EDUCATION BOARD

Manawatu Standard, Volume LX, Issue 72, 22 February 1940, Page 8

EDUCATION BOARD

SCHOOL IMPROVEMENTS. A STATEMENT QUESTIONED. The monthly meeting of the Wanganui Education Board was hold in Wanganui yesterday, Mr E. F. Hemingway presiding. There were also present Messrs W. M. Brown, A. S. Coleman, I. W. Medford, 'J. W. Batchelar, P. Munro, L. A. Bailey, W. T. Benefield, and N. Anna bell. Leave of absence was granted Colonel J. H. Whyte. The 'Halcombe School Committee wrote endorsing lion. J. G. Cobbe’s reported statement that it was the fault of the board that a new school had not been provided there. The letter contended that it was lack of personal interest by board members that had forced the committee to make representations elsewhere. The chairman moved that Mr Cobhe he written to and asked if he did make the statement referred to and. if he did, that he be asked to state the grounds for doing so. It was certainly not the fault of the board that a new school had not been built. Mr Batchelar seconded the motion, and Mr Mudford remarked that the committee had been misinformed. Air Coleman said Mr E. R. Hodge (the architect) had asked him to inspect the grounds to report on a drainage project, as the speaker had considerable experience in these operations. He had inspected the ground, but not as a board member, only as a private person, and had given his advice. If the committee wished, he would visit the school again at any time, but stipulated that the two board members for the district accompany him and that they have tin; file of correspondence so that the “mystery” could he cleared up. He felt sure the board would do everything possible to put the grounds in order. The motion was carried. The Education Department advised that the Labour 'Department would not agree to extend the date of commencement of the renovations of the Central School baths beyond February 19.—Mr Brown said that the work had been begun this week. The Oroua Downs School Committee wrote seeking additional accommodation, and the architect recommended that this be placed on the list of urgent works. —The board adopted the recommendation. The head teacher at the Kairanga School wrote asking for an extension to the kitchen at the school residence. The architect recommended that this he undertaken and the board adopted - the recommendation. Commendation of the efforts of the architect in carrying through three undertakings, the remodelling of tho Kairanga and Whakarongo Schools and the provision of extra accommodation at the Manchester Street School', was expressed by Mr Mudford. A motion to this effect, proposed by Mr Mudford, was carried. STAFF CHANGES. It was reported that the following teachers, among others, wore leaving the board’s service: Miss W. B. Chapman, head teacher, Taonui; Mr R. t,. Park assistant master, College Street; Mr J. L. Williams, assistant master, Palmerston North Central; Miss J. H. Y. Smith, assistant mistress. L.vtton Street; Mrs F. L. C. Mansell, assistant mistress, Oliakea.

The following appointments were confirmed; Mr K. B. Dawkins, assistant master (A. 5), West End; Miss J. G. Cooper, assistant mistress, Kakariki; Miss L. T. Anderson, assistant mistress, Parewanui. ARCHITECT’S REPORT. The architect’s report, which was adopted, included the following: — Works completed.—Manchester Street: With the exception of the painting the whole of the work in connection with the removal of the stepped floors and the making good of the dado linings has been completed. Whakarongo : The remodelling of the school building has been completed, along with the general repairs to the buildings. The buildings are now in the hands of the painters. They should complete their work within the next ten days West End : The sliding doors have been removed and a permanent partition erected. Girls’ High School, Palmerston North: The interior alterations have been completed. Waituna West: Screen fences have been erected to "the out office buildings and general repairs effected. Stanway: Repairs have been effected to the residence building and this, together with the school and outbuildings, has been painted in two coats to the exteriors. Dunolly: Repairs have been effected to the buildings and the whole of tho exteriors, painted. Works in hand.—Foxton D.H. School : Renovations have been completed at the teacher’s residence. Foxton D.H. School: The contract in connection with the erection of a new dental clinic is well in hand. This should be ready for occupation by the middle of March. Kairanga : Remodelling of the school building is nearing completion. Taikorea: General repairs to the buildings have been put in hand. To Arakura: Improvements to the cycle shed accommodation and repairs to windows of the school building have been put in hand. Bunny-1 thorpe : General repairs to the tea/j/ier s residence and the installation of <i nut water service are now in hand, as is also the provision of additional water storage. Apiti: Arrangements have been made, by the acceptance of a tender from a local builder for the erection of a fuel shed at the teachei s residence, and for general renovations to the buildings. Lytton Street: A new fence is being erected, dividing the State .Advances Department property from that of the school grounds. Kniran"a: A start has been made (under contract) with the erection of the miniature swimming pool.