LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 March 1922, Page 4

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

At yesterday’s meeting of the Taranaki Education Board Mr. R. Masters, M.P., stated that the Minister had assured him that there would be no alteration of the boundaries of the education district in tae Ohura as a result of the revised boundaries of counties.

Discharges in bankruptcy were granted as follows by JUs Honor Mr. Justice Chapman in the Supreme Court, New Plymouth, yesterday: Edward C. White, of Bunnythorpe, farmer (Mr. R. H. Quilliam), and Francis R. Nicholson, of Inaha (Mr. L. A. Taylor). The annual field day under the auspices of the New Plymouth Jersey Cattle Club will be held on Mr. A. J. Luxton’s property at Omata on Monday, March 20. Mr. H. E. B. Watson, the official demonstrator, will be present, and will give a demonstration. Luncheon will be provided by the Omata ladies, and farmers and others interested in Jersey cattle are invited to attend.

The position of teachers with regard to tooth-brush drill was under review by the Taranaki Education Board yesterday, in connection with a report (which was taken as confidential) concerning trouble over the matter at one of the schools. Whether participation by the children in this drill was compulsory or optional was one of the questions at issue, and the general opinion of the board was that it was not compulsory, though most advisable. The question of the appointment of relieving teachers was brought up at yesterday’s meeting of the Taranaki Education Board. The chairman stated that a number of uncertificated teachers had been pressed into the service of the board, but now the supply of qualified teachers was sufficient to fill vacancies. He thought it should be made known that there was no possibility of unqualified teachers being employed in the future. In connection with classes for adults the Education Department notified the Taranaki Board yesterday that these would not be recognised, and neithe*. would swimming nor life-saving. Technical classes <f less than twelve would not be continued. Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., stressed the hardship on children compelled by circumstances to leave school before obtaining proficiency certificates. He favored the Minister being urged to reconsider this decision, as children should be given an opportunity' of receiving technical instruction. He moved in that direction, and the motion was carried.

The Mayor and members of the New Plymouth Borough Council, accompanied by Mr. Lee, of Messrs. Blair Mason, Lee and Owen, consulting engineers, and Mr. Peerless, resident engineer, made an inspection of the hydro-electric works on Tuesday. Between 90 and 100 men are engaged, and the work is being carried on continuously, night and day. The No. 2 tunnel is being driven from the two ends, and also a side drive, and the race to convey the water from the intake or No. 1 tunnel to No. 2 tunnel is now well advanced. It is expected a commencement will be made by the contractors with the laying down of the pipe line within the next day or two. A deputation waited on the Taranaki Education Board yesterday relative to the lack of accommodation at the Tawhiti School. Mr. Jackson stated that the school only accommodated between 160 and 180 children, while the roll number was 219. In reply to the chairman Mr. Jackson said there were only about fifteen scholars who could attend the Hawera main school. The chairman said the position was not peculiar to Tawhiti. There were four schools in New Plymouth which had not sufficient floor space, and there was no school near where the children could be sent in order to relieve the space pressure. The board would again consider the matter, with a view if possible to provide a remedy. Mr. Masters pointed out that the department bad not turned down the application, and he suggested that the report of the inspector should be sent forward with an urgent request for action. It was resolved that the inspector’s report be sent to the department, together with an application for increased accommodation.

The question of the management of technical schools was before the Taranaki Education Board yesterday. The chairman brought up the subject of appointing boards of managers of technical schools. He favored that course chiefly because it allowed a closer attention to detail, while it put such boards on a higher basis, stimulated keenness in the work, and shouldered financial responsibilities on such boards instead of on the Education Board, rle moved that application be made to the Minister to appoint a board of managers for each of the following schools: New Plymouth, Stratford and Hawera, conditio’ially upon satisfactory adjustments being made in respect to monies advanced by the board on the several accounts cone erii'/l. The motion was seconded by Mr. Lees, supported by other members, and carried. On Friday next, at their sale rooms, Devon Street, Newton King, Ltd., are selling by auction a property of 736 acres, situated in the Tarata district This property can be acquired at a reasonable figure and it is well worth the attention of land seekers. Full particulars have already been advertised in this paper. Further particulars can be obtainable from the auctioneers. The Melbourne’s Great Sale offers great opportunities for saving money. For instance: Men’s Shirley police braces 3/6 pair; men’s Paris garters, 1/9; men’s pure woo) cashmere socks, 2 pairs for 5/6; men’s dark Pennine working shirts 8/6; men’s cotton singlets, 2/11; men’s Mosgiel socks, 2/3. Housewives ar© guaranteed snow-white clothes with the use of Wonder,” the queen of washing powders. “Fairy” will not redden or chap the tenderest skin, nor will it injure the finest of fabrics. It is par excellence the finest washing compound, in the wide, wide world. Al] grocers stock it. Pounds can be saved by having your old or soiled garments renovated by J. K. Hawkins and Co., dry cleaners and steam dyers, Devon Street, New Plymouth. We have the most up-to-date plant in Taranaki for doing this class of work. It does not matter how soiled or faded your garments are, we can renovate them like new. Our ’phone number is 685. Get busy.