EDUCATION BOARD.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 16519, 10 May 1919, Page 6

EDUCATION BOARD.

( JIOXTHLY MEETING.

Tho Canterbury Education Board met yesterday. Present: Messrs W, A. Bank* (chairman), C. S. Howard, E. H. Andrews J. Maze, G. W. Armitagc, J. Jamieson, A. Pcverill, T. Eugbos, "\V. P, Spenccr, C. H. Opie, and the Hon. J. Grimmond. A letter was received irom the Department, authorising tno continuance of the secondary ciepariiiient at tho Kaikoura District Hiyn tociiool, wliich would be i»rovisiouajly graued as iu Grade A uutil the eiiil ot the present year, luo Uepirtmeat intimated that its approva. couia not be given in the eases oi iiaiapoi and Lincoln.

The Fairlic School Committee reported its intention to take steps to havo a .District High School establisneU at F&irlie, and atked for th-j Board's assistance. It was pointed out that l!ie Department vrould require not less than 20 qualified (proficiency) pupils before the Minister would consider the application. The residents ol ilangamaunu district applied for a school at bandy Bay. It was agreed to ask the rosidento what objection they had to their children continuing to attend the Xativo schoo. at Mangumaunu. A circular memorandum wa3 received from tho Department intimating that on the approval of the Senior Inspector tho continuance of a satisfactory course of university study on tho part of junior teachers or probationers who have passod tho intermediate examination would be accepted in lieu of studies for the Clas3 D certificate.

The Truant Officer reported having visited a number of schools, at which tho attendance as a whole had been very good. The Buildings Committeo recommended that Inspector Valentine bo asked to report on th a most suitable site for a school at Waiho, and that tho Westlanu County Council be requested to build a bridge ocros3 the Tatare river to give access to tho school; that the assistant-architect report on tho erection of a new room at Fairlie and the question of tho rebuilding of the old wooden portion of tho school; that tho assistantarchitect bo authorised to erect a science room at the Geraldine school; that the c-Tcctioii of tho Ht. Somers school bo proceeded with forthwith; that the Board approve of enlarging tho Temttka school grounds, if tho residents will contribute one-quartor of the cost; that the Board agree to the Repatriation Beard's request for the uso of the Sou tli Belt school for two or three years in connexion with special classes for returned soldiers, subject to tho. approval of the Christchurch East School Committee, and that a conference bo held between representatives of the Education Board and the Technical School Board regarding the purcbaso of the building and site by the Technical School Board; that the Education Department be informed that the Board still adhered to its previous application for the re-building of part of tho Christchurch West school; that application be made to the Department for a grant, for providing additional accommodation at Bokeby; that the Shirley School Committeo bo informed that tho Board was awaiting tho purchase of additional land before proceeding with the erection of pddltions, which would probably take tho form of a scparato infaut building; that Little River, Motukarara, Puaha, and Wairewa schools ho re-painted and repaired; that tho Department bo asked for a grant to erect a. new school at Oku to Valley; and that in response to a letter from tho Department the architect and office drew up a list for submission to tho Department of the residences urgently in need of improvement. The report wa» adopted. The Agriculture and Manual and Technical Committees recommended tho appointment of Mr G. S. Kidley 11s assistant-agri-cultural instructor on tho West Coast, and that Mr Wm. Martin, B.Sc., bo nominated to attend tho conference of agricultural erparts to bo held in Wellington on June 4th. Tho committeo recommended that Mr Martin should again visit the West Coast to. initiate the newly-appointed assistantinstruclor into his duties.

Tho report was adopted. Tiie report of the auditor of the audit of school committees' accounts for tho past year Tvas adopted. It was decided to circularise certain committees regarding tho opening of accounts in tho Post Office Savings ' Bnnk, and to write to three others regarding items of illegal expenditure. Tho audito,- reported that there wero on.y eight committees with debit balances, most of these being small amounts. In accordanco with the recommendation of tho auditor it was decided to supply receipt books for the use of school committees.

The Education Department wtfotc in respect to tho payment of teachers' th:it the wholo question of tlm revision ot tcacliers' salaries was now under consideration, and in this the method of payment, as ■well as other still moro important questions, might bo involved. In respect to the statement that it was the intention, of the Department •to pay salaries direct to teachcrs in, tho future such an announcement must bo regarded as unwarranted; an amendment of tho Act would he necessary before such a courso could be adopted. Members expressed the opinion that they should not sit down under this Teply, but it was pointed out that the members of Parliament had been approached on tho subject, and a remit could bo • framed later. In response to a letter from the Y.W.C.A. asking that tho Board uso its influence with proprietors of picture theatres to include in their shows special films suitable for children, it was decided to approve tho sentiments expressed in the letter, and that the picture proprietors should be asked to include among thoir films 6uch pictures during the peace celebrations. The Canterbury Progress League wrote asking tHo Board to pass certain resolutions regarding (a) railway accommodation at Christchurch, (b) Otira tunnel, and (c) the hydro-electrical scheme. Tho Board endorsed the resolutions. The New Zealand' Educational Instituto wrote asking the Board to grant a 'room ijor the housing of a proposed "teachers' library." The request was agreed to. A letter was received from the Department appointing Mr W. A. .Banks a member of tho Rangiora High School Board, and Mr "\V. R. Virtue a member of tho Akaroa High School Board. Mr Montgomery waited upon tho Board as a deputation from tho local School Committeo to protest against tho proposal to closs ',1m school at Gray's Corner, near Morven. Ho stated that if the school wero closed the children would lmve to 'travel six miles to school. Tho matter was deferred ■ for consideration.