Wanganui Education Board

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 67, 21 March 1935, Page 8

Wanganui Education Board

MARCH MEETING HELD. (Special to Times.) WANGANUI, Last Night. The March meeting of the Wanganui Education Board was held this afternoon, when thcro were present: Mr E. F. Heiniifgway (chairman), Rev. King, Colonel J. H. Whyte and Messrs M. H. Oram, A. S. Coleman, J. K. Hornblow, J. S. Tingcy, and P. Munro. A Biblo Class camp is to be held at Hokowhitu School at Easter. Tho board, with regret, had to refuse the application of the travelling secretary of Dr. Barnardo’s Homes to visit the schools. A number of applications were received for bicycle or shelter sheds. Oroua Downs was among the sheds whose application was granted For several years there has been a certain amount of friction in the Marton Borough Council over the water supply to the Marton District High School and Junction School. The. School Committeo says it finds the amount rather much for its funds. “Can’t the Marton Borough Council be made to see tho error of its way? No one should charge for water to the schools,” said Mr Oram. “Wanganui and Palmerston North do not charge.” It was decided to write to tho council and ask it to reconsider its decision and allow the school free water.

The agricultural instructor reported as follows:—“The prolonged dry spell has left its mark on the crops in the school gardens. Where these were kept well cultivated ovqr the vacation, the plants still look well, being an object lesson in the value of the soil mulch. It may interest members of the board to learn that parasites of the white butterfly have been hatched in schools near Taihape from pupae collected by the children. As far as I am able to learn, no parasites have been released in this area and the fact that the schools were able to hatch them out, shows that the insect is spread rapidly over the district. ’ ’

Mr Hemingway reported that Dr. Gunn had been laid up for some time owing to an injury ■to her. knee. She had informed him on the- 6th instant that she was then allowed up for half-an-hour a day on crutches and hoped to return to work soon. “Palmerston North Central is in a most invidious position. Tho position is now that the school has three separate appliances for heating’—and the amount of fuel needed is enormous. The position is made worse in that one is absolutely inefficient,” said Mr Oram.

Mr Hodge said he didn’t quite agree that the central one was as bad as Mr Oram stated. He said that the service was adequate if sufficient fuel wore used.

“That is what I mean,” said Mr Oram—the expense of running tho affair.

Mr Boulton, the secretary, said that, of the four biggest schools—Palmerston North Central, Wanganui East, Gonville and College Street, the figures worked out at Is lOd per head for Palmerston North Central, 2s per head Wanganui East, Gonvillo Is 2d, and 2s Id for College Street for capitation, showing that Palmerston North did not spend as much as some of the other schools on fuel. Mr Hornblow said it was remarkable how very unfortunate this particular school was, and the great sum it had already cost.

It was decided to hold over this matter, as it was so bound up with the whole matter of capitation. “It is a fact,” said Air Hemingway,” that, if the school committees did not work and provide money, the schools would not bo properly cleaned and the children certainly would not be warm.”,