HIGH SCHOOLS' BOARD

Evening Star, Issue 21054, 17 March 1932, Page 16

HIGH SCHOOLS' BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Otago High Schools’ Board was held yesterday afternoon, there being present the chairman (Dr G. E. Thompson), Mrs Park, the Hon. D. T. Fleming, Archdeacon Fitchett, Dr Marshall Macdonald, Messrs W. R. Brugh, J. J. Mallard, and the mayor (Mr R. S. Black). The Education Department forwarded a circular memorandum regarding the extension of senior free places, stating that it was perhaps not quite clear that the instructions issued were to apply only to pupils who attained nineteen years of age this year. Pupils who turned nineteen last year were not eligible to receive a further extension of free place privileges.—Received. MORE ACCOMMODATION NECESSARY. The Rector of the Boys’ School (Mr Morrell) wrote drawing attention to the fact that accommodation at the school was now so limited that it was impossible to carry on much longer under the present conditions, and asked that the position be placed before the Education Department at once. He suggested that unless there was a reasonable certainty that the numbers for the 1933 session would be lowered the department might see fit to join in pressing the matter of extension again on the City Council (with a definite guarantee of removal as soon as the dominion’s finances permitted), failing which it should be asked to set a definite limit to the numbers of the school.

With regard to the application for permission to erect another temporary building on the Littlebourne Recreation Ground, or, in the alternative, adding to tho existing present structure, the Town Clerk (Mr Lewin) wrote stating that the council had decided that the assistance already extended to tho board in the matter of a temporary building site on tho portion of the Town Belt in question must be regarded as maximum, and was therefore unable to consent to any further use of the Town Belt either by way of extension to the existing building or by the erection of any other building. The Secretary (Mr M'Lean) reported that he had communicated, with tho department, placing the position before it and explaining that while two new rooms were desirable one was absolutely essential. The roll number was now' 800, with a probable further slight increase. The Education Board’s architect estimated the cost of one portable room at £125. and of furniture £BS. A reply had been received from tho department pointing out that it was very important that unnecessary capital expenditure should be avoided in the meantime and suggesting that temporary accommodation might be obtained at the Arthur Street School or elsewhere.

Mr J. C. Stephens stated that ho was very disappointed at tho attitude of the City Council to their request and generally to the Littlebourne grounds. Tho rector’s suggestion was adopted. PRINCIPALS’ REPORTS.

Mr Morrell reported that the total number now upon the school roll was 785. Of this total 335 were seniors, 441 juniors, and nine paying pupils. Tho corresponding figures for March, 1927-31, were respectively 703, 720, 735, 717, and 774. On Wednesday, February 24, Mr Arthur Cone, of Pennsylvania University (U.S.A.), who had visited the school on the previous day, gave a talk on his experiences of travel in the northern part of the United States and in other countries, which was much enjoyed by the 200 boys who attended. Messrs E. Caradus and J. B. Mawson,. of secondary schools, visited the school from Monday, March 7, to Friday, 11th (inclusive), for the purpose of a full inspection. Miss King stated that tho roll stood at 574—212 seniors, 357 juniors, and five paying pupils. Tho classes were finally settled for the year, and with definite knowledge of the proposed arrangements for tho increase in staff she expected to have the permanent timetable in operation next week. The secondary school inspectors visited the school for general inspection from March 7 to March 10 (inclusive). The attendance was very good at present, there being very little sickness, although a certain number of cases of severe colds, sore throats, and mild influenza had been noted among the absentees. The reports were adopted. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £1,803 19s 6d were passed for payment.