TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 September 1916, Page 7

TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING, The ordinary monthly meeting of the Board was held yesterday. I'resßnt: Messrs. R. Masters (chairman), 11. Trimble, S. Smith, C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., L. Dixon, and Rev A. B. Chappell. EE PORTS.

The chief inspector; Air. A. J. Morton, reported: "It is evident that a new l»iildi 113 in urgently'needed at Awnkino. Hie question of site could lie considered only after inspection in the locality. Mr. Moore will report 011 the painting of the Mokau school. The provision of two school committees suggests difficulties. but may he possible. Probably the appointment of a correspondent at Awakino, to act through the school committee, would he sufficient.' Wluitgamomono. lload: If the Board's policy includes the establishment of household schools of four children, the usual course is to ask the applicant to report as to the room available and to recommend a suitable teacher. The age and qualifications of the latter should be stated. Kaponga School: The room occupied by the upper division is rather crowded, and some relief will be of service. The Uoor .space of the whole school is sufficient according to the usual scale. Mr. J. R. Nairn, Ila'wera, to be informed that his application for transfer will be considered when an opening occurs. Re relief maps offered 'by the Education Deipartiiß'nt, the inspector recommended that a few samples be obtained before a larger order is considered.

Mr. Sergei (assistant director of.agriculture) reported:— Since my last report I have lectured at Bell Block, Norfolk Road, Pembroke Road, Pungareliu, Opunake, Kent Road, Midhirst, Ngaere. Attendances at most places, wore good, at Midhirst a record. It speaks well for the enthusiasm of the settlers 011. the 'Pembroke lioad that notwithstanding the atrocious weather experienced that evening there were sufficient to warrant holding a meeting. I appreciate the kindness of the schoolmasters, at. Norfolk Road and. Pembroke Road in providing a good fire for the evening.

For five days during the last month the Technical College bovs went out to the Mangorei factory, and put in some good, solid practical work there. We appreciate the kindness shown by Mr. Robinson, the manager, and his staff. The former, has an excellent laboratory connected with ' the factory. Some of our time mas spent there. One afternoon we went up to Mr. Olsen's farm at Egmont Village, and the hoys hail a cow-|udging competition. Mr. Olsen Very kindly acted as .judge. Master G. Pigott came first, and undoubtedly the boys had a most instructive afternoon.

We are getting on with our work at Corbett Road, having finished ploughing the ground f6r lucerne, of which we hope to get in about three acres. Part, of it we have sub-soiled. Tlie paddock of four acres of rye grasses has given some lessons. Imported Western Wolths showed the best growth; Irish Italian rye showed up very well too, Tlie half o[ the paddock treated with super and rock showed a clear superiority over that treated with super and blood-bone, in color and growth; besides nvhicli. when Mr. Connett's cows were grazed on it, they obviously ate the single phosphate treated half in preference. Exact details of the whole erpcriment we will publish later. With all our crops I expect to test a simple phosphate against phosphate plus nitrogen in some form. The report was approved.

TRUANT OFFICER'S REPORT, Mi. 11, T. Ainsworth, truant oOer, reported having sent "!> mtices to parent? during the month, and visited the Urcnui, Mini, and Pukearuhe schools, where the attendances were satisfactory. I'nder instructions the Stratford school was also visited, and the children who had been irregular were informed that if there was not an improvement in attendance proceedings would be instituted against their parents. —Report received.

TEMPORARY APPOINTMENTS. The chairman reported having made temporary appointments as follows: Thain, Miss T. Carter (sole); Okaiawa Miss 1). Morse (assistant); Frankley, Miss X. Moore (assistant); AYaiongona, Miss Paterson (sole); Lincoln, Miss McCarthy (sole); Bird. Miss 15. brake (assistant) ; Elthani, Miss I). Robinson (assistant) .—Appointments approved.

