EDUCATION BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21365, 19 June 1931, Page 2

EDUCATION BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING The Otago Education Board concluded its monthly meeting yesterday; present— Messrs J. Wallace (chairman), J. Smith, J. Horn, D. T. Fleming, M.L.C., P. M*K inlay, G. Livingstone, W. K. Brugh, R. T. Todd, W. if. Cooper, and J. 11. Wilkinson. REPAIRS AND RENOVATIONS. The Balclutha committee applied for improvements. to the drains.—The architect reported that while water was a source of trouble, it could not be regarded as a very urgent matter, and he did not recommend the work in the meantime.— The architect's report was adopted. It was resolved to carry out improvements at Totara, Moeraki, Hampden, Lawrence, Five Forks. The Owaka Cemetery trustees wrote asking for assistance in renewing the boundary fence between the residence property and the cemetery.—The architect reported that the board’s share of the cost would be £7 2s 3d.—The request was held over in the meantime. The Clyde committee’s application for painting the paling fence at the residence was declined. The Alaheno committee applied for a piping culvert in connection with a proposal to fill in a gully by unemployed labour. —The architect reported that the cost of the pipes would be £42.—The request was declined. RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS. Resignations were accepted as follows: Herbert M. Stevens, headmaster, Tapanui D.H.; Gabriel AI. Luke, headmaster, Cromwell D.H.; Isabella T. Currie, head teacher, Pine Hill; Alfred C. Notmnn, sole teacher, Ida Valley; Janet C. Wilson, mistress, Roxburgh D.H.; Rachel AI. Doak, assistant, Teaneraki. The following appointments were to be made: —Luke, Gabriel AI, headmaster, A n * derson’s Bay; Currie,. Isabella T., head teacher, St. Leonards; Stewart, Doris M., sole teacher, Alatakanui; Woodward, Roy, sole teacher, ATon Flat; Alilnc, Lauriston AI.. sole teacher, Popotunoa; Turner, Marjorie D., sole teacher, Kaihiku; Notman, Alfred C., fourth assistant, Maori Hill; Weir, Clarice C. A., thirteenth assistant, Forbury: Doak, Rachel M„ seventh assistant, Oamaru South; APGregor, Robert' A., first secondary assistant, Tokomairiro D.H. OAAIARU NORTH. It was reported that the Oamaru North committee nad brought before members of the board the matter of bettor lighting in the infant department, the removal of the hedge on the north side, and better exit arrangements in the main building. The architect was asked to report on these matters. KUROW.

Mr Wilkinson reported on the visit of members of the board to the opening of the new school at Knrow. The school, he said, was one of the finest in Otago, and he was satisfied the provision of the school meant a great thing for the whole of that district. No doubt, when the hydro-electric scheme was completed there would be a decrease in the population, but many pf the families would remain in Knrow. In years to come the district might be an important educational centre for North Otago, and if children from surrounding districts were to come in it might be possible to establish a district high school there. The school was a credit to the board and to the department, and the people were very pleased with what had been done for them and proud of their new school. It was decided that the school committee be thanked for the arrangements it had made for the opening of the school, and that Mr T. A. Munro be thanked for the interest and practical sympathy he had shown in the matter of procuring a site and in the building of the school. TECHNICAL SCHOOL. The board was asked to fix the date for the election of the technical school managers, also the date on which was to be held the election of parents’ representative. —it was decided that the date be September 21. RATANUI. Mr T. Glass, Ratanui, wrote forwarding a petition stating that the wives of householders had been debarred from voting at the School Committee election, and asking for a fresh election. It was stated that when Ratanui matters were before the board at its last meeting no mention was made of the wives of householders being debarred from voting. The petition was received. QUARTERLY ALLOWANCE WITHHELD. The board’s auditor wrote submitting a list of committees which had failed to submit their accounts. He also reported that one committee had declined to forward particulars of its locally-raised money. It was decided that, in these cases, the board’s quarterly allowance be withheld until the auditor’s order is completed. ECONOMY COMMITTEE. The Prime Minister (Mr G. W. Forbes) wrote on May 25 stating that hie colleague, the Minister of Education (Mr H. Atmore) had advised him of the Otago Board’s suggestion that education boards should be represented on the Education Economy Committee. . “ I have noted the request,” added the Prime Minister, “ and shall be glad to bear it in mind for consideration at the appropriate time.” * The chairman said he had replied as follows;—“As there is a rumour here that the Educational Institute has been promised representation, I would now respectfully suggest that the primary education boards at least receive the same consideration.” AWAMOKO. The Awaraoko Committee wrote asking if it was compulsory for at least one teacher to remain at the school during lunch hour.—lt was resolved to reply in the affirmative.—The chairman said that this question had arisen on previous occasions, and the board’s ruling had been that where there were two teachers in a school one of them should be in charge of the school ground in school hours. GENERAL. Accounts amounting to £19,617 11s Id were passed for payment. It was resolved —“ That the Accounts Committee, with Mr Horn, be asked to bring up a report regarding the financial position of the board and its transactions, with a view to effecting economies. The Director of Education wrote stating that as a result of his recent visit to Kurow he had decided that the department could not approve of an additional trip to take the infant children home in the afternoon. The additional cost ot 7s per day was not warranted, as the children could be kept busy with games, etc., by the teachers until the departure of the usual train. . The department having intimated that it could not grant more than the present rate of 16s 8d per school day, the Oladbrook School Committee approached the contractor, who agreed to reduce his contract price by lid per day, and the chairman sanctioned acceptance tor a period of one year, the board to pay the additional sum (about £9 3s 4d per annuni). The highest tender for the lease of the Kokoamo glebe was that of William Hedley. £5 per annum, which was accepted. Committees were completed by the appointment of the following gentlemen;— Macandrew Road,. A. Hunt; Waiauakarua, R. C. Gibson and John Rawcliffe. The Minister intimated a grant for remodelling one of the rooms in the Oamaru South School. The Oturehua Committee intimated the success of the first clean-up at the Golden Progress mine, which made it certain that extra men would be put on shortly. It considered that the school attendance would now be assured. The Technical Education Association intimated that the annual conference would be held in Wellington during the AugustSeptember vacation.—The chairman was authorised to attend, or to appoint another member to attend in his stead. Mr Andrew Barr, Blue Spur, wrote objecting to the Lawrence School Committee removing the Blue Spur School library.—lt was decided to leave the mattter in the handset the chairman and the secretary to make inquiries.