EDUCATIONAL MATTERS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 18 May 1928, Page 6

EDUCATIONAL MATTERS.

MEETING OF TARANAKI BOAAD. SOUTHERN SCHOOLS NEEDS. The Taranaki Education Board met on Wednesday at NeAV Plymouth. There Avere present: Messrs S. G. Smith (chairman), Canon J. L. A. Kay 11, Messrs P. J. H. White, A. Lees, S. J. Deare, and H. Dempsey. That the board should provide the money out of the maintenance fund Avas the opinion expressed by the uepatment regarding an application to replace 17 steel windoAv frames at Opunake Avith ordinary frames, the former not being satisfactory. In vieAV of the apparent lack of departmental funds, the board agreed to provide half the cost of new windoAVS at Opunake out of the maintenance fund, but this is not to be taken as establishing a precedent. With ire fere nee to t*he installation of conveniences at Malioe, the department said it Avas the custom for it to provide half the cost only. The school committee had found £SO, and it AA’as asked if the board would contribute £75 from the maintenance fund. it Avas decided, on the motion of Mr. White, .seconded by Mr Smith, that the board vieAved Avith alarm the many suggestions from the department to use the board’s maintenance fund for purposes for which the fund aa’iis not intended. The Minister Avas asked to interpret the section of the Act defining the jmrpose of the fund. The grant for a new site for a residence at Oliura AA-as approved by the department, and authority was given for the sale of the old site. Regarding the Eltham school, the department wrote agreeing to remodelling, and approving a grant for fencing the site. The Eltham School Committee Avrote thanking the board for getting- the grant through. The action was greatly appreciated by Eltham residents. The senior inspector reported that the department had approA’ed of the establishment of a special arts and crafts class at Hawera. The board decided to call for applications for a. teacher to take charge of the- class. The building committee was authorised to consider AA’.hether alterations were necessary to the list, of urgent works to h© carried out in the board’s district. Application will be made to the department for an assistant at Matapu. The appointment of Miss M. M. Graham as manual instructress at HaAvera, Eltham and Manaia, and the transfer of Miss Dalefield from Turoto to the Ohura. District High School were approA-ed. AGRICULTURAL INSTRU CTION.

The agricultural instructor (Mr. It. G. Ridling) reported for April: With the exception of four of the larger primary schools, all schools in the distinct have been visited. Schemes for the year are generally well' set out and suitable, and progress with the work is satisfactory. The ideal rural school has noo yet been dcA’-eloped, but improvement is gradually being effected. It should be possible for much of the school Avork to be designed round a central theme or project in each year, and the development of the agricultural club Avork gives excellent opportunity for this. Improvement in grounds is being steadily effected. The major schemes, are proceeding satisfactorily, and many smaller schemes are ‘in operation. The committees generally a.re showing active- interest in the work. Work is proceeding satisfactorily at the district high schools. Equipment stocks have been made up to enable, the full courses to receive adequate treatment.

WOODWORK AND COOKERY. Instruction in woodwork Avas proceeding satisfactoritly at all centres, and the attendance and conduct Avas good, reported the manual supervisor. The practical side of the work was receiving efficient treatment and the pupils were shoAving greater 'dexterity with tools. At the southex-n centres too little practical cookery of a suitable type had been conducted, but Avith the rearrangement of staff this shortcoming would be corrected. At other centres the work was proceeding in accordance with the scheme. The electric stove at Stratford Avas now in operation. The. stoA-es at Eltham were both worn out and replacement Avas necessary. The department hacl not approved of conA-eyance for the Turuturu pupils and some other ararngement must he made. A recommendation of the manual committee adopted Avas : —That further representations he made to the department for payment of conveyance allowances " for manual pupils attending from the Turuturu school, in view of the dangerous nature of the roads to lie traA’ersed.

ARCHITECT’S REPORT. The architect (Mr C. H. Moore) reported that remodelling at the HaAvera main school Avas Avell in hand. The men had to lie taken away during the holidays to carry on remodelling at Eltham. The classes at HaAvera could be carried on in the remodelled rooms. The additional class-room and general remodelling .at Oliura Avere Avell in band. At Ngaero a partition to divide the infant room Avas completed and small repairs atended to.

APPLICATONS FOR SUBSIDIES Applications for the folloAving subsidies Avill be made to the department, the board’s liability being shown in parentheses:—Mangatoki, £4 (board liable, £1 Is fid); Jlawera, £29 10s (piano); Ngaere, £3 10s (£1 Is); Riverlea, £2; HaAvera, £3 3s lOd; Hawera, £22 17s.