HAWERA TECHNICAL SCHOOL. Mr. li. W. Jackson, technical, superv'sor at Hawera. reported:—ln August, '■' asses were linld in English, arithmetic, shorthand and typewriting, woodwork, book-keeping, drawing and painting, cookery, dressmaking, and first aid ambulance. There were also teachers' classes in vocal music, drawing and general science. The attendance and be- | i:Mvioui' in all the classes have been very fatisfactory. 'Willi the exception of the art, plumbing and cooking classes, the cu fses are strong ill enrol merits. The plumbing class is one which, in a centre of this size, cannot be made to paj its way An examination fur plumbers i- to be held at the end of Septemliei and

a iter this the cla-.s will be discontinued. Table of classes: English, enrolment 71, average 00; arithmetic. 71 and liO; shorthand, etc., OS and (i2; book-keeping 41 and III: dressmaking 13 and 11; woodwork 15 and 13; cookery !t and 7; drawing and painting 24 and 21; first aid 33 and z(i; plumbing 7 and (i. Total enrolments .'S.">4, average attendance 207. The report wa.- adopted and aa application by Mr. Jackson for an allowance for the use of motor-cycle, was referred to the director of technical education.

TUCIIMOXD ROAD SITE. I TV chairman reported having visited K'.climond road in connection with the jj'uU' or lease of the school sitp there. This section was purchased about 11! years ago for (lie purpose of establishing :i school but it was found subsequently .that it \va? not a suitable site, and the sihool was established on the Lincoln road. "I am of opinion that it will never be required for a school purpose, and would recommend, provided we have the power, that the section be sold. Tr we have not tli* power I woiild recommend that the Board ask the Department's permission to sell. Sir. Ilenwood, whose section adjoins, is prepared to purchase.. and I have his written oll'er of i'lfi per acre. . . Mr. Gilbert is not prepared to purchase, Init in the event of Hie Board leasing it he would like to have an opportunity of tendering for it. Taking everything into consideration I am of opinion that it would be wise to dispose of tile freehold. The section originally cost £l2 10s." Thi' report was approved.

OVERSEER'S REPORT. The oversee! (Jlr. 0, fl. Moore'i reported

Radnor New .'school.—This building is just completed arid will ,l>e ready for occupation on Monday next; we have had to fence the section in as well, 110 local labor being available, for this work. Technical Engineering Building.—The contractor for this work has made a start and is progressing satisfactorily. Workshop and Store Alterations.— We have also made a start with these .buildings and will cany 011 when opportune. Hillsborough.—The outside of this school was painted and small repairs attended to. . Waiongona.—Repairs to roof of school have received attention. Other sundry repairs, including new out-office at residence, were also completed. West End.—As instructed, the platforms were removed in one of the classrooms. Stanley New School.—We are making a start with this work immediately. The scarcity of labor is rather a trouble ai present; owing to this matter we are not getting along as well as I should like. 'Depots.—As instructed I have gone carefully into this matter, and would suggest that a lean-to shed 20ft. by 10ft. be erected at Stratford. Eltham, and llawera. The cost would not be more than £36. This includes a floor and one window in each.

AUroa.—As instructed, I have gone carefully into the matter of a verandah over front of shelter shed ami enlargement of the door openings. This matter was brought under my notice whilst at the school. Instead of . carrying out the work as per sketch submitted by the committee, I think it would be qUite satisfactory to have a verandah loftlong instead of the full length' (30ft.), doing away witli the proposed posts opposite the doorways; the openings to be made sft. wide. The ends could" still be enclosed if the committee so desired. The cost this way would not exceed £B. Tokaora. —Re the committee's application for shelter shed. At present there is only one shed 10ft. by 10ft. I understand they wish to have another shed to separate the boys and girls. Tarurutangi,—As instructed, I have inspected the stove at the residence and found it necessary to replace it with a new range; this is being attended to.

Tuna.—As instructed, I went into the matter of drainage at the residence, and have arranged with the teacher to deal with this without contaminating the stream. General.—We bave had to remove a considerable quantity of earth from the building site for the engineering "building. The borough has had a quantity, and the rest I have disposed of at 0d per yard; when this is cleared away the whole place will be ready for any future building, and will save cutting up the roadway again.

GENERAL, On the motion of Messrs Trimble and Smith it was decided to replace a. sewing machine that is missing from the Central School It was resolved that application be made to the Railway Department for a railway pass for the Director of Technical Education. Messrs. A. Cray (director of technical education), R. L. Browne (director oi a.ffi'ieulture), P. Sergei (assistant director •>f agriculture), and J. (!. Ellis (agriculture instructor to primary schools), wrote accepting the respective positions offered them by the Board. A letter was received from the Mayor (Mr. C. 11. Burgess) asking the Bo'iv 1 to declare school holidays 0:1 Labor Pay. October 211, and oil Thursday, October !!■!, luring Soldiers' Comforts Week. 011 the motion of Rev. A. B. Ohappcll and Mr. Smith, it was agreed that holiday! oil those days be granted foi the schools in and around New Plymouth upon application being made, permission being -übjeet to the chief iispector'j ap prcval

