TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 May 1921, Page 7

TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Taranaki Education Board was held at New Plymouth yesterday. Present: Messrs. P. J. H. White (chairman), S. G. Smith, M.P., A. Lees, R. Masters, M.P., F. Hoskin, and R. J. Deare. CHAIRMAN’S MONTHLY REPORT. The chairman (Mr. P. J. H. White) reported that during the interim l?e had made the following temporary and relieving appointments: —Hillsborough, assistant, Miss T. Simpson; Tataraimaka, assistant. Miss E. Nitz; Mimi, head teacher. Miss P. Murray; Kairnata, assistant, Miss K. Horner; Norfolk, assistant. Miss E. -F. Leech; Matiere, assistant. Miss H. Dryden; Inglewood, assistant, Miss L. Parli; Eltham, assistant, Miss R. Were; Puniho, head teacher, Miss L. M. Parrott; Ohura, assistant, Miss E. Wakeford; Piopiotea West, sole teacher, Miss L. Laurent. TEACHERS’ SELECTION COMMITTEE. The teachers’ selection committee reported that the senior Inspector be asked to report on the position concerning uncertiflcated teachers, and to suggest some means whereby a record, is kept of those uncertificated teachers having seen service under the board, and whereby preference will be able to be given according to merit. On considering the senior inspector's remarks, the following appointments were made:—Grade 3a, Pungarehu, head teacher, Miss Morecraft; Grade 3a, Mimi, head teacher. Miss Simpson; Grade 3a, Kaimata, assistant, Miss C. Linn; Grade 3a, Matiere,. assistant. Miss M. Hunt; Grade 3a, Mere Mere, assistant, Miss Corry; Grade 3a, Makaka, assistant. Miss S. E. Farquhar; Grade 3a, Norfolk,' assistant, Miss M. B. Fugle; Grade 3a; Tataraimaka., assistant, Miss 0. Paterson; Grade 7a, West End, Sth assistant. Miss J. H. Gibson; Grade sb, Eltham, sth assistant, Miss L. M. Parrott; Grade 4c, Inglewood, 3rd assistant. Miss Tarry. ARCHITECT’S REPORT. The board's architect (Mr. C. H. Moore) reported as follows: — Stratford Technical High School.—The whole work is proceeding steadily if somewhat slowly. I etpect good progress during the next month if the weather holds up. Hawera Technical High School.—The whole of this work is well on; within two months should see its completion. Manaia New School.—With the exception of the plastering the whole of the building is well on towards completion. I am expecting to make satisfactory arrangements to proceed with the plastering work. We have the whole of the roof tiled and there need be no lost time wet or fine. We have removed the girls’ shelter shed from the front, and at the Committee's expense we have also removed the boys’ shed to another site.

Mangorei School (re-building).—This new school is also well on towards completion; it will be necessary to decide the questton of disposing of the present school. Koru (re-building).—l expect to start thia new school within a few weeks.

Hawera Infants' Latrines.—We have made a start with these new latrines, and when finished should be a great improvement. The committee urgently require the whole of the conveniences renewed on the same principle. Tokaora (new latrines and septic tank). — We expect to be able to make a start with this work within a fortnight. Lincoln School and Residence.—General painting and renovation of the residence has received attention, also the fixing of tubs and copper, and new tanks. At the school, general outside painting and repairs and inside painting of walls were completed and a worn-out tank also replaced. Dudley School.—General painting inside and outside and general repairs were completed. Tuna School and Residence.—General painting and repairs are receiving, attention. General.—lt may be necessary to draw attention to the fact that when material and men were almost unobtainable the board received a number of grants, and owing to having to concentrate on several big jobs other new worfib have had to wait a considerable time. Within a short time I think we shall be able to overtake this work. In regard to general maintenance I feel sure we are spending considerably more on each work we undertake than the board receives. The grant should be three times as much to enable the work to be carried out on the same basis as prior to 1914. In view of this fact it seems imperative that the Department should make some definite statement in respect to this matter, and in the meantime I would respectfully suggest that expenditure be made only on necessary repair work. TRUANT OFFICER’S REPORT. The truant officer (Mr. Geo. Pascoe) reported that he had sent out 39 notices to parents of children attending primary schools. The monthly returns show very little irregularity In school attendance, there also being less sickness. During the month the following schools were visited (the attendance, with the exception of one or two old offenders, who are being dealt with, being good) :— Matapu, Okaiawa, W’est End, Ahititi, Central, Fitzroy, Westown, Frankley, Carringiton, Upper and Lower Mangorei, Kent, Egmont Village, Inglewood, Waiongona, Lepperton, Hulrangl, Manaia, Inglewood, and New Plymouth Convents. Technical Night Classes.—Thirty-three notices have been sent to parents for the nonenrolment and irregular attendance of their boys. Failing an Improvement, court proceedings will be taken at once. HAWERA TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL. The headmaster of the Hawera Technical High School (Mr. A. Gray) reported as follows : The number attending the Technical High School are; —Agriculture 9 (8), engineering, Ist year 15 (14); engineering, 2nd and 3rd years 9 (9) ; literary, junior 36 (36) ; literary, inter., 13 (13) ; literary, senior, 20 (20) ; domestic, 10 (10) ; commercial, junior, 33 (30) ; commercial, inter., 15 (16) ; commercial, senior, 17 (17). Totals, 177 (173). The train from the south is proving of verygreat benefit, twenty students travelling by it every morning. I am pleased to record that the students we are getting, from the south are of a distinctly good type. The work generally is progressing satisfactorily, but we are still without desks or seats. If It were not for the kindness of the Foresters' Hall Committee in allowing us to bring some of their forms over to the school, the pupils would have no seats at ail. When it. is remembered that we have to be responsible for carrying these forms back to the hall, whenever they may be required for evening functions, the difficulties may be better appreciated. Evening Classes.—The numbers attending the evening classes are:—English and arithmetic, senior, 27 (25) ; English and arithmetic, junior, 26 (21) ; mathematics, 2 (2) ; chemistry, 1 (1) ; woodwork, 26 (20) ; engineering, 12 (8) ; shorthand and typing, 16 (15) ; bookkeeping, 12 (12) ; art craft, 4 (6). Totals, 126 (110). Agriculture.—This class is doing steady

