EDUCATION AFFAIRS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIV, 24 February 1931, Page 7

EDUCATION AFFAIRS

MEETING OF NELSON BOARD BUSINESS DEALT WITH The Nelson Education Board met yesterday. There were present: The Hon. W. H. Mclntyre, M.L.C. (chairman), Messrs W. C. Diligent, E. Trevena, F. W. O. Smith, F. V. Knapp, E. J. Scantlebury, and J. 0. Wilkens. Mr >L 11. Darkness, who is indisposed, was excused from attendance. Tho secretary reported that us (lie result of a circular sent out £134 had so far been received from teachers and staff towards the earthquake fund. It was resolved to fall in with the suggestion of the Director of Education to appeal to the school children for contributions towards the earthquake fund.

The balance-sheet for .1930, and a statement of assets and liabilities as at 31st December last, was submitted by the secretary. The chairman, said the secretary was to be congratulated in having the balance-sheet ready so early for audit. The chairman also referred in complimentary terms to the way in which the Minister of Education (tho lion. It. At mo re) had recognised the claims of the district.

On the motion of Mr Trevena, it was decided to thank the Minister lor the practical interest he had taken, in the Nelson Board.

The annual returns for 1930 were also tabled.

NEW SCHOOLS, ADDITIONS, ETC.

■Mr C. W. Haldane offered to purchase the old school building at Copelston. It was resolved that tenders be called for the purchase of the structure. The Collingwood Committee suggested that a ground improvement scheme should be undertaken by the Unemployment Committee. There would be no cost to the Board. It was resolved to approve of the proposal. The chairman suggested that a circular should be sent to all committees with a view to having similar work under No. 5 scheme carried out. It' would be a splendid opportunity to relieve the unemployment problem. The chairman’s suggestion was adopted.

It was resolved that the chairman and Mr Harkness represent the Board at the opening of the new manual training school at Denniston.

Regarding an application from Denniston for a grant for the dental clinic, the matter was left in the hands of the chairman to make the host arrangements. The Education Department' notified that the grants had been made lo cover cost of erecting an additional classroom at Granity; towards cost of improvements to school site at Hampden street; and for enlargement of classroom at Millerlon. The secretary reported that a contract had already been let for the work at Hampden street. It was resolved to point out to the Minister the urgency for a new teacher’s residence at Karamea. It was resolved to inform the committee that there was no possibility of obtaining a grant at prosent for an additional classroom. The offer of £2O from settlers for the old school building at Neudorf was.accepted. Out of 14 that of J. McPherson (the lowest) at £386 6s 6d was accepted for the erection of a new school at Redwood’s Valley. The offer of settlers for the old building and site was not accepted, and it was decided to call for tenders.

11, was notified that tho tender of Fawcett and Butler had been accepted for the erection of a new school at Xakaka. The application of the Kotinga committee for an additional classroom was referred to the chairman for report. The architect was instructed to furnish plans for a portable school building at Tfromoana. It was also resolved to apply for a grant to cover the cost of the same.

REPAIRS AND ALTERATIONS Mr C. Lineham, on behalf of settlers, asked for a grant towards erecting protective works. The Board has two properties in tlie vicinity. It was resolved to inform the writer that the Board has no authority to maiko such a grant. Burnett’s Face Committee was given authority to transfer a special grant towards cost of additional excavating. A grant of £7 15s to cover the cost ot an incinerator, was made to the Motueka Committee. Tenders are to he called for improving tlie drainage at Motueka School. The Library Committee at Upper Moutere was granted authority to erect a small building on. the school property. It was resolved to provide half the cost of remodelling the Punakaiki school, and that tenders he called.

GENERAL The report of the architect (Mr A. H Reaper) was received. It was notified that eleven scholars in the Board’s district had gained Junior National scholarships. r lhe secretary said that the total compared more than favourably with other districts. It was also stated that Jean Edyvean, a pupil of Redwood’s Valley School, had topped the list for the Dominion. Complimentary references were made by members to the high position obtained by the scholar, and it was resolved to forward her a letter of congratulation.

It was reported that 19 probationary assistants had been appointed; also two extra probationary assistants. The Education Department forwarded a circular that the Minister had instructed that all work of construction on additional buildings in brick must cease and that the existing ones must be closely inspected. _ It was stated that no brick buildings were being erected in Nelson at present. It was decided that the architect inspect and report on all brick buildings in the district. The architect was also instructed to visit ITawkes Bay and gain information as to the eftect of the. earthquake on brick buildings. A circular from the Department outlining a proposal to alter the date of the long summer vacation was not favoured by the Board, and on the motion of Mr Knapp it was resolved to disapprove of the proposal. A circular from the Department regarding educational films to be exhibited in schools did not meet with approval. A member expressed the opinion that the calls on children regarding such exhibitions were becoming altogether too numerous.

It was also resolved not to approve of a notification from the Education Department as to the purchase of books for school libraries. It was resolved to ask the Director, Division of School Hygiene, what provisions were to be made during the current year for medical inspection of schools.

The Mapua Committee was given authority to let the school to the Presbyterian Bible Class camp during Easter. The Church of Christ was granted the use of the. Tasman street and Brook street schools for a camp during the Easter Conference. The action of the

executive committee in granting the use of the Central School to the Methodist Bible Class Union was endorsed. The tender of Mr G. Cole at £l2O was accepted for the conveyance of Koreko pupils to Wakefield. It was resolved to send a letter to Robert Mead, of Alptupiko, congratulating him on his' record of never missing a day or being late during his school course extending over ten years. The annual reports of 'the organising teacher and the .physical instructor were received.

Arising out of a proposal to convey Tutaki and Mangles. Valley children to Murchison, it was suggested that Longford could also be included. Before a decision is arrived at further inquiries are to be made by the chairman and the secretary. The annual meetings of householders for the purpose pf electing committees are to be held on 6th May. The arrangements made for conveying Harakeke pupils to the Motueka manual training class were approved.

TEA CHERSIIIPS Teacherships were dealt with as follows : Ikamatua, head teacher (10 applicants) : To be re-advertised. Tiroroa. head teacher (12 applicants): Frank W.' Kerr (Waipiro Bay). Maruia. sole teacher (63 applicants): Eleanor J. Pointon (Southbrook). Nuggety Creek, sole teacher (65 applicants) : Tc bn readvertised. Brooklyn (assistant mistress) To bo readvertise.d. * Hampden street, assistant mistress (34 applicants): To be re-advertised. Granity, assistant mistress (31 applicants) : To be re-advertised. Stoke, assistant mistress (52 applicants) : Helen B. Short. The following resignations were received : E. E. Lucas, assistant teacher, Auckland Point; M. D. Flaherty, head teacher, Denniston ; A. C. Fitzsimmons, assistant teacher, Hampden street; Mrs E. Pringle, head teacher, Ikamatua ; F. E. Ash. sole teacher, Mangles Valley; S. Cameron, assistant teacher, Nelson Central; L. AT. Webber, assistant teacher, Stoke. The resignation of Miss Cameron, who is retiring on superannuation", was received with regret, arid appreciation was expressed at her services. Appreciation was also extended to Air Ash for his services. Arising out of a report by the chairman, it was resolved to apply for a small grant to erect a central school at Lyell. The Board then adjourned.