TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 March 1917, Page 6

TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual meeting of the Education j Board was licld yesterday. Present: Messrs. E. Masters (chairman), H. Trimble, S. G. Smith, E. Dixon and C. A. Wilkinson, M.P. APPOINTMENTS. The chairman'? action in making the following temporary appointments was approved: Korilo (sole teacher) Mr. F. B. Peart; Otakeho. Miss M. White (assistant) ; Auroa, Mrs. C. Benton (assistant) ; Central, Mrs. F. Alien and Mrs. M. Featherston (assistants); Raupuha, Miss H. Nutting (assistant). RESIGNATIONS. The following resignations were received: Mr. A. K. Bremner (Marokopa); Miss Straehan (York); Mrs. S. Buchler (Mangahume), and Miss M. Hutchison (Huirangi). OVERSEER'S REPORT* Stratford Porches.—This work is about completed. I propose to fix Hyloplate in the present assembly room to enable it to be turned into a class room. Eitham.—The general painting and repairs of both ,technical and primary schools are in progress. The cycle shed and a depot £,re completed. , Mangamingi.—The painting, repairs ano general work are well on. New oute l:icc3 have teen erected. I met the chairmen cf 1 lie committee at the school and went 'r.to the matter of fencing and a new ckeltcr shed. The chairman agreed to the svggesl-ion that the Board find two thirds of the cost of a new shelter shed. I live put this work it hand so as to 'have it done whilst the men are there. In regard to the fencing, the Board is to find material and the committee will do the labor. Material will be well under £O, as most of the wire is there.

Rawliitiroa.—This place will be taken in hand next. Part of the material is already at the school. Mata.—Material has also been sent on to this school. Cardiff. —I visited this school as instructed and have arranged to put up new out-officea and instal the pan system.

Durham.—After careful consideration I have concluded that the residence is not fit to reside in, in its present condition. To put the place in anything like suitable condition would cost at least £6O, and considering the age of the building (originally it was used as a school) and other circumstances, I am averse to recommending this expenditure out of the Board's maintenance. I would therefore respectfully ask the Board to consider the advisability of doing away with the place.

Waitara.—The alterations to the lavatories to enable the children to enter without coming through the porches has been completed. Huirangi—Urgent repairs to the tank at the residence were attended to.

Norfolk.—l have gone ipto the necessary repairs needed at this school aiid will have the work attended to as soon as possible. Centra!.—lmprovements to the ventilation are receiving attention at this school. Te Walv&rae.—The new school at this place is veil on end will be finished ready for opening next month. General.—l have prepared a plan for a temporary school at Xgariki road. Owing to the high prices and uncertainty of supplies tenders have in most cases, beer very high. Evidently the Department is in favor of the new work being carried out by day work. A considerable amount of school furniture and fittings were completed in our own workshop. The overseer continued his report on the schools taken over from the Auckland Education Board. He dealt at length with Paraketii and Mnhoenui.

Awakino.—This is ft very poor buildin? for :i school and had only one tfutofiioe. I managed to secure another one in the township and arranged to have it placed in position at once, with (suitable screens, etc. The existing stale of affairs was anything but decent. The people interested are greati.v agitated over a site for the 'proposed new school. Although I went into this carefully with Mr. Ballantyue, I think it unnecessary to make any suggestions, as the Board have gone fully into the matter with the settlers.

Mokau.—This is a good little school. Class-room about 27 x 18, with porch. The outside requires painting and the stove pipes require renewing, otherwise the school is in fair order.

Marakopa.—l was unable to take this school on this particular round owing to the distance away from the other schools and the impossibility of getting a car across country. I shall have to make a special trip later on.

To sum up my own impressions, I might 6av that the permanent schools are, generally speaking, in good order; the deskS are poor, and in most eases seats are attached to the front of each desk and also appear less in height. The porches and lavatory accommodation are good. The grounds and surroundings are not so good. Tiiis may be partly owing to leek of instructions in this particular line.

The reports were received, and it was decided to apply to the Government for a grant for the renovation of the Durham rcbidcnee, it being considered that the building in its jiresent condition was uninhabitable.

It was also decided that the extension of the head teacher's office and removal of sheds at Eltham be referred to the overseer to report upon. The Awakino Committee notified that t.lie Inspector of IPublic Health' had recently reported that the school building was a menace to the health of teachers and children; and suggested transferrin" the school to the hall.—Received.

