SCHOOL AFFAIRS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 22 July 1924, Page 10

SCHOOL AFFAIRS.

EDUCATION BOARD. VARIOUS REPORTS. The following reports were presented to tlie meeting of the Taranaki Education Board yesterday:

Mr H. W. InsulJ (secretary) reported that with the exception ot the Midhirst, Ac bland and Mangatupoto Commitees, who had failed .to send in their oooks, the audit of school committees’ accounts had been completed, and the position to date was as follows: Receipts—Balances, 1923, £3597 4s 2d; capitation, £S7OU 2s 3d; receipts from other sources, including interest, subsidies, etc., £4944; total, £14,241 12s 4d. J/hiyments—Maintenance expenditure, £5293 12s; capital expenditure, £3924 7s Id; incidental ■ expenditure, including cocoa, picnics, prizes, etc., £1413 9s 2d; balances, 1924, £3257 17s 1(M; total, £13,907 6s Id. The architect reported as follows: The additions to the Mahoe school are completed. The partition of the Cardiff school, dividing the classroom, is completed and another heater installed. The additions to the Warea school have also been completed. At Stratford we have completed the renovation of the infants’ room, and also the two wooden constructed classrooms attached to the main brick; building. Whilst on the new additions at Mahoe both school and residence were painted throughout. At Warea we also painted and repaired both the school ancl residence whilst on the new additions to the school. The completion of general painting and repair work at Te Roti has been attended to. General painting at Finnerty school has received attention. General renovation is receiving attention at Ngaere school. The workshop has been very busy on school furntiure and the sections of the two ovable classrooms for the Central School. “Whilst on this matter,” said the architect, when reporting (on the Newall residence, “I would also say that some teachers keep their residences in very good order, but there are many teachers who do not take any pride in keeping the place even clean. This probably comes about partly owing to the nomadic lives most teachers lead, and owing to not having any real interest in their surroundings. The buildings are merely used as temporary domiciles until something better turns up. However, there is no excuse for the state some of these places are found in. It does not matter how new a residence may be or how well renovated, unless the occupier takes a little interest in the place it will soon look disreputable. lam not mentioning this matter without good grounds. It means not only loss of prestige, but a' serious question from a financial noint of view.”

The agricultural instructor reported .- Primary Schools—During the month 63 schools have been visited. Generally the work is proceeding satisfactorily, and the experimental work which is necessary during this term has been commenced. Scheme of work—The schemes and suggestions which have been compiled and printed have been received, and are ready for distribution amongst the schools. The pamphlet should prove a valuable aid to the development of agricultural work in (/ .the schools. Rural science classes—The scheme which was proposed at the beginning of the year has at last been developed, and rural science classes are in operation at Inglewood, Stratford, El tham, Hawera and Manaia. Some slight modifications are still, necessary before the organisation can be considered satisfactory. Furniture that was essential has been supplied at Manaia and Hawera. Furnituj’e has been forwarded to Eltham, but some further work must be done at this centre before the building can be considered suitable for the work. This work is, being put into operation. The development of the organised work will help considerably in improving the standard of agricultural work. Teachers’ classes—These are proceeding regularly, and interest is maintained in the work. Each instructor reports that satisfactory progress is being made by the teachers. Post primary work—The position with regard to this proposed work has not changed materially since the report was forwarded last month. Interest is, however, being developed, and enquiries have been received from different sources with regard to this work. The various agricultural bodies are maintaining their interest, and I am convinced that it will eventually prove an important movement. Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs—The judging of the plots has been completed in both divisions. The standard of the work done has improved considerably this year, and shows conclusively that the work is proving beneficial. 'The time that is given to this work is amply justified by the results obtained. Further development of this work is anticipated, and with the continued interest of both teachers and scholars much good will result. Shows—A display of the work of the Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs and of rural work was made at the New Plymouth Show. The former section was of a high standard, hut the latter section left much to be desired. Such displays have a very definite value,- and it is hoped that greater effort will be made to develop this section in future years. The Finance Committee reported that the following matters be referred to the board’s architect: Matapu, heater; Tawhiti, concrete paths and extension of shelter shed; 'Hawera, partition room K, repairs to roof, steps, etc. ; JRiverlea, wash hand basins and porches; Awatuna, repairs to fence, defective chimney, and painting; Manaia, school house boundary fence; Moevoa, fencing material; Whakamara, copper and tubs, range, etc.; Opunnke. windmill. Recommendations were: That the board could not assist in the cutting of the boundary hedge at Matapu, as the matter is one for the committee to deal with. That in view of the adverse report received from the Riverlea School Committee regarding the installing of wash basins in the porches, the board protests against the policy of the department in insisting that wash hand basins he built in in 6ft porches. That I01X) drawing blocks be ordered through the Christchurch Technical High School. That the question of a- grant to the Tawhiti School Committee towards the proposed improvements at the school be referred to Messrs White and Lees to interview

the committee in conjunction with the architect. That the question of erecting partition in room K at the Hawera school be referred to Messrs White, Lees, and the architect for a report. That the question of repairs to the roof and steps at Hawera be referred to Messrs White, Lees, and the architect for a report. That the question of paving the account for repairs to the windmill at Oounake be referred to Mr White and* the architect. That the applications for subsidies as set out be forwarded to the department: Opunake £l. (board liable £1), Kaoonga £ls 15s. That the account for repairs to drain pipes at Awatuna be paid. That the board install hot water services where possible, but in view of the difficulties iii the wav of installing hot water services where no permanent water service is available, careful consideration must be given to each case before granting same. Mr Butler waited on the Fin-

mice Committee in reference to the legal and survey expenses of the Itahotu school site, and the question was referred to Messrs Masters and Smith to make further representations to the department.

The Teachers’ Appointments Committee recommended: That in view of the circumstances that have arisen the proposed transfer of Mr Sims to Opunake be not effected. That the recommendations of the senior inspector Ire given effect to as follows: Aukoime, sole teacher, Miss A, I. Arms; Waikaka, sole teacher, Miss N. Eggers; Waitewhena. sole teacher. Miss L. G. Kennedy ; Mangatoki, second assistant, Mr c. 0. Christofferson; Urenui, assistant, Miss L. M. Oven den; Yogeltown, second assistant. Miss L. M. Parrott (Mr George having withdrawn his application) ; Te Kiri, assistant. Miss M. I. Giddy; Ngaere, assistant, Miss Divehall; Matapu, second assistant. Miss M. Curd.