EDUCATION BOARD.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 8, 20 December 1911, Page 5

EDUCATION BOARD.

MONTHLY MEETING. The usual meeting of the Taranaki , Education Board was held at tin Board’s office last night, when then were present: Messrs H. Trim Jilt (chairman), G. A. Adlam, J. Young. Rev. McArthur, W. Rogers, A. IT. Halcombc, W. AlcL. Kennedy, and A. Alorton. Technical Classes. Mr W. A. Ballantyno, Director ol Technical Education, recommends tha: the following amounts ho paid to in strnetors:—l). E.' Hutton, teachers’ class, Stratford, £0; J. Thomas, do., £1 10s; F. J. Heatley, do., £-4 10s; F. J. Heatley, teachers’ classes, New Plymouth, £2 os; Airs Fama, dressmaking, Opunake, £5; Aliss Dempsey, dressmaking, New Plymouth and Tariki, £l2; Aid. Hutton, third term, drawing, £ll 8s; Air J. R. Sullivan, Commercial Kuglisli, 10s; Mr Gray, incidental expenses, Opunake, 10s Id. In addition he recommended that a bonus of £2O to paid to Mr Tyrer, superintendent of the Stratford classes, a bonus of £lO, to Air Sullivan, superintendent at Now Plymouth, and a bonus of £lO to Air Fred Bowler in connection with the instruction of the rural classes at Stratford. Ho considered that Aliss McDonald and Air Sandford. instructors in cookery and woodwork respectively, wore deserving of higher remuneration foi their services, and advised that from January 1, 101*2, Aliss McDonald’s salary bn raised to £l2O, and Air Sandford’s to £lB5 per annum. The report was adopted, and the suggestions agreed to on the motion of Alcssrs Adlam and 'Halcombe. Air F. J. Heatley submitted the following report on technical organisation; Since last meeting Chief Inspector Brown visited New Plymouth, and i?! conversing on technical matters the possibility of day classes in commercial, domes! ic and industrial subjects war, mentioned. Air Heatley appended a circular to bo sent out,to schools in order that the Board might know what support would be forthcoming. A /ftdl report on the agricultural classes and on technical matters would be submitted through the director at the January meeting of the Board.— Adopted. Radnor Road. The chairman reported that on November 27 ho met at Stratford a deputation from the Radnor road settlers m reference to their request for the establishment of a school on the road, It seemed to him that this was a case in which the children ought to bo conveyed to* the Midhirst school, hut the sum allowed, by the Department, which would a’mount to 6s (id per day, was quite inadequate when it was considered that some of the children would have to ho taken live miles, making for the double journey, morning and evening, a twenty miles

drive. A few of the children now went across the paddocks to Pembroke. The nearest school was Denbigh, which could he easily readied if Derby Road was opened. Proposals for opening it had been made several times, but so/far had failed owing to want of unanimity, and also because the Government would not grant a subsidy; nevertheless the settlers lie met were confident t-nat tlie road would eventually bo opened. They discussed the erection of footbridges across the Pi ah an and To; Popo streams, but' it was considered that even with, these the road itself would be too wet for small children, except in very fine weather. Under these circumstances he recommended that a temporary school should be opened in a large room in Mr John Vicker’s house, at a rental of 5s per week. The school would be closed when the Derby Road was opened. Mr Kennedy suggested that they should apply to the Board for a grant for this school, as they had tried all hey could to get the road opened up. Mr Ballantyne (inspector) suggestthat a further attempt should be m 1 o to get the Department to make a track. He understood that a sixfont track, with a ditch each side, high and dry, including necessary bridges, could bo made for £7O. Tim system of forming such tracks from one road to another would obviate the necessity for so many small schools, and in a larger school under more competent teachers the children would receive better educational facilities. He considered some member of the Board should interview the Department on the matter. Members were of opinion that the suggestion was worthy of consideration.

It was resolved, on the motion of Messrs Kennedy and Ilalcombe, that the report be received and adopted, and that application be made to the Department for recognition of the school.

General.

Tbs following teachers wore granted leave of absence owing to illness: Misses Fleming and Bailey (West End) and Miss Hall (Midhirst). In answer to the request from the Hniakama School Committee it was resolved that the Board would grant the committee the sum of £1 10s towards the cost of repairing the school fence. The Board decided to grant the Toko School Committee the sum of £7 10s towards improvements that are being carried out in the school grounds. The Board passed for payment the cum of £5, being £ for £ on cost of erecting porch, etc., promised to Kina Road School, and also £5 7s, cost of fencing.