EDUCATION BOARD

Greymouth Evening Star, 19 June 1926, Page 3

EDUCATION BOARD

WEST COAST BUSINESS (Special to "Star.”) CHRISTCHURCH, June 18. The Canterbury Education Board met to-day. Seven schools in the Canterbury Education Board’s district were without school committees this year. For five of them the Board to-day appointed Commissioners. The other two districts did not elect committees as a protest against the want of support from the Board. Following a report giving the attempts to elect committees, recommendations for the appointments as Commissioners were adopted:—Ngahere, second failure, Messrs J. Donaldson and G. Gibson recommended as Commissioners. Paroa Messrs J. N. Lawson, H. C. Sumner, J. Flaherty, recommended to fill the

vacancies. The following appointments was confirmed: Blackball, Miss C. M. Fox, assistant mistress; Koiterangi, Miss R. Johnston, sole teacher. The appointment of the following substitute assistant was confirmed: Runanga, Miss F. Muir. Mr. W. H. Johnston’s report was read and adopted. The result of the potato growing competition was considered with the following result: — First, Ruru and Ngahere, equal. Second; Ahaura, Nelson Creek and Ruatapu, equal. Third; Barrytown and Rotomanu equal. The report stated that the competition had shown conclusively the varieties, Game Keeper, King Edward, Sutton’s Supreme, all do well on tjie Coast. The season had been very wet, and consequently planting had to be delayed too late for good results. The Building Committee reported that the Evans Creek Committee was asking the Board to consider the removal of the La Fontaine school to a site available at Evans Creek.-It was resolved to reply that as the attendance at Evans Creek was only seven, the establishment of a permanent school was not warranted. Greymouth: A letter was received from the Superintendent of the Fire Brigade thanking the Board for a donation of £3/3/- in acknowledgment of the brigade’s services in connection with the fire at the school. It was resolved to ask Mr. Wild to submit a report in regard to a letter received from a teacher advising that the wood and coal shed at a school had been destroyed by fire early on Thursday morning of June 10, a euchre party having been held in the school on the Wednesday night. It

was decided to request Mr. Wild to report on the Committee’s application for: (1) Erection of new fence around the school; (2) painting of the exterior of the school. Jacks Mill: A report was received I from Inspector Irwin recommending 3 that a school room be divided by a _ curtain, and that the porch be extend--1 ed the full length of the building, both rooms being given access to the porch, i It was resolved to apply to the De- , partment for a grant to enable this 5 recommended to be given effect. Kaiata: The foreman is to be in- • structed to report in regard to the I following improvements to the school : recommended by the Medical Officer of Health: Provision of suitable ven- ’ tilators in the walls and roof of the school building; construction of a „ shelter shed for the convenience of ; scholars during play and lunch times; , substitution of the pit system for the i pan system. Runanga: It was decided to accede to the Committee’s request for provision of new blinds for the windows of the school. The foreman to take action as deemed advisable in connection with the Committee’s application for placing sheet iron on the walls near the stoves in the teacher’s room and the corridor of the infants’ classroom, to protect the building from fire. The foreman is to be asked to report on the Committee’s application for an additional chimney for the extra fireplace in the infants’ classroom. A report was received from the senior inspector regarding the Committee’s application for partition of the infants’ classroom, so that the class may be divided into two. Mr. McLeod stated that the West Coast Inspector was of the opinion it would be unwise to divide the room as suggested by the Committee, but considered the curtain should be sup-

plied. The foreman is to provide the curtain, and a copy of the Inspector’s report is to be forwarded to the Committee. Ruru: The foreman is to be instructed to take any action deemed necessary in respect to the Committee’s application, for renewal of the boys’ lavatory. Taylorville: The Committee wrote applying for payment of account £6 15/- for repair of fence and provision of drainage through the playgrounds as authorised by Inspector Irwin. It was resolved that consideration of the application be deferred pending receipt of a report from Inspector Irwin. R. Grant, Supervisor, reported that the following Board’s representatives would retire by rotation this year: Ashburton, G. W. Andrews; Christchurch, A. Peverill; Timaru Technical School, J. G. Gow and G. J. Sealey, Greymouth. (Note —Present Board’s representatives: F. H. Kilgour and J. Tennent). Mr. Tennent has lost his seat by virtue of Section 20 (1) of the

Education Act. I have written to make certain of this. In confirmation I have just received a wire from the Director of the Greymouth Technical School stating that Mr. Tennent has resigned his seat. The name of Mr. W. R. Kettle has been mentioned as a successor. He formerly was the Board’s representative on the Greymouth High School Board. This Board has now been abolished by Statute. The Technical High School Board had succeeded to its rights and liabilities. Appointments to fill the vacancies caused by those retiring by rotation will be made at the August meeting of the Board. Mr. Johnston’s report for May— June: As the midwinter vacation occupied the latter part of May, there is very little to report for the month. I visited as follow: Kokiri and Greymouth primary for Std. 5, Taylorville, South Spit, Ruru, Moana and Camerons. The weather conditions were such that practically nothing could be done outside. At present, the weather is fine and it is .hoped that the latter half of the winter will be good. Judging the agricultural plots, which we hoped to get done during the vacation, has been delayed on account of the weather. From reports sent in, I gather that many plots have failed, but we hope to be able to inspect, and judge those that are worth it during this month. Mr. Irwin Inspector of Schools, accompanied me

on my visit to Camerons. The question of re-fencing the plot and continuing the beautifying scheme was gone into with Mr. Wilson, the new teacher. Last year, the Committee fenced from the boundary. This year, it is proposed to paint the fence, and plant a live hedge. There is also the larger question of a drain for the back part of the grounds, but a considerable amount of money will be re-