EDUCATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXX, 21 September 1936, Page 9

EDUCATION

THE NELSON BOARD MONTHLY MEETING HELD TO-DAY NEW SCHOOLS AND SITES The monthly meeting of the Nelson Education Board was held to-day, when there were present the Hon. W. H. Mclntyre (chairman), Messrs J. H. Harkness, F. A. Hamilton, F. A. Carling, H. Barltrop, F. V. Knapp, J. G. Wilkens, and E. J. Scantlebury. Accounts amounting to £7,806 were passed for payment. BIG RIVER SCHOOL It was decided that on account of the permanency of the mining industry at Big River and on account of the climatic conditions in the district, it was not in the interests of the children to have a portable school, and that application be made to the Department for a grant for a permanent school building. COLLINGWOOD SCHOOL

A letter was received from the Collingwood Co-operative Dairy Co., Ltd. offering a building which yjas considered suitable for a secondary department of the District High School. Mr Carling said it was not a very attractive looking building and he hoped the board would not consider it.

The chairman: “We would not consider it for a moment. Surely the people of the district would not desire the use of that building.” He pointed out that a new school to accommodate the present school and the high school on the one site and under the one control was necessary.

It was decided to reply to the company thanking it for the offer but pointing out that the board would not desire to purchase the property. It was further decided to renew the board’s application to the Department for a new school at Collingwood and that the position be again impressed on the Minister. NEW SITE AT GRANITY It was decided to write to the Department regarding a new school site at Granity and asking if it was desirable to take a section of land under the Public Works Act. SIDE SCHOOL IN TOI TOI VALLEY Mr J. Sowman presented a petition, signed by 43 residents, for the establishment of a side school in Toi Toi Valley for children under 8 years of age. It was pointed out that there were 16 parents who had signed the petition who had children attending school. Thirteen children were under the 8 years. At the present time the greatest distance of any children attending Hampden street was 1 mile 10 chains.

Mr Knapp pointed out that the hill between the valley and the school would probably be the cause of the application. The chairman considered the board would haye little or no chance of getting a building there when the children could attend a modern city school within a mile from their homes. At many places in the board’s district children had to travel 3, 4 or 5 miles to an old school building and the board in those instances could not gain grants for new schools. It was decided that the board reply stating that it could not grant the request.

TEACHER’S RESIDENCE AT MAPUA

The Mapua committee forwarded a petition for the erection of a teacher’s residence. The committee pointed out the difficulty experienced in obtaining a suitable home. It was pointed out that there were 143 signatures. Mr Carling supported the petition, pointing out the difficulty which had been experienced. The board decided to advise the Department of its support of the petition and the chairman and secretary were appointed to make representations to the Minister.

NEW POKORORO SCHOOL REQUESTED

The Pokororo committee wrote urging the erection of a new school. It was pointed out that the school was 38 years old, had accommodation for 32 and had 22 pupils. It was decided to reply stating that Messrs Carling, Hamilton and the secretary would visit the school and report to the next meeting.

REMOVAL OF PAHAUTANE SCHOOL

The Pahautane committee submitted a petition for the removal of the school to another site. The removal of the school was approved. SALE OF RANZAU RESIDENCE The Education Department wrote approving of the sale of the teacher’s residence at Ranzau on account of its being condemned. The Department agreed to pay the teacher boarding allowance. It was suggested by the meeting that the residence site be added to the playing area. NEW RICHMOND SCHOOL The proposed plans for the new school at Richmond were submitted to the board and were approved. They will now be sent forward to the Department. It was decided to compliment the architect on the plans which would provide a modern school in keeping with the best in the Dominion. The chairman: “It will be the finest school in the Nelson board’s area.” CENTRAL TAKAKA The Central Takaka committee wrote urging further application for a grant to cover the cost of purchasing additional playing area. It was decided to forward the committee’s letter to the Department and support the request, the chairman to interview the Minister on the matter. The Education Department approved of a grant towards the cost of

installing a hot water service in the teacher’s residence at Takaka Central. REMODELLING AT TAPAWERA The acceptance of the tender of Mr W. Bastin for the remodelling of the Tapawera school was confirmed. The plans of the proposed new residence at Tapawera were approved. The plans are to be forwarded to the Department with a recommendation that an additional site be purchased. The secretary reported on the arrangements made with the Public Works Department for additional accommodation at Wangamoa. The secretary pointed out that a large Public Works camp had been placed near the school resulting in a temporary increase in the roll number by 30. The Department is now erecting a building and it would be necessary to have an additional teacher and provide equipment for the building. The secretary’s -arrangements were confirmed. REPAIRS AND ALTERATIONS

The Auckland Point committee asked for the installation of a pump to clear water from the cellar.

A report is to be received from the board’s foreman.

The Brightwater committee asked for various repairs and improvements. The foreman’s report was adopted. The Brooklyn committee applied for a grant towards the cost of playground seats. The committee is to be informed that the board could not sanction expenditure on school ground seats for any school. The Charleston committee requested a grant towards the cost of fencing. The matter was held over for further enquiry.

The Collingwood committee asked for a bicycle shed on the school ground. The matter was held over in order to incorporate the shed in the work of construction of the new school. The Dovedale teacher requested improvements to the residence. The requests were granted. Th Hampden Street school committee asked that a central heating system be installed. It was decided to receive a deputation this afternoon. The Hope committee asked for a grant towards the cost of installing an electric pump. A sum of £5 was granted. The chairman reported on the request by the Inangahua Junction committee for additional heating in the classroom. The chairman said that no action had been taken. It was hard to understand that a good fire in the present room would not make it warm. The head teacher at Karamea asked for a hot water system in the residence. The request was granted, tenders to be called.

A report was received from the Inspector, Mr Woods, on the condition of the grounds at Little Wanganui.

It was reported that the board with a view to helping in the ground improvements had granted the committee £lO worth of permanent sealing material which was supplied in April but had not yet been used. It was decided that the board write to the committee and protest against their not using the valuable material forwarded at their request. The Health Inspector reported on the condition of the septic tank at Motueka. The necessary work was approved. The Motueka committee asked for authority to convert a portion of a corridor into a library room. The requested was granted. The Pakawau committee asked for a grant of £2O towards the cost of proposed ground improvements. A sum of £5 was granted in addition to the removal of buildings referred to. The Redwood’s Valley committee asked for a grant towards the cost of repairing the drill area. The matter was held over pending the receipt of further details of the proposed scheme. Messrs Carling and Hamilton and the secretary are to inspect.

The Richmond committee wrote regarding the dividing fence between the head teacher’s residence and the adjoining property. Mrs Dyson is to be thanked for her action in re-erect-ing a fence without cost to the board. The Rockville committee submitted proposals for the removal of outbuildings to a new site. The matter was held over pending an inspection. The Stoke committee applied for a grant towards the cost of gravelling a section of the grounds. It was decided that the gravel be provided, up to the cost of £4 10s.

The topdressing of the roadway around the Auckland Point School was discussed and the secretary was asked to report on the matter at the next meeting.

The Summerlea committee applied for a further grant towards concreting for clearing an additional playing area. A sum of £5 was granted on condition that the clearing work was completed with unemployed labour. Messrs Wilkens and Knapp are to inspect and report on the large room at Wai-iti.