HIGH SCHOOL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 September 1916, Page 6

HIGH SCHOOL BOARD.

IIONTHLY MEETING. The Board met on Monday evening, when tile following were present:— Messrs D. Ifntclien (chairman), S. G. Smith, J, S. Fox, E. P. Webster, T. G. Hirst, F. W. Atkinson, L. 0. Sladden, ami H. Trimble. An apology was received from Dr. Fookes.

CORRESPONDENCE. Regarding a protest from tile Board against recent alterations in the method of awarding senior free places, Hon. J. A. Hanan (Minister for Education) wrote as follows: "I desire to inform you t'iiat the considerations that have led' the Department to require candidates for senior tree places to sit for examination this yen-.-, are: (1) The impossibility with the present inspecting staff of reviewing the work of these pupils during the visit of inspection, and, at the same time, of inspecting more fully than lias been done in the past the work of the other'classes of the school; (2) the expediency of testing at this stage, hy some common standard, the fitness of pupils to have a further period of free education provided for them, and thus, in a manner, 'taking stock' of the present position in respect of candidates for

secondary certificates in both public and private secondary schools. "In any case no injustice should result from requiring candidates to sit for examination. Hitherto pupils recommended for senior free places'have been accepted on the ground that they would have no difficulty in passing the examination, and to require them to do so should make no material difference to them. The Board should note that credit towards the examination is still given for practical work in science, hand-work and domestic subjects." The Minister of Education telegraphed that payment of £-2000 in respect of the new class-room for the girls was being made immediately. A report was "received from Mr. Stanley Smith on the progress of the work of laying out the grounds at the girls' school. A letter was received from Mr. H. M. Skeet, setting out conditions under 'which lie was prepared to sell his land at Te Henui.

A circular from Dr. Anderson (Director of Education), with reference to the administration of the Military Service Act, stating that it was desired to secure reasonable co-operation from school teachers in assisting in fillin <r in forms, etc., was referred to Mr. W. H. Moves.

In reply to an'niquiry from the Board regarding their position with Mr. H. V. Searle, one of the masters who had enlisted, Colonel Hume wrote that Mr. Searle had only completed the required j lii months' commission service- in tlie New Zealand Defence Forces 011 August 2S, and it was not likely that he would be called up before the middle of M'ovcmber for tile 2.lth Reinforcements Mr. Moyes, in his report, said that Mr. Searle had received a telegram notifying that lie must report at Trentliam on October 17, for the '2sth Reinforee-ments.-wAfter some discussion of the I position in regard to the appointment of a successor, Mr. Atkinson moved that leave pf absence be granted Mr. Searle, and that the appointment of his successor be left to the chairman and two members of the board. This was carried.

• . A SCHOOL ISAX&. .Jr. Moyes (headmaster of the boys' school) wrpte stating that previous to the fire an efl'ort was being made to purchase instruments for a school band, wliic.h Mr. Jlt-Leod. conductor of the Citizens' Band, had offered to train, but the fire would prevent them doing that now. Ho asked if the Board could advance £!)o, the required sum, he guaranteeing that at least £3O a year would be repaid. The chairman considered that it was an inopportune time for such a request. They liad more pressing uses for their money. Mr. Webster said that Mr. McLeod wished to form a school band in the town, and if the High School could not do it the Technical College probably would.

It was pointed out that such a grant would not be passed by the auditor, and Mr. Webster then suggested that it was a matter in which the members of the Board and other citizens "of the town could help the school privately by advancing the money. It would certainly be an acquisition if the school had a : ba nd. Finally it was decided to send a letter expressing the Board's sympathy individually, but stating that the Board regretted it could not give any financial assistance.

PILFERING AT THE BOYS' SCHOOL. In his report Mr. Moves mentioned that pilfering at the school was still going on. During th® holidays some books had disappeared from the library, and several spade* had been taken from under the preparatory class rooms. It was asked if tools could not be locked up, and the chairman said that a shed was ''being built 011 the plots.

A member mentioned that the other night, while a master was in the building, two persons went through, and quite often things were taken from the plots. Mr. Webster advocated a notice in the press, warning people not to trespass. The chairman expressed the opinion that the police should take more/are of people's properly. The only place in which a policeman was ever seen was in Devon Street. It was decided to insert an advertisement as suggested by Mr. Webster.

VARIOUS, it was agreed tlmt the coeoanut mattin™ used bv the "iris at the racecourse ] could be used in the boys' new board-ing-house; that Mr. Moyes toe instructed to make Hendry Street as safe as possible, and that the matter of permanent •work be left until conclusive arrangements had been made with the Borough I Council. ! An offer of 'help from the boys in forming the tennis court at the girls' school was accepted. In regard to a suggestion from the inspector of nuisances that the removal of refuse from the girls' boarding-house foe made tiirice weekly, for an extra payment of £1 per annum, it was decided to pay for one quarter. After accounts had been passed for payment, the Board went into committee.