TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD

Taranaki Daily News, 24 October 1917, Page 7

TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD

ORDINARY MEETING,

The ordinary meeting of the Taranalci Education Board was held at Xew Plymouth yesterday when there were present: Messrs R. Masters (chairman), H. Trimble, S. G. Smith, P. j. H. White and F„ Dixon. Leave of absence was granted to Mr. Wilkinson. OVERSEER'S REPORT. I Mr. C. H. Moore (overseer) reported: Waitara.—General repairs, including renewal of 'blinds, and a considerable amount of spouting, etc., have received attention, The leak complained of oppears to come through the gable and, owing to the rustic shrinking, I am further considering the matter. Dudley.—Small repairs were attended to,

Mokoia.—General outside painting repairs to both school and residence, alterations to infant class room and porches were all completed. Central Residence.—The new verandah, re-papering, and other work authorised has been completed. Tahora.—We have started this new school and the work is well on and will be finished early next month. Awakino.—Practically all the material was sent to Awakino for the new school and We shall be able to make a start as soon as Tahora is completed. The Department having made an extra grant, w e shall be able to have the Ml. Messenger school ready to open after tlie Christmas holidays at the latest. Raponga.--I would recommend that an extension of the south wing with a movable partition to divide this into two rooms.

Tarata.—The committee obtained two new tanks; evidently under the impression that the present tanks were worn out. This is quite incorrect. One only requires attention. I propose to take over the tanks obtained 'by the committee.

General.—We have received word that the hyloplate ordered is on the way and should soon be to hand. A considerable amount of joinery and furniture have been turned out in our own workshop, and the workmanship is very satisfactory indeed.

The overseer alao reported on various matters in the Ohura as follows:

Aukopae proposed school.—Eighteen children would eventually ' attend, oE whom 10 wouUl start at once. Other settlers would come in when the school was started. He suggested that the Board should ask the Department for four acres and a grant for a school on the shelter shed plan. At Okahukura he had authorised material to the value of £8 10s for fencing. The committee would erect a shed to cost £ls, the Board's share to be £lO. The committee wore anxious to have additions to the school and were holding a meeting to see what they could do to assist. They were also anxious to 'have another school erected and not remove the present one, but he had pointed out that there was no cthanee of getting the school as the distance was only H miles. The school was overcrowded and he suggested that it was a matter for the 'Public Works Department to carry out as they built the first structure

The Matiere new school would lie completed within a month. At Otangawai he had authorised' material for fencing to cost about £9, provided the committee found the labor and removed the fence to the proper "boundary. If tho .price was satisfactory he proposed to let the repair work by contract.

The overseer's reports were received and adapted. Application will be made to the Department for a grant for tho erection of a school at Aukopae. The overseer's action in authorising material for fencing at Otangawpi was confirmed, and a grant of £lO was made towards the cost of a shelter shed. Application is to he made to tho De-

partment for a graint towards the cost of additions to the Okahukura school, and the committee is to be thanked for the offer to provide the necessary poles, etc. The Lands Department i 9 to be asked to set aside at least four acres lor a school site at Aukopae. The following matters were referred to the overseer: Oakura, removal of outhouses; Frankley, extra tank for Westown side school, also sundry repairs at Central School. TECHNICAL EDUCATION. Mr. A. Gray, director of technical education, reported: The numbers in the different classes at New Plymouth are as follows, with the number for the previous quarter in parentheses:— . Day Classes.—Commercial, 87 (SS); engineering, 42 (43); domestic, 0 (8); j arts and sciences, 10 (16); agriculture, 3 (6); woodwork, 3 (3); *

Night Classes.—Book-keeping (sen.), 3 (3); book-keeping (jun.), 26 (-26); shorthand (sen.)(, 7 (7); shorthand (jun.), 18 (26); commercial correspondence, 4 (4) : dressmaking (jun.), 15 (16); dressmaking (sen,), 3 (3); cookery, 14 (14); English and arithmetic, 25 (30); electrical engineering, 14 (16); mechanical drawing, 11 (13;; steam; gas and oil, 7 (7); motor car engineering, 19 (21). Additions.—There seem good reasons to believe that the necessary additions will be available for the beginning of the year. It is to be hoped that no further delay will occur, as it is most inconvenient to have the pupils in different buildings. Mr. Pascoe is doing temporary duty as truant officer, and has already done good service. ,A number of the boys will do good work. There is no doubt that quite a lot of young fellows who have been shirking the classes have now made up their minds to make the best of their time. Miss Watkins and Messrs White and Wright, the newly appointed instructors, have taken up their duties.

