EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS

Evening Star, Issue 20592, 18 September 1930, Page 14

EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS

OTAGO BOARD MEETING The Education Board concluded its monthly meeting to-day, Mr Walh.ce .presiding over a full attendance or members. FINANCIAL. Accounts amounting to £23,315 10s Cd were passed for payment. The Chairman pointed out that tho maintenance account was overdrawn to the extent of £2,500. This: was occasioned partly by the department reducing the unexpectedly by £250 per month. The department was not to blame, as the Treasury had reduced the department’s grant. Unless permission could be given to carry forward a debit to next year the board would require to close down on maintenance until the end of the year. It was decided that the department should be urged to assist the board in this direction, or the remaining 1 lands on maintenance would require to be dispensed with. APPOINTMENTS. Tho following appointments were confirmed : William O’Connor, head master, Balclutha; James Lenihan, head master, Kensington; James Wm. Nesbit, head master, Concord; Marjorie E. Abel, sole teacher, Island Cliff; Muriel A. Sutherland, sole teacher, Luggate; lan E. Terry, sole teacher, Tarara; James W. Hook, sole teacher, Waihola; Margaret M. Nelson, first assistant, • Concord: Beryl E. Sincock, thirteenth assistant, Forbury; Frances E. Reid, sixth assistant, Kaitangata; Henry Wm. Black, first sec.: assistant, Mosgiel D.H.; Dorothy A. Wylie, tenth assistant, Musselburgh; Constance F. Connors, eleventh assistant, North-east Valley; Winifred M. Lauren, assistant, Tahakopa; E. Mary B. Thomson, fifth assistant, Tokomairiro D.H. Transfer.—Normah M. Tyrrell, head master, Waitati, from Benhar, RESIGNATIONS. The following resignations were accepted : Norman M. Tyrrell, head master. Benhar; Gertrude. E. Beresford, sole teacher, Dunrobin; Richard Johnston.; sole teacher, Fuchsia Creek; Ena A. Govan, sole teacher, Kuriwao; Hazel York, sole teacher, Avenel Household; Alma Scott, sole teacher, Tarras Household; Margaret M. Nelson, assistant, Caveisham; James Wm. Nesbit, assistant, Moray Place; Beryl E. Sincock, assistant, Mornington; Gwen Pearce, assistant, St. Leonards; Dorothy A,Wylie, assistant, _ Totara; Henry P.Glen, subs, assistant, Mornington; Frances V. Finlayson, instructress in domestic science; Muriel A. Sutherland, assistant, Maungatua. WEATHER AGAINST ATTENDANCES. The attendance officer (Mr J. E. Ryan) reported that with the reopening of the schools on the 9th inst. after the spring term holidays the weather conditions were very much against a good opening attendance. During the week, however, the numbers improved considerably, and, as far as th. city and- suburban schools were concerned, there was every indication thattho illness which had been prevailing was now practically diminished. Sufficient time had not yet elapsed to have received many reports from the country schools since the reopening. The attendance at Kurow, Naseby, and Dunback was still slightly affected. Tlie new enrolments generally made at this time of the year in the infant departments had been fairly satisfactory. The report was adopted. TERM ATTENDANCES. The attendance returns for tho second term that ended on August 22 showed that there were 249 ■ - i'ools iu operation in the Otago district. Tho following are the detailed figures, the comparison with the same period of 1929 being attached:—Roll number at the end of the term, 20,485 (decrease of 255); average weekly roll number, 20,462 (decrease of 189); average attendance, 18,652 (decrease of 34); percentage of attendance, 91.15 per cent, (increase of 0.66 per cent.). The Puketiro School was closed during the term. PALMERSTON IMPROVEMENTS. The department approved of a subsidy of £4l 18s 4d for new- boundary fences at Palmerston. The architect estimated the total cost at £IOB 6s Bd. of which tho committee was finding £4l 13s 4d. The board decided to grant £25 for the work, which must bo held over until the next financial year. CAPITATION ON ROLL NUMBERS. The department, in reply to remits from the School Committees’ Association, asking that capitation should be paid on roll numbers, stated that it was regretted that nothing could be done during tins financial year. Tho charging of subscrintions to the committee’s general fund would apparently require legislation.—Received. GENERAL. Mr Sanderson was returned as the beard’s representative on the Technical College Board.