The following resignations were accepted:—Mrs. Williams (head teacher. Mokoia) and Miss Mowbray (head teacher, Atiroa). Appointments to various school committees, in place of members resigned, were confirmed .as follows: Cart'ington, Mr. J. Reid; Mimi, Mr. Spurr; Taliora, M. X. Clclands; Ackland, llr. H. Linn: York, Mr. F. Potroz. Mr. Trimble moved, and Rev. A. B. Oliuppcll seconded, that the opinion of the. Board's solicitor be obtained as tu the Hoard's powers in making tranofers. —Carried, Leaveof absence was granted the following teachers: —Mr. A. 'l. IToftore, Kapuni; Mr. Lightbourne, Klthnin ;• Mr. Harry, West End; Miss Alice Cocker. Wuitara; Miss Bollinger, Hell Block; Miss W'illetts. Normanby.

On the motion of Mr. Wilkinson and Rev. A. 13. Chappell, action re proposed aeiv site for Tawhiti (Hawera) side school was deferred pending receipt of correspondence files on the, subject from the Wangamii Board, the school committee to be informed that the Board will communicate with them later. The secretary of the Stratford School Committee wrote asking when the destructor for the purpose of burning rubbish would be available.—To oe informed, that the Board will go on with the work of the destructor as soon as the committee removes the present, accumulation of rubbish. The Board resolved" to accept the term-; of the Ilurimoina Committee for the erection of a shelter shej at Hurinit.ana school. Tile applications lor the enlargement of the Okau and Tokiriiua schools were referred to the inspector. It was resolved that application be made to the Department for a'subsidy or I','! on the Carrington £choj)l Committee's donation towards improvements. The Norfolk Road Committee applied for a supply of grass seed and manure fur grassing a couple of acre* in the grounds.—fi ranted.

It was agreed that the application of the Koru teacher for use of school reserve there lie referred to the committee set up to deal with the revision of the Hoard's regulations, ami that the Eraser Roail Committee he informed that tlio Board will supply the material for outolfiees, provided these are built in accordance with plans supplied by and to the satisfaction of the overseer. The usual subsidy was granted the Radnor Committee towards the erection of a shelter shed, and a subsidy of £.l was voted the "Mount' Messenger Committee towards the cost of fencing the school ground?.. An application from the Hoard's custodian for an increase in salary was referred to the chairman for favorable consideration. The Board r.esolvod to-.fi.nd the. rp»terial required for repairs to the fencing at Kaponga school, the committee to do tlie work, and further repairs will l)e attended to in due course. The renovation of the teachers residence at Jkaiawa, and the matter of repairs at Rawhitiroa, were referred to the overseer, On the motion of Messrs Smith and

Dixon it was resolved that the request of the Teachers'." Institute for (!■<• Board to supply free cheques for teachers' salaries lie agreed' to. •Rev. A. B. Chappell and Mr. Smith were appointed a sub-committee, with power to purchase, to inquire into the question of motor-cycles for use of agricultural instructors. The matter of a tank for Rawhitivoa school was left to Mr. Wilkinson to deal with; and with reference to the Tokaora Committee's application for a shelter shed, it was decided to inform the committee that the Board desired further information. Kesolved, that the Kaponga Committee 'be informed that the floor space of their school is hot really less than is required. It was resolved that the Department be again- approached on the matter of a school at Pulccngalm, and that they he informed that this is an urgent matter. On the motion of Messrs Trimble and Dixon it was agreed that the regulations regarding the cutting down of the number of assistants be referred to the inspectors for report. Tiie Education Department advised that the payment of £542 7s Gd, maintenance and building grant for August, was made up of ;C 171, balance due on account of period April to July, and £371 7s (id, monthly payments due from August, I'Jllj, to March, 11)17. The adjustment on account of the alteration' o: district boundaries had 'been taken, into consideration. Mr. Wilkinson moved that the chair-' man of tiie Board, to be accompanied bv one or more members, ollicially visit the various schools, especially those in the new area, under the Board's jurisdiction.—Seconded by Mr. Dixon and carried.

Accounts amounting to £5020 Ts Sd were passed for payment, and Messrs Wilkinson and Chappcll were appointed an Accounts Committee.