Hawera:—The numbers at this centre are as follows:

Day Classes.—Commercial, 46 (4G); engineering, 4 (4); arts anil sciences. 7 (7); arts and art craft, 1 (1); domestic, 4 (4); literary, 1 (1); agriculture, 4 (4). Evening Classes. —English and arithmetic, 40 (40); book-keeping, 30 (30); shorthand, 4.4 (44j; woodwork, 14! (14); cookery,'s (5); dressmaking, S (8). _ Circulars have been issued for the signature of parents who would send their children to a technical high school. I think every effort should be mad« to get a decision from the Department on this question, so that a fair start may be made next year.

Stratford' and Elthsim.—The classes are proceeding at these centres. At Eltham Mr. Jarratt has been temporarily in charge since Mr. Lightbourne left. At Stratford the motor engineering class, Which lia.s been a most successful one, has closed down for the session, owing to the busy season. At the request of the students the class will be opened earlier next year. . Country Schools Woodwork,—la ana-

nection with the scheme a circular lias been issued to the committee ir> order to ascertain if they ore ctil) prepared to subscribe as promised. In receipt of a favorable reply 1 should suggest that the position of instructor be advertised. Midsummer Vacation.—As a number of the students both in Ilawera and New Plymouth are anticipating bein"employed during the holidays, I have se°cured the necessary information on forms ■bearing the signature of the parents. I may point out that there is a likelihood of great disappointment to farmers and others unless the consent of the parent is obained before any boy is reckoned on as a prospective helper. Tt wo.iid he a very easy matter for a lad to give in his name without consulting hi. ; parents, who might ultimately veto the whole thing, just at the time when the help was most depended on. In fact the whole system of student help w«l have to bo organised, otherwise very little good will result. RESERVES COMMITTEE. The reserves committee (Messrs Harold Trimble and H. Masters), reported as follows:—That the tender of Mr. M. Sattlei- for the least of eight acres of the school site at Waitui for a term of 10 years at 8s 7d per acre per annum be acepted; that the Crown Lands ranger at Matiere be aslied to report on the education reserve section 14, block 11., Ohura Survey District, containing six acres two roods, in reference to Mr. R. T. Field's application to lease; that Mr. Barber, master of the school at Koru, be granted the use of that portion of the school grounds not required by the school free. The leasee of portion of the school site at ■Puniwhakau is to be given notice that it is now required by the Board.— I Adapted. * I TATARAIMAKA EXTENSIONS. Messrs 11. Trimble, Percy It. J. White and S G. Smith reported that they had visited Tataraimaka and had met Mr. McAllum and two members of the school committee, also Mr. C. E. George, owner of the adjoining property, who had agreed to sell the Board a piece of land measuring, approximately, 4 chains by i chains, for the sum of £4O, to wliich the committee agreed to find £lO and pay the cost of erecting the fence if the Board found the material. They recom- | mended that this be accepted.—Adopted. FINNERTY COMMITTEE. Mr. Trimble reported that he had attended a meeting of householders of tho proposed Finnerty school district. Re-> presentatives of Ngaere', Mahoe and Mangatoki committees were present. 'Boundaries were decided upon and twe following committee was elected: Messrs E, S. Bennett (chairman), A. T. Cuff, J. !.T. Harris, R. J. Nairn and J. li. Richards —Adopted. CHAIRMAN'S REPORT The chairman reported during the interim he had made the following temporary appointments:—Hawera, Mrs. J. iHosking and Miss A. Graham, assistants (secondary department); York, Miss I. Craig, sole teacher; Mt. Messenger, Miss A. Murray, sole teacher; Mokau, Miss A. Barnes, sole teacher; Oeo, Miss M. Trcwin, sole teacher; Tatu, Miss I'. Blandford, sole teacher; Stratford, Miss 0. Ford, assistant.

