HIGH SCHOOL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 April 1917, Page 8

HIGH SCHOOL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING, '■ . The ordinary meeting of the New Pivmouth High School Board was hold last night, when there were present Messrs D. Hutehen (chairman), ]■] Trimble, J. S. Fox, ,S. G. Smith, L V Sladden, F. W. Atkinson, and E P Webster. ' ' Leave of absence was granted to Mr. T. G. Hirst and Dr. Fookos. BOYS' SCHOOL. Mr. W. H. Moycs (principal) reported: School work had been carried on as usual during the month. Two new boys have been entered, and the boarding roll is now 100. More applications for board are coming to hand, and I would be glad to have some indication as to board wishes me to do in the matter. Miss Winfield is resigning her position at the end of the term. Up. to tho present I have not been able to fill tho ?acancy, and I would suggest that the board advertise in the Taranaki papers for a lady teacher for the Lower Preparatory School (salary £150). The range in the new boarding house is still unsatisfactory. At times it is so li-.ul that it is found impossible to cook (lie meals properly. The chimney has been pulled down and rebuilt, but it is, if anything, worse than before. At least £5 a month is wasted in coal, and I am sure that it would pay the board to call in an expert from the firm of Shacklock and Co. As things are. T fl n ,l it impossible to keep a cook. During the nisi ten weeks I have had four different cooks, and tho one now*here states that lie will not stop unless the range is fixed. In the old house the bath room accommodation is proving inadequate. Six shower baths were erected last year, but of these only two can he used at the same time. Sixty-four boys are using them, and it takes exactly three-quarters of an hour to put them through each morning. As the boys now in Niger House will also be using them next term, it will be necessary to have them attended to before school opens after the holidays. It was resolved to advertise for a lady assistant for the preparatory school as suggested. It was also decided to write Messrs Shacklock ami Co., and ask that their representative visit the school. The matter of shower baths was referred to the architect for his attention The chairman stated that Mr. Moyes d'A not think it advisable to take Monto?.a. By utilising the masters' common room he could accommodate the present number of boys. Mr. Sladden did not think that the board should limit the number of boarders at the school if possible. Even it the masters were willing to put up with tho inconvenience, he did not think it fair to ask them to give up their com"mon room. Mr. Smith said that as soon as the lioys' school.was erected, the board would be able to consider the enlargement of the boarding establishrnent. I After discussion it was resolved Hint ! the committee set up to arrange for the I accommodation of the "overllov,-" of I boarders should meet Mr. Moyes. ' < u _ THE GIRLS' SCHOOL. Miss Ban' reported: The work of the school has been carried on satisfactorily during the month. The total roll number has been 125, and the average attendance 110.3. The secretary has forwarded to me a circular from the Minister of Education, la'pressing Lis wish that a course of donwstlp training be undertaken in every secondary school for girls. As 1 introduced domestic science throughout Die school nt the beginning of the year, it has not been nee«ssary to make any further change in the syllabus. THE FINANCE COMMITTc.E. The chairman stated that the committee appointed to report on the financial position of the board slated that they were not yet ready to present the report. If any increased hoarding fees were proposed, it would he necessary to have a special meeting if the increase wtis to come into force next term. Mr. F. W. Atkinson considered that the notice would be too short to nring any increase into force next term. GENERAL. On the recommendation of Mr. F. C. Bellringer, superintendent of the New Plymouth Fire Board, it was decided to instal four chemical lire extinguishers at the girls' boarding house, at a cost of £ll. The action of Mr. Hirst in arranging for the tuning of the pianos was confirmed. A circular letter from the Education Department re capitation was referred to the Finance Committee for considera: tion. Air. L. C. Sladden was appointed, with power to act, ■to supervise various small improvements required at the girls' high school ground. The sowing of the hockey ground was left in the hands of Messrs Sladden and E. P. Webster. It was resolved to agree to the traiis'fer of the bread contract from Lealalul Brothers to Farmer and Copeland. Accounts amounting to £IOO4 were passed for payment.