EDUCATION AFFAIRS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 20 July 1928, Page 9

EDUCATION AFFAIRS.

TARANAKI BOARD’S MEETING

THE MONTH’S WORK

The ordinary meeting of the Taranaki Education Board was held yesterday at New Plymouth, when there were present Messrs S. G. Smith (chairman), P J. H. White, A. Lees, It. J. Lea re and H. Dempsey*. Leave of absence was granted' the Rev. J. L. A. Kayll and Messrs H. J. Eaves and F. H. Sims.

REPORTS. The manual supervisor (Mr. R. G. Ridling) reported that the woodwork lasses had proceeded satisfactorily in all centres and the benehwork was showing definite and general improvement. Work upon the equipping of the Opunake centre had been commenced.

AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION. The agricultural instructor (Mr. It. G. Ridling) reported. Experimental areas at primary schools are under green manuring crops, and most of the time is being given to work indoors, which is generally satisfactorily conducted.

In all schools active preparations for planting operations arc being carried mi. Offers of trees and shrubs and ot tree seed lime again been made by the S ale I o'est Service.

HAWERA SCHOOL AFFAIRS. The architect (Mr. C. 11. Moore) reported that the re-mode'Jing o, the lk•■tera school was now completed. The r ■-modelling and alterations to the building that was originally a depot for the building .staff were also completed. , A certain amount of vita glass was placed in the roof and two large old : windows were put in front and sashes arranged on the drop principle. It was proposed by the medical officer, Dr. R. R. Mecredy, to select a class of delicate children and put them under a special course. He said that Dr. Thomson, of Hawera-, was keenly interested and would help tills good work along. I’he board members would remember that this work was the result of meeting the two doctors at Hawera on the snot, and it was agreed to go on with the proposal. It was understood that a grant would he made -by the department. for this special class. However-, the work was done, ho added, and the cost had been kept down as much as possible. As it meant, improving the health of the children wdio would occupy it the expenditure should he more than justified. Although it was out of his province it would he necessary to appoint a teacher who was keen on the open-air system to make a success of the undertaking. GENERAL.

With a roll number of 39 and an average attendance of .36.5 the teacher at Meremere had to instruct 18 children in the porch, it was reported. The senior ‘ inspector thought the grade of the school would be down next year, but Mr. Lees believed there would be an increase in dairy activities next year. . . Tlie chairman w r as authorised to make inquiries regarding how many schools in Taranaki it was proposed to use as polling booths, and to make a protest against their use. The department took a sympathetic iview of the establishment of a special class at Hawera, and hoped to be able to give a satisfactory answer, reported the secretary. It w’as decided to congratulate the committee and headmaster of Manaia school on the work being accomplished in the grounds. * The Turuturu School Committee is to be informed that permission for the erection of a bicycle shed was agreed to, subject to the approval of the architect. . The Salvation Army had decided to close its school at the Eltham boys' home, said the secretary, and as a result ‘2B boys would go to the Eltham State school. This would mean that the school would not lose its grade. Alternative plans for the re-modelling and reinstatement of the Whakaniarn, school are to be prepared by the architect at the instruction of the board. Following an inspection of the school by Inspector Griffin, the senior inspector recommended that an assistant teacher should he appointed at Whakamar.a as soon as possible, and* that the primers and standard one should be taught in the present lean-to, until such time as more suitable accommodation could be provided; that application should be made for a movable type of building to accommodate these classes; and that the present building be remodelled.

Tlie report was received. It w r as agreed to refer to the architect, with power to act, the following repair wmrk: To Roti, repairs to residence, timber for shelter shed, and new’ spouting; Matapu, grates for fireplace; Kapuni. new copper stand. The Manaia committee asked for an extra classroom for primary pupils. At present 30 infants were taught in a cloakroom. The inspector’s report said conditions were unsatisfactory. It was decided to apply for a grant for a room, the chairman arid Mr. Lees to go into the question of the type oi room desired. The secretary said the department had approved a grant for a manual building for the secondary pupils at Manaia. The architect- was instructed to prepare plans for remodelling the Oaonm school. The department wrote approving grants for a fresh-air classroom at Rahotu, a new school at Waitaanga, and for improvements at Manaia.