A sub-committee, consisting of Messrs Masters and Trimble, was set up to report to the Board on the duties of the truant officer, TRUANT OFFICERS' REPORT.

The truant officer (Mr. Geo. Pascoe) reported that sincu his temporary appointment he had attended principally to looking up the /boy pupils of the Technical College night classes of New Plymouth, Hawera, and Eltham. At the two latter places the attendance was good, only three boys not being on the register. New Plymouth attendance was not so good, ho having, so far, found 30 boys not registered. He had sent notices to various parents. lie had also visited Fitzroy, Central. West End, and Eltham schools and found attendances very good. Thhty-three notices for irregular attendance had been issued. I INGLEWOOD SCHOOL. Messrs R. Masters and H. Trimble reported that they had visited Inglewood school and met Mr. J. R. Sutherland secretory to the school committee. After an inspection of the school, they instructed the headmaster (Mr. D. P. Evans) that he might use the cookery room at the technical school for the accommodation of St. 111, provided that the room was kept clean and the tables replaced in position when the room is required for cookery classes. They also recommended that if the inspector reports favorably on the proposal, an application be made to the department for an addition to the school. The si::e of the rooms and the attendances at the various classes were as follow: Senior room (St. V and VI), 56ft. by 24ft., roll number 7-1; east room (St. II and IV), 45ft. 'by 20ft., roll number 03: middle room (St. Ill), 21ft. by 20ft. roll 2S; infant room (primers and St. I), 50ft. by 20ft.. roll number 1,50.

They had also arranged to pay 2s Gd per month for electric fight in the technical school at lnglewood.

The chairman Btated that the school was badly designed. Tlu. total - space was sufficient for the roll number, but it was impossible to so organise the school 8o as to make the space lit in. Mr. Dixon considered, under the circumstances, it was no use making application to the department. TEACHERS' MOVEMENTS. The following resignations were received: Miss K. L. Taylor, sole teacher, Piko; Miss B. Hunt, assistant, Te ICirij Miss James, assistant, Waitara; Mrs. Balsoni, sole teacher, Tarurutangi. Leave of absence was granted to Miss Barkla, sole teacher at Oeo ; Misses Warren, pupil teacher at the Central, and Hall, assistant at Midhirst. TECHNICAL SCHOOL FOR WAITARA. Messrs R. Masters (chairman),. P, J. 11. White, and H. Trimble reported having visited Waitara on Monday in reference to tho site of the proposed technical school there. After a careful examination of the whole area, they recommended that the school be built on a site marked out, running across the rear of the experimental garden plot, and adjacent to tile primary school, the building to face McLean Street, the end approximately six feet from tile side street.

Tjiu chairman expressed regret that they had been unable to meet the committee, who had been advised of the visit.

Mr. Smith said the date chosen for the visit was an unfortunate one, as the whole town was engaged in an effort to raise money for patriotic purposes. OKATO SCHOOL GROiDND. Messrs H. Trimble, - P. J. H. White, and S. G. Smith reported that they had visited Okato, and after examination of tho aAlmn] ground, cams to thg eonclu-

eion that tho cost of draining the swamp would entail a greater expenditure than the board would be justified in incurring. They recommended that in order to provide a proper playground, an endeavor he made to purchase from Mr. J. Wooldridge ono acre of the land adjoining the school ground, but not the portion having a frontage to tho South Road, provided that the school committee will pay £3O towards the cost and also erect the necessary fences if the board provides the material. CONVEYANCE OF CHILDREN. The truant inspector reporte3 that he had interviewed Mr. Farley, one'of the committee residing oh the Glen Road, in connection with the application of the Glen Road parents for fi conveyance to take their children to and from the Manaia School. There were children living on the road not attending any school, who would be able to attend if a conveyance were available to carry them to Mftuaia. Some did attend Manaia, but were outside the school radius. In the matter of cost, he asked the 'board's instructions re clause in regard to the Department bearing part of the extra over (id return fare.

