EDUCATION BOARD.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXIV, Issue 136, 12 June 1900, Page 4

EDUCATION BOARD.

♦ Other business transacted at the meeting of the Education Board yesterday was as follows :— BEDWOODTOWN. The petition received at last meetin ft from residents of Southdide asking for the oreation of a new school district was considered. It was suggested that such a district would he bounded on the north by the Wither Hillp, on the south by Hawkshaw Street, on the east by, the Taylor River, and on the west by Riverlands. The Secretary said he had made up a list showing that there were about 70 children of school age m the lcoality m question, and 30 under school age. The Chairman remarked that from a financial point of view the proposal was not at present very acceptable*' After discussion, it was resolved that the Borough School Committee be asked to express an opinion on the proposal. COOKERY OLABEKS. Replying to a communication from the Secretary, the Education Department wrote statin? that the Beard would have no difficulty m obtaining a capitation grant for cookery claesea provided that such were subject to the usual Government inspection. Information with respect to cooker? j classes was received from the Beore- 1 tary of the Ohristchurch School of Domestic Instruction and Miss K. Murphy, teacher of the cookery classes held under the auspices of the Wanganui Education Board. The Secretary submitted a rough estimate cf receipts and expenditure which went to show that by making a small charge, on the Hnes followed m other district?, the Board would be able to run cookery classes without fitracoial lons, Mr Duncan, who initiated the movement, was m favour of setting up such classes at once and engaging, say, Mifß Murphy (Wanganui), who eaid m her letter that she was willing to come here for £100 a year and travelling expenses. Mr Mills suggested that the Board should first ask the Wanganui Board for the benefit of its experience. That Board had 300 pupils m ifs classes, but. the classes wore a fianancial failure, and it was propoeed to discontinue them. Capt. Baillio, m supporting Mr Duncan's proposal, remarked that long life depended on good digestion. Mr McOallum eaid he believed there was a very general feeling that these classfts were preity much of a farce. He protested against experiments m fancy cookery with the finarces m their present condition. Mr Fell suggested that the School Committees ba again asked to supply information as to the probable number of pupils. The fees put down on (ho Secretary's financial estimate could be quoted, aad the Committees could then give an idea. But he was afraid that there would not be many pupila if fees, however Bmall, were to be charged. Finally the Executive Committee were asked to report again at next meeting, KEW SCHOOLS. On the motion of Mr Dmwan, it

was resolved that the Architect bp instructed to prepare epeoiSoations for the ereotion of school* at Richmond Brook and Sedfon, first consulting with the Inspec f or with regard to the size of the buildings and the money available. MIBOBLLASEOUB. The appointments of the following teachers wore approved : — Miss tforria, Saratoga Bay, Miss Alice Lambert, Waikawa ; Mias L. Prindeville, Beatrix Bay school i Goal was granted to the Rtarborough school; Brewood to other schools. The Tua Marina Committee wae authorised to remove poplar trees near the schccl residence and burn them. It was resolved that the Architect forward his report on the Waitohi school to the Executive Committee. Small requirements were granted to a number of schools. The following appeared m our second edition yesterday ;— The monthly meeting was held yes* terday. Present — Messrs Seymour (Chairman), Baillie, Litchfield, Fell, Mills, Redwood, Parker, McCallum. Accounts were passed for payment. The monthly financial statement showed a credit balance of £1418. The finance, it was said, was slowly improving. GENERAL. Mr J. Duncan was elected the Board's representative on the Board of School Commissioners m placo of Mr T. Carter, deceased. The architect reported on the improvements being carried out on the Borough School grounds. The architect's recommendation as to the heating of the Boys' classroom was adopted. The appointment by the Executive Committee of Mr Robert McCallum as teacher at Okaramio, vice Miss Brewer (appointed to Blenheim) wa3 confirmed. The Blenheim Committee were granted hat-pegs for the Infant sohool. The same Committee recommended that the midwinter holidays extend from June 22nd to July 9th. — Received. The Onamalutu Committee asked for a grant for the filling up of a big hollow on the school ground. — The Committee was authorised to do the work, the Board's grant not to exceed £15. WORKS. The Works Committee reported the letting of a contract to Mr Marfell at the figure £25 10a, for the fillingup of the hollow around the Borough School residence. They also reported having received an urgent request from the Renwick Committee that an insanitary ground hollow under the school be drained, and having ordered the ' improvement to be effected at a cost of £14 103.— The action of the Committee was approved. Capt. Baillie reported on the delapidated state of the Waitohi school. — Resolved that the architect visit the school and report. HOLIDAY REGULATIONS. The Executive Committee submitted a draft of regulations with regard to school holidays, and recommended that before it be considered it be sent out to the School Committees for their approval or otherwise. TRUANOY. The Committee forwarded the Truant Officer's letter suggesting the extension of his jurisdiction over the Grovetown school so that his supervision of the Blenheim school might be complete. The Board agreed to the suggestion, appointing Mr Thomas Truant Officer for Grovetown, with an addition of £3 a year to his salary. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Mills, that the Truant Officer be requested to send m a monthly report to the Board. COMMITTEES. The Canvastown Committee wrote with regard to the planting of trees m the school grounds. Resolved to reply that the Committee had power to expend money m this direction, and that m the ease of a grant for itself, the Board would have to be satisfied that the trees would be cared for. With respect to a request of the Cullensville Committee that the teacher be not allowed to let a portion of the school residence, the Secretary was instructed to point out that such aotion on part of the teacher would be contrary to the Board's regulations. A number of small requirements were provided to the Cullensville school. A tender of £7 10s for the construction of a eohool window was referred to the Cnllensvilla Committee, with a request for an estimate of cost. The correspondent at Deep Creek forwarded the name of Mibb Hay« ward, Takaka (Nelson), with a re quest that h r appointment as teacher be oonfirmbd. — Complied with. A clock was granted to the Deep Creek Bohosi. The appointment of Mies Winchester as teacher at Flaxboame was confirmed. Half-a-ton of ooal was granted to the same echool. The nomination of Mr J. Kennedy as a member of the Grovetown was agreed to. Blackboard, chnlks, and maps were granted to Hopai Bohool. The resignation of Miss Rosalie Willhms as teacher at Matlborcugh town was received. — The resignation waß accepted, the Secretary to con« vey to Miss Williams the Board's appreciation of her services ; acd it was resolved to take steps to fi 1 the vacancy, riCTON SOHOOLi The Picton Committee wrote asking that the Board appoint a deputation to visit Picton, and make an independent investigation into scuool matters there. A lengthy discussion ensued. Mr Fell said it was asking a good deal of members to give up a day and go to Picton ; but the matter was a serious one. The Board could not close its eyes to the fact that the oir-