OTAGO EDUCATION BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18540, 28 April 1922, Page 8

OTAGO EDUCATION BOARD

The monthly meeting of the Otago Education Board was opened yesterday morning; present—Mr J. Wallace (chairman), the Hon. D. T. Fleming, and Messrs R. IT. Todd, Jas. Smith, W. R. Brugh, J. H. Wilkinson. . Application for Subsidy.—The Oarnaru North Committee applied for a subsidy towards the expense (£l7 17s 6d) incurred in top-dressing and repairing asphalt at. school. As this was the second occasion on which fhe committee had carried out a work without reference to the board and then ajiplied for a subsidy,, the application was refused. Alterations and Repairs.—The architect recommended that the application of the Waitati School Committee for improvements to the ventilation of the school, at an estimated cost of £44. be acceded to, and the work done as soon as possible.--Agreed to. An application by the principal of the Training College for furniture tor the laboratory and partitioning off an office for the new lecturer, at a total cost of £36, was passed on to the Department of Education. The committee of the Oarnaru South School applied tor permission to erect memorial gates in iron and clinker brick at the entrance to the school gates.—Granted, subject to the approval of the architect. The committee of the Totara Sohofel wrote protesting against the overcrowded condition of the infant room, and urging the erection of an additional room. As the conditions now were no worse than when an application to the department was turned down on a previous occasion, the board considered that it would he useless to renew the application. New Schools Asked For. —The Kdievalc Committee wrote applying for a. new school, to be erected, and staled that the residents vvbnld contribute £ICO towards the cost. — The Senior Inspector reported that the district was already fairly well supplied with schools, and the roads were comparatively good, so that he could not see that the necessity for another school was urgent, the children who would bo accommodated being for the most part within or just on the border of the two-mile limit. As a new school would cost not less than £BOO, the heard decided that it could not entertain (he proposal. An application from Dumbarton residents for a new school was dealt with similarly.-; The residents of Manngavvera renewed their animation for a now school. —The chairman said there were special circumstances in this ,-Case. Pupils had to cross a river on the punt, and sometimes, when the punt broke down, they had to travel from 15 to 20 miles to return home.— The request was referred to the senior inspector for report. Beaumont School. —The committee reported, witli reference to fitting up the hall as an additional classroom, fhat the Hull Committee was prepared to let the building at £3 per month, provided its occupation for school purposes did not interfere with the ordinary night letting of the hall. Up to 75 per cent, of the cost of permanent I improvements would he allowed as an offset

against the rent if the cost did not exceed the total rent paid by the "board for the term.—The architect estimated the cost of necessary alterations at £BS Bs, and the cost of furniture at £3l 12s —total £ll7. If the building was used by the board for 12 months the refund would be £63 15s, so that the total cost, exclusive of furniture, would bo £2l 13s. lie recommended that the offer be accepted. —It was decided to apply to the Education Department for a grant. Drawing Classes. -The Technical College managers stated that the use of rooms in the School of Art would be available lor pupil teacher and probationer drawing classes in ibo meantime, but when the school reopened the board’s drawing classes, if continued in the School of Art building, must bo regarded as under the direction and. control of the Technical School. Swimming Classes. —With reference to the decision of the Education Department to discontinue payment of capitation allowance for swimming and life-saving classes, and the board's protest against the decision, the department intimated that the position had been so far reconsidered that, in cases in which it- was shown that the classes had real educational value, recognition would not be withheld if sufficient numbers attended.—lt was decided to carry on the classes in the meantime. Now Election for School Oomndttecs. — It was resolved that a fresh election for school committees whore residents failed to appoint them on April 12 bo held on May 19. Deputations.—A deputation from the Moray Place School Committee waited on the board with reference lb the decision to hand the room now used as a luncheon room, for the children over to (ho Arts and Crafts Society as a classroom. Air R. T. ■tinghson staled that (be school catered for children who remained for (ho luncheon hour, anil the committee made arrangements for the supply of hot cocoa. An urn and suitable furniture had been provided under tb c impression that the room would be permanently avilable for the purpose to which it was devoted. The children were comfortable (hero, and it would be a pity to shift (hem. Now the committee found that the room was to be taken over by the Arts and Crafts Society. If the children were to ho turned out from hern and no other room provided they would have to go to the shed, which was comfortless and unhealthy in wintry weather. Ihe school had no hall, no gymnasium, and was generally badly appointed. Other members of the deputation supported Mr Hnghson’s statement of the case. —After the deputation had retired the board considered the matter, and decided to refer it to the chairman and the city members, with the architect, to visit the school, confer with the committee, and take what action was considered advisable. Messrs Jas. Donald, John Roberts, and debn Mulholland. residents of Paorau. waited noon the board to ask that a school be provided. Mr Roberts, who acted as chief spokesman, stated that a concrete building would be available free of rent for 12 months. There were six children of school age now, and others growing up, and they were absolutely devoid of any educational advantages.—The chair-

man said the department allowed a capitation grant of £ls for an average attendance of six, which would total £9O. If the residents would make up £2O a year that would give £llO a year, and for that they could get a teacher, but they could not get- one for £9O oven if they boarded him. ihe board would undertake (o supply the furniture and heating. There was no chance whatever of getting a small school -erected. The deputation undertook to communicate with the other parties and inform the board of (lip result.