work. During the month two visits were made by the class to places of interest. Mr. Mills, Normanby, very kindly permitted the boys to inspect his nursery, and gave a practical demonstration of budding. The boys had the opportunity of doing verj’ useful practical work. On Friday, April 1, a visit was paid to the Demonstration Farm, Waimata West. Mr. Dakers conducted the class over the farm, and the results of experiments with lucerne and of manurial and variety experiments with root crops were noted. Potatoes were sown the last week in November, and the soil had been turned over for the first time. The yield was poor, but the potatoes were of fairly uniform marketable size. Owing to the dry weather, the sod did not rot, and this affected the yield. The blight attacked the crop, and the experiment was interesting as showing the degree of resistance to it under the conditions of the experiment.

Following on instructions in cow judging given in the routine of class work, a visit was paid to Mr. Watson’s demonstration of cattle judging, conducted under the auspices of the Jersey Breeders’ Association. Of the eight boys present, one boy placed the first four cows in the same order as the judge, five boys had the first and second placed correctly, six boys placed ths cow in its cewect.

position, and all the boys had three out of four first cows placed. On April 19, the class visited the farm of Mr. Batten, of Ihaia, and inspected his silo and the various labor-sav-ing devices connected with his plant. Mr. Batten explained the method adopted in building the silo and in making ensilage. HAWERA GROUND IMPROVEMENTS. Messrs. Lees, Eaves and White'' reported having visited Hawera on May 5 to meet the school committee on the above question. The proposals outlined and the plan prepared have not been considered in consultation with the headmaster and his staff, or with the board's senior agricultural instructor. Before laying | any definite proposals before the board it was recommended the committee© to unset these gentlemen In conference, with a view to adopting the best ground scheme possible, having in view the supervision of the scholars, the economical use of the money at disposal, and the expense of maintenance. The addition of a triangular piece of land facing Wera Street was mentioned. This is a portion of eight acres which the Commissioner of Crown Lands has recommended shall be vested in the board for school purposes. Upon this being completed it was recommended that it be added to the Hawera school site. In view of the already large area they do not recommend that permission be given to utilise the three acres of the corner of Disraeli Street. Boys’ Latrines.—'Complaint is mad© that these are too close to the school. It does appear that a mistake was made years ago in moving the older portion of tire school back to within 30 feet of the latrines, but we are of opinion that much improvement can be effected by clearing away the trees and resulting vegetable matter from the vicinity. Improved drinking facilities were asked for. This is a matter that the board’s architect should be asked to report on generally. VARIOUS REPORTS. Messrs. White and Masters reported in reference to the matter of shifting the shelter shed as applied for by the Finnerty Road school committee. They had met the committee and agreed to their request that the shelter shed be shifted to the north-western portion of the playground. They undertook, on behalf of the board, to contribute the sum of £3 to the cost of the removal the committee to undertake the work and put down a concrete floor to the shed. As the attendance at this school has increased considerably since it was first erected, the necessity for additional shelter-shed room is apparent. Upon application of the committee they agreed to give a £2 to £1 subsidy toward the erection of a girls’ shelter shed.

