erecting a new school. The committee, had been in correspondence with tlie Wanganui Board for some time, and the Board fully recognised that they had a good claim for a new school. They pointed out that the present school . Was a very old one, and it would be much better 'to build a new school at once than to patch up the present building. The headmaster's residence also required renovation. The matter was referred to the overseer to report upon. Mr. George Death, chairman of the Knponga School Committee, wrote regarding the need for the enlargment of the school. The matter had been referred to the Wanganui Education Board on various occasions, but though the inspector agreed that there was too much overcrowding nothing had been done. The Wanganui Board had also promised to paint and generally repair the master's residence two or three years ago, but nothing had been done. Fencing also needed repairing. The matter of overcrowding was referred to the inspectors for their report, and the other matters were deferred until a detailed report has been received from the overseer. 'ln reply to the request of the Fraser Road Committee, the overseer was instructed to report on the state of that school house. The overseer will also report on the state of the Normanby school and shed. THE NORTHERN AREA. The requests from the Olrm anc. Awakino counties included applications for new schools at Tc Wakarae (Taumarunui), Otunui, Waitaanga (Kotare), Otewa, household school neai Dlnira, half-time schools near Ohura, residence at Tatu. A member of the Ohura County Conn cil drew attention to the fact that since the Matiere School had been condemned by the Auckland Board some time ago it had been held in the hall, where there was no fireplace oi heating arrangements. Mr. W. T. Jennings, M.P., wrote in support. Application was received from Awakino asking that a new school be erected, and that school be full time, instead of half-time. Various other requests were received. Members were well seised of the need for a ,iew school at Awakino, and it was resolved to make application to the Department at once for a new school. The chairman was authorised to make arrangements for heating at Matiere, and it wag decided that the chairman should endeavor to arrange for the appointment of school commissioners. The matt.-r of a school at Kotare was re ferred to the chairman. In connection with other matters. Mr. [Wilkinson,considered that the members [of the Board should visit the recently merged district in the north at the [earliest opportunity, so us to become ! personally acquainted with the requirements of the district.