OTAGO EDUCATION BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3293, 25 April 1917, Page 15

OTAGO EDUCATION BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Otago Education Board, hold on the 18th, Teas attended by Messrs D. T. Fleming (chairman), J->-Borrie, W. R. Brugh, J. Wallace, R. H. Todd, J. H. Wilkinson, P. M'Kinlay, and J. Horn. WORKS. An application for a subsidy of £6 2s 3d, half cost of asphalting at Tokomairiro, was granted. Tho architect was instructed to report on applications for repairs at Waiwora, Tuapßka West, Ngapuna, and Waikoikoi. NEW SCHOOL ASKED I'OB. A petition was received from Mr William B. M'Kegg and 22 other residents of the Papatowai district, asking for tho establishment of a school in their midst.—The matter was deferred _ till next meeting to enable further inquiries to be made, BEDUCIXQ SCHOOL STAFFS. The Chairman explained tho regulations adopted last August, tightening up the conditions governing the reduction of school staffs consequent upon a decrease in average attendance. The regulations had the dual object of reducing expenditure and of meeting the difficulty created by the shortage of teachers by allotting more work to those remaining. It seemed to him that in one teacher schools the new regulations would very seriously handicap teachers. In Brighton, for instance, hitherto there had been two teachers carrying on with about 30 children, and now that the attendance went up to 36 one teacher would have to do all the work. It could not be done. He thought in this partioular case the board would be wise to continue the existing arrangements. The Secretary said he did not think there was the slightest chance of Brighton regaining its two teachers before the end of the year. The operations of theso amended regulations will necessitate the withdrawal at the end nf June of assistant teachers now employed at Strath Taieri, Stirling, Maungatua, Brighton, and Coal Creek. Tho first two of these schools have now three teachers. The others have each two teachers, and will accordingly have to be taught for the remainder of the year by a sole teacher. In compliance with the department's requirements, it wa3 decided to give three months' notice of termination of appointment to the following:—Miss Margaret BlackifV first assistant and acting head teacher, Ooal Creek; Miss M. G. R. Bonnin! first assistant, Maungatua; Miss Q. I. Taylor, second assistant, Stirling; Miss V. G. Sinclair, first assistant. Brighton, With reference to Brighton and Coal Creek, on tho motion of Mr Wallace it was decided to make inquiries as to the reason of the decreased attendance, and if a good case could be made out, the chairman was empowered to make representations to the department to have the existing conditions continued. It was decided to continue Miss 0. A. Blaikie as pupil teacher at Strath Taieri School, her salary to bo paid by the board. It was decided to call for applications for the position of second assistant at the Weston School, where another assistant has become necessary owing to increased averago attendance. GENERAL. Tho board acceded to the request of the Eduoational Institute to send to school committees the usual oircular inviting them to close their schools for mid-winter vacation during Winter Show week, beginning on May 28. Messrs Skene and Fleming intimated the following result of tho school pansy competition:—Benhar, 96 points, 1; Kia Ora, 95 points, 2. The meeting of the Otago Education Board held on the 19th was attended by Messrs D. T. Fleming (chairman), D. Borrie, W. R. Brugh, J. Wallace, J. Smith, J. Horn, R. H. Todd, J. H. Wilkinson, and P. M'Kinlay. RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS. The following resignations were accepted: Mrs iSybil A. Chapman, sole teacher, Hillend; Victoria D. E. Lambert, sole teacher, Nugget Point; Margaret L. M'Mullin, solo teacher, Pounawea; Agnes Main, sole teacher, Waronui; Mrs Beatrice Turner, solo teacher, Wharakuri; Annie Dunn, sole teacher, Wharotoa; Emily Webber, first assistant, Hawea- Flat; Ellon G. Islip, first assistant, Ranfurly; Mrs Donella O. Little, second assistant, Moray Place; Mrs Annie N. Crisp (nee Cox), secondary assistant, Palmerston D.H.; Richard Holt, messenger, board's office.

