VISITING THE SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 September 1917, Page 6

VISITING THE SCHOOLS.

• MEMBEKS OF THE EDUCATION •BOARD. ~ ~1 % Despite the unfavorable weather conditions prevailing on Thursday morning Mr. E. Masters (chairman of the Education Board), accompanied by Mr. 11. Trimble, carried out tho pre-arranged programme, and visited nine of the ten schools scheduled, between Tariki and Waiongona, time not permitting of a visit being paid to Inglewood, which will be visited later on in accordance with the resolution made by the chairman that he will visit every school under the jurisdiction of the Board and so familiarise himself with their requirements. It says much for his keenness in tho interests of education that he fulfilled the programme oiv Thursday, and it also speaks volumes for the enthusiasm displayed by •committee men that at every school visited the members of the Board were met by the chairman and in many cases also by members of the local committees. NORFOLK ROAD. The first school visited was at Norfolk road, where Mr. R. Thomas is in charge, Miss D. Simpson being assistant and Miss Leach probationer. The average at present is 3-i\ There aro two fine rooms (though a portion of the building was erected nearly 40 years ago) connected by a folding partition, enabling the school to be utilised as a hall for entertainments. Tliero is an area of about 11 acres, through which a creek runs, and in a swimming pool here practically every boy and girl in the school has been "taught to swim. There is also a nice pieco of bush, whilst the grounds and plots for agriculture give evidence of the headmaster's care. That the school has played its part in the Empire's fight is evidenced by the photographs of five old school boys, viz., F. Brown, W. Mather, B. Marshall, H. E. Bennett, and •T. Middlemiss, who have already made tho supreme sacrifice. The committee comprises Messrs W. Corney (chairman), and J. F. Peeve, J. Kilpatrlck, A. Johnstone and A. Laurence. Tlie two firstnamed met the Board. The principal matter touched on was the flooring of the shelter shed, the chairman of the .board suggesting that the board would consider finding the material if the committee would do the work. The need for additions to tho headmaster's residence was also stressed. TARIKI. Tariki was next visited. This school has two very commodious rooms, one a modern structure, 'whilst the other was tlie old Waipuku school. They are separated by a narrow hall. The average attendance is about 05. Mr. Eason la headmaster, and Miss Thompson assistant. The area of the school ground is over four acres. There is an asphalt tennis court, which is also used by tlae local club. Horticulture is not altogether neglected. The committee comprise Messrs J. Thcrkleson (chairman), D. •Tones, J. Hucker, J. Frev/in and Mrs. Jemison. The chairman met the board. Several minor matters were noted, aiM the chairman also promised to recommend the koard to grant material for concreting the shelter sheds, if the committee would do the work.

RATAPIKC. A run of about five miles down the Tariki road brought the party to the Ratapiko school. This school was formerly school and residence combined, but the demands of a growing district necessitated enlargement and a separate dwelling was erected and tho extra space thrown into the school. There is a roll number of about 40, the teachers being Mrs. Wilson and Miss Franklin (assistant). This school competes freely at A. and P. shows, and has won numerous 'awards, the prize cards being framed and making an imposing array. The teachers are working under difficulties, the .classes being separated only by a curtain. Tlie committee asked that a folding partition should be installed. Thn chairman pointed out that this would cost £3O, and stated that. the board would consider the granting of a £ for £ subsidy. The committee chairman pointed out that it was difficult to'raise any funds for anything but patriotic purposes. The shelter shed also required 'llooring, bub owing to the difficulty of obtaining metal concrete was out of the question. Tho Board will probably find the necessary timber, the committee agreeing to do the work. Some other minor matters wero also touched on. The school ground is five acres, and a pleasing touch is given by some bulbs flowering near the school. A start is also being made with agricultural plots. The committee comprises: Messrs C. J. Wiley (chairman), J. M. Hair, J. Jacobsen (senr.), liurkhart and Bennett, the first three being present. DURHAM ROAD. A fine run back and then up the Durham road, where the party were met by Mr. J. B. Simpson, chairman of the committee. Here is a pleasantly situated school on about an acre of land. Need for windows to allow a little sun in the school was impressed, on the members 'by Miss K. Smith, the headmistress, who mentioned the advantages of warmth and brightness in teaching children. Messrs Masters and Trimble recognised the need for improvement The school is nicely surrounded with shrubbery, whilst a flower bed round the school and the general surroundings with concrete yard and shelter shed show that tlie committee take a keen interest in tho school. The dwelling, a small two-roomed structure, which was the original school, is a bone of contention at present, the teacher and committee considering that it is practically uninhabitable, and that either a new dwelling should be erected or the teacher allowed the usual house allowance. 'Jfhe committee comprise: Messrs J. B. Simpson (chairman), J. Corney, J. H. Dombroski, A. Dodunski, and C. Goble. DUDLEY. The Dudley school is situated on a site of 11 acres at the Bedford road junction. Several acres are leased at a fair rental and is in good order. Tlie old school is used as a shelter shed and a dance room. The committee comprise: Messrs Hodges (chairman), Brereton, Weston, Goblo and, Broadmore. The first named was present. The committee only required i( few minor matters. The school is in charge of Miss Peach, with a roll number of 13, and the of pupils in the primer classes does not augur well for the future of the school. KAIMATA. After luncheon at "Itiversdale," Mr. Trimble's homestead, the journey was made via the Durham road to Kaimata. This is a bright, well lighted school of two rooms, with a roll number of about 74, in charge of Mrs. Cameron, with Miss Parli (assistant) and Miaa M. ParU (pro-

