TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD

Taranaki Daily News, 26 September 1917, Page 6

TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Taranaki Education Board was held vosterday. Present: Messrs R. Masters (chairman). H. Trimble, S. G. Smith, P. J. H. White, and E. Dixon.

CHAIRMAN'S REPORT. The chairman reported that during the interim he had to make the following temporary appointments:—Tc Kiri, Miss 11. Death, assistant; Patu, Miss P. Blandford, sole toacher; Pun(,'arehu, Mrs. M. Evans, hoad teacher; Midhirst, Miss I. Mouniford, assistant; flawera, Mrs. Eggers, assistant; Haweri. Mr. W. Sheat, assistant; Finnertjr, Miss K. Rowntree. sole teacher; Kiore.Miss A. Dromgool, sole teacher; MahiraVau, Mist. k. Hainerton, sole teacher; Vogeltown. Miss A. Evans, assistant; Okaiawa, Mi?s Hyndman. assistant; Kent, Miss D. Brown, sole teacher; Stratford, Miss M. Foley, assistant; Waitaanga, Miss Whitton, sole teacher; Eltham, Mr. Jarrat, first assistant; Eltham, Miss L. Whiting, third assistant., FINANCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The finance committee recomm mded as follows:—(1) That Mr. W. E. Rowe, recently appointed to the permanent building staff, be allowed 15s per week for upkeep of motor cycle; (2) that the overseer be authorised to purchase ready made paint up to the value of £2O; (3) that the overseer be autliorised to purchase eight 400-gallon tanks; (4) that in view of the board's solicitor's opinion that the expenditure on additions to the board's offices can be legally taken out of the general account, the ovencer pro eeed with the enlargement of the offices; (5) that twelve dozen boxes of colored black-board chalk be ordered; (fl) that tenders for the printing required for the technical school be obtained from local printers. The chairman moved the adoption of the report, and in connection with the clause relating to the enlargement of the office*, paid the proposal would mean the expenditure of £9OO and the addition of another storey to the present building. The present position as to the allotment of rooms and the addition of another storey would be conducive to better and more economical work by the staff. Mr. Trimble moved as an amendment that the clause relating to the enlargement of the board's offices be deleted. While it was true, he said, that more accommodation was desirable he did not think the board's present financial position would warrant the expenditure. The matter could very well stand over for six months. Mr. Dixon seconded the amendment.

The chairman said the financial position was satisfactory. Last year had been the heaviest in the matter of expenditure that the board had known, but a {Treat part of it would be non-recurring. The country had never been in a better position for a substantial vote for education. However, he had no desire to press the matter. On bem? put the amendment for the deletion of the clause was carried and the remainder of the report adopted. LEAVE AND RESIGNATIONS. Leave of absence was granted owine to illness as follows: —Miss McCarthy, sole teacher, Kent; Miss Burgess, assistant, Nornianby; Miss Hogg, assistant, Stratford; Miss Jemison, assistant, Vogeltown: Miss Surman, assistant, Okaiawa; Miss Woodrnffo, sole teacher, Mokau; Miss Moir, assistant Huiroa; Miss Foy, assistant, Hawera; Mr. Lightbourne, assistant, Eltham; Miss Hall, assistant, Midhirst (extension). The following resignations were accepted:—Margaret Tobin, assistant, Warea; Mary Fleming, sole teacher. Ackland; Mrs. Burfitt, sole teacher, i'ork.

LOWER MAXGOREI SCHOOL. In reference to the matter of providing material for the erection of a fence at the Lower Mangorei school the overseer recommended that the board make a grant of £2. conditionally upon the 6ehool committee providing the labor, topping the macroearpa hedge, etc — Adopted.

RESERVES' COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The reserves committee reported as follows: —

Courtenay street residence—We recommend the extension to Mr. A Hooker be granted and that it he subsequently offered to the Central School committee at a rent of £2O per annum. Toko; portion of school ground, eight acfes.—The school committee be allowed to uWise to the best advantage the part of this .ground not required by the teacher.

