EDUCATIONAL

Taranaki Daily News, 9 March 1922, Page 7

EDUCATIONAL

THE TARANAKI BOARD. MONTHLY MEETING. The usual monthly meeting of the Taranaki Education Board was held yesterday. Present: Messrs. P. J. H. White (chairman), H. Trimble, A. Lees, R. .Masters M.P., F. Hoskin, S. G. Smith, M.P., and H. J. Eaves. RELIEVING APPOINTMENTS. The chairman reported having made the following relieving appointments: — Waingongora, Miss R. O'Sullivan, sole teacher; Kaimiro, Mrs. A. Brightwell, salp teacher; Puniho, Miss V. Schieb, sole teacher; Stratford, Miss D. Martin, 7th assistant; Westown, Miss C. Frank, assistant; Toko, Miss E. Orbell, assistant; Burford, Miss M. K. Spence, sole teacher; Musket’s, Miss A. Murray, sole teacher; Stratford, Miss P. Murray, 10th assistant; Kaimata, Miss V. Stiller, assistant; Fitzroy, Miss T. Simpson, 4th assistant; Hawera T.H.S., Mr. Lee, engineering instructor; Stratford T.H.S., Miss K. Monteath, cookery instructress; Mangatoki, Mrs. D. McTavish, head teacher; Puniho, Miss M. Pearson, sole teacher; Huirangi, Miss H. K. <Rigg, assistant.—Adopted. FINANCE COMMITTEE’S REPORT. The committee reported, recommending: That the appointment of Mr. F. Pollard as caretaker of the Stratford Technical High School be confirmed as from the 14th ultimo, subject to the schedule of duties as set out, the wages to be £3 10s per week. That the Makaka school committee be paid £lB subsidy towards shelter shed. That Mr. Luckin ibe informed that the Board will pay travelling expenses of 10s on account of Miss Murray, relieving teacher, but that as Miss Schieb is permanently appointed to the school, no expenses are allow’ed. That the sum of £5O be paid into the Hawera Technical Advisory Committee's account for the requirements of the hostel. That Mr. Lees and Mr. White confer as to revising .the Board’s regulations and by-laws before reprinting. That the matter of obtaining clocks be left in the chairman’s hands. That the architect’s resolution re disposal of the old Ngaere residence be adopted. That the disposal of £be old Upper Mangorei school be left in the hands of the chairman to arrange. That the present teacher at Tataraimaka be offered £5 for the copper, frame, and tubs, which are her property, as suggested by the architect, subject to the department making a grant. x After Mr. Lees had briefly explained some of the recommendations, a discussion arose on the desirability of revising the regulations, opinion generally favoring the course. The chairman suggested that the Upper Mangorei settlers be again approached relative to the disposal of the school and site, and that the matter be then ag.xin brought before the department. The report was then adopted. RESERVES COMMITTEE’S REPORT. The committee reported, recommending: That Mr. Pascoe be asked to report to next meeting of the Board on the matter of leasing Section 10, Block VII., Cape Survey District, to Jas. Sharrock. That Mr. J. B. Norris Ibe offered a 7 years’ lease of Section 9, Block 11, Omona Survey District, at an annual rental of £2, to date from April 1. That the Matau school committee be written to stating that the Board has surrendered Mr. McMullan’s lease for the reason that he failed to . comply with the conditions of his lease in keeping down the noxious weeds. Furter, that the Board advertised for a fresh lease and received no applications. We now ask the committee to make some suggestion as to how to deal with the section. That Mrs. Chapman be advised that the Board has no jurisdiction over Section 5, Block 43, Waitara W., and consequently is unable to deal with it. That Mr. Graham 'be written to asking if he is prepared to take up a lease of Pt. Section 32. Block IX.. Kaupokonui S.D., on the basis of his offer of August 30, 1921.—Adopted. ARCHITECT’S REPORT. ' The architect (Mr. C. H. Moore) reported : Hurimoana School Removal. —This work has been authorised and a start will be made immediately. Hawera Technical High School Science Fittings.—The whole of the science fittings are now completed. Stratford Technical High School Fittings and Furniture. —The whole of the chairs and tables (175) are completed. The science fittings and benches are now receiving attention. Matemateaonga Moveable School.—We recently received a grant for the above school, and to test what could be done in the way of erection of these buildings, I had the whole of the material in sections taken out by motor truck on February '4, from New Plymouth to Matemateaonga, a distance of 50 miles, and with the assistance of three men completed the. erection and came back to New Plymouth the same day. The work consisted of a class room 18ft x 12ft., porch for hats and coats, tank and stand and one out-office. The cost will be under the grant. The Object was to show the possibilities in respect to this class of building for country schools. The following general repairs have been attended to: —Mokoia, extra tank at residence and alterations to bathroom; Tawhiti, extra tank erected; Ohangai, small general repairs to school and residence; Mere Mere, new range put in residence and small repairs; Frankley residence, renovation of residence both inside and outside; Whakamara, repairs to school; the porch part of this building is built of white pine, and requires renewing owing to the worm-eaten state of the timbers. Oaonui, new entrance gates were erected at the school; Oka to School, improvemens to the ventilation in the way of pivot vents were also completed. Workshop.—-We have completed about 70 desks. These will be sent out to the various schools next week. Later on we shall be in a good position to supply the whole of the furniture needed. General. —We have had to reduce the outside building staff; probably we shall have plenty of work to keep the present number employed.—Received. Tn connection with the Matemateonga school, Mr. Masters asked what was the total cost of the school building, as it would be a useful guide in meeting other cases. Mr. Lees considered a very large question was opened up by this method of providing schools. The architect was requested to supply the information as to cost, and he stated it was well within the grant of Mr. Hoskin drew attention to the deplorable state of the Waitara school. During the recent heavy rain part of the school was under water. It was not right for teachers and children to have to put up with such conditions. Mr. Masters considered the matter

