TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD

Taranaki Daily News, 28 March 1918, Page 7

TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the Taranaki Education Board wns held yesterday, when there were present: Messrs R. Masters (chairman), H. Trimble. S. G. Smith. P. J. H. White, E. Dm>n, and C. A. Wilkinson, M.P. . CHAIRMAN'S REPORT. The chairman reported: During the interim ,he had to make the following temporary appointments: Tongaporutu, Miss Waite, sole teacher; Hawera, Mrs. Hosking, secondary assistant and Mrs. Eggore, twelfth assistant; Inglewood, Miss D. A. Lawn, assistant; Tahunaroa. Miss Meredith, sole teacher; Aukopae, Miss Simpson, sole teacher; Lincoln, Mrs. K. Shaw, sole teacher; Dudley, Miss H. Nutting, sole 1 teacher; Huiron, Miss I. Craig, assistant, and Normanby, Mrs. Mitchell, assistant. AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION. Mr Robt. Browne, Director of Agricultural Instruction, reported as follows; — Owing to the greatly increased call for instruction, also to shortage of staff, and the indisposition of one of the instructors, temporary arrangements only were possible as regards the running of classes.

Primary School Classes.—The following schools have been visited since the beginning of the year: Waiongona, Lincoln, Waitui, Lower Mangorei, Upper Mangorei, Kent; Kaimiro, Ratapiko, Tuna, Stanley, Bird, Pukengalm, Rawhitiroa (2), Mangamingi, Mata, Rotokare, Korito, Fitzroy, Oaonui, Opunake, Tataraimaka. Hillsborough, Waihi, Lepperton, York, Carrington, Mokoia, Te Eoti, Eltham, Normanby, Ngaere, Finnerty, jjidhirst Norfolk. \>aingongora, Bell Block, Huirangi, Pembroke, Cardiff, Toko, Whangamomona, Kohuratahi, Tarjki, Mahoe. I have regularly instructed closses at btratford D.H.&..' New Plymouth High School, also Technical College pupils at New Plymouth, and Hawera from time to time.

Orchard and farmers' clas'ses have been held at Tatarainiaka and Inglewood. Work began on the ICth inst.. at New Plymouth teachers' class, only six being present, but there is prospect of an increase at next lesson. Mr. Burley has regularly instructed classes-at Straiford D.H.S. three days i Hawera D.H.S. one day, and latterly at New Plymouth High School one day per week. He also handles teachers' classes, on Saturdays at Stratford. • Mr. Howell regularly instructs the Hawera Technical College class of seven pupils and latterly has assisted with the Ne\; Plymouth class also. Mr. Dean has taken up his duties keenly, and has visited a large number of country schools, as well as assisting with classes at Xevv Plymouth, and Stratford from time to time. At country schools- the main work of all instructors has been that in connection with the collection of seeds., also identifintion of pasture plants, weeds, etc. A short course of instruction for teachers desiring a practical work certificate for '*C" examination especially, has been asked for by several teachers, and, if possible, arrangements will be made to supply the want. It might be possible to arrange to take this work during the winter holidays in June. The report was adopted. OVERSEER'S REPORT Mr. C. H. Moore (overseer) reported, as follows: Matiere and Surrounding Districts.—A week was spent in this back country, and the several works we have in hand were inspected. Aukopae.—This new school is ready for occupation. Matiere. —With the exception 'of a few minor fittings this school is completed, and is proving a great improvement on the former conditions. Otangiwai—-The work, authorised .has been completed, with the exception of one or two items, and these are receiving attention.

Niho Niho.—l went into the matter of exchanging part of the school site for a similar area adjoining. Mr. Bruce met me in a very fair manner, and agreed to allow the board to retain a strip of about half a chain from the fence that encloses the school.

Okahukura.—The matter of putting on additions to the school in its present position should be reconsidered. A number of children have left, and most of the remainder come from below the school, and could more easily attend a permanent school erected somewhere near the Okahukura station. Both the Niho Niho School and the Otaugiwai School and residence require painting. The matter of a school at the junction of the Ohura and Upper Ohura Roads is not making much headway. It is urgent to have this Settled, and erect the school before the winter weather sets in. Waitara Technical School.—This school is completed, and classes are being held. . Hawera.—We have made a start with the alterations, etc., to .the gymnasium building, and the work is well on. We have also completed a depot as authorised.