Waitui; portion of schopl ground eight acres.—Mr. E. G. Morgan having declined to take up a new lease, we recommend that tenders be called for a lease of the land for ten years on terms us per lease attached. Ohura, section 10, block XII—We recommend that it be leased to L. P. Westh for ten years. Opatu, section in.—That Mr. D. F, McLeod's application be deferred for further enquiry.

Waiongona, section 254, block XI, Paritutu, lac 3r.—We recommend that the Taranaki County Council and the Moa Road Board he notified that for the future the board will require to be paid a royalty of six pence per cubic yard for all metal removed from the pit. Stratford, allotments C. D. E. I<\ G. H. of part section 69, block ii., Xgaere— Mr. \V. P. Taylor's application for lease be referred to Messrs Masters and Trimble to report on. The report was adopted.

OVERSEER'S REPORT. The overseer, Mr. C. H. Moore, reported as follows: Finnerty new school.—With the exception of the stove this school was finished and opened on the 10th of this month.

Tahora.—We have all the sawn timber on the way, and I expect to be able to 6Uirt this work next week.

Awakino. —We have been able to place the order for the sawn timber and all the piles at a mill within the Awakino district. This will make a saving on the freight. AVe have the joinery for both Tahora and Awakino well on the way. Waitara technical. —The Department increased the subsidy and have suggested that the proposed technical and manual school at Waitara bo increased in size, each room to be 30 x 25. I have got out a plan accordingly, and submitted same for approval. Normanby.—l have got out further plans for the Department's information showing elevations and general detail j of the proposed part open air sr.hool at I Normanby. I have included the veranjdahs as the whole scheme especially in the infant department is not complete [without ti>«9

•Hawera.—l have aone into the matter of using part of the old school building for a depot, and repairing it sufficiently to hold a class room therein for the infants. At first I was 'rather favorably impressed with this idea, but on further consideration I think it will be advisable to have our depot away from the school buildings altogether, for many reasons. In regard to repairing this place good enough for a class room the cost would bo about £BO. Practically the whole of the centre partition would have to be renewed. The present infant department is not satisfactory. The rooms are too dismal for infants. Two of the infant teachers aro willing to donate £ls towards the cost of repairing this old building, so anxious are they to get more room. lam sorry to be unable to recommend this as a good proposition. B9 I think the most important thing is to improve the present infant class rooms, and would suggest that the parents interested subscribe a certain sum and the board subsidise the amount and approach the Department again to make a grant to carry out the open air additions already applied for. I went into the matter witli the headmaster and he is greatly in favor of repairing the old class room as he thinks the other scheme is to big to carry out at the present time.

Tokaora.—The painting of both school and residence outside were completed and sundry repairs attended to. Whakamara.—The painting repairs outside at this school and residence were also attended to. New out offices were erected and general repairs effected, Fraser road. —The painting and considerable general repairs to botlv. sonool and residence were also completed* He have yet to renew the tank at the school.

Mokoia. —We have made a start at general improvements and painting at this school. I have consulted with the chairman about the general improvements and would recommend that infant room be greatly improved in lighting, and have a separate entrance and a separate porch and the partition between the class rooms be continued across and a door put in this partition. The partitions are at present part sliding; but it is not on a good plan; the present porch to be extended out about six feet and another doorway made to the playground, extra windows will also be required iu the porches and new lavatory basins also. The whole will need naint-

ing There is at present one shelter shed. I understand the committee wish to have another separate shed. This is a matter for consideration. The jost will be about £l2O, including the painting.

West End.—We have completed the boundary fence at this school as authorised.

Vogeltown side school.—As instructed I have had the lean-to shelter at the back of the school closed in and made good enough to hold classes in. We had to put in a floor, windows and an outside door. This was the only way to make it at all satisfactory.

