EDUCATION AFFAIRS.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 17 August 1928, Page 10

EDUCATION AFFAIRS.

r:: ♦ . «jte A • • > ' * TARANAKI BOARD. - V Titß MONTH’S' WORK. Tho-ordinary meeting of the T.aranaki i, Education Board, was [held, at New Plymouth, on Wednesday, when tlioro were "•present: Messrs S. G. Smith, P..J. TI. AVhito, A. Lees. W. H. Jones, H.. J. Dempsey, and the Rev. Canoii J. L. A. Kaylh Leave of absence was granted Messrs J. 11. 'SiiiurW and'H- J. Eiives. In proposing that Air S. G. -Smith bo rejected eh airman, Air A. Lees said .4 x that Air Smith bad shown by his work ”’ f “.during tho past four years this fitness -2 for tho position, he having carried out his duties tactfuillly and impartially. , Schools, whether in town, country, or baekblocks, had always had his syinil pathy, whilst ihiis ■ views on education 0 matters met with, general approval. Air P. J. H. White, in seconding, paid a tribute to AL’ Smith’s tireless devotion to the cause o-F education. Messrs- Dempsey, Iva-yll and Jones , all suppOrtod the nomination and Mr “ Smith was elected. . _ In acknowledging his election. Air .2 Smith said that as in. the past he would: continue' to do his best in the interests •of education. He 'had no hesitation in « .saying that hi® success wa,s due to the j hearty co-operation of the members of the board. Next year promised to l>e a particui laity heavy one, a,s he understood the 'consolidation of the Education Act was being introduced and there was a possibility of amendments of great importance to education in New Zealand being introduced. MANUAL AND TECHNICAL. The manual and technical committee recommended that further representation; be made to the Education Department for approval of a grant for the conveyance of the children from Turn-, turu to the Hawera manual centre;, that the offer of the Taranaki Farmers’. Fertiliser® Cb. to supply manure for the continuation of the top-dressing experiment ,at Tokirimia be accepted with thanks; -that the request of the teacher at Alatapu for tho supply of ake ake trees be acceded to; that the question of the acceptance of quotations i for the supply of equipment for the Opunake manual classes be left to the chairman with power to act; that a grant of £7 10s toe made- to each of the Hoys’ and Girls’ Clubs at Obura, North Taranaki and South Taranaki. These iVoro’:adopted.•The manual supervisor (Air It. G. Bidling) reported that woodwork was progressing .satisfactorily at all centres and pupila maintained their keen interest. Good practical work had been carried out and, by co-operation with the teachers, very good record work being obtained from Norfolk Road, Inglewood, YVaitara and, Ala,hoe Schools. At present .the pupils from the 1 uruturu School were walking to the centre at Hawera. Handwork in the schools had been considerably stimulated, and the material; and equipment supplied were being efficiently and educationally used. AiGRJjOULITURiAiL INSTRUCTION The senior instructor in agriculture (Air R. G. Rid-Mng) ,-reported that generally the work was -being carried on 111 a highly satisfactory manner. the schemes were being carefully adhered to and the instruction reached, a satisfectory standaircl- Xn a* 'few cases- the' mstruction bad’ t been up to standard and the attention of teachers had. been drawn to the, matter., -Progressive work in school grounds was being carried out, and in general the sympathetic help given by school committee showed a fine spirit of co-operation. _ x EbtiieLS for the next, series of stockraising and rooHgrowing competitions were coming to hand. • A,n attempt was to be made this year to pass the UP' competitors mark. j Planting operations had commenced at a number of the schools. The present areas were being extended and new areas were being laid down. Fanners in the school districts were showing an increasing interest in planting work, and this- interest could be traced directly to the activity of school operations. } REPORT OF THE, ARCHITECT. - The architect (Air O. H. Moore) ie ported as'follows: Good progress is bedim made with tho now high school at Qpunakc. The main building is coverPlans have been prepared and applications made for the following works : Re-modelling erf the Stratford infant school, and re-modelling of the Ivapuna School. AWATrXA soHOOL. The architect reported that he bad met the chairman and secretary of the Vwatnna School Committee and gone into the question of improved conveniences. The committee had agreed to contribute £BO towards the cost. Altlimurli this sum was nor a third of t-no cost, lie suggested,it wa-s quite enough for the committee t-o find, and it was verv creditable to them and the district t,, raise the amount they bad for school improvements. The cost of the vo-ra would ho £2lO to £220. according to the cost principally of the water supply. He recommended that a small movable tvpe of class-room be erected at Wbakamara. as the most suitable nmlei the present, circumstances. the site was not good enough for a more peimanent work to he rmderta-keu and it would in the meantime prove the increase would be permanent if so a, new site should be secured In esnect, to a movable classroom, he suggested that the board remove the teacher’s bach from Otaraon, to Wliakamara ait a cost of £35. and this amount to be met out of maintenance. This would show how economical it was to have this type of baii'lcling on hand. FINANCE AND BUILDINGS. The finance and buildings committee recommended that a refund of £J ->S - ‘ J bo granted to Mr T. Im.es for improvements carried out to the senool iesidencc at Okaiawa; that further consideration of tho heating of the Stratford School -be deferred until the decision of the department upon the l }f"plmat.on 1. re-modelling the -infant school be known and that the board’s architect be asked to submit a full report upon the pioposed heating system, foTlo-vs Applications for subsidies a* folio,vs are to be forwarded to the department (the board .contributes- the am<mnt-s mdicated): Opunake. £9 3s Bd, _Pdi , £5 10s 3d (board liable for 1-8 s GO), Rotokatre, £2 2s Qd (4s 3d). Messrs Lees. Dempsey, buns- anu Ravil were appointetl teadhers sele^-ion and manual commlittee and MfesWhite Eaves. Jones and Smith the lin ance. buildings and reserves committee.