EDUCATION IN TARANAKI.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 23 November 1928, Page 6

EDUCATION IN TARANAKI.

MEETING OF THE BOARD. At the monthly meeting of the Taranaki Education Board at New Plymouth on Wednesday there were present : Mr S. G. Smith, M.P. (chairman), Canon J. D. A. Kayll and Messrs H. Dempsey, W. H. Jones, H. J. Eaves, A. Lees and P. J. H. White. Leave of absence was granted Air Sims. AGRICULTURAL, PROGRESS, The senior agricultural instructor (Air R. G. Ridling) reported : ‘‘ln primary schools experimental garden work has occupied most of the time, and much of the work undertaken will prove of interest to farmers, as well as to pupils. Wherever possible the local interest in a particular phase of the work, determines the practical gardening work to be undertaken. A good foundation in the principles governing the growth of crops is being laid by example and experiment in the upper classes, and in the lower classes the development of a gardening interest through the growing of flowers has. been encouraged. “Steady improvement of the environment is receiving attention in most schools, but outstanding work has been done at Ohura, where the committee and teacher have succeeded in awakening a very real popular interest. “The seeds provided by the State For_ est Service have been distributed and in most cases sowing has commenced. Further development of plantation areas lias been carried out among others in the following schools: Awatuna, River-lea, Alakaka, Finerty, Alanaia.

Established plantations are being cleaned and valuable data regarding the suitability of varieties and the time of planting are being worked cut. Air R. Syine’s work in this connection is exceedingly valuable. “In the agricultural clubs the work of competitors is being efficiently supervised and stimulated. The total competitors are now : South Taranaki, 350 calves, 201 crops; North Taranaki, 250 calves, 225 crops; Ohura, 5S calves. 7 lambs; totals., 658 calves 7 lambs, 426 crops. WORK IN HIGH SCHOOLS.

“High school work is proceeding satisfactorily, said the supervisor. At Alanaia the junior course is practically complete. Reporting on the woodwork classes, the manual supervisor said pupils were everywhere working upon models that were useful and provided exercise or the use of all the simple tools. The cookery course was well advanced and some fine practical work was being carried out in many centres. The standard of handwork had been considerably raised and work that was aptly designed and well executed was being done. The Opunake centre , was ready for occupation, but it was inadvisable to commence any classes before the beginning of the year. GENERAL. On the recommendation of the manual committee it was decided to inform the Opunake school committee that the bodrd had no funds for the provision of typewriters, but that machines, could be obtained if the committee were prepared to pay half the cost, approximately £7 per machine, by voluntary contribution. Head teachers were instructed to count attendance by pupils at the championship calf rearing at Taumata Park, E'ltham, and at the Waiwakaiho showgrounds, as attendances at as the work in which they were engaged was highly educational. Reporting on new work, the architect (Mr C. H. Moore) said that at Normanby the additional classroom was well in progress. The additional classroom at Manaia was in course of erection. The additions and alterations to the manual building would be put in hand shortly. Both the Normanby and Alanaia works would be completed ready for occupation in the new year. A start w’ould be made on the Raliotu free air classroom work next w T eek. The board dealt noth staffing in the schools. The appointment of an assistant for the Haw-era special class w 7 as referred to the chairman of the teachers’ selection committee, with power to act. , The committee reported that as there w’ere no applicants this year for admission to the training college as students of Division D, and as those previously mentioned were not now seeking to enter, it had no recommendations to make.

Resignations were accepted from : Afis.s' Z. A. Humphreys, assistant, Alangatoki; Aliss S. Lawrence, assistant, Ngaere; Aliss A. I. Petch, assistant, Olcato. After consultation with the senior inspector, certain changes in the grading of schools were decided on by the teachers’ selection committee and confirmed by the board. The proposed acquisition of a site at Whakamara was referred to the chairman and Air Lees for a report. A holiday was granted schools in South Taranaki taking part in the sports meeting on December 12. Subject to the approval of headteachers, Air Darroch, of the Wellington branch of the Navy uengue, was given permission to visit schools in Taranaki. !

It was. decided to ask the department for a grant for a movable classroom at Aleremere.

Having gone into the question of remodelling at Rawdiitiroa, the chairman and Air Lees recommended that as there was no chance of improving the present exchange of site or purchase of land site, except at considerable expense, an exchange of site or purchase of land should be arranged with Air Alay, and that application in this direction be made to the department and for a new modern school to be erected on the new site.—The report was received, the board taking no immediate action. Concerning the question of accommodation at Newail, the department wrote suggesting moving the movable school from Ngaere there when the new school at Ngaere was finished.

Alessrs Lees and Jones were asked to report on an application lor a dental clinio at Alanaia.

AVith reference to Ngaere, it was decided to make an amended application for a school of a similar type to. that at Hawera.

Concerning a letter from the department regarding the proper ventilation of schools, it was decided to send a circular to teachers in the district.

The chairman was authorised to make inquiries regarding the provision of a movable bach at Waiteika and to acton his findings. The department will be asked to approve additions to the Turuturu School A report on the subject was submitted by the senior inspector. FINANCE AND BUILDINGS.

Amongst recommendations of the Finance and Buildings Committee to be given effect to were the following: That application be made to the department for a grant to cover part qf the cost of a hot-water service at the Opunako School residence; that the question of erecting a bicycle shed at the O'punake School be referred to the architect, with power to act; that a copy of the letter received from the Health Department re the cleaning of the Hawera dental clinic be sent to the

Haw-era School Committee, with a request that the matter he attended to; that the Opunake School Committee be informed that their application for an increase in their incidental allowance will be represented to the department. That application be made to- the department for the approval of the following subsidies: Oliaiawa, £6 (gramophone); Tawliiti, £6 6s 3d; Turuturu, £5 (board liable £l 3s 9d); Hawera, £lO 2s (gramophone and records); Kapuni, £27 10s (fencing, board liable £lB 3s 4d); Rahotu, £1 10s (board liable, £1 8s 3d).