EDUCATION BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 December 1922, Page 7

EDUCATION BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The ordinary meeting of the Taranaki Education Board was held at the hoard's office, New Plyimouth, yesterday, when there were present: Messrs. A, Lees (chairman), P. J. H. White, S. G. Smith, M.P., H. J. Eaves, R,T. Deare, H. Dempsey and F. 11. Sims. Leave of absence was granted to Mr. R. Masters, M.P. TEACHERS’ MOVEMENTS. Resignations were accepted as follows, all dating from January 31, 1923: Miss S. E. Farquhar, sole teacher, Puniwhakau; Miss D. Lep, second assistant, Kaponga; Miss P. Surgenor, second assistant, Auroft; Miss M. Meredith, assistant, Huiakama; Miss F. A. Mulllnger, assistant, Manaia; Miss A. M. Richdflle, assistant, Whareroa; Miss Rose Patterson, pupil-teacher, Normanby; Mrs. M. Prideaqx, sole teacher, Pohukura; Mr. H. C. Johnson, agricultural instructor : Miss A. G. Fitzgerald, assistant, Midhirst; Miss Young, cookery instructress, Stratford District High School. Leave of absence was granted to Miss L. Fuller, sole teacher, Okau; Mr. H. F. McClune, headmaster, Bell Block. The appointment of a temporary headmaster at Manala in place of Mr. Jas. Nairn, who has been granted leave of absence to go to England as an exchange teacher, was deferred till 'Tuesday evening. VOGELTOWN SITE EXTENSION. In regard to the application of the board for an extension of the Vogeltown school site, the Department replied that if the hoard would find £225 out of its re-building fund towards the cost of the site, the Department would And the other £225, subject to the road being closed. The chainman said that he did not favor using re-building money for the purpose of purchasing sites, but he did not see how the money was to be obtained otherwise. Mr. White also djd "not favor the payment out of the re-building money, and questioned whether the board had power to do so. He recognised the matter of the extension of this site was an urgent one, and, provided it could be done, he would be agreeable to £lOO being found in this way. If the board utilised its re-building fund in this way it would mean that when the board required the money for re-building, the Department would have to And the money. He considered the school had been placed on the wrong site, as though the area of land was considerable it was unsuitable for playing areaThe chairman pointed out that the rebuilding fund belonged to the whole of TaraMr. White moved that, under the circumstances, the board is prepared to find up to £lOO towards the of the land provided the Department sanctioned it. This was seconded by Mr. Deare, and carried. WEST END LATRINES. The West End school committee forwarded a letter urging the necessity for improved and increased accommodation in connection with the latrines at the school. Mr. Smith said that the position was certainly not creditable. Any private concern allowing such conditions would be prosecuted. The board had made application for a grant for the purpose and the matter was being held up by the Department in an endeavor to obtain as much as possible from the Education Board towards the cost. It was not fair to jeopardise the health of the children in this way. The Health Department should Insist on the Education Department doing the work as the matter was a very serious one. The chairman said that the board had agreed to pay £lOO out of its re-building fund towards the cost, but the Department wanted another £lOO from the maintenance fund. Mr. Smith moved that the Department he telegraphed asking for an immediate reply to the application for a grant for providing latrines at- the West End school, as the present conditions were a serious menace to the health of the children. Mr. Deare seconded the resolution, which was carried. MANUAL AND TECHNICAL COMMITTEE REPORT. The manual and technical committee reported as follows: That the holidays of manual instructors be coincident with those of primary schools. That in oonnectlon with the exhibit to be prepared by Varley Hellier for the Toronto Exhibition, in view of the strong recomunendatipn of the woodwork instructor, the necessary timber be supplied to the pupil. That applications be called fop the position of senior agricultural instructor under this board. That the balance of the coat