EDUCATION IN OTAGO

Evening Star, Issue 23038, 17 August 1938, Page 13

EDUCATION IN OTAGO

BOARD'S MONTHLY MEETING The Education (Board commenced its monthly meeting this morning. Mr James Wallace was chairman, and also present were Messrs D. C. Cameron, L. Marshall, W. R. Brugh, E. Morgan, C. E. Richards, N. H. Colquhoun, W. M. Cooper, and W. D. Sutherland. RESIGNATIONS. The following teachers’ resignations were accepted:— David T. M'Vie, head master, Portobello; Reginald M. Stevens, head master, Waiwera South; Alexander R. Webster, sole teacher, Livingstone; Louisa Aiken, infant mistress, Northeast Harbour; Alice M. Hill, assistant, Duntroon; Lily Stewart, assistant, Henley; Stina B. (Rens, assistant, Normal; Mary E. Caskey, assistant, Outram; Rita E. Lee, assistant, Pukeuri; Margaret R. Marshall, assistant, Tokomariro District High; Ann E. Callender, assistant, Walton. APPOINTMENTS. The following appointments were confirmed:— Daniel H. Kennedy, head master, Karitane; Frederick A. Baltrop, head master, Hawea Flat; Mary J. Thorp, sole teacher, Lindis Pass; Adam T. Begg, sole teacher, Otekura; Louisa Aiken, infant mistress, Green Island; Reginald M. Stevens, assistant, Green Island; Alice M. Hill, assistant, Lawrence District High; Dorothy M. Logan, assistant, Forbury; Ann E. Callender, assistant, Macandrew Road; Helen M. Murray, assistant. Northeast Valley.

GRANTS FOR SCHOOL BUILDINGS. The Education Department intimated that grants had been approved for a new teacher’s residence at Kurow. a new class room at Karitane, and an additional grant to enable the acceptance of the lowest tender to be made for a teacher’s residence at Owaka.— Noted. CHINESE REEUGEE CHILDREN, The New Zealand Educational Institute forwarded particulars of a proposal for caring for the tens of thousands of war orphans who were destitute, homeless, and uncared for. The proposal was that organisations, boards, towns, schools, and citizens might adopt orphans by paying for their upkeep—£4 per year in New Zealand currency. The institute asked that the board allow this appeal to be made to all schools under its jurisdiction. The Minister of Education approved wholeheartedly of the schools co-operating. A subscription list for the use of Education Board members and office staff was also forwarded. —Noted. SCHOOL CONVEYANCES. The department intimated that certificates of fitness under the Transport Act were now required for private motor cars used for the conveyance of school children, and for no other form of conveyance for hire or reward. A four-seater car might carry five children in addition to the driver, and a five-seater six children, and a six-seater seven children, without a certificate of

fitness being required.—The Chairman commented that this was much more satisfactory a system, and the letter was noted. MUSIC IN SCHOOLS. Mr Paul Schramm, the Austrian pianist, who was in New Zealand in 1937, forwarded proposals for bringing to the schools in New Zealand once a year a musical event. The Minister of Education wrote that Mr Schramm had now settled in this country, and added that he would appreciate any assistance that boards would render Mr Schramm. —The proposal is to be referred to the Educational Institute. REPAIRS AND RENOVATIONS. The North-east Valley School Committee applied for a concrete path leading to the rear of the infant department. —The Architect reported that this track was now laid down in screenings, and as the grade was rather steep in places he was not prepared to recommend concrete. —Held over. The Committee further asked for the laying down of an area in concrete.—The Architect recommended this under the Public Works scheme. A further area of asphalt measuring 60 square yards could be repaired and top-dressed at a cost of £2O; to lay this in concrete would cost £94.—The recommendations were approved.—A further request was for a drinking fountain near the infant room, which the architect recommended at a cost of £4 10s, and for two windows in the north wall of the gymnasium, which was to be used as a library room.—The Architect estimated the cost at about £7 10s.—-These two requests were granted. The Warrington Head Teacher applied for repairs and improvements at the residence.—The Architect recommended the work at a cost of about £l6. An improvement was also necessary in the scullery, the present scullery and washhouse, being combined. The estimated cost was £l4.—Both requests were granted. The Caversham Committee asked for an additional subsidy for the erection of a storage shed. The board’s previous subsidy was £8 10s, and the total cost of the shed was £23 10s.—The Architect stated that a good job had been made. —The committee is to be given £l2 10s instead of £8 10s. The Anderson’s Bay _ Committee applied for the installation of a washhand basin hi the teachers’ room, and also for linoleum in that room.—The Architect stated that these two items would cost £l4.—Both requests were granted. The Normal Advisory Committee applied for the installation of a central heating system.—The Architect estimated the cost at £l.B6o.—Referred to the Education Department. Members who visited the Palmerston District High School _ reported that the architect had been instructed to prepare a plan and estimate for :.n additional secondary room and such other rooms as would render it unnecessary to use the worst of the sunless rooms, these to he erected on the top playground. There was also a request from the head master asking for a number of improvements at the residence.—A sketch plan is to he sent to the department.—The head master’s request was referred to the architect for a report.