HEAVY EXPENSES.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20244, 23 May 1931, Page 5

HEAVY EXPENSES.

CONSOLIDATION OF! SCHOOLS. EDUCATION BOARD'S. REPORT. "While the' Board is in the happy position of being able to report that the funds which it can administer with comparatively wide discretion are in a good position, it is noted that the general fund has been, called upon to support increasingly the following special accounts by the contributions mentioned —conveyance of pupils (£1196 lis 3d), committees' incidental expenses (£3BO 17s 3d), and buildings maintenance (£250)," states the Canterbury Education Board's report for the year ended December 31st, 1930. "The Board does not begrudge this support as long as funds are available, but it is obvious that such assistance cannot bo granted indefinitely, and must certainly be curtailed £f revenue is in any way reduced." "The total expenditure on conveyance and consolidation was £18,905 15s Bd, or about £SOO less than in the previous year. In two districts (Balcairn and Kokatahi) consolidation on 4 small scale was effected," and it is anticipated that a good deal more will be done in this direction in the near future. The Board would take action in several promising districts at once if it had the necessary authority to arrange suitable contracts when conditions are ripe for the change. " The attendances at manual training classes during 1930 were consistently regular. A considerable increase in enrolments, especially in Christchurcb centres, during 1930, was noted, and for this reason the establishment -of a fourth Christchurch Manual Training Centre is becoming more and. more a matter of real necessity. .Various improvements to all its manual training centres were effected by the Board during the past year; the maintenance of these buildings also received proper attention. Nature Study. "With the exception of a few City schools which have not adequate facilities for: outdoor practical work, all schools in the Board's district are. now registered as taking Nature study, elementary science, and agriculture, .with the school garden as th<> main factor iri the instruction - and education of the pupils. In the exceptions referred to, arid 'in\ City schools generally, where large numbers of pupils have to be catered for on restricted areas, the lack of direct personal contact with the soil, and growing things by the children is a very great disadvantage; to the chU.dren so situat(id~a disadvantage which is not Compensated by the special attention given to the elementary science studies' in = these schools. A partial substitute for' school garden work has. been provided-this;ye»r by a scheme for 'home gardens' brought forward by the Chief . Agricultural Instructor. Reports from headmasters' indicate that thtf scheme has worked very well in; this, its 'first-year: of trial. There is no dopbt that the majority of children are very keenly interested in such projects; ■with many, given .opportunity and encouragement it soon becomes a predominating interest; and where interest: is aroused education begins, and the teachers' opportunity. , . .. "A similar function is served by the Girls' and Boys Agricultural- Clubs' Association, the North Canterbury Division of which has. been inauguratedthis! year with an enrolmsnt of 800 boys' and girls in a potato-growing competition. This is organised and operated j through "the schools, its fundamental object being. education and interest i n the affairs of the country. • It promises ttt be very successful in achievingthese aims. The extension of the-movement to South Canterbury and the West Coast is now under consideration." The report is to W forwarded to the Minister for' Education. t