TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD

Taranaki Daily News, 25 April 1917, Page 7

TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. | _. j. M i The ordinary meeting of the Taranaki Education Board was held yesterday, when there were present: Messrs R. Masters (chairman), E. E. Dixon, P. J. H. White, S. G. Smith, H. Trimble, and G. A. Wilkinson. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT ." The chairman reported that during the interim lie had made the following temporary appointments:— Mimi—Miss A. Barnes (sole teacher). Auroa—Mrs C: Benton (assistant) Raupuha—Miss Nutting (assistant) Tahora—Miss P. Blaudford (assistant). ET Oeo—Miss Branley (sole teacher) J Wangahume—Mias M. Fleming (sole teacher). : Marokopa-rMiss M. White {sole teacher) ' Eltham—Miss A. Kelleher (sth assistant) ) Central—Miss R. Eason and Mrs M, Holbrook (assistants). Bird—Miss M. Giddy (head teacher); Miss. M. Blair (assistant). ■ Otakeho—Miss M. Blewmaii (assistant). >:

STRATFORD HIGH SCHOOL SITE. The chairman' reported on proposed sites for the proposed Stratford High School. He recommended that the Board purchase the property of i\lr Valentine, containing 14 acres and a fair residence. It was level,- dry, arid within 10 minUates' walk of the post 6flice, and was, moreover, adjoining the proposed Government Model Dairy Farm, of which 43 acrep were likely to be offered to the Board for the purpose of instruction in agriculture. If the Department were dfesiroua of scouring more land, six acres belonging to Mr J. Donald might be' purchased.—The report was adopted. ' -MODEL FARM. The committee, comprising the chairman, Messrs Trimble and Wilkinson> reported having conferred with the Model .Dairy Farm Committee at Stratford in reference to_.their offer to hand over ,43 acres out of 143 acres held by them for experimental .purposes. After viewing the farrn, which was in every way suitable, a general discussion took place as to the practicability and advisability of the Board taking the areu over, and it was finally decided that, the Farm Committee should submit a definite offer as to the terms and conditions, on which they were prepared to hand the 43 acres over.—The report was received.

TECHNICAL SCHOOL MANAGERS. Mr Trimble reported that he had interviewed Mr J. H. Sullivan (the Board's solicitor), who still held- the opinion that while tho Education Act/if 1914 provides that all technical schools shall be under the control of managers, the provisions of the Act relating to the appointment of those managers were so vague that practically nothing could be done in the direction of making the appointments. The report was adopted, and a copy will he forwarded to-the Technical College Advisory Committee. FINANCE COMMITTEE. . The Finance Committee (Messrs C. A. Wilkinson, chairman, R, Masters and E. C. Dixon) recommended that the Board insure the following schools to- the «sjtent of its liability:—lnglewood, Eltham, Central, West End, Waitara. Hawera, Normanby, Opuhake, Manaia, Okaiawa, Board's offices, Hawera Technical School, and Manaia Technical School; that the Board establish an insurance fund to provide cover for the remainder of, its buildings; that the sum of £SOO be transferred from general maintenance account to an insurance fund, such amount to be invested; that the sum of £SO per annum be transferred from general maintenance account to the insurance fund.

Mt Wilkinson, in moving the adoption of this, said that it was of course difficult to define the risk, but the proposal was to insure the bigger schools,, and take the risk of the smaller ones themselves.. ' Mr Dixon said the committee looked forward to the time when the fund would be . sufficiently large to enable them to hold their own insurance. Mr Trimble asked , whether the amount transferred wtmld not be too much, seeing that when the schools got too old they had to be- rebuilt, Mr Wilkinson pointed out that they were not taking the money out of the re-building fund, and it could he transferred back again if necessary. The report was adopted. Mr. Dixon resigned his position on the Finance Committee, Mr P. J, H. White being appointed to the vacancy.

GENERAL, - The senior inspector (Mr A. J. Morton) recommended that in connection with Saturday classes for teachers at New Plymouth and Stratford centres, the subjects he hygiene • and home science one hour, and drawing and handwork one hour, on alternate Saturdays.—Adopted. TAHORA. The chairman reported that he had mdfc Bullard, Commissioner of Crown Lands, who had agreed to offer the Board sections 12, 13, 14, 15, at Tahom, for additional ground for tho school site, , providing the sections were not already sold,. The thanks of the Board, they considered, were due for the generous | manner in which Mr Bullard had met the committee. The report was adopted, anil a vote of thanks was also accorded Mr Bullard. WEST END SCHOOL. ' Mr S. G. Smith reported having made inquiries into the application of the West End School Committee, and recommended that the Board erect the remaining half of the fence between the properties of Mr Gilbert and the West End School, and debit Mr Gilbert with the cost up to the value, of a legal fenced The report was adopted, tho question of the kind' of fence to'be left in the hands of the chairman and overseer. TECHNICAL REPORT. Mr. A. Gray, Director of Technical Education, reported: During the month technical work has been proceeding satisfactorily at nil the centres. At New Plymouth the day classes continue to kecjp up their numberg, while the evening classes are working mora solidly than usual. I enclose a list of students who ought to be attending tie evening ,classe3, and against whose parents proceedings will have to be taken unless matters improve. |- At Hawera the day classes continue gradually to increase, .while the evening " ■'■'' ~ . — X

