OTAGO EDUCATION BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17317, 17 May 1918, Page 2

OTAGO EDUCATION BOARD

The sitting of the Otago Education Board yesterday was attended by tho lion. D. T. Fleming (chairman), Messrs Horn, Smith, Wallace, Borrie, M'Kin lay, Todd, Brugh, Wilkinson, and Livingstone. RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS. Tho following resignations were accepted: —Cyril N. Lawless, head master, Papakaio; Margaret A. Wood house, head teacher, Kia Ora; Seli.ua Gudio, second assistant, Tapanui District Iligh; Maria M. M'Galium, junior assistant, Port Chalmers District High; Constance Easther, eighth assistant, For bury; Mary Vliotstra, solo teacher, Arthurton; Bessie A. Smith, pupil teacher, Oamaru South. Tho following appointments were made: —Grace M. Smith, sole teacher, Evan's Flat, vice Sarah J. Hogg, resigned; IsaA>el A. Gunn, sole teacher, Ija/uder, vice Alice G. Bodkin, Training College; Annie M'G. White, solo teacher, M-aerowhenua, vice Ada M. Stringer, resigned; Janet E. Wilson, sole teacher, Merino Downs, vioe Rosella Quinn, deceased; Linda J. Orawshaw, secondary assistant, Lawrence, vice Margaret Jennings, resigned; Gladys M'N. Guy, junior assistant, High street, vice Catherine Olapperton, promoted ALBANY STREET SCHOOL SITE. Tho board received from the annual householders' meeting at Albany street a resolution unanimously passed urging that an appeal be ni-ado to the Ilaribour Board to allocate a suitable area on tho Lake Logan reclamation lor a new Albany Street School in exchange for the present site. Mr Wilkinson suggested that when the plan of reclamation was being prepared an area of five acres surrounded by streets oould be set aside for the school. Members wero aware that not one school in the eity had tho necessary playing area. An ideal site for a school could bo obtained on the Lake Logan area when it was thoroughly reclaimed. Although it would be a few years before anythiug could bo done, the matter ought to bo talien up as soon as possible. He moved that a committee ibe appointed to wait on the Harbour Board to place the matter before it and support the proposal of the householders' meeting. Ho suggested that the deputation consist of tho cliairman, the town members, and Mr Horn. Tho motion was seconded by Mr Todd and carried. REPAIRS AND IMPROVEMENTS. - An application for a septic tank at Ratanui was declined in the meantime. An application for large Eclipse heaters for each of tho sohool rooms at Kakanui was declined. An application by the head teacher at Macandrew road for the provision ot receptacles, books, and chairs was granted. Proposed repairs to outhouses and to school windows at Upper Junction were authorised. The matter of heating the corridor at the Cromwell School was referred to the chairman and architect, with power to act. An application by tho Portobello Committee for an increase of £7 10s in the subsidy previously granted for improvements to the school ground was granted. SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS. The Secretary reported that 47 districts had failed to elect school committees on April 22. Fresh meetings were fixed to take place on Monday, June 10. The following recommendations for filling the vacancies on committees that had failed to elect tho required number were adopted: —Broad Bay, Mr M'lntyre; Bald Hill, Messrs W. Wilson and G. W. Relat; Clyde, Mr Charles Ericson; East Taieri, Mr S. Williams;. Elderslie, Messrs Watson and Piper; Glenkenich, Messrs T. Fleming and T. Crossan; Hawea Flat, Messrs P. Muir, L. Barclay, and R. Kingan; Kokonga, Mr R. Amies; Lowburn, Mr de Bettencor; Manuka Creek, Mr R. Pelvin; Maori Hill, Mr C. Beeby; Puketiro, Mt E. Sollett; Ravensbourne, Mr J. A. Preston; St. Clair, Mr K. M'Lennan; Waipori, Mr G. Williams; Wairuna. Mr Walter W. Fagg. _ Protests against the legality of the elections at Tahakopa, Portabello, and Teaneraki were considered, and in each case the elections were upheld. MACANDBEW BOAD GYMNASTUM. A letter was received from Mr James Riley (ex-secretary of the Macandrew Road School Committee) conveying a resolution passed by the annual householders' meeting_ protesting against the school gymnasium being taken for use as a classroom. Mr Todd Baidthe board should try to do something to bring about an amicable settlement between the. board andi the committee. He moved that—"Owing to the Macandrew Road Gymnasium Hall being required as a permanent classroom, the sum of £20 per annum be paid to the committee as compensation for the loss of revenue." He referred to the circumstances that led up to the members of the Macandrew Road Committee withdrawing their nominations, and said ho was sure members of the board: were under a wrong impression when the request for furniture in the gymnasium first came before them. They all understood that this matter had previously been before the school committee. In the circumstances, he thought they _ must admit that the committee had a grievance in having been ignored in this matter. It would be a loss to the district if the gentlemen concerned refused to bo nominated again. It would be very difficult to get any other gentlemen to act until the board expressed its willingness to give compensation for the loss of revenue involved. The Chairman said that the revenue from the gymnasium amounted to only £3 or £1 for one year, and during the last two years it did not more than pay the rates and taxes. He was prepared to meet the committee half-wav or more than half-way, but they must remember that there were many other schools in the same position. The motion was not seconded,'and a motion by Mr Brugh, that the letter be simply received, was carried; without discussion. GENERAL. Accounts amounting to £13.005 2s 7d were passed for payment. Mr Livingstone gave notice to move at tho next meeting, that the boundaries of the _ Five Forks School district be altered to include the settlers on the B&lroddcTy Estate. Tho tender of J. H. Howell, of £210 for the erection of a school at Tawhiti, was accepted. The board decided to fix its maximum subsidv to schools for library books at £2 10s, and for wall pictures at £3. Messrs M'Kinlay. Borrie, Smith, Brugh, and Wilkinson were selected by ballot to retire frcjn their seats on tho board prior to the election to be held in July. It is understood that _ Messrs Wilkinson and Brugh have signified their willingness to offer themselves for re-election as members for the urban area.