It was decided that the Department be asked if the Board may proceed with the erection of the Mount Messenger school under the same conditions as offered at I'innerty road. Tins question of fencing nt the West End school was referrad to Mr. Smith to inquire into and report upon. The matter of attending to the pump at Opunake school was referred to the overseer. It was decided to pay half cost of installing electric light a. the teachers residence at Okaiawa. A grant of £lO was made towards the cost of boarding the gymnasium floor at Fitzroy, the work to lie done to the satisfaction of the overseer. TECHNICAL WORK. The Director of Technical Education reported as follows: New Plymouth.—The day classes are continuing with approximately the same numbers as reported last month. Evening classes: The evening classes re-open-j»t the bjjrinmng of the month. The

jiumbers in attendance at the various classes are —Book-keeping, seniors' 1 juniors 29; shorthand and typing, seniors 4, juniors 22; English and arithmetic, 22; dressmaking, seniors fi, juniors 14; cookery, S; art work, 3; workshop practice, 7; motor-car engineering. 11; commercial correspondence, 2. The majority of these pupils come under the compulsory clause. Hawera.—At this centre the evening classes resumed at the same time. The number are as follow—English and arithmetic 40, shorthand (a) 30, typing and office routine .'JO, book-keeping -20, cookCry 10, dressmaking 12, woodwork 1(1. The day classes continue to improve, and the instructors are doing good work.

liltham.—At this centre classes have been formed ill English and arithmetic, motor engineering, shorthand and typing, and dressmaking. In order to secure good instruction at these classes it is imperative that there should he strong classes at New Plymouth and Hawera, whence the .permanent instructors can be utilised. For instance, at present Mr. Kirkpatriek, from New !Flymouth, takes the motor-car class at liltham. and Mr. Tugwell and Miss Starkey, from 'Hawera, take the shorthand and dressmaking respectively. At this centre ail experiment is being made in holding classes at about 8.30 a.m. in order to prevent the .necessity for girls coming out at night.

Stratford. —At this centre classes are being held as follows —Shorthand 11, dressmaking 10, proficiency class 5, mathematics C. At Stratford the prospects of a plumbing class appear brighter than at any other centre. I understand that there will be five students here, while at New Plymouth and Hawera there are not so far sufficient students to foriu a class.

i'.'oiuid-the-niountain scheme. —Owing to the refusal of the Department to make a grant for a motor-cycle, this, scheme is temporarily hung up. In the meantime the woodwork and cookery classes at liltham are being worked from Hawera.

The report was received and adopted, WATER AT KAPONGA RESIDENCE.

The chairman reported having visited the Kaponga school in reference to the above matter. The residence was just connected with the Town Board's water service in July, 1913. From July 1913 to March 1914, the charge was paid by the school committee, from March 1914 to March 1915, it was met by the Wanganui Education Board. For some reason in January 1915, the Board wrote tho committee stating that they would discontinue any payment after March 1915. No correspondence was available setting out the reason of their declining any further liability. The charge per annum is £3 and the amount- owing is £B, plus Gs, being 10 per cent, on the first payment overdue. As the Kaponga school did not come under this Board until August, 1910, consequently we have no liability previtras to that date, if any since. Upon this being explained to the chairman of the school committee, the teacher undertook to pay all amounts duo previous to August conditionally on the Board paying the amount due since. It may be pointed out that the charge of £3 per annum not only covers tho supply of water for domestic purposes but for draining purposes also. Further, ■ tiic Town Board is making a very reasonable charge for the school itself, viz., £2 per annum for a supply of water to the school and for drainage purposes. Should the Town service be cut off from the residence it will be necessary for the Board to erect the necessary tanks. In view of the fact that school masters in centres where there is a water supply have to pay for their own, ejifcept where it is supplied free by the municipality. He had no recommendation to make.

The chairman stated the matter had been hanging over for some time and there had been a difficulty in ascertaining what the Wanganui Board had done. The question was whether the Board should pay for the water at the school residence at Kaponga when the general rule was not to pay. Mr. Dixon thought the idea was thit the Town Board should provide the water free. Tanks were provided and should be used. If the Kaponga tank had blown away it should blow back again. He thought the Board and not the committee should pay for the water supply to the school. Mr. Trimble considered the committee should pay the rate as committees had a far better chance of getting the water free than had the Board. The same action as to water for the residence should be taken as was the practice with other schools.

At the suggestion of Mr. Wilkinson the report was held over for a month to allow members of the Boara to inteiview the committee on the matter.

