NEW PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOLS BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 21 October 1919, Page 6

NEW PLYMOUTH HIGH SCHOOLS BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. _ ! The ordinary meeting of the New Plymouth High Schools' Board was held last night, when there were present: Messrs L. C. Sladden (chairman), 11. Trimble, J. S. Fox, A. E. Washer, E. P. Webster, L. A. Nolan, A. Morton, and Dr. Fookes. THE BOYS' SCHOOL ' Mr W. 11. Moyes, principal of the Boys' School, reported (inter alia) that three members of the staff had been atn sent through, sickness.. Mr Cresswell, Senior Inspector, after making a careful inspection of the buildings, expresa-i ed the opinion that the dormitories were badly over-crowded, and that any institution of the size should be provided with the necessary equipment for the treatment of sickness. From what Mr' Cresswell told him, lie understood there was little clmnce of any suostantial financial assistance from the Government, and he therefore suggested that, instead of concentrating their efforts upon the erection of another separate block, they, should endeavor to get assistance to enable them to replace the wooden portion of the old boardinghouse by a concrete structure. This could bo done for a much smaller expenditure, and would do away with most of the inconvenience that now existed.

The cricket ground was now totallv inadequate to provide for those attending the school. For the past four years they had kept at work on the gully, but the task of making a ground there, was beyond them, and he would respectfully suggest that the Board should endeavor to get the work done by prison labor. The Auckland Grammar School grounds and fives courts had all been made in that way. Members considered that it was absolutely necessary that, the work of, forming the gully into a sports ground should be gone on with, and it was unanimously resolved that the chairman should interview the gaoler on the subject of prison labor, and, if necessary, communicate with Mr S. G. Smith, M.P., on the subject. THE GIRLS' SCHOOL. The principal v of the Girls' School (Miss Barr) reported at some length on the proposed staffing of the school during the coming year, also the urgent need for increased boarding accommodation. The latter was referred to the town members, with power to act. GENERAL. , In connection with, the proposal of the Board to raise the fees for tuition from, £2 10s per term to £3 3s, as from the beginning of next year, the secretary of the Education Department stated that the department recognised the necessity of inert-using the fees as suggested, because even at the increased rate the fees payaible at New Plymouth were among the lowest in the Dominion, and if the fees were not increased the Board would be at a disadvantage compared with other boards in providing salaries for the teachers. The first opportunity would be taken to obtain the" consent of the Council of Education and of the Minister of Education. Mr S. G. Smith,' M.P., was elected to the vacancy on the Finance and Staff Committee, caused by the resignation of Mr A. H. Johnstone. Mr H. F. Russell was appointed, the Board's valuer in connection with some lea'es at Tarata. The Board approved of the transfer of a war l.mrsary from H. Pitt to .L. Barton, recommended by the War Relief Association.