EDUCATION BOARD.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 13364, 4 March 1909, Page 2

EDUCATION BOARD.

lU© >orth Canterbury iuiucauon Board met- yesterday, when there wore present:—Messrs C. A. C. Hardy, M.P. (chairman), T. \V. Adams, C. H. A. T. Opie, 'J. Jamieson, "\V. Ronnie. J. Dalziell, H. E. Ferymau. Dr. Hight, and the Hon. D. Buddo. A report was read from the members of the Board who had conducted an f-n----quiry into the Addington ecliool firo. The,* report stated that it liad' Ikc-u found impossible to elucidate the origin of tho fire. It was resolved to forward , a copy of the report, .with the evidence taken, to the Department. A report was received from. Mr Hardy and Mr Opie on their recent visit to tho northern schools. The Chairman said he felt sure tho visit of the Board's delegates had done a great deal of good, and it would' ho a good plan to make periodical visits to the different schools, in order that matters might be discussed with the school committees. The schools generally were found to ho well looked after. A vote of thanks was aceorufd liie delegates for their report. Tho Buildings Committee reported that the Heathcoto Valley Committee had boon informed that the Board concurred with them in tho opinion that tho grant for school books would have- been better spent on oopv-books, drawing-books, and exercise books, etc. but that the conditions under which the grant had been promised: 'would not admit of that being done. The local committee had been informed that the number of children in attendance did not warrant the formation of a school district. The Chairman of the Addiiigton Committee and the headmaster had waited on tho Committee, and asked that- floors should be put down and an additional tent provided. Tho latter •was granted in order to give- relief to the infant department, tho Clerk of Works to have floors laid down as won us the need should- arise. Mr H. Ostler submitted a claim for his tools lost in tho lire. It wn,s agreed that tho Board could not accept any responsibility. The report was adopted.. A denutation waited on tho Board with the request that tho Kaiapoi Island School should be re-opened and a teacher appointed. The Chairman stated that thero were only nine children of school age, and all the Board could do was to mako an allowance. The Board would, however, give tho matter consideration. Another denutation, introduced by Mr R. Heaton Rhodes, M.P., waited on the Board with the request that the Hillside School at Littlo River should be allowed to remain where it was, and not be transferred to the Moricc Settlement. The matter was gone into at length, and the deputation withdrew. A third deputation camo forward with tho request that tho North Linwood school should bo enlarged. Mr Denton, who headed the deputation, said that the school was built to ' accommodate only 250 children, and last month the average attendance was 301. Ho suggested that temporary accommodation should bo provided pending future permanent additions. A fourth deputation approached the Board regarding certain matters connected with the Woolston school. It was pointed out that the water supply was bad, tho infants' room badly ventilated, and the wing, of tho school badly lighted. The wing was also affected-with tho dry rot. Tho matters mentioned by the North Linwood and AVoolston deputations were referred to tho Buildings Committee. The Hon. D. Buddo presented a report prepared by Mr H. K. Peryman and himself on a proposed alteration of school desks. The report was referred to tho Buildings Committee. Gammaek Scholarships were awarded to Ada Fairhnirn and A. K. Baker, both of Christehureh, these being tho highest on tho credit list after tho candidates who had been awarded other scholarships.