Messrs. Lees and Eaves reported that, as instructed by the board, they had visited Manala in conjunction with the board's architect to Inquire into the question of removal of shelter sheds, Messrs. O. Parry and Haimmonds, representing the Manaia School Committee, were also present. They agreed with the committee to remove the boys’ and girls' shelter sheds to more convenient sites, the work to be carried out by the board’s staff and the Manaia. committee to be charged with the expense of removing the boys’ shed. The girls’ shed recently had an addition put on to make the shed large enough to use as a temporary class room. They arranged with the committee that this shed could be partitioned off when removed. Part of it could then be used as a tool shed and coal house. With reference to the present tool shed, which is a very old building, it was recommended that the committee be empowered to sell this and use the money in ground improvements. Messrs. Les and Eaves also reported having inquired into the matter of passage-way on the boundary of the board’s property, Hawera (present Technical School). The Hawera Soldiers' Club building is being erected on the Hawera Borough Council's adjacent to the present Technical School site six feet back from the boundary. The Hawera Borough Council wish to have this six feet, together with a similar six feet of the board’s property, made available for the mutual use of the council and the board as a passageway for carts, etc. It was recommended that this arrangement be approved, subject to the condition that it is not to be of a permanent nature, but only during the pleasure of either the board or the council.. TEACHERS’ MOVEMENTS. Leave of absence was granted to the following teachers: — J. Fraser, Okato, Ist to 31st July, home circumstances; G. Mowat, assistant, Hillsborough, 11th to 18th April, illness; M. Tait, assistant, Tawhiti, Ist June to 28th February, 1922, to visit England; C. Short, sole teacher, Tututawa, 6th to 17th June, to be married. The following resignations were accepted: L. Foster, assistant, Inglewood; M. Trewyn, assistant, Mahoe; M. Thomson, assistant, Otakeho; J. Wilson, relieving teacher; V. M. Evans, first assistant, Te Roti. DEPUTATIONS. A deputation, representative of the settlers of Upper Mangorei, and consisting of Messrs. J. D. Pearce, G. Krauf, S. Richards, G. Mitchell, and H. Wood, waited on tire board in reference to the purchase of the old school by the settlers. Mr. Pearce explained that in a country district such as theirs a building was required in which to hold entertainments. This would al.-> prevent wear and tear on the new school for social functions would not then be held there. The settlers bad made an offer of £5O for the old school and the acre of land on which it stood. The chairman, in replying, said that the matter did not wholly rest with the board. All the board could do was to make an earnest recommendation to the Department, and this would be done. He also took the opportunity of thanking the settlers for the handsome manner in which they had come forward to raise bunds for building the new school. On the motion of Mr. Deare, seconded by Mr. Hoskin, it was resolved to make a recommendation to the department to sell the old school and grounds to the Upper Mangorei settlers for £5O. Messrs. \Knox and Aldridge, representing the Ackland School Committee, waited on the board in reference to obtaining an enlargement of the school. The school was built nine years ago to hold 16 children. The roll was now 27, with an average attendance of 24.2. As there was onlj' room for twelve desks, children had sometimes to be put three in a desk. The floor space was 264 square feet, which did not allow 12 square feet per child on the average attendance.

The chainman said this was ope of the problems the board was frequently up against. The proper housing of the children was the very first duty of the board, and the deputation's request would receive their earnest consideration. On the motion of Mr. Deare, seconded by Mr. Lees, the senior inspector was authorised to report on the matter.

A request was received from the Matemateconimittee for a new school. The average attendance was 8, whereas an average of 9 was required before such a request- could be considered. Messrs. Smith and Masters spoke very strongly against the hardships which back-block settlers were put to in obtaining a school. While the speakers recognised that a minimum had to be fixed, these eight children should not suffer because a slightly higher average could not be obtained. The matter was finally referred to the senior inspector to report upon.

A letter was received from the Education Department, agreeing to the inclusion of a dental room In the new Courtenay Street school, with the condition that this room was to be used for this purpose alone. The board had wired accepting this condition. Mr. Smith offered his congratulations to the Minister of Education on recognising the necessity for the provision of a dental clinic. The speaker said he did not hesitate to’ criticise Ministers where he thought it necessary, ’but he hoped lie was never lacking in offering congratulations where they were honestly deserved.

Mr. O. J. Howarth, one of the board’s organising teachers, submitted a report; on his recent visit to New South Wales, and on the educational system in vogue there. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Howarth for his very interesting report. Subsidies on voluntary cont -ibutions were allocated as follows:

Opunake, for shelter shed (application for £228), granted £l9O 10s meanwhile; West End, for material, £5; Douglas, for tennis gear, £6 13s Id; Central,; for cricket material, £4 14b fid; Lepperton, for school piano,

£25 Ila; Lepperton. for peed and school books, £1 18s; Matapu, for drainage, etc., £6l 8s; Stanley, for tennis court, etc., £27 6s lid. Matters in relation to repairs and alterations to buildings, improvements to grounds, etc., were referred to the architect. GENERAL. Messis. Lees, Masters, and Smith were appointed a sub-committee to report to the board on the question of conveyance of children to centres for manual Instruction from districts where the train services are unsuitable or are off the line of railway.