General and Sundries.—We have had to renew the tanks at the Upper Mangorei and Kent Schools; also a new tank at the Tataraimaka residence. Urgent repairs at the Toko residence have received attention. At Omata.the committee has satisfactorily carried out the tar and sanding, and formed a pathway round the school. I visited Okoke, and found the trouble with the tank stand was a' couple of piles required renewing. The piles will be sent out. At Stratford the flat part of the roof has given a lot of trouble.

Courtenay Street School Residence.— Although the building is one of the oldest in New Plymouth, the timbers are fairly sound, the'worst feature, perhaps, being the sinking of the foundations "and general construction. After careful consideration I am unable to recommend any expenditure to put the place in good condition; the cost would be too great. Owing to the dearth of houses this place would let almost as it is. It would need at least a range, copper, bath and sink. I understand the board's caretaker would be willing to take the place, and fit it up to Buit himself under certain conditions. This would, perhaps, be satisfactory for a time, but sooner or later I would suggest the best plan would be to do away with the whole structure and level out the ground for a playground for the infants. The report 'was adopted. Tt was resolved to make application to the Department for perimssion to make the exchange at Niho Niho. . The erection of additions at the Ckoliukura school was held over until after the next election of school committees. A new tank is to be provided at Tarata conditionally on the committee expending a similar amount on the shelter shed. The following matters were referred to the overseer: Pungarehu and Ohongai,

repairs to shelter sheds; Radnor, repairs to roof; Te Koti, repairs to chimney, ;,(loor, etc.; Denbigh, repairs to roof of school and floor of shelter shed; Carrington, beater; Rahotu, range, tank, etc.; .Durham, windows; Patua, removal of school; Okahukura, a stove.

TRUANT OFFICERS REPORT. The truant officer reported: During the month I have „»nt out Rl notices to parents for irregular attendance at primary schools. I have visited thirteen schools, and found the attendance satisfactory. Since the technical night classes commenced I have put in some time in Eltham and New Plymouth, visiting parents of boys who should attend these classes, calling their attention to the fact tt:at the board intends enforcing the compulsory attendance regulations this year. There are still some eleven boys (whose parents I spoke to) who have failed to enrol. The report was adopted.

SICK LEAVE (FOR TEACHERS. Messrs K. Masters and H. Trimble, the committee set up to consider the question of framing the rules regarding leave of absence of teachers on account of sickness, recommended that ithe following clause be added; "By-law .5!) (a). Payment of salary during the absence of a teacher on leave on account of sickness shall be as follows: One month on full pay, followed by one month on half pay where the teacher has been employed in the .Education service for five years or over, and in the case of a teacher with less than five years' service, two weeks on full pay, followed by two weeks on half provided that no payment of salary shall be made to any teacher during absenec on sick leave who has not completed six months' continuous service under the board;, provided further that no payment of salary shall be made to a teacher who has during a period of cne year immediately preceding received the maximum sick leave allowance. No payment on account of sick leave will be made unless the application is accompanied <by a medical certificate. The chairman, in moving the adoption of the report, stated .that the Department were now paying 9d sick leave capitation instead of Gd- Previously the board paid a fortnight's salary on full pay. The Department recommended that in the case of teachers with over five years of service one month on ftill pay and one month on half pay be allowed, but no provision was made for teachers who had not been teaching for that period; and the committee had made provision for these. Mr. Smith pointed put that the clause might inflict a hardship on'teachers who lived miles away from a resident doctor and would have difficulty in obtaining a certificate-

Mr. Wilkinson pointed out that the board would require to carefully watch the fund, which was already in debit.

Mr. Dixon said he would like to see the clause re doctor's certificate carried out. In fact he would prefer to see the board havo its own doctors issue these certificates, but that was impossible. Teachers obtained exemptions too easily. There were not nearly so many employed in the mercantile world who obtained exemptions as did those engaged in the teaching profession. Personally be thought it should be made as difficult as possible for -teachers to obtain exemption certificates. The chairman stated the reason the fund was in debit was because sick leave was paid in accordance with the rate of salary, and when this was raised the Department did not raise the capitation. Mr. Wilkinson favored giving teachers every penny of the capitation, but he questioned whether it would make provision for the allowance the board proposed to make to teachers with under five years' service. The chairman thought they should be as liberal to teachers as possible. The resolution was carried. It was later resolved that Education Boards be written to regarding the defects in the teachers' relieving terms, and that they be asked to co-operate in making representations to tlie Department.

