Otautau School Committee.

Otautau Standard and Wallace County Chronicle, Volume XX, Issue 1025, 7 April 1925, Page 3

Otautau School Committee.

The monthly meeting, held la.st night, was attended by Messrs J. T. Brooker (Chairman), Stevens, Liddell, Bell', McDougall, Bone, McGregor, and Allison (Secretary). A. circular letter was read from the Education Board, recommending the Committee to grant teachers a holiday for the purpose of allowing them to attend the annual conference was received. With reference to the establishment of a; dental clinic m Otautau tbe Secretary .of the Education Board notified .,, that the Department had referred the, matter to the Director of Dental Hygiene for such action as may be deemed necessary. In connection with the Committee's application for subsidy on contribution of £80 m aid of purchase of books, pictures and improvements to the grounds, the Secretary of the Board wrote that the Department had provisionally approved of the application! and that the Committee -was empowered to spend up to that' amount. A statement was made/ that the receipts for the year amounted to £376 18s 2d, and on February 28fch there was a credit balance of £12 4s lOd. The Chairman reported that since the Committee bad last met they had lost a most .energetic member m Mr R. Soulsby, who had been transferred to Dunedin, . and it was decided tb forward a lettei of appreciation of his services. The matter of an oflice for the school was discussed, and it Avas decided- to write thc Education Board asking that the offices be erected, members stating that it was an absolute necessity. The scheme of improvements was brought up by the Headmaster. These comprise the laying down of a lawn,, the erection of a rustic fence, the planting of a hedge, the purchase of pictures and books for the library, and the lawninower, the shed to-be shitted, a sandpit, asphalt to be mended, and a path down boys' playground. — After discussion,' it was resolved that the Town Board be asked to repair the asphalt, and that tenders be called for the balance of the improvements to the grounds, the Chairman, Secretary, Messrs Stevens, Bone, Allison and Rowe to draw up specifications for same. ' . Accounts amounting to .£lB were passed for payment. . The Headmaster's report was read aa follows : Since last meeting the "schools have been closed owing to the epidemic and thus we have no report of attendance. , As far as I know we shall lose over 30 pupils, but our gains will not be known until school reopens. On the first of this month, Miss Webb, who has Been four years ■its an assistant m this school, left for Kaitangata, where she has been ap"pOinted to a better position. I am ' very sorry to lose her as she is thoroughly capable. The epidemic has been the cause of work being done at ♦home. At first we received 50 to 60 pjer. dent, of the work, but latterly we are receiving 90 per cent. I draw your attention to a circular sent out by the Department, and upon which we, as teachers, have to act. This refers to those who do not hand m any «ork. On Monday, 30th March, Inspector Service visited the school. A6 winter is drawing nigh, I should Mice to have coal and wood supplied. From* the annual report of the Teachers' Institute, I understand the cost of electric installation m the residence is being borne by the Board. -^ Adopted. The Chairman was empowered to ••order the necessary coal and firewood. The Circular letter from the Education Board regarding . the work assigned to the pupils was read, the Chairman remarking that the teachers weFe assisting the children m every way possible. The fact was emphasised- that unless pupils did the work sent out by the Board, promotion would not follow.— The Headmaster . mentioned that 10 per cent, of those irr. the local school were not doing the work, and according to the regulations eet down by the Board he had no other option m the matter.