Regarding the application of parents on lower Inaha Road, for a teacher for a school in a private residence, he pointed out that those parents were u mile and a half from the stopping place of the bus running to Inaha for the conveyance of children to Manaia. It appeared to come within the Act that these children should be compelled to walk a short distance to meet the conveyance.

Mr. Dixon said he understood the conveyance had stopped, as some of the parents refused to continue because they had to pay £3 or £4 apiece additional. .They therefore wanted a household school. Ho questioned whether it would not he better to establish a school in tho district, the settlers having offered a suitable building. There would always be at least 20 children in the district, and the number'should increase as the farms were cut up. The chairman pointed out that at the fartiicst the children would only have to travel from 3% to Ah miles, on perfect tar-sealed roads. Many children In the ljackblocks had" much further to travel. Mr. White did not think it reasonable to expect children to walk 4i miles. Some action should be taken to enable the children to attend school.—Received. It was -decided that the application for a school at Inaha should be deferred to the chairman, with power to act. STRATFORD HIGH SCHOOL. The Director of Education, in reply to a letter from the board urging thai the proposed school at Stratford, to replace the secondary department of the present school, should be placed under the sole control.of the Education Department, stated that the matter would be referred to at the next meeting of the Council of Education, in' February next. In 1915 the council had advised that the school should toe controlled by a separate board or governing body. The question of the relative advantage of control by such a board or by the education board was Jiot prominently before the council, and he suggested that the board might set out its specific reasons for adopting the''resolution. It was resolved that a committee consisting of the chairman, Messrs Trimble and Smith be appointed to go thoroughly into the matter of the establishment of a secondary school at Stratford, with special instructions to set out reasons why tho school should be placed under the control of the board. DISESTABLISHMENT OF ELTHAM HIGH SCHOOL. The Director or Education notified that as the roll number of the Eltham •District High School had fallen to six, it was proposed to close the secondary department. The inspector said the attendance was now five. Resolved that, in view of the small attendance, the Department be advised that the board is of opinion that the Eltham District High School should be disestablished. ;

HAWERA DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL. The Director of Education asked,for information regarding the proposed technical high school at 'Hawera, stating that if the circumstances warranted it the application would be referred to the next meeting of the Council of Education. It should be clearly understood, the director stated, that it must be fjhown that a properly equipped district high school could not) provide satisfactory courses of instruction for the needs of the district before the Government could be expected to consider the pro-i posal to establish a separate high .school.

It was resolved that the Hawera Borough Council be thanked for the offer of five acres of land, and that the Education Department be asked to provide in any Bill dealing with reserves which may be brought before Parliament this session a clause validating the transfer of the land from the Hawera Borough Council to the Taranaki Education Board. GENERAL. The action of the Normanby eon-fnitti-, in closing the school on account or an outbreak of scarlet fever and diphtcrhia was confirmed.

'l'he chairman was appointed to sign and affix the board's seal to the memorandum of transfer in connection with the exchange of sites at Awakino.

It was resolved, in answer to the communication from the Hawera County Council, drawing attention to the sanitary arrangements at the Normanby School, to inform the council that tho board had submitted plans to the department for the erection of a new school, and that the chairman would interview I the department in reference to theso matters when in Wellington this week. Tho Matapu school committee is to be informed that three acres of the Matapu school site will 'be set aside fpr the use of the assistant teacher, and that the board will provide the material for fencing, provided the Matapu committee finds the necessary labor. Mr. W. P. Taylor, of Stratford, waited on the board in connection with the extension of his lease at Stratford.—Resolved to grant an extension of at least one year on the same terms as hitherto. Tlie Mangatoki committee is to be informed that the board will be pleased to pay tho balance of subsidy, namely, £5, as soon as the overseer reports that the work has been completed to his satisfaction.

The Director of Education notified that the Land Board had agreed to reserve sections asked for at Tahora for tho extension of the school site, provided tho Department paid £26, which the Department agreed to do. Leave of absence for November 5 was granted Mrs. Dowling and Mr. T. Thomas, teachers' representatives for the Taranaki district on the board of appeal set up in connection with the grading of teachers.