FINANCE COMMITTEE'S REPORT. The Finance Committee (Messrs P. J. H. White, Masters, and Wilkinson) reported, inter alia, 'that the cost of erecting the workshop and the installation of machinery be a charge to the general fund ami the amount credited to maintenance account, and that in connection with the Workshop a statement be prepared' showing for the last six months the amount of stock purchased, overhead charges, expenses, and wages, and also the amount of material and work produced, together with the stocks on October 1, 1917, and March 31, 1918.

Mr. Wilkinson, in moving the adoption, considered it was a wrong principle to charge to the repairs and maintenance accounts items that should be charged to the geenral account. The erecting and equipping of the workshop had cost over £ 1000, and the repairs and maintenance fund had been depleted to this amount. The New Plymouth Technical College building account also showed a debit to the technical account of £1352. When school committees in different localities asked for funds for necessary work they were told that there was no money. He .considered that the repairs and maintenance account should bo kept in as strong a position as possible in order to meet legitimate calls upon it, and there had been numerous calls upon it lately, especially from South Taranaki.

The chairman stated it was only fair to recent boards to state that the debit of £13.52 in connection with the erection of the Technical College had not been due to them. He certainly agreed it was not right that expensive buildings should be erected in New Plymouth at the expense of country schools, but this did not obtain, as the funds for the erection of primary schools were distinct, from those applying.to technical schools Mr. Trimble 'stated that the debit could not have been all incurred on the technical school. He pointed out that the trouble was that the grant given by the Department did not suffice to complete any work, and the board's funds were encroached upon. Mr- Wilkinson held it was essential that the maintenance fund should be kept as strong as possible, because a "stitch in time" often saved considerable expense in repairs to a building and gave satisfaction to country committees, who took a vital interest in educational matters. Mr. "White considered that at no time had school buildings been kept in the splendid state of repair that they were at presentThe resolution wns carriedVOGELTOWX SCHOOL. The secretary of the Central School Committee wrote requesting the board to apply to the department for a grant

for the immediate erection of the Vogeltown scliool, owing to tire fact that the present temporary accommodation erected for 2jv was now accommodating 41 and was; totally inadequate. Mr. iS. (I. Hiniih moved that application ho made to the department to reinstate the grant for tin; building of a school at Vogell.owri. He pointed out that the grant had been made, but was withdrawn on the outbreak of 'war. Mr. C. A. Wilkinson seconded the motion.

The chairman stated that the grant had been turned down for twelve months on account of the war, and lie thought the committee was justified in asking for the reinstatement. Ho questioned whether the then grant of £920 would now build the school, and he suggested that fresh applications be submittedMr. Smith amended l)is motion according and it was carried. THE CENTRAL SCHOOL GROUND. The secretary of the Central School Committee notified that after carefully considering the best means --of remedying the dust nuisance, and on the advice of the Director of Agriculture, it'Svas pvopwed to lay the grounds down in grass at a cost of- £3O, and that application be made to the board for a- & for & subsidyMr. Trimble stated it would be some years before the board would know whether the grass would be satisfactory. Mr. Smith said that the' Agricultural Director proposed to sow it down in paspahim and cow grass. Mr. Trimble considered the latter very unsuitable unless for ploughing in. It was decided to refer the matter to the' chairman and Mr. Trimble, with power to act.

TEACHERS'- MOVEMENTS. Leave of absence was granted the following teachers:—Miss F. Freer, assistant, Tariki, one month;' Miss F. O'Brien, assistant, West End, ten days; Mrs. Mel.ntyre, head teacher; Lincoln, one month; Mr. 0- J. Howarth, assistant, West End, territorial camp leave. Resignations were accepted as follows: Miss M- .Barkle, sole teacher, Oeo; Miss M- Harrison, assistant, Waitara; Mr. L. McHardie, sole teacher, Makahu ; Mr. F. G. Howell, assistant agricultural instructor; Mrs. McHardie, sewing teaclier, Makahu.

GENERAL. The matter of keeping open the positions of teachers who have joined the Expeditionary Force was referred to the Teachers' Selection Committee to report on at next meeting.

The chairman's report of the. proceedings of the board for tlio year ended December 31, 1917, was received and adopted.

The Tc Wabarci Committee's attention is to he drawn to the state of the path to the school and the bridge over the croak.