bationer). The grounds show that they are cared for. There is a. pretty little fernery in one of the angles outside the school, whilst some unsightly stumps liavo been transformed into miniature roek gardens. The committee have taken over about five acre's of rough hillside for a term of years and are cropping and improving it. A rough creek spoils the contour of the ground, but it is to be planted. An asphalt tennis court shows signs of disuse, owing to the players having enlisted. There is a nice plantation in the corner, and the hedges are well kept.. The school possesses a piano, as indeed did several others visited. Mr. Geo. Maekie (chairman of the committee) met the board. The other members of the committee are: Messrs A. Klenner' (.secretary), J. Klenner, W. A. Burrell, and R. Tippins. WAITUI. A run of about five miles along tho Kaimata and 'Bristol roads, the worst struck on the tour—the majority of the ■bve roads passed over being in good order—brought the visitors to the Waitui scliool, which i s healthily situated on a saddle at the junction of the Bristol and Rimutauteka roads. Miss Birnyan has charge of about 30 children. The site is ten acres, and the committee are desirous of leasing seven acres, which is very rough. They also require l;pO trees to plant a dirty corner. The board decided to favorably recommend both matters. The committee comprises Messrs Fagan (chairman), M. S'atler (secretary), C. McKinder, R. T. Williams and C. Shrieber, the two first named meeting the board. A roll of honor bears the names of 14 Waitui ladsy one of whom. (C. L. Satler) lias made the supreme sacrifice. LINCOLN ROAD. Ten miles run through Jnglewood brought the party to Lincoln road school, jK'hich is only about three miles lrom Waitui as the crow flies. Here, too, is a large site which ,the committee find difficult to keep clean, and they -are anxious to lease some of it. The committee comprise: Mr. G. E. Kenwood (chairman), Mrs. G. E. Heinvoo.l, Messrs G. Owen, J. W. Kenwood, E. li! Metcaife. The ground is being cleared for an experimental plot of lucerne. Mrs. Mclntyre i$ in charge or the school, which has a role number of 41. A pleasant 'break was provided here, two of the elder girls (Misses Henwood and Metcalfe) entertaining the party to a dainty and welcome afternoon tea. Mr. G. E. Henwood, chairman of the committee, pointed out several proposed improvements, and expressed surprise that the residence, which was over a mile away, had not been shifted when the school, part of which had been built 40 years ago, was removed to its present cite. WAIONCOXA. The members arrived somewhat .late at Waiongona and were met by Messrs K. J. Buttarn (chairman and secretary), and J. Batten, member of the committee, who apologised for the absence of their confreres, Messrs H. Iline, E. Clough, P. Peterson. This school has a roll number of 33 and is in charge of Miss Arthur. The ground is rather small, only an acre. There is a rather commodious residence for a school. The committee asked for some shelter trees for the boundary fence to replace some pinus insignia and this the Board agreed to recommend. The shelter shed here, is the old original school and it is in good order. This concluded the day's inspection, Mr. Masters having covered about 90 miles during the day.