should come to a head. Both, the board and committee had been fooled for three years over the re-building of the school. As-there was no prospect of a re-build-ing grant the board should take action to put it into a better state. The chairman: The question had the attention of the board last month. Mr. Masters: That is no good. There must be action, and the people of Waitara had just reason for complaining. Mr. Smith urged that a plan should be sent to the department with a covering letter of urgency oi rehabitation works. ATTENDANCE OFFICER’S REPORT. The attendance officer (Mr. G. Pascoe) reported: During the month 28 irregular attendance notices were sent to parents o-f children attending primary schools. The following schools have been visited, the attendance for start of New Year being very good, very few children failing to appear on the opening day: Central, Douglas, Fitzroy, Huiakama, Huiroa, Makahu, Omata, Puniwhakau, Raupuha, Stanley, West End, Toko, Tututawa, and New Plymouth Convent. I have assisted the building staff during the months December, January and February. —Received. TARIKI REPAIRS.

Mr. Trimble reported on the following matters in connection with the Tariki school: —Filter: I recommend that the committee be informed that the board does not supply filters. Repairs to school: This school is now very much larger than the attendance warrants, and is costing much more to keep in repair than would be the case if it were of the proper size; the cost of remodelling does not, however, appear to be justified. The architect will, as soon as opportunity offers, have the necessary repairs carried out and the outside of the building painted, but in view of: the necessity for curtailing expenditure I cannot recommend that the inside be painted at present. —Adopted. MANGAKARA SCHOOL. The senior inspector (Mr. J. A. Valentine) reported that this school should be visited by the members of the board about to tour the Ohura district. The board would be well advised to take a census of the school population of the district, with a view of applying for a grant for a movable school. If such were erected the present building could be turned into a shelter shed. Of course, a site would have to be secured, but I understand there would be little difficulty over that. The present site is a fairly suitable one, and probably could, with little difficulty, be secured for school purposes.—Adopted. WAITEWHENA SCHOOL. The senior inspector reported he was of opinion that the board should devote some little time to the consideration of the question of taking over this school entirely. With 17 on the roll, its position seems to be assured. —Deferred for a subsequent report. TAHORA BOARDING ALLOWANCE. Messrs. White and Trimble reported: We visited Tahora. to inquire into this matter on February 21. While regretting that due no•'■»e of our visit having only been sent to the chairman of the committee, we were not able to interview either Mr. Taylor or Mr. Kerr. Our inquiries elicited sufficient information to convince us that each of these gentlemen was providing a second home in Tahora for the sole purpose of securing education for their children, and is fully entitled to the allowance claimed. In respect to the claim -for the girl Bonner, this has not been queried, and the forms of claim only waited completion by the headmaster pending the inquiries by your committee. In our opinion Mr. J. Davey is not entitled to the allowance, as he is a roadman living opposite the school, and making Tahora his headquarters. The headmaster, it appears, had only declined certifying to the correctness of the forms of application pending the finding of this committee. —Adopted.

