EDUCATION BOARD.

Otago Witness, Issue 3993, 23 September 1930, Page 51

EDUCATION BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The monthly meeting of the Otago Education Board was opened on Wednesday The chairman (Mr J. Wallace) presided, and the members present were: Messrs P. M'Kinlay. J. Smith. J. H. Wilkinson. G. Livingstone. D. T. Fleming. M.L.C.. W. M. Cooper. W. R. Brugh, J. Horn, and R. H. Todd. SUBSIDIES. The Green Island Committee applied for a subsidy for completing the improvement of school grounds, which included a protective concrete wall and drainage The estimated total cost was £7O. The committee agrees to give up to £3o.— The matter was held over pending a decision whether a department subsidy was available. The Waitahuna Committee applied for a subsidy for draining and gravelling. The estimated total cost was £l5. —Referred to the architect for a report. SCHOOL IMPROVEMENTS. The Totara Committee asked for a supply of material for repairing the tennis court. The estimated cost was £3. —The architect considered that the club should pay the whole cost, as the work was not particularly necessary for the sake of the children.—lt was decided to inform the committee of the architect's recommendation. The Milburn Committee applied for repairs to the spouting and the chimney at the residence. It also asked for a new tank.—The architect reported that al] the work was necessary, and he recommended that it be carried out at a cost of £l5. —Granted.

_ The Clyde Committee forwarded a petition signed by J. S. Hull and 23 other residents asking for improvements in the sanitary conditions at the school. The committee stated that the signatures to the petition represent only 16 of the scholars and recommend that as the matter bad already been considered by the board, the architect be asked to inspect the sanitary arrangements in company with the committee when he visited the district.—The committee's recommendation was adopted. OTUREHUA CONSOLIDATION.

The Becks, St. Bathans, and Blackstone Hill Committees intimated that they were not in favour of the Oturehua consolidation scheme. The letters were referred to the subcommittee dealing with the matter. SCHOOL HOLIDAYS.

The following school holidays for 1931 were approved:— First Term. —Saturday, Maj* 9, to Monday. May 25. Second Term. —Saturday, August 22 to Monday, September 7. Christmas Holidays.—Saturday, December 19, to Monday, February 1, 1932. The Christmas vacation for the current year is from Friday, December 19, to Monday, February 2. SCHOOL COMMISSIONER. As Mr M’Millan had resigned from the office of commissioner at Pukerangi, Mr K. Jopp was appointed to fill his place. SECOND DAY. The meeting was concluded on Thursday morning. The chairman (Mr J. Wallace) presided. RESIGNATIONS AND APPOINTMENTS. The following resignations were accepted:—Norman M. Tyrrell, headmaster. Benhar; Gertrude E. Beresford, sole teacher, Dunrobin; Richard Johnston, sole teacher, Fuchsia Creek; Ena A. Govan, sole teacher, Kuriwao; Hazel York, sole teacher, Avenal Household; Alma Scott, sole teacher, Tarras Household; Margaret M. Nelson, assistant, Caversham; James W. Nesbit, assistant, Moray Place; Beryl E. Sincock, assistant, Mornington; Gwen Pearce, assistant. St. Leonards; Dorothy A. Wylie, assistant, Totara; Henry P. Glen, sub.-assistant, Mornington; Frances V. Finlayson, instructress in domestic science; Muriel A. Sutherland, assistant, Mauugatua. The following appointments were confirmed:—William O’Connor, headmaster, Balclutha; James Lenihan, headmaster, Kensington; Jameg William Nesbit, headmaster, Concord; Marjorie E. Abel, sole teacher, Island Cliff; Muriel A. Sutherland, sole teacher, Luggate; lan E. Terry, sole teacher, Tarara; James W. Hook, sole teacher, Waihola; Margaret M. Nelson, first assistant. Concord; Beryl E Sincock, thirteenth assistant, Forbury; Frances E. Reid, sixth assistant, Kaitangata; Henry William Black, first (sec.) assistant, Mosgiel D.H.; Dorothy A. Wylie, tenth assistant, Musselburgh; Constance F. Connors, eleventh assistant, North-East Valley; Winifred M. Lauren, assistant, Tahakopa; Mary B. Thomson, fifth assistant, Tokomairiro D.H. The transfer of Norman M. Tyrrell from Benhar to the position of headmaster at Waitati was approved. ATTENDANCE OFFICER’S REPORT. The attendance officer reported for the month ended September 15 that with the re-opening of the schools (September 9) after the spring term holidays, the weather conditions had been very much against a good opening attendance. During the week, however, the numbers had improved considerably, and as far as the city and suburban schools were concerned there was every indication that the illness which had been prevailing was now practically diminished. Sufficient time had not yet elapsed to have received many reports from the country schools since the re-opening. The attendance at Kurow, Naseby, and Dunback was still slightly affected. The new enrolments generally made at this time of the year in the infant departments had been fairly satisfactory. SECOND TERM ATTENDANCE.

