SCHOOLS OF THE DISTRICT.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 October 1916, Page 6

SCHOOLS OF THE DISTRICT.

MAINTENANCE AND REPAIRS. ' "" A COMMENDABLE SCHEME. ~ 'A new scheme, providing for the repairs and adequate maintenance of all tlic exiling schools throughout the Taranaki Education Board's district, and the erection of new schools, was promulgated in a report submitted to\the Board fay the, chairman (Mr. R. Masters) yesterday. He reported that during the month he had visited a number of schools throughout the district. Several schools in the area recently taken over from the Wanganui board were visited, and repairs were found to be necessary to some of them and to their outbuildings. It was not a sound policy, said Mr. Masters, to allow these repairs to stand over until such time.as the committees made applicaion for them to be attended to. In these abnormal times the shortage Of labor presented certain difficulties. but'the health of'the children was of paramount importance. With the object of concentrating the whole of the Board's building and' painting staff on maintenance work, it would be wise, considered the chairman, to call for tenders for a time at least, for the erection of new schools.

.Mr. Masters was of opinion ihe Board should not fail to expend the whole of the maintenance grant for the convng year, after setting aside the necessary proportion for the building of old schools. He made the following recommendations:—(l), That the Board call tenders for any new buildings within the next six months; (2) that the overseer he instructed to keep his staff attending to maintenance work alone; (3) i.hat if the overseer think* it advisable, lie be allowed to call tenders for repair work; (4) that the schools "be taken in a face and be put in a good state ot repair irrespective of any application having been made by the committee or not; (5) that in view of the heavy calls likely to be made on the Board's funds for repairs during the coming year, the committees be circularised, and asked to curtail, at much as possible, their requests for grants. He also recommended that the overseer's Fatal - " be increased,

Mr. Master?,, in moving the adoption of the report, amplified the various noints he had referred to. He thought it was the correct thing for the Board to take the initiative in connection with the maintenance of schools. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson roeonded the adoption of the report cr.d raid he was in favor of doing school repairs in groups. The report would give great satisfaction to many committees, who had despaired of ever having their representations with regard to repairs given effect to. Mr. K. Dixon expressed his pleasure at the forward policy the chairman had expounded. He considered it was a wise move, and one thai would greatly encourage committees. The Rev. A. B. Chappcll end Mr. S. 0. Smith complimented the chairman on the report and said they were entirely in iwrord with' it. The report was adopted.