STRATFORD HIGH SCHOOL SITE. The secretary of the Stratford D.H.S. Committee wrote stating- that the committee unanimously recommended the acquisition of 20 acres on the Swansea road (with house thereon) as the site for the High School, one of the advantages of the site being that it adjoined the land just acquired for a model dairy farm by the Stratford A. & P. Association. It was hoped the Board would push the matter on, as no more pupils could be put on the roll of the High School owing to lack of accommodation. The Board was also urged to get the -Minister to inspect the site. It was decided to refer the matter to the chairman, .Messrs Trimble and Wilkinson. Letters wqro read from the secretary to the Tarnnaki branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute—(l) suggesting the postponement of the agricultural classes until the other classes were arranged; (*2) making suggestions relative to the new by-laws.—Received too late for making any alteration. THANKS AlfD APPRECIATION. The chairman of the Okato Committee wrote thanking the Board for the improvements effected by the Board at the school, and expressing the aporeciation of the committee at the very" satisfactory manner in whiehjhe work had been done.—Received. PURCHASE OF SUPPLIES. The finance committee reported in favor of changing the method of obtaining supplies of building material and i school requisites. It was suggested that 'the Board should have a timber yard and purchase direct from the mills: should import asbestos sheets, white lead, nails, glass, etc., and indent school requisites. . Mr. Trimble considered the Boarl could import stationery. The ehairnran did not think there was any combine as he knew from experience that there was a difference in prices of 50 per cent. The report was adopted. PROPOSED SCHOOL AT YVHANGAMOMONA. Reporting m connection with the above, the chief inspector stated thj

site was 10i miles from Whangamomona and contained 14 acres; the number of children within reasonable distance was 11 and there was little V.kelihood of the settlers holdings being subdivided. He recommended that as the children in this district had now no opportunity of receiving education, that if the settlers would erect a .suitable building and provide free board and lodging, the Board pay rent for the building and ask the Department to establish a school. The chairman moved that the report be received and that application be made to the Department to establish the school—Carried. TISCH AND CUTHBERT SHIELDS. The senior inspector reported recommending the assignment of marks in the above competitions, namely: For Cuthbcrt Shield, 100 each for general appearance, instructional value of methods, experimental. For Tisoh Shield: 50 for condition of ground, 29 for state of outhouses, etc., 20 for condition of rooms, and 10 for special effort. It was intended to issue to the schools under charge of sole teachers, specimen schemes of work, specimen questions, and timetable.—Received and adopted, Mr. Trimble being appointed to/ represent the Board. The Board went into committee to consider the Technical Director's report relative to the work of one of the instructors, and passed a resolution in relation thereto.

RESERVES. Mr. D. Graham applied for lease of section 32, block 0, Kaupokonui.—Referred to Messrs Masters, Dixon, and Wilkinson. L. B. Westle applied for lease of section 10, hlock 12, Ohura (17 acres), and offered to effect improvements.—Referred to Mr, Pagan (commissioner) to report upon. ' GENERAL'. In connection with teachers attending agricultural classes, several letters were read asking for leave of absence therefrom.— I The exemptions applied for were granted, it being a condition that those attending the classes should continue teaching at their respective schools.

Leave was given to close'the following schools owing to outbreaks of epidemics: Carrington, Pukearuhi , and Tokirima. The Hawera Committee wrote relative to the live hedges at head master's residence, and whether it was the duty of the committee or the head teacher to keep same in order. —Referred to Board's regulations.

The chairman of the Hawera District High School wrote urging the Board to furnish the Department with the information relative to the establishment of the Tawhiti school in order to ensure its official reorganisation.

It was stated that this' information had been already supplied. A question as to tlie Board having authorised the offer of £3OO if the Government would find £4OO for the purchase of the site. Mr. Smith protested against a different principle being adopted in different parts of the district —the chairman having recently stated, in connection with the enlargement of the West End school that the Board had no money available.

Mr. Dixon pointed out that the Board had made no definite promise of £3OO, but had expressed the hope that the money would be found. It was decided to request the I-lawern Committee to supply fresh information necessary for an application for the establishment of a school at Tawhiti.

A letter from the Wanganui Board reJative to a technical hostel was referred to the Finance Committee, as was also the question of insuring school buildings over 20 years old.

Letter from land agents offering pit-es for a technical hostel were referred to the Manual and Technical Committee. After reading a letter from the Department with reference to subsidy towards travelling expenses, it was decided that a railway season ticket be obtained for the director of technical education.

The report of the board's members on .the Ohura trip was received, and resolutions were passed confirming various promises made to committees.

The question of tho enlargement of the Okahukura school was referred to the inspectors to report on. It was decided to select the site on the hill for the Awakino school and to make application for a grant- to the Department for the creation of a school. It was decided to inform the Awakino Committee that the board is making urgent application for the erection of a new school.

The Auckland Board is to be written to for a statement of the moneys due to the Taranaki Board.

The Ahiti Committee s to be asked to put in writing what assistance they are prepared to give in regard to shifting the school to a better site.

Tho Board decided to purchase the shelter shed at Mount Messenger, in the the terms of the oll'ei made to the Board.

The rules and by-laws as amended were adopted.

The hour of meeting was altered from 11 a.m to 1 p.m., to enable the committee to meet at the odice during the morning to prepare reports for the Board.

Accounts amounting to £0179 4 S 3d were passed lor payment.