HIGH SCHOOL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 March 1917, Page 7

HIGH SCHOOL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. ■The ordinary meeting of the New Plymouth High School Board was held held on Monday night, when there there were present: Messrs D. Hutchen (chairman), H. Trimble, J. S. Fox, S. G. Smith, T. G. I-lirst, L. C. gladden, F. W. Atkinson and E. P. Webster. HENDRIE STREET, The chairmnn reported that, with Mr. Moyes, he had met the Mayor and the borough engineer 011 the site in reference to the drainage and deviation at Hendrie street. The Mayor stated that there was no immediate prospect of any deviation being undertaken, Jt was suggested that the drain in front of the boardinghouse be piped and filled in by the Board, and the question of who should Anally'bear the expense should be left to be decided later. The engineer thought that the best way to deal with the storm water was by means of a tunnel through Hendrie street. He was going to prepare a report to submit to the Borough Couii'ril, and the matter would then be considered at' a conference, between this Board and a committee of the Council. Meanwhile the drain was being filled in under the supervision of Mr. Davis. On the suggestion of Mr. f, W. Atkinson, it was resolved to appoint a committee, consisting of the chairman and Messrs E. 'P. Webster and S. G. Smith, to make all arrangements for placing the matter before the Minister when the Board confers with him at New Plymouth. 1

REBUILDING THE BOYS' SCHOOL, j In connection with the re-building of the Boys' School, for which application had been made to the Education Board for a grant, and about which there was considerable discussion last meeting, culminating in 'an invitation being forwarded to the Minister of Education, asking him to visit New Plymouth and confer with the Board on the patter, a telegram was received from the Minister wider date March 2, regretting that it was impossible for him to visit New Plymouth in the near future as desired. As soon as the plans asked for in the Department's letter of 20th ult, came to hand, the question of providing Assistance in the re-building of the school would receive further consideration. Tlie Board replied that it could not undertake the responsibility of reducing the plans already submitted, as it had sriven the most careful consideration to these plans and regarded the accommo. datlon proposed as absolutely necessary for the requirements of the district. The chairman stated that Mr. Okey had informed him that the Minister would bd unable to visit frcw Plymouth until after Easter. He did not consider the reply at all satisfactory. He thought it would be advisable to wait, as the matter could not be dealt with by corerspondence

THE GIRLS' SCHOOL. 1 Miss J. R. Barr, principal, reported:— "The work of the school has proceeded satisfactorily. Jwo half-holidays were given, one'for the agricultural show and ■the other for the swimming sjoris. ■ The total number on the roll is 124, and the average attendance for the month was 117.5. It will be necessary to have "the footpath on Old Hospital road from Devon street to the school metalled, and the Council migiht 'be approached, so as to have the work done before the weather breaks, The old honors boards are now full, and I should like to have a new one, suitably designed, for the assembly hall."

BOYS' SCHOOL. " Mr. W. H. Moyes, principal, reported: —During the month the school work has gone on as usual. The fine weather has enabled us to carry out the work at .the racecourse with a minimum of inconvenience, arid, provided the staff is kept intact, I feel confident of good results at the end of the year. There is one important matter which hitherto I have not brought before the Board, but which should, I think, now be considered. 1 refer to the erection of memorial brasses to> those Old Boys and masters who have fallen in the war. The school has already done something in this direction, lint unfortunately our finances will not enable us to do anything further. No doubt, after tho war ends, the Old Boys will see to it that a suitable memorial is erected; in the meantime, I feel that something should be done, and I would therefore- respectfully suggest 'that the matter bo considered by the Board, and that, if possible, memorial brasses be erected in the dinin<* hall. ' ' ° THE BOARDIXG FEES, A statement of accgunts showed that there had been a profit of £537 14s 8d on the boys' boarding establishment, and a loss of £l4l 18s 7d on the girls', making a net gain of £303 IBs Id. The financial question, the chairman considered, must be gone into. When interest was taken into account it would be shown that there was a loss. Tie thought the time had arrived when the fees should be raised. The capitation received ( £l3 10s per head) should pay the expenses of the school and allow the £IBOO received in land revenue to be used for the payment of interest and the reduction of principal. On the motion of Messrs Smith and Sladden, the chairman, Messrs Webster and Hirst were appointed a committee to go into the financial matter with a view to increasing the boarding fees after consulting with the principal. GENERAL. Mr. T. G. Hirst,reported thai another Chappell piano had been secured at the same pVioe as the three previously purchased. The matter of an honors board was left to Miss Barr to arrange. The appointment of an assistant at the Girls' School was left in the hands of the chairman. The chairman reported that arrangements were being made to lease "Montosa" for the surplus boarders. A report from Mr. Moyes regarding the continuing of occupation of> Niger House after the expiration of the lease was received as satisfactory. It was resolved to approach the Borough Council and ask that the footpath on Mangorei road be gravelled, and that some gravel be placed for a footpath on Wiiiwaka terrace from the bridge to the gate.