Rahotu.—Owing to the present teacher requiring the residence we had to renovate the inside generally and the work is completed. Pembroke.~The alterations to porches and shelter shed were completed. The committee will put a wooden floor in th« shed as they object to concrete, the beard tn find the material. I would suggest that the board be not liable for any repairs to wooden floors of shelter sheds. The objection i 3 raised occasionally that the concrete is bad for the children. Ido not think there is any-

thing in this, as the children are only in the sheds a short time. If concrete is put down where possible the job is everlasting and far more sanitary. Central School Residence. —As instructed I went into this matter and beg to report as follows:—My attention was drawn to the urgent need for a now sink, range plate, re-papering front bedroom, dining room ceiling and painting the kitchen All these iteni9 are reasonable and necessary. Other matters were the electrio light installation and renewing the whole of the verandah. The lighting would cost £9, and probably the committee may find part of the cost. The verandah above the floor is certain-

I*< in a bad way, and will have to be renewed sooner or later The total cost would be: Lighting £9, verandah £l2 "lOs, general £9 10s. total, £3l. Technical college.—As instructed we have erected a temporary partition in the art room, and divided it into two class rooms. General.—Tenders have been called for electric lighting and power for the engineering building. In our own workshop we hava a considerable amount of joinery finished and on the way for the new work we have on hand. The matter of enlarging the Hawera school was referred to the chairman and the overseer to report. Tlie suggested work on the Xew Plymouth Central school was authorised. The overseer was instructed to draw up plans for the reinstatement of the Okaiawa school in concrete or wood.

STRATFORD HIGH SCHOOL. Mr. Wilkinson wrote that Dr. Anderson was making inquiries into the valuation of the 14 acres under offer as a site for the Stratford High School, and if satisfactory would recommend that a sum be placed upon the Supplementary Estimates which would suffice for the purpose. The sum might not be for the full amount of £I4OO, but that would not affect the purchase but merely for audit requirements. The director was riot clear as to the class of school to be established, and took the liberty of urging that the proposed school should be under the control of the board. He was favorably impressed with the aspect of the case, and the board should, in Mr. Wilkinson's opinion, press the point. The chairman moved: "That the board urge on the department tho view that the school established in place of the district high school at Stratford be placed under the sole control of the Education Board." —Seconded by Mr. Dixon and carried. i

TRANSFER OF WEST END SCHOOL Messrs Wilkinson and Okey, M'sP., forwarded the following report of an interview with Dr. Anderson (Director of Education), in reference to the proposed transfer of the West End school to a site at Cutfleld Road: "In reply to. our urgent representations the director advised that he was very favorably disposed to the larger scheme, namely, the purchasing for cash or by way of exchange, say f> acres of the Cutfleld Road, New Plymouth borough endowment, and agreed that the board should approach the borough council with a view to ascertaining the probable cost of 5 acres, also that the board should make some inquiries as to whether there is any Crown land in the New Plymouth district that might be exchanged with the borough council It was also mentioned that the present West End site might be used for exchange purposes. The director wa? jwmsvvbi-*. emphatic that 6 acres would

be ample area for a school of the sort that would be built on the Outfield Road. We are personally of the opinion that there is a reasonable chance of the Cutfield Road site being acquired, and that the efforts of the board should bo concentrated in that direction." The chairman thought it would he advisable to set up a committee to wait on the borough council and see what they were prepared to do. The chairman, Messrs White and Smith were accordingly appointed a committee.

MOTUROA AND SPOTS'WOOD. Messrs Wilkinson and Okey also reported as follows on an interview with | the director regarding tho proposed school at Spotswood: "The director agreed that a school would have to be erected at Spotswood sooner or later, but could not agree that the matter was urgent. It was contended by us that the port of New"Plymouth was an assured success, and that the advent of Home liners, etc., would mean that an increasing number of workmen and others would be employed at the breakwater, and that the school should be opened without delay We would suggest to the board that, .-.nquiries be made re size of the Church of England building, which, we understand, is available, also if other suitable building can be got which might induce the department to open a school without unnecessary delay. The building of a school should, however, hot he overlooked in any way, as the renting of a place should only be a temporary settlement of the question." The particulars mentioned by Mr. Wilkinson will be forwarded to the department.