of Atting up the plumbing room at. the New Plymouth Technical College be transferred to the board’s maintenance account in view of the special circumstances. That the respective boards of managers of technical colleges and high schools in Taranaki be informed that the opening and closing dates for school terms are really matters for the decision of the respective boards of managers, but that this board recommends that the dates be <madc to coincide with those of other secondary schools in the province. That the matters of the employment of Mr. Hinton at the Stratford Technical High School be left in the hands of the supervisor of manual instruction to arrange. That applications be called for a domestic science instructress to All the vacancy caused by Miss Young's resignation from the Stratford centre. The report was adopted. MANUAL INSTRUCTION. Mr. Instill (supervisor of manual instruction) reported as follows: The manual classes throughout the district are almost completed. I will request instructors to furnish me with a report on the work through the principals of the schools to which they are.attached and inventories of appliances. At the invitation of the local branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute, I met a number of teachers in Stratford on December 1 with the object of clearing up ’many matters of doubt in connection with manual work. I have been unable to visit Opunake and have no reply to my enquiry as to the possibility of establishing manual classes there. From enquiries made, I And it impossible to establish classes at Huiroa and now suggest Whangamomona as a possible centre. I am corresponding with the Auckland Education Board concerning woodwork and cookery classes In the Ohura district. The chairman of the Pungarehu committee expresses the wish that manual classes be continued there next year, and will recommend the settlers to make better provision for the accommodation of the classes. With the aid of the senior inspector, 1 hope to draft up and circulate a practicable yet comprehensive scheme of work in woodwork and cookery, so as to bring about uniformity. Instructors will advise headmasters through the pupils what portion of the scheme is bein" taken next. I think when once classes are started they should be continued weekly throughout the year or until a definite portion of the scheme has been completed. I suggest the following Itinerary for instructors i<xt. year: Mr. Gorringe and Miss Wolferstan In charge of Pungarehu, New Plymouth. Inglewood and Waitarn. Mr. Hinton and another domestic science instructress to he appointed, in charge of Stratford and Eltham. Mr. Reed and Miss Monteath in charge of Hawera and Mana la. MANUAL AND TECHNICAL INSTRUCTION. Mr. H. C. Johnson reported that during the ■month of November he had visited 16 primary schools, the visits being chiefly in connection with demonstration and in cow-judg-ing. Good work was done by these pupils , at the Stratford and Hawera shows. The ex- | hibit of nature study work at the Stratford • A. and P. show was good, and showed that ■ the interest and enthusiasm in the work Is I honig well maintained. RegU’rr instruction lias been given during the mort’ l 4 Stratford Technical High School. The rural science classes were almost at

the end of the syllabus at Stratford, one more lesson remaining. Th? set on the work brought fortli satisfactory results. Ho was Biorc convinced than ever of the good resulting from such a course. Mr. R. Syme reported that during the month 27 primary schools had been visited and in nearly every case, he was satisfied that regular instruction in agriculture gnd nature study was being given and that the outdoor work was showing sjatisfiictory progress. Time had also been spent assisting Mr. Johnson with the school cow-judging competitions held at the Hawera and Stratford shows. At the Stratford Technical High School the instruction had been irregular owing to his absence at exauningtiops and to holidays granted for Stratford and Mardi Gras function. The work taken had been largely revisional in preparation for examinations. At the New Plymoutli Technical College Witli the classes Ip agriculture, dairy science. Physics and <>hefnigtry, special attention had beep paid to the preparation of pupils for the school and outside examinations. ARCHITECT’S REPORT.