LAND EXCHANGE AT MAHOE. Mr. Trimble reported: The area of the site belonging to this school is two acres, which is fully occupied with the school, residence, ornamental plantations, and small playground, and the board has occupied for some years as a horse paddock a gravel reserve containing 24 acres on the opposite corner of the Palmer and Opunake roads. The gravel reserve is vested in the Stratford, County Council. The council desires to exchange the gravel reserve at Mahoe for a portion of the 10 acres of school reserve at MSnaia Road, and I recommend that an equal area at the north end of the school reserve be exchanged provided that the council will pay the cost of survey and erect the boundary fence between the two portions. If legislative sanction is required the cost should be borne in equal shares by the board and the Stratford County Council, and provision should be made to safeguard the water right of Mangatoki Dairy Company, either by* allowing the Education Board to sell a portion of land or in any other way which might be thought desirable.—Adopted.

In connection with Mr. H. C. Johnson’s appointment as chief of the agricultural instruction department, the chairman drew attention to the probability of a full-time instructor being appointed at Stratford, and it was considered that arrangements of duties would have to be settled. HAWERA TECHNICAL SCHOOL. The headmaster of the Hawera Technical School reported: —The numbers now on the roll are: Engineering 22, agriculture 7, literary 91, domestic 18, commercial 63; total'2ol. We are still faced with a serious shortage of desks. For the 201 students we have only 120 suitable desks, and even with every available one of the old desks with which we have been making shift, there are not enough seats for the students. We urgently require at least 80 more desks. I should be glad of the services of an extra domestic instructress for one or two days a week. It is impossible for all the girls to get domestic instruction as the regulations demand. Our domestic class itself is now 18 strong, and I am desirous of encouraging it as much as possible. After consulting with Mr. Instill, I propose trying to arrange for manual instruction for smaller schools on the line south of Hawera, but to do this is impossible without additional assistance in domestic instruction. GENERAL. ’

The question of accommodation at the Astwood household school was discussed, and Mr. Masters moved that the grant of £l4O made by the Government for building a room be expended, especially as the architect’s building staff was in the district. —The motion was carried. The secretary of the board read tne

communications .vhich had passed between the board and the department relative to a grant for the Hapura School. The chairman stated that it would be cheaper to use the material in the vicinity than to use the Okahukura building.—The department is to be notified.

In connection with the provision of additional land for the school site at Oaonui, the chairman stated the land had been taken under the Public Works Act, but the tenant required compensation.—Left in hands of chairman.

A request was made Iby the Hawera committee for a drinking fountain, gates, fencing and other requisites. It was intimated that the board’s offer of grant for fencing was accepted.—The architect was directed to report as to drinking fountains and school chairs. It was considered that the committee should provide gas rings. The Fraser Road committee applied for a grant of cement, also for increased accommodation in the nature of a shelter shed which could be used as a class room. Mr. Eaves said the committee was willing to provide £2O. —It was decided that the question of a shelter shed be referred to Messrs. Lees and Eaves, with power to act. The department notified that in future it was willing to make a grant of £4O a year to each organising teacher for the use of horse hire and feed when away from home. —The organising teachers are to be informed of the department’s decision. The manual and technical committee recommended that Mr. H. C. Johnson be appointed chief of the agricultural instruction department; that Mr. Hinton be appointed to the vacant position of woodwork instructor; that Mr. A. H. Larkman be appointed to the position of engineering instructor at the Hawera Technical High School; that Miss E. Young Ibe appointed to the position of cookery instructress. —The recommendations were adopted.