TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXII, Issue LXXII, 24 May 1917, Page 5

TARANAKI EDUCATION BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING.

The monthly meeting of the Taranaki Education Board was held yesterday. Present: Messrs H. Trimble (voted to the chair), K. Dixon, C. A. Wilkinson, M.P., I*. J. H. Wnite, S. G. Smith. Leave of absence was granted to the chairman, Air R. Masters, called to Wellington on urgent business. The chairman reported that since last meeting the following temporary appointments were made : Upper Mangorei, Miss D. Brown, sole teacher; Okaiawa, Miss .E. Branley, assistant; Huirangi, Miss M. Blewman* Riverlea, Miss i_. Fenton, assistant; Purangi, Miss E. Tiplady, sole teacher; Ackland, Miss M. Death, sole teacher; Okaiawa, Miss li. Eason, assistant; Bird. Miss M. Holbrook, head teacher; Central, Mrs A. Waters, assistant; Waitara, Miss li. liason, assistant; Oeo, Miss J. Hyndman, sole teacher; Okaiawa, Mrs M. Eggers, head teacher. The following resignations were accepted : Mrs Olsen, sole teacher, Albert; Miss O'Brien, assistant, Mokoia; Miss Surman. assistant, Mahoe (all from May 31); Miss N. King, assistant, Kaponga (July 15). Leave of absence was granted to the following: Miss L. Woodruffe, sole teacher, Mokau; Miss M. Williams, sole teacher, Makakaj Miss M. Barkla, sole teacher, ; Oeo; Miss Peach, sole teacher, Dudley ; Miss R. James,- assistant, Wai- j tara; Mr T. Innes, head teacher, Okaiawa; Miss M. Berry, head teacher, Bird. Mr H. T. Ainsworth, truant inspector, reported that he had visited thirteen schools during the month. The country schools generally had good attendances.—The report was adopted, and it was decided to review the whole position with regard to truancy before the annual meeting of the Board. The Finance Committee recommended as follows on the question of annual holidays for the outside permanent staff: Overseer, three weeks; foreman of workshops, two weeks; other members of staff, one week; all to be in addition to the usual statutory holidays, and to commence after twelve months' service.—-The report was adopted. The report of the overseer, Mr 0. H Moore, contained, inter alia, the following: Pukengahu, new school.—Owing to ! the contractor being called up for military service, he wrote asking to be relieved of his contract and the Board to take over any material already ordered in respect thereof. As instructed, we, complied with this, and I have put on a gang of our own men and the work is well on. The settlers interested formed a working bee, and have been a great help to us in many ways. Te Roti.—The general renovating of both school and residence has received attention. At the request of the committee we put in a wooden floor in the shelter shed instead of concrete, the committee to pay for labor. Kaponga.—The general repairs and painting at school and residence are completed. Riverlea.—The general renovating at this school and residence is also re- j ceiving attention. We have built a 1 new shelter shed, the committee agree- \ ing to pay the usual amount of the • cost. j Opunake.—As instructed grates have been placed in the school. In regard to the pump, I would recommend the matter to be held over. The present pump is certainly beyond repair, but j there is no necessity to replace it at present. Oeo.—As instructed I have visited i this school and gone into the matter j of the shelter fence. The committee ) have erected this boarded fence at j their own expense. The position of i the shelter shed is too far away, and i wherl the matter of ownership is j settled I should respectfully recommend that the shed be removed nearer ! to the school. I understand that the committee will go into this matter. Hawera.—With the headmaster 1 ■went into the matter of space at the Hawera District High School, and measured each class room carefully. After deducting 444 feet (which is absolutely necessary owing to the built-in cupboards and chimney breasts projecting into all class rooms ana tixed benches in science room), the correct area is 7100 square feet. As to the Hawera Technical School, I have the matter of removing lavatory basins under consideration and will report later on same. Otakeho.—l propose to start the additions and other work at this school during the week's holiday. It will be necessary to take the local hall for 'a I fortnight besides; this matter I understand can be arranged. Amongst other matters my attention was drawn to the size of the shelter sheds and the position of same. The sheds are only 10 x 10, and there are about 140 children on the roll. Whilst carrying out the other work I would recommend that these sheds be enlarged and placed in a better position. No doubt the committee will help towards the cost. Plans.—l have completed amended plans for a new school at Normanbv. Mr R. L. Mcllroy, secretary of the Taranaki branch of the Teachers' Institute, wrote thanking the Board for agreeing to receive a deputation from the Institute in connection with the promotion of teachere, but pointing out that the day of the Board meeting was inconvenient to teachers.