The following appointments were mado: Linda Macdonald, sole teacher, Kakapuaka, vice Reba R. G. M. Espie, resigned; Mrs Donella O. Little, second assistant. Albany Street, vice Caroline E. Little, resigned; Vera G. M'Lean, sole teacher, Mount Stuart, vice Rcnata V. Anderson, transferred ; Winifred M. L. Bonnin, third assistant, Ravensbourne, vice Ella B. Hutton, promoted; Ellen C. Islip, temporary junior assistant, Musselburgh (new appointment); Ruth K. Chapman, sole teacher, Kauroo Hill, vice Grace M. Connor, resigned j Annie Dunn, third assistant, secondary department, Balclutha D.H. (new appointment). SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS. A protest was received from nine householders against the legality of the recent school committee election at Merton, on the ground that the chairman failed to exercise his casting vote. Thero were three ties for the last position, and the chairman, instead of giving a casting vote, submitted it again to the ballot. The petitioners included the chairman himself.—The board decided to dcclaro the election void. Mr J. Connolly wrote asking that the Hydo School Committee election bo declared void, as insufficient notification had been given the residents that the election was taking place.—The board decided that there was not sufficient grounds to upset the election. The recommendation of the George Street School Committee that Mr James Taylor bo apointcd to fill the vacancy on the committee was approved. May 21 was fixed as the date for tho fresh election whore committees have not been elected. PHOI'OSED NEW SCHOOLS. Mr (Smith reported with reference to the application for a new school on the Douglas Estato, Upper Clydevalc, that tho proposed site was only one milo and a-half from the Tuapcka Mouth School, though thero was a punt across tho river.- 1 -Tho board agreed that thcrO was no use making application to tho department in the circumstances, and tho application was declined. Mr J. Campbell (Papatowai) waited on the

board to support an application for the establishment of a new school at Papatowai. There were 27 children close to the site of the proposed school. Some had now to go about four miles to Tahakopa, where there were about 50 scholars, and tho school was full. A man who had boen driving seven children to school said ho could not continue to do so, and that meant the children could not go. They could start with 27 children in the new school at once. Twentyono of theso were attending other schools now. Mr Campbell said the settlers would give tho board every assistance in the work of building the school. He would give 2000 ft of timber towards it.—Tho Chairman said he thought tho Papatowai settlers had a fairly good case. —Tho matter was referred to the chairman and the architect to report. A letiet was reoeived from the newly appointed 6chOol committee at MaruakoA, explaining the temporary drop In the roll from 12 to seven, and expressing the belief that they could soon have a flourishing school at Five Forks. —Inspector Hendry reported that a school at Five Forks must draw its pupils largely from already existing schools, Elderslie and Kauroo Hill suffering most severely. As the present arrangements provided fairly adequate facilities for all the children in the district ho recommended that these arrangements be continued, and that in the meantimo no steps be taken to erect a sohool at Five Forks.—The board resolved that circumstances did not justify tho making of an application to the department for a new school. GENERAL. Accounts amounting to £13,085 17s 9d were passed for payment. The board adopted the following resolution on tho motion of Mr M'Kinlay, seconded by Mr Wilkinson: —"The board again urges upon the department the desirability of allowing capitation for conveyance in respect of children riding to school on horses or bicycles." A counter petition was received from Thomas Hammond and 18 other householders in the Merton district protesting against the proposed removal of the Merton School to a site about a mile further north. It was pointed, out that the petitioners Represented six present and six prospective pupils of the school. The chairman of the late school committee wrote stating that the committee had no opinion to offer on the subject. The communications were received, and the clerk was instructed to inquire what arrangements would be made for driving pupils that had to go more than three miles to the school. The Education Department wrote suggesting that Training College students who had completed their courses and_ were now on active service should receive permanent appointments under the board entitling them to join the superannuation fund. The department's view Was that ex-students who went on active service should be placed in as favourable a position for length of service on the superannuation fund asif they had not joined the Expeditionary Forces. —The secretary said that about a score of Otago men would be affected by the proposal. The board approved of it, and the chairman was empowered to make the necessary adjustments.