HIGH SCHOOL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 22 May 1917, Page 8

HIGH SCHOOL BOARD.

The ordinary meeting of the High School Board of Governors was held last night, when there were present: Messrs I>. Hutt'lbm (chairman), 11. Trimble, J. S. Fox, -S. G. Smith, T. G. Hirst, L. C.: Sladden, F. W. Atkinson, and E. P. Websctr. ■SCHOOL HOLIDAYS. " " Miss Barr, principal of the girls' school-, reported that she had received a circular from the chairman of the National "Efficiency Board suggesting that short holidays should fie given between the terms, so that the assistance of the older girls could be utilised during the iong summer vacation that would result from such an arrangement. Miss Bansuggested that the•school year should (md when the matriculation examination begins, i.e., the first week in December. This would enablo those girls who live in tiie country to get home a fortnight earlier.

The circular mentioned -that the French Government had utilised school jabor during war time very largely, and with wonderfully satisfactory results, fn Otago a largo number of boys during thi> pust shearing season spent their holidays in the shearing sheds, witlr beneficial results to the farmers and themselves, enabling the shearing work to *bo carried out more expeditiously, the boys deriving benefit from the point of view of health and in the earning of pocket money. It was reported that twelve first year pupils of the Dunedin Technical School earned cheques varying from £lO !)s to .-£2!), and averaging £l3 each, during the summer holidays. These boys were from 14 to 15 years of age. Not only could such lads be employed with advantage in the shearing sheds, but also in fruit picking, turnip thinning, and other farm pursuits.

Mr. Atkinson was in full accord with the proposals. The only question was that of examinations, but he presumed that if alt the school? fell into line the authorities could put forward the dates of the examination. He was not at all sure whether the best time for extending the holidays would be in December, or at what would be the end of the vacation, tho beginning of February.

Mr. Webster stated that ho noticed that Otago was expressly mentioned by the chairman of tho Efficiency Board.. He certainly thought that the fact of a number of boys hero having gone out farming during the last summer holidays should also ho brought before the notice of the chairman of the Efficiency Board. It was decided that' the Board was favorably disposed toward:! the proposals, and that a final decision will be rnndo after receipt of a report from the principal of the boys' school. GENERAL. The Finance Committee submitted a lengthy report on financial matter.!, which will be discussed at a special meeting of the Board on Friday, .Tune 1, at which the principals of tho schools will be invited to attend.

On the suggestion of Mr. Webster it wan resolved to ask the Borough Council to form and metal Waiwalca Terrace from the bridge to the girls' school entrance, pointing out that over 70 girls used that road two or three times daily and had to traverse the mud. The chairman reported that the architect would submit for consideration of the Board methods for closing in the verandah at Strandon House, so as to enable the boarders to make use of it on wet days. Mr. A. R. Ryder, Agricultural master, was authorised to purchase the necessary trees for the provision of shelter at the school plots.