EDUCATION BOARD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22835, 20 March 1936, Page 5

EDUCATION BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING CONCLUDED The monthly meeting of the Otago Education Board was concluded yesterday. There were present: Messrs James Wallace (chairman), J. Sheppard, E. Morgan, D. T. Fleming, G. Livingstone, R, H. Todd, N. Colquhoun, D. C. Cameron, and P. MTvinlay. GENERAL APPLICATIONS. The St. Clair committee applied for repairs to boundary fences. The architect reported that this was a half-cost matter between the board and five adjoining owners. The board’s share would be about £7.—The architect was instructed to carry out the work. Regarding a further application from the St. Clair committee for hot water from the heating system to the hand basin in the teachers’ room, the architect reported that he did not regard the taking of water from the heating system as a good practice, but it could be done at a cost of 30s.—The request was declined. The St. Clair committee also applied for shelving in two rooms at the school. Tlie architect reported that shelving would cost fl ss.—The application was granted. A further application was received from the St. Clair committee for assistance in removing surface water from the school playground,—The architect reported that the surface water could be removed by opening up tbe sumps and cleaning, at a cost of £2 10s.—The application was granted. The North-East Harbour committee forwarded an application for assistance in erecting a fence 12ft high with wire netting, between the private properties on the district road and the, school grounds, the estimated total cost to be £l2. The committee also asked for 1 the usual assistance in topdressing the paths at the entrance to the school. —The former request was referred to the architect, and the second granted subject to the usual conditions.

The St. Leonards committee applied for improvements at the school. The architect reported that the levelling of the floor in the headmaster’s room would cost £l2; tables and chairs, £B7 10s (committee’s share £29 3s 4d) ; two Broadway stoves and fittings, £24 (committee’s share £7) ; erection of kitchenette, £55 (committee’s liability).—The matter was left in the hands of the city members, with power to act.

The Oaniaru North committee wrote intimating that it was constructing a stone wall extending from the shelter shod to Exc street at a cost of £154. It asked if the board would find the cost: of an area 40ft by 24ft in asphalt or concrete. The architect estimated the cost in asphalt at £22 and in concrete at £33.—The matter was left in (lie hands of the members for Oaniaru (Messrs Livingstone and Colquhoun) and Mr Cameron to report to the next meeting.

An application was received from the Wakari committee for permission to improve the visibility of a dangerous corner of the school grounds at Shetland street and Helensburgh street. The architect reported that to remove the palings and substitute chain netting would cost about £7 10s. He understood that the Wakari Improvement Society and the Otago Motor Club would pay for the work.—Agreed to. SUBSIDIES. The Oamaru South committee wrote intimating that it would find one-third of the cost of a further 50 tables and chairs. —Agreed to. A letter was received from the Ou tram committee stating that it had secured a price of £l2 for a bicycle shed to hold

20 machines, and desired to know if the board would find half the cost.— It was decided to subsidise the work on the same conditions as were allowed Kaitangata. ADMISSION OF FIVE-YEAR-OLDS. Tlie Education Department wrote stating that it had received information that some teachers were admitting pupils who were not five-year-olds, but who would be five some time this term. The department pointed out that this was quite contrary to the instructions issued. —The chairman said that such pupils must not be enrolled. He was sure that this was not being done in Otago.— Received. EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTE. Tlie Otago branch of the New Zealand Education Institute wrote asking if the board would grant permission to hold its annual meeting on Friday, April 24. This would entail closing the city schools and such country schools the teachers of which desired to attend. —The application was granted, the chairman remarking that as April 25 was Anzac Day it would be impossible for the institute to hold its meeting on that date. CONVEYANCE OF CHILDREN. Two tenders for the conveyance of children from the Ngapnna and Rock and Pillar districts to the Strath-Taieri School were referred to the department. The question of the conveyance of children from the Black Point district to the Dnntroon School was also referred to the department. STAFF CHANGES. The following appointments were approved:—Walter A. Brown, headmaster, Stirling; George Swan, headmaster, Wakari; Alexander M. Miller, head teacher, -Karitane; Constance F. Miller, assistant, Oamaru South; Isabel M. Walter, assistant, Oamaru Special. The following resignations were accepted:—George L. Thorby, head teacher, Maheno; Elsie J. Crawford, infant mistress, Mosgiel District High; George A. Spears, sole teacher, Allanton; Margaret A. Rowe, sole teacher, Kauru Hill; Edward R. Tarbotton, sole teacher, Kia Ora; Rosalie M. Trotter, sole teacher, Makarora; Ralph T. Short, sole teacher, Moa creek; Murray Geddes, assistant, Otekura; Alex. M. Millar, assistant, Arthur Street; Charles T. Harman, assistant, Knrow District High; Isabel M. Walter, assistant, Maheno; George Swan, assistant, Mornington; Mary Kennedy, assistant, NorthEast Valley; Alice Glanville, assistant, Union Street; Winifred A. Herbert, assistant, Union Street; George R. Reid, assistant, Union Street; Aubrey C. Witting, assistant, Union Street; Edna G. M’Lcan, assistant, Waiwera South. Transfers were confirmed as follows; — Edward R. Tarbotton, sole teacher, Tokarahi (from Kia Ora); Mary Kennedy, infant mistress, Green Island (from North-East Valley) ; George R. Reid, assistant, Forbury (from Union Street); Charles T. Harman, assistant, Musselburgh (from Kurow District High). FINANCE. Accounts amounting to £21,281 10s 4d were passed for payment.