The secretary submitted the following report:— The attendance returns for the second term ended August 22, 1930, show that at the end of the term there were 249 schools in operation in this district. The figures for the term are given below in comparison with the figures for the second term of 1929:— De1930. 1929. crease. Roll number at end

of term 20,485 20,740 255 Average weekly roll number _. . 20,462 20,651 189 Average attendance 18,652 18,686 34 Percentage of attendance 91.15 p.c 90.49 p.e. . Increase 0.66 p.c. The Puketiro School was closed during the term. The chairman said that it was difficult to account for the decrease in the average roll. The same thing applied al] over New Zealand. It was pleasing to note, however, that the average attendance was increasing. SUBSIDIES. The secretary reported with respect to the Palmerston School that as the department had approved of a subsidy of £4l 13s 4d for new boundary fences, it was for the board to decide, whether it would grant up to £25 for the work. The architect estimated the total cost at £lOB 6s Bd, of which the committee was finding £4l 13s 4d.—lt was decided to grant a subsidy of £25, to be provided for in next year’s allocations.

The Hillend Committee applied for a subsidy for top-dressing the drill square and paths. The committee asked for tai and sand, to cost, say, £9, and it agreed to do the work. —Referred to the architect.

The Roxburgh Committee applied for a subsidy for improving the playground, the estimated total cost being £lo.—Held over. The Portobello Committee applied for a subsidy for improving the grounds, the estimated cost being £l2.—Held over. CONVEYANCE OF CHILDREN;

The Education Department forwarded a request from Mr V. A. Fenwick, of Butcher’s Gully, that the Earnscleugh conveyance make a detour to pick up his children. Failing this, a suggestion was made that the Fruitlands children be conveyed to Alexandra . and the Fenwicks could then travel by that conveyance. A copy of a letter written to the Minister by Mr W. A. Bodkin, M.P., in support of the request was enclosed. The chairman took exception to the fact that Mr Bodkin had approached the Minister and not the board, which, he said, did all it could for country children.

It was decided to communicate with the Fruitlands Committee suggesting that the children from that school should be conveyed to Alexandra. CAPITATION PAYMENTS.

The Education Department, in reply to remits from the Schools’ Committees’ Association, stated, in regard to the request that capitation be paid on the roll number, that it was regretted that nothing could be done during this financial year. The charging of subscriptions to the committee’s general fund would apparently require legislation. The letter was received. LEITH VALLEY SCHOOL. An application was received from Upper Leith Valley settlers for the conveyance of children from the Saddle to the school, ft was stated that there were six at present and that there would be eight next year. After a brief discussion it was decided to write to the Leith Valley Committee stating that in the opinion of the board it would be advisable to close the school and convey the children to the nearest town school. GENERAL. The tender of Mr Thomas Green (£3 2s 6d per annum) for the use of the glebe at Kakanui was accepted. The lowest tender for the conveyance of the Spylaw Valley children to Heriot was that of Walker Bros, for the sum of £1 9s per school day.—Letters were received from residents in connection with the conveyance, and finally the whole question was left in the hands of the sub-commit-tee dealing with it. Further letters dealing with Oturehua consolidation were referred to the subcommittee which has the matter in hand.