classes are doirigr very/good work. At this school two more electric /bulbs arc badly needed in the commercial room, while the boys' wash hand-basins are very incoSiveniently situated. 4 •At Stratford the classes already reported are doing well, and in addition an evening class in dressmaking has been started. A plumbing class will soon be in progress. At Eltham the morning classes Bceni to be working very satisfactorily- at this centre], while the evening classes are doing good work. Some of the compulsory students are not attending as well as they ought.

j A QUESTION OF PRINCIPLE. In connection with the Finnerty road school, a telegram was received from the Department to the effect that the Minis, ter could not amend his decision .further than that he was prepared to consider subsidy on voluntary contribution for additional acre. The chairman stated that this involved a matter of principle as it appeared that the Education Bepartment would not build schools unless' the land was provided 'free for them. If that was so there would not be any new schools built in Taranaki. The matter should be placed before the Minister. At Finnerty road the settlers had presented an acre of land to the Department who, however, declined to make a grant for a school unless two acres were provided. It was felt that the Department should purchase this additional acre, but the Department would only agree to provide lialf the cost; viz £2O. ; The matter will be placed before the. Minister of Education.

OVERSEER'S REPORT. | Mr. C. H. Moore (Overseer) reported as follows: Eltha-m.—A considerable, amount of work has roaeived attention at -/-tills school. The whole of the outside, including the technical building, have been painted, and tfte porches were also painted, inside. Before this work could be completed it was necessary to do a lot of repairing. I would 'suggest that one of Itho two sheds be demolished—it is Only used to hold lumber and old desk.}. The building has no proper floor and is in poor condition. The other shed woull certainly bo better moved up to the new cycle sh!d. In view of the amount cf work necessary to bring these schools up to the present requirements I am of opinion the committee ; should hear the whole of - tho cost ofrcWval. I. have also gone, carefully iiito the matter of enlarging the headmaster's room. The best way would bo to extend tho end out eight feet and add two, small windows front and back. This would give complete supervision of the playground. The cost would be about £BO. Under the present conditions I think work like this could stand over until we have completed urgent repairs needed in many of the other schools. . Rawhitiroa.—The painting and general repairs at both schools and residence, and including new out-offices and shelter shed has received attention. The committee agrees to contribute oneJjhird of .cost of shelter shed Tokq, alteration—The partition dividing the infants' Class room separate porch to same and necessary alterations to windows were completed during the fortnight the schopl was closed. The school itself is not in need of painting. It looks dismal on account of the dampness Irf the shady side and a coat of dust forihing on the walls. The body of paint is good and need pot be painted for at least two years. « Tp painting repairs are well on at the school and residence. The whole of the drainage will need renew-

Mata.—The general repairs, painting and renewals of outbuilding were also completed at this school.

I General.—At Stratford raised 1 blackboards have been fixed in thj present infants' assembly room. At Cardiff renewal of outbuildings was completed,, and repairs, to the Albert School chimney iwcre also attended' to. We have completed - the purchase of wood-working machinery and the same I is being placed in position. A 9 instructed, I went into the matter of removing the present school at Matiere and requested" the contractor for the additions to submit a price. Instead the contractors have submitted a proposal to use the iron and windows of the present building and complete the rest of a class room the same size outtof all ne.w material the same height as the proposed additions for the suin of £B4. This would mean an over-rim on the grant of £45 10s (furniture not included), otherwise .I would recommend this be carried out but would favour the present windows being sold and feplaced with new ones. This would make a uniform school. Tho sale of the present windows and other material would probably go a long way towards the cost of the new windows.

Mr. Wilkinson objected to the Eltham School Committee being called on to pay the whole cost of removing one shed, and, on his motion, it was re-, solved that the Board pay half the cost. Application will be made to the Department 'for a grant for the increased umount necessary as Mateere. Matters complained of 'by tho AVaitaanga Committee were referred to the overseer to report on."' The overseer was instructed to forward a plan and estimate for a school to the settlers at'Whanga Road, in the event of the Department recognising the cost. The following matters were referred to the overseer: • Attend to tank at Dudley; outhouses and leak in roof at Waiongona; supply tank and drainage at To Roti; range rind grate at Mobin; report on state of shelter shed and out offices at Riverlea.

