EDUCATION BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22136, 14 December 1933, Page 2

EDUCATION BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING The monthly meeting of the Otago Education Board was held yesterday morning. Mr J. Wallace occupied the chair and there were also present Messrs P. M'Kinlay, D. C. Cameron, W. M. Cooper, D. T. Fleming, R. H. Todd, E. Morgan and J. Sheppard.

' The chairman extended a welcome to the new member, Mr E. Morgan, who had been appointed to fill the vacancy caused by the death of Mr W. M. Matthewson. APPLICATION FOR SUBSIDIES. The Waikouaiti Committee* applied for a subsidy for top-dressing asphalt. The architect said he had not received particulars of the area but recommended that the usual half-cost be granted.— Agreed. The High Street Committee offered to find £SO towards the cost of interior painting of the school, and the board’s sub-committee recommended that this be accepted.—Agreed to. The Teaneraki Committee applied for a subsidy for top-dressing and repairing asphalt, the estimated total cost being £7 6s, —It was decided to grant half the cost. The Caversham committee requested a subsidy for half the cost of the erection of book-cases to house the reference library. The estimated total cost £4o. It was agreed to grant £lO. TEACHERS’ RESIDENCES. The Portobello head teacher applied for the renovation,of the kitchen, dining room and bedrooms at his residence. The architect stated that he has not had an opportunity to inspect, but that the interior was painted and papered in 1925, and the kitchen in 1928. If the work asked for was necessary, the cost will be about £l4.—The architect was given power to act. The Green Island head teacher applied for the removal of the range from the kitchen, the enlargement of the bathroom and scullery by removing partitions, and the alterations to the position of the back door.—The architect reported that the residence was fitted with the usual conveniences and although their arrangement was not, altogether as convenient as might be, all was ip good order. A plan was submitted showing the alterations with the exception of those asked for to bathroom and back entrance, which would involve expenditure fnr little gain. The structural alterations would cost about £lO, and electric range and heating unit about £46 10s.—It was decided that the work should be held over in the meantime.

The Kakanui Committee applied for attention to the drain from the school residence. The architect reported that the pipe line from, the residence led across the road and discharged into an open ditch into the school glebe. The ditch led into a swampy area. When examined there was no objectionable smell, but the teacher stated that' it was objectionable at times 'in the winter season when there was no growth to absorb the moisture. There was a good fall to the swamp and if the ditch were cleaned out. periodically there should be no cause for complaint. To pipe the ditch would cost £7 for material alone.— The architect’s recommendations were adopted.

SCHOOL BUILDINGS. The teacher at Houipapa applied for improvements.—The architect reported that to partition off the end of the present spare classroom for a washhouse and fit it up with tubs, copper and bath would cost £3B 15s, the sink and sink bench in the kitchen £7 10s, a total of £46 ss. This was much more economical than the estimate of £BS for a separate building.—The architect’s report was adopted. The Waikouaiti Committee applied for attention to the school buildings. The architect reported that he was well aware of the condition of the buildings which had now reached a stage where any expensive repairs or alterations would be a waste of money. There was no record of when the original rooms were built, but there were additions in 1879 and 1889. Ho recommended that the rebuilding of this school be again placed on the urgent list, from which it was removed last year owing to the financial position. —Agreed. The Oamaru North Committee applied for attention to the water service. Tenders for new water pipes were submitted. The architect reported that the water service has been unsatisfactory for a considerable time due to corrosion in the pipes, and he recommended that the lowest tender (that of Mr D. Millar, £lO ss) be accepted.—Agreed.

A letter was received from the Teanoraki School Committee regarding the condition of the school buildings. The architect reported that the school was originally a one-roomed building erected in 1876, added to in 1886, and again in 1899* The original rooms wore badly built and externally were showing the effects of age and weather. The paint work was in bad order, being blistered in many places, and to burn off would cause a grave fire risk. If there were any possibility, of a grant being available within the next three years he recommended that this school be placed on the rebuilding list, and only urgent repairs carried out in the meantime.—The architect’s report was noted.

The Tapanui Committee applied for the conversion of the present combined cocoa service room and toolhouse into a classroom for the junior division of the secondary department. The pupils of the school would thus bo more concentrated for the purpose of the headmaster’s supervision. • The committee also asked for increased storage room for coke and coal. The architect stated that he would require to inspect and would do so early next year.—The architect was asked to prepare a report. REMOVAL OF EQUIPMENT. In connection with the Kokoarao School, the architect reported having visited the school. The equipment was in good order and there was no evidence that it hod been interfered with. From inquiries made it was evident that the school would not be required for many years, and he recommended that the whole of the equipment should be removed. The chairman of the late school committee would send the gramophone to any school in the vicinity nominated by the board. The matter was left in the hands of the chairman, and the architect was authorised to remove the equipment, ALBANY STREET SCHOOL.

In regard to the Albany Street Intermediate School, the department intimated that a grant had been made to meet part of the cost of furniture for the now school.—Received.

The department stated that there were, no doubt, some relatively old pupils in the contributing schools whose educational, social and recreational interests would be the better served in the intermediate school. It was of opinion that if such pupils were at least 13 years of age and had spent one year in Standard IV they should be admitted to the intermediate school. The Minister advised that if accommodation were available, qualified pupils might be admitted to the intermediate school from any school other than the contributing schools.—The chairman intimated that a circular letter had been sent to the parents of all children who would be attending the school next year, setting out the objects and advantages of the school. DUNBACK SCHOOL. The head teacher of the Dunback School reported that a fire broke out in the school on Saturday afternoon, but was suppressed before much damage was done. The replacement of several

weather boards and one floor board was all that was required.—The matter was referred to the police for a report. LETTER OF APPRECIATION. . In connection with junior national scholarships, a parent wrote in support of the system and the advantage it had been to her family.—Received. , RESIGNATIONS. The following resignations were accepted :—David W. Bows, headmaster, Ardgowan; Marjorie Abel, sole teacher, Gimmerburn; Jcanie M. Lothian, infant mistress, Kaikorai; Eleanor E. M’Naught, assistant, Oturehna. It was decided to send a letter to Miss Lothian, who was retiring on superannuation, expressing appreciation of her long and faithful services to the board. APPOINTMENTS. Appointments of teachers were confirmed as follows: —Stewart" 0. Gibb, headmaster, Cromwell District High; Christina M. M'Diarmid, sole teacher, Kaihiku; Annie C. Spillane, sole teacher, Maerewhonua; Ernest E, Bush, sole teacher, Pukctiro; Matilda E. M'Laren, sole teacher, Glenledi household; Fay 0. Sanders, sole teacher, Lee Stream; John D. M'Kenzie, sole teacher, Tapui. “ ANOTHER NIBBLE."

The chairman referred to the proposed amendment to the Education Amendment Act, 1982-33, to provide that except in special cases, for which the consent of the Minister has been obtained, no person who is receiving a retiring allowance from the teachers’ superannuation fund shall be eligible for appointment ns a teacher in a public school. He said that this was just another nibble at the prerogative of education boards. He spoke of cases which had occurred where teachers, having retired on superannuation, were permitted to act as relieving teachers. He thought it was probably too late to enter a protest.—There was a litle discussion and it was finally decided that the chairman should send a telegram to the Minister protesting against this “ nibble ” at the powers of education boards. SEASON’S GREETINGS.

Before the close of the meeting the chairman extended seasonal greetings to the board, members, the staff, the Minister of Education, and the department.