HIGH SCHOOL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 February 1917, Page 2

HIGH SCHOOL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary meeting' of the High School Board was held on Monday evening, when there were present: Messrs. D. Huteben (chairman), H. Trimble, J. S. Fox, S. G. Smith, T. G. Hirst, !,. C. Sladden, F. W. Atkinson and E. P. Webster. ELECTION OP CHAIRMAN. The chairman stated that at the last meeting a new chairman should have been elected, but owing to pressure of business the matter had been overlocked. In calling on the secretary to take the chair he asked the Board to consider the advisability of electing someone else to the position. It was on honor that should go round. Mr. Hutcheir's re-election was immediately proposed by Mr. Trimble and seconded by Mr. Webster, the latter paying | a tribute to the good work done by the returning chairman, and to the fact that it would be very injudicious to make a change just now when they were half way through some important work. ' Other members also laid stress on the work done by the chairman, who was unanimously re-elected. In returning thanks, Mr. Hutchen stated that he would continue to do Iris best. v BOYS' SCHOOL. Mr. W. T Moyes (Principal) reported that the school opened with a roll number of 235, there being 08 boarders and 137 day boys. As tho two houses can accommqdate only 88 boys, ho had been forced to use one room at Niger House as a dormitory. Mr Moyes added: "When I recommended that the whole of the old house should be turned into dormitories, I stated that 9>> hoys could thun be accommodated. Unfortunately the destruction of the school buildings has made this impossible, and I now find it necessary to use two rooms in the house that would otherwise have been used as dormitories. As rezards the class rooms, the accommodation avvilihle at the Racecourse is now taxed to its utmost, and it has been found necessary to conduct classes in every available room. Tho two class rooms that were not destroyed by lire are lieing converted into laboratories for the use of the science classes. This arrangement is very inconvenient, and necessitates a considerable waste of time through the boys having to go to and from the racecourse. Accommodation for the gymnastic work as urgently needed, and I would recommend that a temporary building be erected for -this purpose. At present no boxing instruction can be given, and no morning and afternoon exercise can be indulged in during wet weather. The school is now fully staffed. Mr. TJannatvne, MA.. !Mr. S. Kidd and Mr. V. McMurray having ,been appointed, the former day and tho '■••tter house masters.'' Mr. Moves p"-o drew attention to the unsatisfactory state of the ground around the now building. Tt was now ncarlv «ix months since tho bui'ding was finished, and nothing had been done Unless the grounds were put in order before the winter the health through wet feet would be the result. At the present time there was no entrance from the Avenue road. A list of chemicals required for the year was also submitted. .

The chairman pointed out that the lease of Niger House haa expired on January 31, and he wished to know by whose authority it had been continued. —lt was decided to refer the matter to Mr, Moyes. Discussion then ensued as to the need for some system in hooking hoarders, it being pointed out that\the rule requiring half a term's notice 'when a .hoarder leaves being more honored in the breach. STo nottce was received of some intending "Soarders until they arrived at the school with their luggage. It was therefore diffieult to keep the number down te a set number. Mr, W«bstor said that the Board Should consider at ooce comjgletiDg th*

now boarding house by adding the dormitory wing, which would give accommodation for another 24 boys. This would only cost £7OO, and he thought that very little difficulty would be experienced in raising this.

A committee consisting of the chairman, Messrs Smith and Webster was set up to go into the whole question of providing accommodation for the overflow boarders. The same committee was also appointed to arrange regarding a gymnasium. GIRLS' SCHOOL. Miss Bnrr (principal) stated that the number of new girls enrolled this term in the secondary department was 49, and the number left was 16, thus leaving 100 on the roll, an increase of 33. The lowest form with a roll number of )0 was not ■workable as a single class, ind would necessitate another teacher. According to the Department's regulations, there should be an assistant for ivory 25 pupils. The report mentioned: 'I sßould be glad to have permission L .o engage a temporary assistant pend!ng the appointment of a permanent me. Twenty-seven boarders have been 'enrolled, so that Strandon House is com"ortahly full. The preparatory department shows a slight decrease in numbers wing to the fact that a comparatively wge number of pupils has been removed to the secondary department, and 'leo that I have refused several appli\tions for admission on the score of 'heir not been auflicientlv advanced to -»o into the standards. The roll-number •.t present is 18. The tennis courts are nearing completion, but there is a great deal to be done to tho hockey grounds, and the work will have to be pushed forward vigorously if we are to have iny use of tho grounds this season. Conuflerabla inconvenience it experienced by 'he girls who ride to school in regard to Mieir horses, as nothing has so far been lone towards making a I 'orse paddock, r n the meantime the hoi'-"s ure tied to the fence on the play ground site, an innvcnient and dangerous arrangement. Vith the increased number of boarders r find it impossible to get in the necesary number of practices on the pianos already in use, and would be glad to -ave the Board's permission to secure mi additional one.

The matter of procuring a piano was ft in the hands of Mr. Hirst. The chairman was authorised to arange for an assistant. DEVIATION OF A STREET. The Borough Council wrote intimating 1 the Council could not see its way iroeeed any further in the matter of ■ deviation* of Hendric street at present, and consideration had therefore been indefinitely deferred. In regard to fencing the Town Clerk •vote to the effect that some misunderstanding apparently existed. The bor-

ngh engineer stated that he had no ' nowledge of any arrangement having heen made for him to meet Mr. Palmer •nd there was no reference to this in any correspondence. Apparently the natter had been confused with the question of Hendric street or the stormwater drain. The engineer would, however, see Mr. Palmer on the matter.

Mr. Webster considered that the Board should not leave the matter stand. It vas necessary that something should be '"tie so as to improve the surroundings nf the school.

Mr, Atkinson stated there was a hole in front of the dormitory that required attention.

In reply to a question it Wa9 stated to deviate Hendric street.

l hat tho Borough Council did not intend Mr, Webster thought that, the Borough Council should be again approach•l and the position laid before them, ointing out-that all that was required was an exchange of roads. The Board •lid not require any road made, but vould bo prepared to do the little work required itself. The matter was left in the hands of a committee consisting of the chairman, Messrs. Smith and Webster.