SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 226, 22 August 1935, Page 9

SCHOOL COMMITTEES

MEETING OF ASSOCIATION. VISIT BY BOARD’S OFFICIALS. The quarterly meeting of the Mana-watu-Oroua School Committees’ Association was held in Palmerston North last evening, Mr F. G. Murphy occupying the chair in the early portion of the evening until the arrival later of the association’s chairman, AH AV. G. Black, who had just returned from a visit to Wellington. There was an attendance of about 40, the committees represented being those at the following schools: West End, Atilson, College Street, Hokowhitu, Central, Rangiotti, Oroua Downs, Taonui, Newbury, Whakarongo, «Rongotea, Clydesdale, Awahuri, Waituna West, Cheltenham and Stanway.

There were also in attendance Messrs E. E. Hemingway, G. N. Boulton and E. R. Hodge, chairman, secretary and architect respectively of the Wanganui Education Board. In extending a welcome to Mr Hem-: ingway, the chairman said he felt sure that his visit would lead to greater friendliness and co-operation between the chairman of the board, and the members of the committees. The representatives of the committees would also understand something of the dificulties of the board.

At the close of his address Mr Hemingway invited those present to ask questions. Mr W. F. Cutler drew attention to frequent changes of teachers, saying it had been felt that many of the changes were brought about because there were too many teachers offering for positions. He thought that now, however, the matter had adjusted itself as it had been a fact that a teacher had had to l>e brought from tho South Island to fill a vacancy at the Hokowhitu School. Air Boulton explained that the matter .was being adjusted in the AV anganui Board’s area. Rationing had been carried out to spread the work available as far as possible. It was but natural that headmasters had wanted to make the greatest use ot the extra teachers, and in many cases tliese teachers had been given a class. Thus, when a position was offering, tho children underwent a change of teachers. There were other matters which affected the subject. It was expected now that the number of transfers of permanent teachers would gradually become less. The basis of grading and the question of capitation were subjects raised by Air Black. The Ayangamii Education Board had done its best in dealing with the funds at its disposal and great credit was due to it, said Air Black. He could not understand the manner of computing the capitation. ■lf the attendance fell just below a certain figure the capitation dropped, yet the fuel and cleaning costs did not lessen. Air Boulton said that the matter had been the subject of discussion by the education boards. The AVanganui Board knew that the capitation was too small, but personally be knew of no better manner of distributing the funds than at present—on average attendance. The board would be only too pleased to obtain any assistance in regard to the evolution of a better system. Touching on the appointment ol teachers on average attendance. AH Boulton said that the subject had been exercising the minds of hoards for a considerable time It had been suggested that 5 per cent should be added to the average roll for the allocation of teachers, and he understood that the Minister was favourable to the suggestion. That would he the “thin edge of the wedge” toward smaller classes.

Mr AAV Salt (Awahuri) referred to the changing of teachers during the term.

Mr Boulton said it was only in very exceptional cases that a permanent teacher was transferred during the course of the term. For instance, it would not be fair to ask a rationed teacher to stay at a school at £92 a year when there was available to that teacher a permanent position. A vote of thanks to Air Hemingway was proposed by Mr G. Tremaine, who said that Mr Hemingway’s great interest was well-known, and he considered that a great deal of the good work done by the AVanganui Education Board had been due to Air Hemingway’s wise and able leadership. Air Tremaine included also Messrs Hodge and Boulton in his expressions cf appreciation. The motion was seconded by AH P. V. Burns and supported by Air J. AV. Batchelar (AVaituna AA’est). In supplementing the remarks of the other speakers, Mr Black said there was no feeling of animosity toward the board. The committees certainly had a number of “bones to pick.” but they were rather with the department than with the board. Alany problems were common to the board and the committees, and the association was always willing to assist the board in these matters.

Suitable replies were made by the visitors, who were accorded musical honours.

Mr Black reported that an outlay of £6 4s had been made in entertaining delegates attending the conference of school committees’ associations recently. held in Palmerston North. The local association had not been required to spend any money in sending delegates to the gathering, and it had been agreed that each association should bear its own expenses, a levy of £4 lining thus returned to the local association. It had cost the Mana-watu-Oroua Association £2 4s to have the conference at this centre.

The requisite accounts were passed for payment. Tributes were paid to the services of the two local delegates (Messrs Black and Murphy) and a vote of appreciation extended tc them.