EDUCATION BOARD.

Evening Star, Issue 14039, 21 April 1909, Page 6

EDUCATION BOARD.

The regular meeting of the Otago Eduction Board began this morning; present- . the Hon. T. Fergus. (chairman), the Rei P. B. Fraser, Messis J, Mitchell, i M'Kerrow, Donald Borrie, W. Snow] W Scott, and G. C. Israel. ' —Works Committee.—

♦i. 2' Woi * s Committee recommended that tne following claims for half-cost of improvements be granted -.—Maori Hill asphalting, £3O; Oamaru South, asphalt! *£' X ; .^? s g lel ' asphalting and fenciu*, io; Waitaki,. fencing, £10; ' Tapahiii, drainage, £lo; Waianalarna, etc., ±-1 12s The Committee decided to instruct the architect to cany out the works recommended by him in connection with the following schools:—Alexandra, repairs to buildings; Moraington, alteration to doors, gangway, etc.; Tokomairiro, repairs ? n ™¥ in & s; painting walls, etc. • ihe Committee recommended that the sum of £3 be granted to the Ettrick School Committee m connection with the cost of the removal-of the school buildings. The Committee recommended to offer half-cost of fencing to the High Street School Committee, and to instruct the architect to carry out the repairs recommended by him! The Committee recommended to grant £lO (additional) to the Milburn School Committee for the completion of the works to be carried out by them. Cromwell: That the tender of W. Cair for £3l 7s for the' building of the retaining wall be accepted. School "of Art: That the architect be instructed to carry out the works irr connection with. the building asked for by Mr Hawcridge. Caversham,: That tenders be invited for the purchase of the old building standing on the recently acquired part of the school site. / Adams Flat: That tenders be called for the purchase of the old school site and buildings, or for the purchase of the buildings for removal. Tahakopa: That the Board offer no objection to four acres of the old Tahakopa School site being taken by the Government for the purpose of a cemetery. Normal School and Training College: That the janitor be granted £1 per week for sis months,-on condition that "he does all the work in connection with both schools. It was decided that l the architect be instructed to get prices from substantial firms for the supply of material for the Board for twelve months. The Chairman explained, in answer to Mr Israel, that the £1 per week to the Normal School janitor was extra, in conj sideration of the large amount of work. I There were over 200 windows to clean.

Mr Israel said he thought the increase quite right. The report was adopted. The Strath Taieri Committee asked for a time-table suitable for the children who have a long way to walk or drive. —Consideration was deferred, pending advice from the inspector. The Dunedin Fanciers' Society asked permission to distribute pieces of ribbon to the school children to enable them to visit the show at 3d each.—GranteTl, subject to the approval of the individual committees. The Head Master of Arthur Street School recommended that Nos. 1 and 2 companies of cadets he formed into one company, and that the following officers be appointed : Thos. captain; Andrew Davidson and Thos. R. Ritchie, lieutenants.—Approved. The Board approved of Captain Earl being appointed major of the North Otago Battalion of Cadets, vice Lindsay, deceased. * —House Allowances.— On the 20th March the Board decided to ask a ruling from the department as to whether or not house allowances should be protected from reduction as to grade equally with salaries under subsection 2 of clause 2 of the Education Act Amendment Act. 1908. On*flie Ist inst. the Secretary for Education replied asking the Board to be good enough to furnish a statement of any case in which hardship occurs. Upon this matter coming up to-day, MiMitchell said that the question was not one for dealing with by individual cases. It was a question of principle. He would move—"That the attention of the Minister of Education be invited to the fact that the departmental letter does not meet the Board's request, for a ruling as to whether or not house allowances should not be protected equally with salaries. The Board respectfully urge that the question is one of principle for general application, andnot dependent upon the existence of any particular case of hardship. The Board further urge that" house allowances shou'd be deemed as part of the emoluments of office, and should not be liable to reduction on a school falling a grade until the expiry of.the term as provided in respect to salaries. The Board will be glad to have a definite pronouncement by the Minister upon the subject." The Rev. P. B. Fraser seconded, and the motion was carried.