CANTERBURY EDUCATION BOARD.

Hokitika Guardian, 25 January 1932, Page 2

CANTERBURY EDUCATION BOARD.

The Canterbury Education Board m'cton Friday at Christchurch ; present— Messrs (4. W. Armitage -(Chairman), W. ■A. Banks, R. Wild, J. W. Preen, C. S. Thompson, ,J. G. Gow, 8. R. Evison, W. 'Johnson, J. J. Hurley, S. Smith, W. P. Spencer and H. J. BignalJ. •APPOINTMENTS. The appointment Committee reported that the appointments confirmed included:—Greyrnouth, Mr N. B. Clarke, assistant, master ; Runangu, .Miss F. .Malpass, assistant mistress. The resignations accepted included ; Ruatapu, Miss E, L. Nielsen. Tlie committee had resolved to send a letter of appreciation to Mr H. F. Pudington (Richmond), who was retiring after long service. The awards made included Seddon medals—Colin Rouse (Greyrnouth) firstboy, Betty M. Tucker (Greyrnouth) first girl. The Building Committee reported that in response to the board’s representations respecting alterations required to ensure the, safety of the Greyrnouth •School in the event of earthquakes, the Department replied that in the present state of finances it would not be possi-

ble to provide funds for the carlyingofit Of ail the fedoninlenciatioiis Ihade throughout tile country for the strengthening of buildings, but that when conditions improved, the case Of Greymouth would receive consideration. It was resolved to communicate the board-8

appreciation of the Department’s difficult financial situation, at the same time to stress the necessity of atteiuL ing to 'the building and to advise the board’s inability to hold itself responsible for the safety of the school. CONVEYANCE TO SCHOOLS.

It was reported that the board had

accepted tenders for the conveyance of school children to schools in country districts on the understanding that the Department would grant a capitation vote and <1 sum in excess of that, but that the Department had now announced that the excess sum could not be granted. In view of the awkward position which that curtailment ereat d, the board decided on the following resolutions:—“That in cases where tenders received were .in excess of the capitation vofis, the Department be asked to find t ; he excess money required, failing which the local people be required to find the balance,” and “That the Department be asked to allow the present arrangements to continue for two months.” PR OB AT rON ARY TEACHER 8. Strong objection to the proposed rationing of work for probationary assistant school teachers was voiced, and by a- unanimous vote the following resolution was carried: “That the full year’,f?’ work be given 'to probationary assistants, as in the past;” The questidn arOsb dufing tile coilsideration of the report of the Appointments Committee, in which it was stated that the department had adviseu that its recommendations of the previous month should now be put into operation, Mr S. R. Evison „ s a’d that the ellem of rationing on probations., as-mui/aiias would be to handicap their careers permanently. It was necessary that the board should carry on the probationary assistants for another year. They were entitled to consider the- question from a policy point of view. “The rationing question will raise no end of trouble,”’ continued Mr Evison. •‘■How a headmaster can run a school with a reduced staff, on the rationing system, I simply do not know. I move that probationary assistants be given the full year’s work as hitherto.’’ -

“The department is picking the lowest grade to start with,” said Mr S. Smith. “The probationers were appointed on the understanding that they were to get four years’ training at a certain salary. Tho proposition is not fair from the salary point of view, and is detrimental to their training.”

Mr C. S. Thompson said that the probationers had already been reduced from £l3O to £IOO per annum. Rationing might reduce that as low as £7O or £SO.

“Why,” Mr Thompson asked, “did the department not start on a higher paid branch of the service ?” It was decided that the probationary assistants should be given the full fourth year’s work an in the past. MOUNTAIN TRAGEDY. “Mountaineering is gaining in popularity in New Zealand. It is fascinating, and it is dangerous; but I believe that the sport encourages qualities of mind nnj body that will overcome the dangers,” said Mr G. W. Armitage, when referring to the death of Mr H. Smith and Mr C. W, Robbins, who died from exposure on Harman’s Pass. “They were tragically caught by a creeping death,” Mr Armitage added. He moved a motion of sympathy with the relatives of the two men. In seconding the motion, Mr J. J. Hurley suggested that appreciation of the line work ol Messrs Wilson and Swency should be incorporated. He spoke highly of the sterling qualities of the two geut.lenmn named. The motion was carried, members standing. DENTAL DISTRICTS. A letter was read from tlu* Health Department, stating that it had been derided to divide the Dominion into four dental districts, each to be under the control of a different, officer. Mr Cl. S. Thompson said that Ire lavoured the change for the reason that dental nurses were a law unto themselves, and should ho brought under discipline. <)>* iMr Thompson’s motion it was decoded to refer the matter hack to tlu Appointments Commit Lee to got an expression of opinion as to whether dental nurses should be placed under the charge of headmasters in that district. It was reported that Mr A. D Brice, would

be in charge of tile Canterbury, Westland, and Nelson districts. BUILDINGS COMMITTEE. I Hokitika:—A report was received from the Chairman of the Buildings Committee concerning the future of the .Education Reserve which the Committee desired to be placed at its disposal and which the Hokitika Lawn Tennis Club requested should he transferred as a recreation reserve. Mr Bignell intimated that he had inspected the area which was. in an extremely rough and boggy condition and required fencing, also that the Committee had expressed a wish to retain the land tor a lootball field and for experimental gardening. It was •decided to inform the Committee that if arrangements were made for the clearing of the site, fencing material would he provided by the Board. Orrymouth :In response to, the Board's representations respecting alterations required to ensure the safety of t!i" school in the emit of earthquakes the Department replied that in the present state of finances it would not be possible to provide funds for tho carrying out of all the recommendations made throughout the country tor the .strengthening of buildings, but that- when conditions improved, the ease ol Dreymouth would receive consideration, it was resolved to communicate the Board s appreciation of tho Departments dillicult liuami.il situation, at the Dime t, ne to stre- i the necessity ol attending to 'the budding and to advise the Board's nubility to hold its. If responsible fur the safety of the school.