SCHOOEi COMMITTEE. APPOINTMENTS. Tho following appointments on school committees were approved:—Frankley, Mr. J. Hamilton, vice Mr. R. M. Corney, resigned : Tahora, Mr. H. 'Pittams, vice Mr. W. E. Kennedy, resigned; Makaka, Mr. A. V. Corkill and Mr. S. George, vice Messrs Walker and Maindonald. resigned ; Durham, Mr. Dombroski, vice Mr. G. Mehrtens, resigned. The following were appointed to act as commissioners:—lhaia, Messrs M, O'Brien and J. L. Macßeynolds; Kiore, Mr. J. Ross, in conjunction with. Mr. A. •J. Stoekley.

APPRECIATIVE SETTLERS. The Pukengahu committee wrote thanking the board for the kindly way in which their interests were furthered in the matter of the new local sef 001. They considered the school completely suitable in every respect, and a credit to the district. The committee also desired to acknowledge the courteous treatment they had received from the board overseer.—Received. The Tahunaroa Settlers' Association wrote that the hoard's motion at last meeting regarding grade 0 schools was very much appreciated by them. It was quite plain that the Taranaki Education Board were under no delusion as to the price of back-country land being counterbalanced by the loss of educational facilities, and they thanked the board for

the interest shown in the matter.—'Received.

The following letter, received by Mr. Trimble, was read: "A few of us have talked of the benefit derived from the instruction received through the pruning classes, and it was suggested that I write to you to thank the board for inaugurating same. Not only here, but also in New 'Plymouth, have I had conversations with men who were delighted with the benefit derived from the instruction given by Miss Turton and Mr. Sergei. Our hope is that the classes will be continued.—Herbert Joll, Waitara."

GENERAL. The action of the following committees in closing the following schools on account of epidemics was confirmed: — Frankley, outbreak of fever; York Eoa<l, whooping cough: Ratapiko, diphtheria. The matter of renewing the gymnasium at Hawera was referred to the chairman and Mr. Wilkinson. It was decided to thank the resident engineer of the (Public Works Department at Stratford for arranging to carry tho materials for the erection of Tahora school between Whangamomona and Tahora free of charge. The following matters were referred to the overseer:—Rowan, repairs to chimney; Mangahume, repairs to roofs of school and residence; Hurimoana, cupboard; York, closet pans; Waihi, posts and gate; Midhirst, fence. An application from the Nonnanby committee that the school hours during the summer mouths be from 9 a.m. till noon and. from 1 p.m. till 3 p.m. was acceded to.

The secretary was instructed to inform the Mangatoki committee that the board had no objection to the committeeinsuring the teachers against accident. Permission was granted to the Ohangai committee to let the schoolhouse, provided it is insured in the board's name for £SOO. The chairman and Mr. Trimble were requested to report on the overcrowding of the Inglewood school. The matter of school sites at Ohura and Upper Ohura was referred to the i chairman.

The overseer was instructed to prepare plans for a suitable school building at Hapurua, such plan 3 to be submitted

to the settlers, j It was decided to inform the Waitaanga committee that the board iwould agree to rent the Mechanic's Hall at a rental of 5s per week, subject to the approval of the department. An application by the Okato committee for additional land was referred to Messrs Trimble, White, and Smith to report. Mr. Dixon moved that the ehairfflali make temporary arrangements for the services of a truant inspector, who will pay special attention to technical schools. —Carried.

The overseer was instructed to proceed with the erection of the school at Mount Messenger, provided the department undertake to pay any amount the building may cost in exce3s of the estimates.

An application for the conveyance of children to the Manaia school was left in the hands of the chairman.

An application from the Mangamingi committee for permission to set apart a portion of the school site as a horse paddock and for the teacher's private use was referred to Mr. Dixon to report. The chairman and Mr. White were appointed to confer with the Waitara committee with reference to a site for the

Waitara manual school building. The secretary was instructed to secure information as to the quantity of Alexandria sehoolbooks held in stock by the ■booksellers of the province, and also the quantity likely to arrive before the end of the year. It was decided to write to Mr. W. T. Jennings, M.P., thanking him for his efforts with regard to metalline the road I-to the Awakino school sit*

The matter of purchasing additional land at Tataraimaka was referred to Messrs Trimble, Smith, and White. Accounts amounting to £5(510 78 lid were passed for payment.