SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Evening Star, Issue 19522, 1 April 1927, Page 9

SCHOOL COMMITTEES

ASSOCIATION’S QUARTERLY MEETING VARIED AND IMPORTANT MATTERS Various matters affecting the work of school committees throughout Otago were dealt -with last night at the quarterly meeting of the School’ Committees’" Association of Otago, Mr A. T. M'lndoe presiding' over an attendance of about forty members. CHEAPER SCHOOL BOOKS. The secretary read a trade circular from Auckland giving details nf a scheme by which the Auckland School Committees’ Association supplied writing pads and exercise books to the children at cost price. The writer, who said he was the purchasing agent for the association, stated that the scheme worked well, and saved the parents about 50 per cent, on the stationery. The Chairman said the school year had gone rather far for anything to be done at present. He suggested that the matter be referred to the executive. It was decided to refer the matter to the executive, with whom the Hon. Mark Cohen was associated. It was further resolved to forward a copy of the circular to school committees. and ask them to forward their views. A member at the rear asked facetiously if there was anything in the scheme respecting the supply of boots or clothes to school children. The Chairman: "No; only stationery —exercise books, writing pads, blotting paper, chalk, etc.” REVIVAL OF DOMINION ASSOCIATION/ The Secretary of the _ Federated School Committees’ Associations of New Zealand wrote stating that it was suggested that the Dominion Federation, which had been in abeyance for the past three years, should bo brought into operation again at an early date. The letter stated that the reasons were many, among them being the imminence of the report of the Curriculum Committee being made to the Minister of Education, who would undoubtedly bring forward a Bill making drastic alterations in the national education system, both primary and secondary. It was almost inevitable that school committees would find it necessary to combat some of the proposed alterations that would be put forward on the ground oif economy, and to do so effectively it was absolutely necessary that they have a national executive in Wellington, who could speak authoritatively for the school committees of the dominion. After a snort discussion it was decided that the correspondence be sent on to the Soutli Island Federation with a suggestion that it should co-operate with the Dominion Association, and that three delegates should he appointed, ono of these to he from Dunedin. > CHILDREN’S DEMONSTRATION. On the motion of the chairman it was decided to congratulate the committee in control on the successful carrying out of the children’s demonstration during the visit of the Duke of York, and to express appreciation of the work done by those responsible for the function. fhe mover stressed the latter part of h;s motion, and said the disp'xv. i,s viened from any side, was a splendid cm. it was decided to send a copy of the m.lion to the town clink, and also to ilnirk the St. loan /nbulance Association for its valuable work in assisting children who fainted or were sick at the demonstration, i CHARGES FOR WATER. The Chairman reported in respect to a deputation which had waited on the Walei Committee of the City CouncT on tlw subject of the rates charged for the supply of water to schools, and said the question had been referred to the town clerk for a report. The difficulty seemed to be 1 that the Government paid no rates on school buildings, and the council found the only way was to charge the school committees. A possible solution was the supply of water meters; but, if they were installed, school authorities would need to watch any wastage of water. MINISTER OF EDUCATION CONGRATULATED. Mr L. D. Ritchie referred to the sincere and practical interest shown by the Minister of Education during his recent visit to Dunedin schools, not only in the buildings, but also -n the children. The Minister had_,shown that he had a special faculty for making himself at homo among the children and of making the children interested in what he said,, This should all make for the good of tho administration of his department. It was known that tho portfolio of education was one of the most difficult, particularly from a financial point of view; but he was sure Mr Wright’s administration would bo practical and sincere. He moved—- " That this meeting_ expresses its pleasure and appreciation of the keen and practical interest in matters relating to his department displayed by the Hon. Mr Wright, the Minister of Education, on his recent visit to this district, and especially appreciates his kindly interest in tho children.” Other speakers eulogised what Mr Wright had done during his visit, and tho motion was earned. SOUTH ISLAND CONFERENCE. Mr J. H. C. Somerville, one of the Otago delegates to the annual conference of the South Island Federation of School Committees’ Associations at Invercargill in February, reported that tho conference had been highly successful. Otago had been represented by the Hon. Mark Cohen, Mr L. D. Ritchie, and the speaker. The Invercargill people had treated the visitors most hospitably, and a great deal of business and pleasure had been crowded, into a abort space of time. The, speaker referred to visits to a number of schools, and said that, for the size of tho town, Invercargill had the best and most up-to-date schools he had seen in the dominion. The Hon. Mr Cohen had given a highly interesting lecture on ‘Education’ to tho delegates. The social evening was a successful affair, a splendid spirit being shown among the teachers, members of the board, head masters, committeen on, and delegates to the conference. Mr Somerville suggested than an annual social evening should be hold among the educational people of Dunedin: no claimed it would make for the good of education. The speaker proceeded to deal - with various remits which had come before the conference. Mr L. I>. Ritchie also reported on a number of matters dealt with at tha conference, which, he said, showed the great and keen interest which was taken in their work by committeemen from all over the South Island.

The Hon. Mark Cohen also reported and commented on what had been discussed at tho conference. After interestingly discussing certain phases of the educational system, Mr Cohen advised the members to retain their association at full working strength, and to take care they were advised early of the merits or demerits of the proposed Education Bill. Certain strong changes wore about to be made, and needed careful attention. He was a great admirer of our primary school tystem, and did not wish to see it unduly altered. The delegates were accorded the thanks of the meeting for their representation.

It was decided that the executive he asked to arrange for the holding of a social evening, as suggested by Mr Somerville*