EDUCATION BOARD

Southland Times, Issue 22333, 26 May 1934, Page 6

EDUCATION BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING. RATIONS OF MILK AT SCHOOLS. At the monthly meeting of the Southland Education Board yesterday morning the chairman (Mr S. Rice) presided over Messrs H. Smith, W. Bell, P.A. de la Perrelle, F. G. Stevenson and J. Campbell. Miss H. McMaster, teacher at the McNab School wrote stating that regarding the question of Bible in Schools in the McNab School, the committee was willing that this instruction be continued and she had arranged with Miss Esther Craigie, of McNab, to carry it out. She thought it might be advisable for her to communicate with the board regarding this arrangement which she trusted would be permissable, at least until a permanent teacher was appointed. It was decided to approve of Miss McMaster’s action. The chairman gave notice of motion that the last resolution regarding visits to schools by members of the police force be rescinded so that there would be no conflict with the police regulations.! “I have been assured that the police will visit the schools in plain clothes and that they will be most tactful, so that no child will be alarmed by the appearance of a police officer,” he said. “We realize, of course, that there is sometimes a necessity for them to visit a school when they are in a hurry to secure evidence.” It was decided on the motion of Mr Stevenson that a telegram be sent to the Minister of Education asking for a reply in connection with the legality of the City Corporation in charging water rates for the Invercargill schools. Dr. E. K. Abbott (School Medical Officer) stated in the course of her monthly report that the milk scheme which was started at the beginning of the term had been successfully carried out although, owing to sickness, many of these children had been away for some time and the milk had then been given to other deserving cases. It was hoped to continue supplies throughout the year. A letter on the subject was also received from the Southland Hospital Board. “At the last meeting of the Southland Hospital Board a resolution was adopted directing the secretary to approach the Southland Education Board, Department of Health, Local Authorities and others interested in ascertaining whether it would be possible, in joint co-operation with this board, to inaugurate some scheme whereby the children attending the primary schools in Southland might be provided with a daily ration of fresh milk,” wrote the secretary of the Southland Hospital Board (Mr T. Pry de). “The value of fresh milk as an ideal food for children is recognized by all authorities, and with a view to assisting to build up a healthy race of young people and at the same time encourage more local consumption of milk and milk foods and thus assist the dairy farmer,” the letter continues. “My board feels that the different organizations interested in the welfare and health of our future citizens should be able to devise some workable scheme whereby a more general consumption of milk may be encouraged to the ultimate benefit of all concerned.” The difficulty attaching to the question of finance was raised by a board member. It was decided to approve of the holding of a meeting between representatives of the bodies interested, and Messrs Stevenson and W. Grieve were appointed to represent the Education Board.