EDUCATION BOARD

Evening Star, Issue 23093, 20 October 1938, Page 9

EDUCATION BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Education Board was commenced yesterday, there being present Messrs J. Wallace (chairman), W. M. Cooper, D. Marshall, W. R. Brugh. W. D. Sutherland, E. Morgan, N.' Colquhoun, and C. E. Richards. LATE MR D. T. FLEMING. The Chairman referred to the death of Mr D. T. Fleming, stating that the board felt his loss extremely. Mr Fleming had been the only present member of the board who had held a seat at the time the speaker joined, and he had been a true friend to education. There was no one who knew the intricacies of education better than Mr Fleming. Mr Wallace moved: “ That the Otago Education Board places on record its sorrow at the death of David Thomas Fleming. “ Mr Fleming was the ‘ father ’ of the board, having occupied a seat continuously since 1909—a period of 29 years. He was chairman of the board during the period August, 1916, to August, 1918, and he has been one of the board’s on the Otago High Schools Board since 1914. This record of voluntary service bears evidence to the practical nature of Mr Fleming’s sympathy and interest in all pertaining to education. A clear thinker, with a wide knowledge of affairs, Mr Fleming was regarded as one ’of the board’s leading members, and as such represented it at many conferences and special deputations. “ By his death the cause of education has lost a warm and true friend and the board a member esteemed not only for his ability and wise counsel, hut also for his attributes of friendship and goodwill.” ■ The motion was seconded by Mr Brugh and- carried. t SUBSIDIES. The Concord, Flag Swamp, and Wylie’s Crossing committees applied for the installation of electric light in the class rooms for cleaning purposes. —Application granted. The St. Bathan’s head teacher asked for a pipe line from the town race, a distance of 200yds. It was understood that the committee would be willing to find half the cost, as the water could be used for school' purposes as well as at the residence. The architect estimated the cost at ”£3o.—lt was decided to agree to the request. REPAIRS AND RENOVATIONS. The Benhar Committee applied for a concrete drill area under the public works scheme. The architect reported that there was a total of 746 square yards of asphalt at the school, and it was not in very good order. To lay both areas in concrete would cost £279 10s. The present grant under the public. works scheme was £2B.—Agreed to. The Cape Saunders Committee drew attention to the exposed position of the school, which became worse as the Government had made a start to fell the surrounding bush. An iron or paling fence was asked for. The architect reported that a paling fence would cost about £l9 a chain. If manuka were available a scrub fence might do.— Agreed to. The Clinton head master’s application for interior renovation at the residence ' was agreed to. the architect recommending the work at a cost of £l7 10s, with an additional expenditure of £l4 for replacing the sink and basin and an open fireplace. It was decided to agree to the Hyde teacher’s application for interior renovation of the residence, also for a hand basin for the bathroom. The architect’s estimated cost was about £2B. The Ida Valley head teacher applied for an additional room at the residence, built-in wardrobe, wash-hand basin, and a hot water supply. The architect reported that an .additional room woujd cost £135, hot water system £3O, basin £6. and wardrobe £3 10s.—It was decided to apply to the department for a grant, and to agree to the application. The Kaitangata head master asked for renovations to the interior of the gymnasium. The architect reported that the work would cost £IOO. The head master also made application for the in stallation of a septic tank at the residence, the architect’s estimated cost being £3o.—Agreed to. The architect reported that a partition in the Otekaike class room built in sections would cost between £l2 and £l4. He also reported that the estimated cost of an additional room, ’as applied for, would be £l9O, as against £B4 for a sun porch.—Approved, and it was decided to apply to the department for a grant. In connection with the Owaka District High head teacher’s request for more than three bedrooms at the new residence now in course of construction, the architect reported that the work would , cost about £6s.—lt was decided to apply for a grant from the department. GRANTS. Notification was received that the department had decided to make grants for the erection of a side school of two rooms at Oamaru North, for the erection of three additional classrooms and an administration block at Wakari, and for the remodelling of the High Street School building. , GENERAL MATTERS. The department intimated that the Public Works Department would carry out ground improvements at the Caversham Infant School and at, Anderson’s Bay and Duntroon. It was decided to advise the department that the Arthurton Committee stated that the parents were agreeable to the children being conveyed to Pukerau if the route covered the round trip which wo;ild be taken had Waipahi been the centre. The renewed application for the installation of a hot water system in the scheol residence at Lauder Railway was agreed to. SWIMMING. The Otago Centre of the New Zealand Amateur Swimming Association forwarded the report of its educational officer, this showing that up to August 11 2,511 certificates had been issued for distances from 50 to 880 yards, while the School Sports Association had issued a further 504 certificates for dis;ces less than 50 yards. The figures revealed an improved showing by country srhools.—Received. It, was decided to make a grant of £2 2s towards the cost of reconditioning a swimming pool at Pukeuri, and gdsc; » similar amount to the Cromwell Swimming Club for the teaching of swimming at the local school. MUSIC. Amended proposals for interesting children in music were submitted by Mr Paul Schramm.—lt was decided to forward the proposals to the local branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute. APPOINTMENT. Mr F -Johnston was appointed commissionei for the W l ' e Flat district, the teacher to act as clerk.

HEADMASTER’S RESIDENCE. Renewed application for the provision ot a residence for the headmaster at Ravcnsboume was received, and it was decided to ask the department if it was still its policy not to build further residences. OTHER WORK. It was decided that the material for the erection of new fences round the Beaumont glebe be supplied at a cost of £24 10s. In connection with the Waikoikoi Committee’s application for au additional tank and for replacing the present asphalt at the school with concrete, the architect reported that the complete cost would he approximately £100! The sum of £32 was provided on the public works list, of which £ls had already been spent on concrete paths. The matter was held over, and it was decided to apply ,to the Public Works Department to carry out the work. An application from the teacher afi Becks for additions at the residence, costing £lls, was granted, and it was decided to apply to the department for a grant. CONSOLIDATION. In the matter of the consolidation of Ardgour on Tarras and the proposals for an amended conveyance service, it was decided to consult the parents of Ardgour as to their wishes. RESIGNATIONS. The following resignations were accepted : . . Mr William A. Sproat as principal at Dunedin North Intermediate, Mr John S. M'Bean as headmaster at Tapanui District High, Miss Clarice F. M. Courtier as sole teacher at Kaihiku, Mr George W. Parkyn as sole teacher at Shag Point, Miss Ethel E. M‘Kmnon as assistant at Caversham, Miss Daisy M. Brewster as assistant at St. Clair, Miss Eva G. Clarke as home science intructress at Roxburgh centre. It was decided to send letters of appreciation of their services to the retiring teachers. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £32,099 12s 6d were passed for payment.