Thg architect (Mr. C. H. Moore) reported that a. copsiderabie amoupt of wef weather had interfered with the work somewhat. At | Fitzroy they had the walls yp to Ifop fi|]l height. The foundations at Moturoa were completed, and the Courtenay Central infants’ school was well on towards completion. The plastering work was about finished. They could afford to mark time and push on with other work. In a supplementary report the architect suggested that some steps be taken in regard to the removal of the old school. The committee intended to improve the new school surroundings during the holidays and it would he necessary to remove the old building out of the way. In regard to the drainage through the education reserve between Leach and Lemon Streets, they were filling part of this reserve wjth spoil from Courtepay Street and there was urgent need of making some improvement. At present the water was carried under Cover Street by a tunpel starting )n the reserve and finishing at the other end with 24in. pipes. As this tunnel had fallen in, the whole reserve on the flat would be flooded. He would suggest that the borough council he asked to reconsider the matter with a view to pipe the whole length at their own expense. A natural waterway had been blocked up and it seemed reasonable for the local body concerned to accept the liability. If pipes were put in the top end the centre part would sti)l be a tqnqej. Re Painting Repairs.—He had received a price from 3. To Kuiti flrm for painting the outside of tiie school and residence at Ongarue, but thought it would be preferable for their own staff to carry the work out in conjunction with other work needed In that dlstriert. He proposed putting on a gang about February to work this district. It was resolved to apply to the Department for permission to sell rhe old Courtenay Street school. The additional classroom at Tawhiti was completed ready for occupation, and also the teachers' rest room at the Hawera primary school. They were imaking preparations to move out the two classrooms at the Central school as \oon as the school closes. The workshop had turned out recently a donaldernble amount of work, including joinery for Central infants’ school, Fltzroy, Okaiawa, Tawhiti and Moturoa. The plant was in good working order. The report wqs adopted. Members considered that splendid progress was being made with the various works. It was resolved to apply to the Department for permission to sell the present Courtenay Street building. FINANCE COMMITTEE. The finance committee reported that while the board compliments the Mokola committee on their enthusiasm in the matter, it regrets that it has no funds out of which it. is able to meet expenditure ia regard to expenses at A. and ,P. shows. That a progress payment of £5O he made on account of the contract for the removal <of the caretaker’s residence at the Stratford Technical High School. That any rent received by this hoard for the use of the cottage on the Stratford Technical High School site be paid over to the advisory board. That, the application for subsidy received from the Norfolk school committee be forwarded tn the Department. That the architect’s report be received and the payments ns asked for by the a\:hltect for extra work done be made to the foreman. That in view of the number of school buildings requiring painting the architect be instructed to engage a special painting staff. The report was adopted. WAITARA ADDITIONS. In reply to the board’s further application for a grant for additions to the Waitara school, the Department stated that the application would receive consideration when it was known what funds were available during the current financial year, having regard to the works that were moat urgently required. In this connection the letter stated that education boards were being asked to place their applications undealt with in order of urgency. The chairman and members said that the board had always stressed on the Department that the additions at Waitara were most urgent. It was resolved to forward a copy of the letter to the Waitara school camnilttee. Later the hoard went into the question of priority of urgency in the matter of application. and It was decided that Messrs. White, Smith and Dempsey prepare a report and submit the same to the board meeting on Tuesday night.

