EDUCATION BOARD.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 December 1922, Page 5

EDUCATION BOARD.

MR. MASTERS' RESIGNATION WITHDRAWN. Higher education in country schools. The Taranaki Education Board met last night. Present: Messrs. A. J. Loes (chairman), P. J. H. White, S. G. Smith, M.P., H. J. lEaves, R. J. Deare, R. Masters, M.P., and H. Dempsey. Leave of absence was granted to Mr. G. H. Sims. Before the business of the meeting was commenced, Mr. Masters asked leave to mention the matter of his resignation as a member of the board, which he had forwarded to the last meeting. His action had been inspited solely by the fact that his Parliamentary duties prevented him from giving the full attention he desired to give to the work of the board. He did not want to give up education work in the province, but he did not think it fair to put on to the other members the work he was prevented from doing himself. He left his resignation, however, entirely in the hands of the board. .All the members were unanimous iu expressing the wish that Mr. Masters should withdraw his resignation, referring to the wood work he had dune for ihe board and the cause of education generally. The loss of his services would be felt by the board, and although Mr. Masters would not be able to attend every meeting he would still be available for consultation by members. In view of the wishes expressed, Mr. Masters agreed to withdraw his resignation. ASSISTANT FOR OPUNAKE. The Education Department advised that it was not possible, under the regulations, to grant another for the Opunake school. Mr. White mpved that the application be renewed. He urged the need for giving the children at Opunake some secondary education and expressed the opinion that the department was not fully aware of the position there. All they were asking for was another assistant so that the headmaster could also teach what was practically Standard VII. work in addition to his Wbrk with Standard VI. Mr. Smith seconded the motion, stat-

ing that the granting of such applications would do much in meeting thecrying needs of country children for some amall part of secondary education. Mr. Masters agreed, while Mr. White considered that the small number of pupils which had conn* forward when a district high school was proposed for Opunake, was due, in a large measure, to the fact that very few people there had had the opportunity of receiving secondary education, and consequently did not realise its value. The motion was carried. GENERAL. Authority to expend the sum of £475 for outhouses for the West End school was received by telegram from the Education Depart mcnt. Tiic question of remodelling the Bell Block school was discussed, and the need of doing something to mitigate the present adverse conditions was stressed by the members. It was decided that the architect should prepare plans for remodelling the school and submit an estimate of costs. An application is also to h? made to the department for a grant for rebuilding the residence at the school.