EDUCATION BOARD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 131, 26 July 1911, Page 5

EDUCATION BOARD.

MONTH! Y MEET I NG. The monthly meeting of the 'laranaki Education Board was held hist night. Present: Messrs, o as. Wade (chairman), G. A. Axllam, J. ioung, W. C. Cargill, H. Trimble, W. Rogers, A. H. Halcombe, W. L. Kennedy, and A. Morton. Chairman’s Report. The Chairman reported that the various matters referred to him had been attended to as far as lie had been aide to get the services of the overseer. It was found necessary to have a stove placed in the room in tlio Stratford Technical School for the comfort of the primary class now being conducted tnere. When the workmen began to remove the debris from the late lire, other office accommodation had to be found for Mr. Tyrer, and the difficulty was got over by connecting the telephone with his residence. The matter of moving the shelter shed at Stratford was overlooked 'at tiie last meeting of the Board. The foreman being on the ground with his men, the Chairman thought it advisable to have the work done to clear the site for the now

building. It would be for the Board to consider later on as to whether this should bo charged to the Department or not. The matter of calling tenders for the supply of seasoned timber was still held in abeyance, and it would be necessary for the Board to give further instructions.

The following appointments had been made :—Makahu, sole teacher, Miss I. Edwards; Waited, sole teacher, Miss J. Fraser; Rowan, sole teacher, Miss A... Brogan; Midhirst, temporary assistant, Miss M. Fowler; centra], temporary assistant, Mrs. M. Harvey; Hillsborough, temporary assistant, Miss T. Sutton ; Inglewood, pupil-teacher, Miss'N. Kerr-Hislop ; Waitara, pupil-teacher, Miss M. Fleming. Flnanco Gosnmitteo’s Report. The Finance Committee reported on matters referred to them and arising out of correspondence received since last meeting, as follows:—ingiewoed Technical School.—That the necessary linoleum for the cookery room will be supplied on application to the director. Midhirst.—That the committee be authorised to get half of the dividing fence erected between the residance and Mr. Brown’s property, and to,have the fence attended to generally. Kina.—That the letter of the 12th inst. from the Kina committee be referred to Mr. Young with power to act. That the Board cahnot see its way to make a grant for the formation of a track and bridges on the Derby Road, but has referred the matter to the Public Works Department. Waiongona.—That the application from the Waiomgona committee for new gates, etc., ho referred to the chairman, with power to act. That a couple of wood and coal radiators be procured for trial in back blocks schools where there, are no fireplaces; that the foreman be empowered to let several cf the bathrooms by contract in order to expedite their construction, and that he draw out plans and estimates for additions to the Norfolk and Urenui residences, and apply to the Department for a grant. Truant Inspector's Report. Mr. A. Hooker, truant inspector, reported that during the quarter ended June 30th, he posted fifty notices for non-attendance, and personally called on a great number of parents and explained the necessity for sending children regularly to school. He had issued 47 summonses for irregular attendance, and had gained 20 convictions. Two cases had been withdrawn, and 16 still remained to lie heard.' Fines amounted to £3 7s. Mr. Hooker drew attention to the need for greater caution being used in the issue of exemption certificates. Technical Education. The organiser, Mr. F. J. Heatley, reported:— (Stratford. —The first term closed during the month. Continuation classes in Latin, English, mathematics and Engfisn are being carried on, and special classes in dressmaking, drawing, and bookkeeping. Of these, dressmaking and bookkeeping will likely run a second term. Of the affiliated classes, the dairy classes at Midhirst and Ngaire have finished their terms. The Toko wool class has also finished its term, and arrangements have been made to take up a class at • Kohuratahi. In view of the new interest in utility poultry, it is possible that arrangements may be made to form a class in that subject. Inglewood.—The bookkeeping class is finished, and is not likely to be gone on with. This seems a pity. Miss Dempsey’s class continues to bo popular. Negotiations are in hand for wool 4 classes at Tarata and vicinity, to start next month. Lectures have bean given by Major Young in the' neighbourhood to farmers. I also had a meeting of farmers and others with a view to forming a dairywork class. Several names were given in, and the class should be going shortly. New Plymouth.—The session closed

with the number of students given in my last report. The different nights for drill cause a difficulty to some would-be students, hence steps l ave been taken towards having our male students under 18 allotted to a unit connected with the college. The names of those liable to service have been forwarded to tho area sergeant, so that when the allotment takes place our students may be able to drill together at convenient times. \ With regard to the enforcing of tho compulsory attendance at continuation classes, subject to by-laws made by each Board to suit its own conditions, I submit a synopsis of tho bylaws of various Scottish school boards, copies of which were lent by the Department for perusal. These deal chiefly with time and hours of attendance, exemptions, etc. The report was adopted, and tho re-

commendations regarding compulsory attendance at continuation classes v ill be further considered by a committee of the Board.