HIGH SCHOOL BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 17 April 1918, Page 6

HIGH SCHOOL BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. Tito ordinary meeting of the New Plymouth High .School Board was held on Monday night when there were present: Messrs D- 'Hutcheu (chairman), H. Trimble, J. S. Fox, L. C. Sladden, E. W. Robert so-ii, E. P, Webs tor, P. C. White, ~ - ARREARS.

The question of arrears of fees was discussed and it was resolved to place several accounts in the hands of the solicitor.

Mr. Pox spoke strongly on the question. The Board was not a charitable institution. They required the money and he felt that the Board should, in future, be very strict in carrying out its resolution regarding , arrears. He was of opinion that the Board was too much of a mutual admiration society mid at times they did not,.give publicity to matters where publicity might do good.

GIRLS' BOARDING ACCOMMODATION. The citairman and Mr. R. W. D. Robertson, who were appointed a sub-commit-tee to consider the question of providing additional boarding accommodation at the ("Jiris' High School, reported at length. The report showed that at the close of 1917 there were. 25 boarders at Strandon, that being the full number that could be accommodated without overcrowding. Miss Barr reported when the first term of 1918 opened that she had applications for 43 boarders and that a further three were expected. With the chairman's consent, Mr- Geo. King's house was rented for one month at £3 3s per week furnished, and additional beds were secured. An endeavor was also made to obtain an extended term on a rental basis, and finally Mr. King intimated that he could not leave as he was unable to obtain another house. He offered to sell for £IOOO, on liberal terms. As it was impossible for the board to buy they offered to lease unfurnished for one year at £l2O per annum, but Mr. King intimated that be would only lease for five years at £l3O per annum The Board decided to accept this, but. as Mr. King was .-wain unable to obtain a'house for hirose>f he intimated that he could not agree to rent. He agreed to allow the Boar l the use of three rooms until the shelters were put up- The question of shelters was then gone into. Miss Barr made certain suggestions regarding re-arrange-ment of rooms, and additional buildings which would enable eight more boarders to be housed at Strandon, while the other eight were proposed to be boarded in town. This would cost some £275 or £3OO and would afford practically little relief. The oniv alternative was to adopt the policy of building a dormitory block and accordingly an offer was made by Messrs Boon Bros, to build the necessary dormitory at a cost of £9743 payable over seven years. The building would be removable at the end of the Strandon lease (nine years). This would provide accommodation for 50 boarders to which it would be advisable to restrict the number and at this there was every chance of it paying. To meet the pressing need for having accommodation a marquee had been hired from Mr. A. S. Hasell at a weekly rental of £-2. a floor had been provided by Booh Bros at a cost of £9O, and this floor would foe used in the shelters.

The report was acTopificl. It was stated thai a start had been made with tlio building.

REFUND OF RAILWAY FAKES. In reply to representation? from the Board in regard to the question of a refund of the fares paid for the hoys returning to school after the Christmas vacation, the Minister of Railways stated that school hoarders tickets were n'vailaWe for return for two months from date and before the Christmas vacation several applications were made to ths Department for an extension of the period for various reasons. Those concerned were distinctly informed that the request, could not he granted, yet this class of ticket was taken out the Department has since received several applications for refunds in connection therewith, all of which have been declined. He therefore regretted that no exception could he made in favor of the New Plymouth High School pupils. ■Mr. Atkinson thought that the request was a reasonable one. esneciallv as the holidays had been increased at the request of the Efficiency Board. GENERAL. R. W- D. Robertson reported that Mr. Moyes had been authorised to purchase horizontal bar and fittings, parallel bar and fittings and horae at a cost of £2O 17 s. Any of the town members with the secretary were authorised to sign cheques.