THE TECHNICAL COMMITTEE. The Technical Committee—-Messrs. H,. Trimble (chairman), S. G. Smith and R. Masters reported as follows: llaw'era Technical School.—That two extra lights asked for be installed; that the overseer be asked to report on tho position of the was King basins; that Miss Martha Paice be appointed cookeny instructress- at a salary of £l2O per annum; that an tt £2 los for repairing windows be paid. New' Plymouth Technical School. —That Mr. R. D, Kirkpatrick's salary be increased to £3OO, «nd Mr. H. «.. Skellon's to £230; that while affirming the principle that it is desirable to establish a hostel in connection i\vJth the New Plymouth Technical Collego, the committee asks for an oxtension of time to further consider the question. , Report of Director of Agriculture.— That the Board expresses its apprcclation.of the good work done at the agricultural class for teachers, and that the thanks of the Board be conveyed to those persons who helped to make the classes ft"success—-AdQßted,

&WUSTMENT Vms AUCKLAND '' BOARD., Wle Aiieklancl Education Board forWaiUed a memo for the Department Showing that . all tho schools which V*t, h?ndod over b y the Auckland •BoMfl to the Taranaki and Wanganui ? a ° 0 « r. were ercctcd subsequent to 1898, Consequently no amount for re 1 multitajy had been paid on account of the buildings referred to, Mv. Trimble maintained .that a portion of tho maintenance {.'rant should Wso be due to the- Taranaki Board. Mr. Wilkinson moved that Mr. I'nniMe be asked to draft a letter to the Minister on the question of adjusting accounts in connection with maintenance. This, was seconded by Mr. Dixon and carried.

TEACHERS AND THE BOABD. The .secretary of the Teachers' Institute (Mr. R. S.. Mellroy) forwarded resolutions .passed at a' meeting attended by about 2.ir> teachers to the effect that the Board and Chief Inspector be asked to meet leprcsenta-' tives of the institute to discuss die' question of promotion of teachers. The institute felt that there v/ero several, points-that might be cleared up by a; friendly discussion 'between the Board' and teachers. The meeting'expressed'' its, dissatisfaction, at the inadequatescale of skffc leave and stated it would be glad, if the Board would lay before the Minister tho urgent need of a scale .of.sick leave similar to'that in other branches of the public, service. It was resolved 'to inform the Teachers' Institute that the Board would .be prepared to receive a deputation at its next meeting. RESERVES MATTERS.

Mr., Worth's application for i lease of section 10, Mock XIL, Oliura Survey District, for a term ofj seven years 'was referred to tlio overseer to report on, as waa also.Mr. C. Gibbon's application for setcion IQ, block < 11,, Hcao Survey District.

:• 'Mr. S. Meredith was- granted a fifteen years' lease of section 0, block 11, Ohura Survey District. The letter from Mr. Crumtf, Eltham. [with regard to damage done to subdivision I of section • 48, Elthami. by shelter trees and storm water from' the school sito were referred to Mr. Wilkinson to enquire into and report on.' Mr. 'J. V. Shields wrote offering to lease a school reserve on the Otaoroa road.—Referred to Mr. Trimble to re, port on.

Messrs. Trimble, Wilkinson and 'tlul ctafy'inan |\viero a, reserves': committee.

THE OTAJtBHO SCHOOL. Mr. James Bailie, headmaster of the Otakelio school, wrote that the school was in a most unhealthy condition The. attendance was still increasing and the; rooms were miserably overcrowded. The whole floor space taken up with desks a»d there were many pupils crowded three in a desk, There could he no proper supervision and not much successful work. The shelter sheda did not afford the pupils a crusUcdi standing space, i\\lh(lo tfcfl smell from the latrines makes its way almost to the school doors. • Referred to the school committee for their remarks. GENERAL.

The action of the school committccF mentioned in closing their schools oh account of epidemics was conSrmed:--Tokirima and Kaponga, diphtheria; Tarata, whooping cough. The following teachers were- granted leave of absence: Misses M. Berry, head teacher, Bird; G, Lock, assistant, Kaponga; C. Henderson, assistant, Central; Messrs. A, H. Amoovc, sole teacher, Upper Mangowu and N. D. Day, assistant, Centra!.

A subsidy of £2 for £1 was granted to the Funiwhakau committee • for the erection of a shelter sued.

The request of the Omata committee 'for additional land fur a hoi's; paddock was referred to Mr. White to report, on. , '

A subsidy of £ for £ was granted the Waitara committee towards the erection of a destructor. Mr. Smith pointed out that a destructor had been erected at, tho Central school free of cost to the committee and he suggested that the -same should apply to Waitara. He' tailed for a division on the motion, mhich he and Mr. Smith voted against. Tho usual grant of £2 for £1 subsidy towards the' erection of a shelter shed at Ead/ior.

Mr. Dixon's action in instructing the Ararata committee to procure , a ne* tank was confirmed, The Ohura School Committee asked for a grant for a wood shed to hold about three cords of wood. The Board did not make grants for this purpose.

The Fitzroy School Committee wrote thanking the Board for their offer of £lO towards flooring the gymnasium, but labor being so scarce, the committee would rather donate £lO and aslt the Board to have the work done. --Received.