ACKLAND SCHOOL ADDITIONS. Tn renlj’ to the hoard’s application for a grant of £226 for additions to the Ackland school, the Department pointed out that at Stanley Road school. f/.>ur miles distant, there was ample accommodation available, and they had held the matter over pending Information as to whether it was not possible for some of the children to he transferred to Stabler flehnnl. Mr. White said that if the information was sunplied. it raised the question as to whether the hoard could compel parents to send children to any partieu’ar school. At Hawera it had been found that tljev could not. Mr. H. Demnsey said that children could not. be compelled to go to anv particular school ns long ns they were sent to school. DEPUTATION FROM BULL BLOCK. A deputation from the Bell Block school committee, comprising Messrs. G. Jones (chairman) and H. T. Sampson (secretary), waited on the board, and asked that increased accommodation he provided at the school. There was a roll number of 103 in the two rooms on a total floor snnee of 935 feet. There would also he an influx after the holidays. The residence was very old and worm eaten, being over 36 years old. The school now hud a snlendld hea6iinster. whom they did not wish tn lose, afid unless some improvement was effected they would probably lose him. They also required additional ground, as the area was only about 1% acres. The chairman said in regard to th? accommodation, the position was that this was taken on the average attendance. The official records showed the area of floor space to he 946 square feet, and the average attendance was for the highest quarter 86, or Just Ji feet, and the Education Department took up the attitude that nothing would be done until the average space was below 10 The members of the hoard were watching the position closely, and ns soon ns possible would urge the claims of the district. The residence was built In IRR6, and the hoard would have a report made thereon. Th° hoard could do little in regard tn Increased paddock accommodation. The Department mahif,lined that districts requiring additional paddocking should assist as much as possible themselves. '• Mr. Smith pointed out that in 1911 a grant for a residence at Bell Block was diverted to Hnlrnn. Mr. White said that when he was chairman. the board had gone into the matter of increased accommodation. Regarding the residence something was certainly necessary, but this was a vexed question with the Department. as so many school residences wore now unoccupied hy the tcflcliPrs, The hoard had asked the ln?nect''rs to furnish a report on lb . T>rii -hnol. Mr. Jones asked whether in view of the

fact that the house was unsuitable the board would consider making the (master a house allowance to live elsewhere. Mr. Smith said that apparently the Department did not encourage school residences. The chairman assured the deputation that the board would endeavor to effect an itmpfovement. It was decided to have a report from th® architect on the residence. Messrs. Smith and White pointed out that |n the course of a few years there would probably be a big suburban population at Bell Block, and it would be wise to make provision for a bigger site. it was reaoived that on receipt of a. report from the ch;ef inspector, tho question of alto and school at Bell Block be gone fully into. TOOTHBRUSH DRILL. The chairman of the Tahora school committee notified that it had been decided to discontinue the purchase of fruit acid for tooth brush drill owing to the complaints and general dissatisfaction. Unless the board either imgde it compulsory or improved the sanitary conditions under which it was conducted toothbrush drill would not be resumed after the hplifiays. Mr. Smith said that he was Strongly In favor of toothbrush dijlll, but there was tho question of proper supervision, and h® thought that the board should make investigation as to whether the drill was carried out correctly. Messrs. Dempsey and White spoke Ip favor of toothbrush drill. Mr. Eaves said that he was opposed to toothbrush drill on the ground of infection. He considered the proper place was at home under the supervision of the parents. It wgs yesolvgd that the Tahora school committee be asked to supply the board With the fullest information as to the reasons for their objection to toothbrush drill, and that a copy of the reply be sent to the Health Department. ATTENDANCE OFFICER’S REPORT. The attendance officer (Mr. G. Pascoe) reported that 61 irregular attendance notices were gent to parents for the 'irregular attendance of their children. One parent at Waitara was convicted and fined for his child’s irregular attendance. The following schools were visited (the attendance In each school being good) : Dudley, Muirangi, Hurford, Inglewood, Kalmata, Lincoln, Lepperton, Midhirst, Oeo, Pukeho, Purangj. Stratford, Ttkorangl, Vogeltown, Waiongona, Waiau, Waitui, West End and Inglewood Convent. School returns showed very little irregularity. The report was adopted. GENERAL. Application by the West End school committee for repairs to the front fapce and the gymnasium were referred to the architect with power to act. Providing the Manala school committee will find the necessary labor, the board wIH find the material. Other matters of detail wera referred to the architect. Application of settlers for a school on th* East Road was referred to the inspector for a report. In connection with the application of th* Tayata school committee for the installation of a copper and boiler at the school residence, the Department replied that the matter would be postponed until such time as the question of placing such conveniences ia all school residences throughout New Zealand is under consideration. It was resolved to inform the Tahora school committee that the Hoard was not in a. position to make a grant for pipes at the present time. Mr. J. A. Valentine, senior inspector of schools, recommended that the board should make a grant of £8 to assist the committee ;n draining the swamp at the Matlere school site. A special meeting of the board will be held on Tuesday evening, at 7,30, to make appointments, etc.