The action of tlie Eltbam School Committee in closing the school on account of.the outbreak of diphtlibria. was confirmed, as was also the- action of the Mata school to enable the master 1 to attend territorial camp.

It was resolved that the board cannot see its way to accede to the request of the Opunake Committee for the erection of a fuel shed.

The Commissioner of Crown Lands, New Plymouth, is to be thanked for granting tlie board permission to cut totara from the papa reserve for the purpose of fencing the Aukopae school site, at a royalty of £l. per lOf) posts. The board went into committee to consider the complaint of a school committee against the master of the school, regarding irregularity of attendance, and it was resolved to give the master three months' notice terminating his engagement.

The application for the establishment nf a new school at Ararirnu east was referred to the senior inspector. The hoard regretted that it could not see its way to accede to Mrs. Reade's request to pay the expenses of her removal from Otangawai to Waihi. In consequence of Mr. (4- G. Pott not accepting.the position of assistant agricultural instructor, the position is to he re-advertised.

It was resolved that if the inspector reports favorably application be made to the department for a grant for additions to the Fran kley Road school. The Lower Mangorei *School Committee wrote stating that it was unable to accept the board's grant towards the cost of fencing, owing to members of the committee 'being too busy to carry our, the work: The circular from the New Zealand Educational Institute re educational reform is to he sent to members and will be 'brought forward at next meeting. The senior inspector's report on the Kina school building and application for a new school at Arawhata was received, and it was resolved that application he made for a grant for additions to Kina. The overseer was also instructed to submit plans for the'erection of a school at Arawhata, application to he made to the department for a grant.

ADDITIONAL LAND AT MAHOE. In connection with the additional land required at Mahoe, where there was only an acre or two acres, the chairman reported that,; in conjunction with Mr. Jacob Marx (chairman of the Mangatoki Dairy Company), who have the lease of a gravel reserve of two and a half acres from the Stratford County Council.Jic had met the chairman and a member of the Stratford County Council, and an agreement was arrived at whereby the council would agree conditionally upon the Mahgatoki Dairy Company being willing to the surrender of the lease and to issue a new lease to the Taranaki Education Board for twenty-one years, ,at a rental of £3 per annum, and rates amounting to fts (id per annum. ' The County Council had confirmed this by resolution. He had then arranged with Mr. Marx, subject to the board's approval, that the board take <i lease for twenty-one years at a rental'of £3, and also to enter into an agreement with the company to allow them the right of entry and the sole use of the water for tv/enty-one years at a rental of 20s per annum. The area of land required by the company would not be more than ,} acre, and the fencing of this would be borne equally by the dairy company and the school committee, He recommended that the board lease the laud as suggested, as it was essential that more accommrfdation should be secured for a horse paddock.—Adopted.

HAWERA TECHNICAL COLLEGE. Mr. T&on moved: That, seeing that the roll number of the 'Hawcra Technical College is now 110, and the number of proficiency students required by the Council of Education before a technical high school could be established has been exceeded, the board urges upon the Department the importance of the change taking place immediately. Speaking to

the motion,.he, said that the Education Act made provision that such a school could be established when there was an assured attendance of 40 pupils who had taken their profieiency certificates, but the Council of Education thought it wise to raise the number to CO. Hawera, however, had well over the number required. He stated that he knew the pulse of the Hawera people, and knew that they desired the change, and this was borne out by the remarkable progress made by the technical school. No injustice could be done the scholars of the district high school by the proposed change, as they, with their teacher, could bo removed to, and continue their studies at, the technical high school. There would be no expenditure on buildings, as they were prepared to put up with the present buildings until after the war. Mr. Wilkinson seconded, with the distinct understanding that no money was asked for the erection of a new building before the end of the war.

The chairman opposed disestablishment during the course of the year, a3 pupils had enrolled with the idea of tit* tending the secondary school throughout the year, and hud they, known of the disestablishn-.ont they might have enrolled at the Stratford High- School. Moreover, there would be the break Jin their studies. He did not think the Department would agree. ■

Mr. Dixon stated that lie had had a conversation with the Assistant Director, who favored .the proposal. He understood there were children attending the district high school who would be glad to transfer now. if they could, but> having enrolled at the district high school at the commencement of the year, they could not. He considered that it was merely, marking time at the high school. On a division, the motion Was carried, Messrs. Smith, White, Wilkinson and Dixon voting in its .favor. •