HIGH SCHOOL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 19 June 1917, Page 6

HIGH SCHOOL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the High School Hoard was held last night., there being present: Messrs ]5. Hutchen (chairman), H. Trimble, J. S. Fox, T. G. Hirst, L. C. Slack!™, F. W. Atkinson, E. P. Webster, and S. G. Smith. THE BOYS' SCHOOL. Mr. W. H. Moyes (Principal of the Boys' High School) reported that school resumed after the holidays on May 24. The number on the roll was now 240, of whom 104 were boarders and 136 day boys. Four boys had left and five were admitted. All boarders were now living in the two houses. This arrangement was quite satisfactory, except for the fact that they were badly in want of music rooms, but this difficulty would be overcome when the school building was erected. Nothing had been done as yet at the bathrooms, grave disadvantages resulting. Since the fire it had tieen impossible, owing to the want of apparatus, to continue the customary gymnastic exercise. The temporary gymnasium was now ready for use, and he would be glad if the tloard would authorise the purchase of horizontal and parallel 'bars. Physical drill had to take the place of gymnastics, !but this 'did not altogether meet with the approval of parents, who, in many cases, were anxious that their boys should have the advantage of a systematic course in gymnastics. He pointed out that the assembly hall had been eliminated frorti the plans of the new 1 school, so there would be no opportunity for gymnastic training for some years to come. In the preparatory school Miss Banwell had taken over the work which had for the last IS months been in charge of Miss Win field. The secretary was instructed to confer with Mr. Moyes relative to necessary work at the bathrooms. j Mr. Moyes was authorised to procure I the parallel and horizontal bars. GIRLS' SCHOOL REPORT. | The principal of the Girls' School (Miss J. R. Barr) reported that the school reopened for the second term on May 30. The number on the roll in the Secondary Department was the same as that for last term. In the primary department one girl, whose parents had rqiuoved to Auckland, had left. The school had been fortunate in securing the services of Miss Menzies as relieving mistress. Of the four applicants for the position of junior assistant, Miss 'Barr considered Miss J. M. Smith the most suitable. The report was adopted. DRINKING FACILITIES. The New Plymouth Borough Sanitnry Inspector (Mr. R. Day) wrote drawing attention to the drinking facilities at public schools. Medical experts, he stated, agreed that the use of common drinking vessels was, to a certain extent, responsible for the spread of infectious diseases, particularly diphtheria, .scarlet fever, and consumption. At the present time the drinking facilities at the High School were not of a modern type, and readily lent themselves to the spread of infection. He suggested the use of a bubble fountain.—No action taken. WAIWAKA TERR'AOE. The town clerk notified the contents of the borough engineer's report as to work at Waiwaka Terrace, and stated that it was unlikely the Council would be in a position to do the work until at least the end of next summer. The chairman stated the Board only required a footpath, which should not cost £231. Mr. Atkinson understood that the footpath had been turned down on account of the road being used as a stock route. Mr. Webster suggested that this should he discussed- with the Hendrie Street drainage, as it might be advisable to Bend a deputation to the Borough Council on both matters. HENDRIE STREET STORM-WATER DRAIN. The town clerk enclosed the engineer's report in connection with this matter and stated that, without in any way waiving its right or admitting liability, the Council decided that, provided the Board undertook to pay half of the cost of the work, and undertook the whole responsibility for future maintenance, the Council would instruct its engineer to proceed with the work. The Council was prepared'to adopt either scheme 1 or scheme 2 as the Board preferred. The engineer reported that scheme 1, svhich consisted of loin, pipes and a tunnel, would cost £256 18s. The pipes would he laid so as not to require interfering with if the road was formed at any time. Scheme 2 was similar inside the Board's property, parallel to Hendrie Street. This would cost £282. Scheme 3 was through the school property to Gilbert Street. In this case no tunnel was necessary; only 15in. pipes would be required. The length would be 14 chains, and the discharge would be under the Hobson Street rubbish tip. The cost would be £225 £s fid. He did not suggest this scheme in preference to scheme 1, as in case of blockage the pipes would 'be difficult to get at. A point in favor of scheme 1 was that the drain would be available for road water. Mr. Trimble did not see that the Board should pay all the cost of maintenance, especially when in scheme 1 the borough proposed at the same time to utilise the drain for street drainage. The chairman said the Borough Council overlooked the fact that the Board had done some work in Hendrie Street, an arrangement regarding the payment for which had yet to be made. Mr. Hirst thought that Hendrie Street should be closed. Mr. Webster pointed out that scheme 1 would take the water right off their property. Mr. Sladden said scheme 1 was the j best for the Board. Tin; Chairman said the Board had not the money available at present. It had been suggested that they should approach' the Borough Council and ask if the Council would undertake tfie work and allow the Board to pay it off over two or three years. On the motion of Messrs Webster and Atkinson, it was resolved that a committee of the town members confer with the Borough Council on both matters.