—On the motion of Mr Wilkinson it was decided to meet the Institute as previously advised in the form of receiving a deputation on the evening of the day of the Board's next meeting. The Taranaki School Committee's Association forwarded copies of the resolutions passed at their last meeting, and invited members of the Board to attend their annual meeting. Mr Wilkinson said there were serious complaints thrroughout the district in connection with the subsidy question, and suggested that the matter might be considered at next meeting. Mr Smith said the question of the large number of exercise books and writing' pads used by the children was, | as pointed out in the letter from the Association, one of a serious nature to parents. He moved that teachers be requested to take some measures to ensure greater economy in the use of the mate-rials specified.—Soonded by Mr Dixon and carried. Nine householders in the Oeo school district forwarded a petition objecting to the recent election of their commititee on the ground that one of the electors and candidates had not been a resident of the district for three months, as required Vy the Act. As the polling was very close it certainly would have made a difference in the result had the householder in question ndfc been present. —Referred to the chairman of the j school committee for his report. j An application from the teacher at Okaiawa for permission to open the school at 9.30 a.m. was referred to the school committee, with power to act. The action of the Tuna, Riverlea and S^ainlcy committees in closing their j schools on account of epidemics, was i approved. The Minister of Education asked to I be informed as to what steps, if any, ! the Board was taking to utilise the pub- | lie libraries for the benefit of the chil- ! dren attending the public schools.—On the motion of Mr Wilkinson, it was decided to reply that the Board intended

doing what it could in the direction in dicated. The Director of Education wrote witl reference to the question of teachers sick leave, brought before the Ministe: on his recent visit to Taranaki, statinj that the whole question of * sick leay< was now receiving the attention of th< Department with the view, if possible of increasing the capitation allovance or making provision of sick pay I v th< Government. In the meantime" the Board's proposal could not be approved and if the publication of the rules was urgent the clause should be omitted and the other rules published withoul fuTtther delay.—Received. AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION. The report on the agricultural instruction under the Taranaki Education Board was presented by Mr R. Browne the Board's director, and included the following:— Visit of the Minister and of Director of Education. —Some little time was taken up in this connection. As known to the Board, future development at Stratford in the agriculture line was an importantt subject of investigation. So many matters of importance as regards rural education were arising that it would be advisable a little late-u* on that he should visit Wellington to confer with "the Department's officials as regards the present activities and possible future developments. Dairy Companies' Support—The Moa Dairy Company at Inglewood was the latest addition to the list of contributing bodies. Unfortunately, owing to the Minister's visit to Stratford on the day of meeiting, he was unable to be present to explain the aims and methods of instruction, hence the decision to support the scheme was very gratifying. Lectures to Farmers—This work was now in fully swing. Unfortunately, wet weather in the early parrfc of the month greatly interfered with the attendances. As rar as possible, they were arranging that each instructor would be present at one or more demonstrations in each month by himself, so as to secure uniformity in method© of work. It was quite plain that there was great scope For increased activity in instructional (york in this district. Technical College Classes at New Plymouth and Hawera —Work in connection with these continued satisfactorily. The method of instruction was appreciated by both pupils and instructors. From Monday, 14th, the lads from both centres were to meet at New Plymouth for a week's continuous instruction, especially in indoor and outdoor practical work, preparatory to a July course in pasture work, top-dressing, and orchard work. At this latter course it was hoped to attract farmers' sons and others interested, in addition to the lads at present enrolled, as all work would be done on farms. Orchard Work and Horticulture —An early start was to be made with this, wherever support was forthcoming. Arrangements were now well in hand. School Classes in Agriculture and Dairy Work—ln all cases where schools had been visited during the month, keen interest had been taken in the work of the children, and, in nearly all cases, of the teachers too. Messrs Johnson and Sergei were bofth satisfied that much good had followed the instructional work at Easter. Personally, he had paid most attention to the larger schools, and in all cases noted great enthusiasm from the pupils and teachers alike. Even in the lower classes, greatfly increased interest was being manifested in horticulture and