THE SCHOOLS FROM WITHIN.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1180, 15 July 1911, Page 14

THE SCHOOLS FROM WITHIN.

NEWS AND NOTES. At last Monday night's meeting of the Putea School Committee it was decided lo put into operation the compulsory continuation clause of tho Education Act for boys from It to 17 years of age. The' Eoxton School Committee has decided to support Sir. Fred Pirani's candidature for the Southern Ward of the Wanganui Education Board. The Masterton County Council has been asked by tho Wellington Education Board to retain the ferry reserve, at Taueru for tho uso of horses ridden by children attending the school there. The secretary for Education lias requested, by a "circular memorandum addressed to tho various Education Boards, that in cases of inquiries_into destruction or damage of school buildings by fire, sufficient notice be given to the Department to allow of the appointment of some Government officer to be present on its behalf.

A novel experiment was tried at the Gishorno Technical School cooking classes recently, when the senior High School girlrf were expected to market and provide "dinner for two" out of the noble Mim of Gel. Thev fullv entered into the spirit of the thing, and, on their return from the shopping expedition, some were even able to show chango in liaud. "It scorns rather a pity to see what are supposed to be reserves set aside lor the advance of education fetchin? in a more bagatelle as rental, and at the same tune the schools of the Dominion receiving no advantage from the same, as whatever they do earn is carefully deducted from the ordinary grants from tho Government," writes a correspondent. "Wo niul that some at least (if not all) are let for periods of 21 vears with right of renewal at about 2 per cent, on their capital value.' One would imagine that if they were sold oui right, and the money lent at, sav, 5 per cent, for the benefit of education, that it would be better in the end." Referring to the scheme outlined by Mr. I', l'.irani, chairman of the . Education Board at Marton last week for the future of education in the district around Marton, 111'. E. Newman, M.P., said that the. district hardly knew how much they owed to tho energy, ability, and enthusiasm of Mr. Pirani. Busy man as ho was, it was surprising to every one how thoroughly lio carried out the work of chairman, and what a great advantage it was to tho cause of education to have him at the head of affairs. In fact, without in any way desiring to discount the present Minister for Education, lie was sure it would be for the benefit of wew Zealand if Mr. Tirani occupied that posir tion. The remarks were received with applause.

The average attendance for the .Tune quarter at Maungaroa School, .Upper liutt, was a great improvement on the previous quarter, being 91 per cent., as against 81 per cent., although June was a very wet mouth—over 5 inches of rain being recorded. The roll is now 40, and the spring will see a further increase. The inspector pays his. annual, visit about July 2G.: Tho Coronation medals were presented to the children last Friday by Mr. Wm.: Gill, who, in a few weli-chosen words, impressed them with the value and significance of the medals. On Wednesday, July 5, a very pleasant function took placo at the Norraanby School, the occasion being the presentation of a testimonial and a small present from tho school committee, and a present from the children and teaching staff, to Miss Gillanders, assistant teacher, who is leaving the school'to take up a position as teacher under the Auckland Education Board. . . Tho- presentations were made by the chairman of tho school committee, Mr. D. Green, .and tho headmaster, Mr. G. W. Mitchell, who each mado a very neat speech, congratulating Miss Gillanders upon her successful career as a teacher, and wishing her success in her new sphere. Miss Gillanders replied, thanking them all for their very great kindness to her, and saying she would always remember her pleasant sojourn in Normanby. Miss Gillanders has been assistant teacher in Normanby School for the last three years, and has won the. love of the children, and the respect of all with whom she canie in contact throughout the district.

A conference of members of the Marton High School Committee, Marlon Borough Council, Marlon Chamber of Commerce, Mr. E. Newman, M.P., and Messrs. Fred. Pirani and F. Purnell (members, of tho Wanganui Education Board) was nelct at Marton last week in connection with the erection of a new school building on tho site, purchased for the purpose. Tho new building will cost about .i'tOOO, in brick. It is understood that the Government wilt provide '.£IOOO, and the sale of tho old building JCSDO, leaving £'2500 to be provided by the board. A considerable amount of discussion took place, during which Mr. Pirani outlined the proposals lie intended to submit to tho board in the matter, and ho suggested that the local residents should raise =£250, which, \vith tho £1 for ,£1 subsidy, • would enable X'aOO to bo spent on tho grounds, in the shape of draining, metalling, treeplanting, and otherwise rendering them attractive. The suggestion .was taken up with enthusiasm, and ,£75 was subscribed in tho room.

At tho last meeting of the Wanganui Education Board tho following joint letter was received from the five assistant teachers at Eltham District High School: "It would appear from the 'School World' in The Do.iiixion- newspaper that tho teachers of the Eltham School had jointly drawn up tho article published. We beg to state tiiaj wo had nothing to do with tho drawing up of this article, it was submitted to us at a meeting of teachers, and whilo each one of us was willing to accept additional holidays should tho board voluntarily grant them, no '..ono of us was keen- enough about tho matter to take such a step as the report in Tiie Dominion* might lead one to believo that wc took/'- [Tho article referred to certainly stated that tho complaint ro holidays was voiced by tho staff.. That statement, apparently}-, was inaccurate to tho extent that the assistant teachers did not participate in tho drafting of tho letter, which tho headmaster presented to tho committee. For the rest, tho above disclaimer speaks for itself.] Wanganui district school appointments confirmed:—Porewa, Mr. W. E. West; Iloropito, Mr. G. M. Bell; Kawhatau, Mr. R. J. Williamson; Utiku. Miss M. F. Aris (assistant); Spur Boad, Mr. J. B. Mlienzie.

The opinion of the Wanganui Education Board's solicitors is to bo taken as to whether "regular and efficient instruction" at private schools includes "tho use of competent teachers, satisfactory buildings . and accommodation, satisfactory sanitary arrangements as to light, seats, desks, and conveniences, suitable playgrounds, and a suitable course of study." A correspondent of tiie Auckland Education Board, in a recent letter containing an application for repairs to a school building, concluded by expressing a fervent hope "and may God add His blessing on each one of the Education Board." Tiie request (remarks the Auckland "Herald" somewhat ambiguously) was acceded to with unusual promptitude.