NELSON EDUCATION BOARD

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 14 November 1922, Page 3

NELSON EDUCATION BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING

The monthly meeting of the Nelson Education Hoard was held yesterday. Present : Messrs I'\ W. 0. Smith

(chairman), G. B. Sinclair, E. ,1. Scantiebnry, W. C. Baigent, E. E. Boyes, H. Hill, S. B. Canavan, and Hun. W. H. Mclntyre. The hulance-sheet, as presented, was adopted. NEW SCHOOLS, ADDITIONS, ETC,

After discussing the proposed remora! of the school at Mapna, it was resolved that an application be made to the Department for an addition of Bor 10 feet ,and pointing out that removal must bo made (luring the Christmas holitlays.

-Mr Hill complained that Committees were not being kept fully inform('d ;is tu what was being dune, and in regard to Spring Grove the Committee was not aware that a grant had been made until informed by himself. The secretary stated that if Air Hill had given the Committee xhe information it was not correct. At last meeting a letter was received from the Department offering to favourably consider making a grant of twothirds of the cost- of proposed work if the Hoard contributed balance. This the Board decided to do .and such decision was coninm’catod to the Department the next day. No rerdv being received by Saturday last a telegraphed request was scut, but so far the grant had not been, and the Committee could not be advised until definite informadou came to hand.

The chairman said there was no inlormation to forward. The matter at present rested between the Board and the Department, and a reply had not yet been received from the latter.

Hon. Mclntyre said a principle was at stake. The si'cretaiy'O&jhld not he accused of failing to attend to his duty. By doing as Air Hill suggested he would have exceeded it. Until definite authority was obtained from'the Department nothing could he done. The chairman explained the position clearly. There was no certainty in matters of the kind until a. reply from the Alini.ster himself came to hand. Air Hill maintained that Committees should be kept supplied with information.

The chairman said that if this was so the Board would need half a dozen more clerks. .

Air lioye.s thought it was time that some of the outside talk was straightened out. Air Hill’s challenge to' the Board was unfair and unjust. Ho should try and smooth things over instead of adding fuel to the flames.

Mr Hill denied that he had suggosted tlie Board was not doing his duty, or that the secretary had neglected anything. He meant'that it there was any fault at all it was the Hoard’s as a whole, including himself. In reply to Mr Hill, the secretary said information could not be given to Committees unless there was something delnito to communicate. Mr Boyes’a motion that the Board was completely satisfied with the secretary’s action in the matter was earn ried, Mr Hill alone dissenting. The question of a central site for Riwaka School came up. The chairman said there were reasons against a central site, ami the charge for conveyance of children at present was prohibitive. Centralisation meant conveyance from both ends of the district. The two present sehols wore excellent. The Board, however, should express an opinion whether centralisation was desirable. The site suggested was nob the only one available. li the Board was against centralisation there was an excellent site near the piesent school at Riwaka. The present building would probably have to last for a few more years. The Riwaka Committee probably thought the Board had been resting on its tans. But information necessary to the Board only came to hand last week. The Senior Inspector (Mr Pi tea i tidy) endorsed - the chairman's remarks. The present charges for conveyance would most probably prevent the* Department acepling an ytender. Mr Boyes was in favour of centralisation where possible. Riwaka was a growing district with some of the best hind in the Dominion. However, after hearing what had previously been said, he would favour the present system at present. Mr Cana van said with the excellent work done at the prescent schools, the question was a difficult one, and worthy eof the reconsideration of tno householders and the Board. JR. would like the site offered to be secured if posible.

Mr Boyes moved that at this juncture it was not desirable to centralise the schools in Riwaka. —Seconded by Hon. Mclntyre and carried. It was resolved that the Riwaka. Committee' he informed ol the resolution, and that the suitability of certain site's, including Mr Morris’s, without the building, for a school site.

The school medical office (Dr Keith) read his monthly report, which was adopted. Tno Ngatimoti Committee reported ro site offered by Air Remnant.—Mr Scantlebury motion that the offer Do not entertained was carried.

Mr C. Skilton’s application for grazing rights on portion of school site jit Corbyvalo was granted on condition that half an acre is securely fenced, _ Mr H. Stado wrote offering small piece of land adjoining school at Gordon on condition Board contribute towards fencing.—Held over till next, meeting, Mr Stade to bo thanked for his offer,