nature study. TECHNICAL EDUCATION. The director of the Technical College, Mr A. Gray, in his report, stated, inter ilia: — At New Plymouth the work was thrown considerably out of gear by the curtailment of the railway service, but the inconvenience was partially overcome by working on Saturdays. In many instances it was impossible for students to attend on Saturdays, and in other cases parents appeared to be absolutely careless as to whether their children attended or not. One of the most serious features of the present day conditions is the apathy oi a section of the parents with regard to the uam ing of their children. The present tram service still leaves much to be desired. With regard to classes unavoidably missed through the alteration in the railway service I-would suggest that the Department be requested to count as present the students affected. Otherwise* besides the loss of capitation to the Board, there is a chance that the students' free piac«s may be endangered by- non-fulfilment of the regulations £Overning j ree pj aces Hawera. —At this centre the numbers in the following classes are:—Day classes: Commercial, 43 (39); engineering, 4 (4); arts and science, 8 (7); art and art crafts, 1; domestic, 2 (3); literary, 1; agricultural, 6 (2). Evening classes: English and arithmetic 40 (35); book-keeping, 36 (25); shorthand and typemg. 44 (38); woodwork, 16 (8); cookery, 7 (6); dressmaking, 8 (6). The numbers in parentheses are those previously reported. As instructed by the Board, I gave authority for the necessary attention to the lighting of the commercial room, which is now in a particularly good position in this respect. Mis? Hclford requested to be allowed to leave her appointment earlier than she expected, and Miss Deane, trainee, filled the vacancy temporarily. Miss Paice, the instructress appointed by the Board, has now taken up her duties. Miss Mitchell, of Patea, is taking ud the calisthenics work at Hawera, and "it has been necessary to use the Foresters' Hall, as there is no room large enough at the College iteelf. The various classes continue to do good work, and if the members of the Board could just look in and see the interest shown in the work I am sure they would realise what a great loss to the "district the cessation of these classes would be. I may point out that there are still some classes unrecognised by the Department. Eltham.—The numbers at this centre are as follows:—English a-nd arithmetic, 25; book-keeping, 20: shorthand. 20; dressmaking, 16; English (night class), 30. / Many of these classes had to cease altogether on account of the train service, but have now got going again and are running well. Mr Lightborne reports that everything is going smoothly. MANUAL AND TECHNICAL COMMITTEE. The Manual and Technical Committee reported as follows:— That further application be made to the department for the recognition of the day technical classes at Hawera. That the director's recommendation with regard to the appointment of advisory committee for the New Plymouth and Hawera technical schools be adopted, and that the first election be held in July, and subsequently in July of each year. That the letter dated May 22 from the New Plymouth Technical College -Advisory Board be acknowledged, and that the Board be informed of the foregoing recommendation. That application, be made to the Department for a subsidy on £221 12s, donated for the purpose of erecting a building for manual and technical classes at Waitara. and that on receipt of a favorable reply the erection of the building be proceeded with. [ With reference to the Department's circular dated March 29. suggesting re- ! gulations for free industrial education, the committee approves of the regula-

tions generally, but suggests the following alterations: — (1.) That in regulation 1 (II.), twelve months should be substituted for six months •._ the time limit since pupil left primary school, so as to allow of greater elasticity, but even twelve months might sometimes cause a hardship in the case of boys whose parents removed from out-of-the-way districts to the neighborhood "of a technical school". (2.) That regulation 1 (in.), providing for the recommendations by inspectors, should be struck out. (4.) That with regard-to regulations 4 and 8, while an attendance of 240 hours may be satisfactory as a compulsory minimum, it would be much better if a pupil could be induced to attend for a longer period. The proposal that capitation will be paid only "on an attendance of 240 hours is bad; it should be paid on at least 400 hours. (5.) Capitation should be paid on the attendance made A even if less than 80 per cent., as the instructors have to'be paid, and unless attendance is made compulsory it is impossible to counteract the laxity of parents with regard to regular attendance. The chairman moved the adoption of the committee's report,, stating that the recommendations were an advance on anything hitherto attempted. Mr Dixon seconded the motion, endorsing the proposals as likely to be of beneficial effect m widening the opportunities for industrial education to the children of the poorer classes of people. .The motion was carried.—Abridged from News.