SCHOOL COMMITTEES

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 79, 29 June 1928, Page 5

SCHOOL COMMITTEES

TARANAKI ASSOCIATION.

THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE,

The annual conference of the Taranaki School Committees Association was held in Stratford yesterday. Mr. J. Garcia, president, occupied the chair, and other delegates present were: Mrs. S. G. Bobdnson, Messrs. W. Hoskiu, J. Sorrenson and A. E. Moss (Stratjford), Kleinian (Waimata), AVinthrop (Tuna), Mundt (Kaimiro), Newing (Westown), Smith, Turner, Coleman (Central), Tyrrell, Farguhar (Rahotu), llev. Gillespie (Okato), Mr. 1. M. Amery (.secretary). Also present were Messrs SG. Smith, chairman of the Taranaki Education Board, Rev. Canon Kayll at Mr. Dempsey, members of the Board, Mr- Insull, secretary, Mr. Moore, architect, and Mr. McKenzie, chief inspector. In moving the adoption of the annual report, a copy of which lias previously appeared in the ‘‘Post”, the president said’ the year had been a quiet one for the Association. During the past year the Association'had devoted much attention to the proposal to centralis© control of education in the Education Department in Wellington. This movement had been dropped for the present, hut tli© Association must still be vigilent on the matter- The thanks of the Association were due to the Taranaki Education Board. In some districts the committees had to fight the Brhrd, hut in Taranaki, if the committees put up a good cause they could depend on the active cooperation of tlie Board. The report was adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERSMr. Garcia declined nomination as president, ias Ihe 'was no longer a member of a committee. Mr. F. A. Coleman u<as elected to the position. The following vice-presidents' were elected: Messrs. AM. Hoskin (Stratford), J. Klenner (Inglewood), AVakefield (Whangamomona), AM- H. Nosworthy (AVaitara), SUrquhar (Rahotu), S. G. Smith, AY. H. Jones (New Plymouth), Rev.' Gillespie (Okato). The following committee was elected: Messrs. R- Parkin (Bell Block), Newing (AVestown), J. 0 1 . Turner (Central), J. Burn (Fitzroy;, A.' B. Mackie (Motorua).

Mr. T. M. Araery .whs re-elected secretary, and Mr. 0. Waters auditor. ONE-TEACHER SCHOOLS. Canon Kayll moved the following remit standing in the name of the Huinga committee: That in (those cases where the attendance at one teacher schools is near the margin, the Board ho tasked to exercise moie elasticity and endeavour to send .a temporary assistant teacher, so that the Primmer Classes would get that attention which is so vitally necessary. Onion Kayll said the Board desired to d.o anything possible to increase efcfficiency. but had no power to do as requested. He asked leave to amend the remit, so that the request would be made to the Department, The remit was carriedCONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS. Mr Smith moved, on behalf of the Waitaanga committee; That the conference discuss the question of consevientious objectors to military training being employed to teach m schools. Mr Smith said an objector had boon appointed teacher at the Wlutaanga School, and the parents had said that if the appointment was cou-

firmed they would not send their children to the school. Happily, the teacher concerned had withdrawn his application. Mr Avery thought that those who enjoyed the protection' of the laws should take their part in upholding them. Mr Moss moved that the conference deprecate the appointment of any objector to a position where the youth of the country would come under his personal control. This was carriedSTAFFING SYSTEM.. Stratford, Rahotu and Tututawa committees forwarded the following remit: That the staffing, of schools be based on the roll number, instead of, as at present, on the average attendance. ; Mr Hoskin moved the remit. Mr Smith thought more discretion should be allowed to Boards. There should not be so many rigid regulations. The remit was canned. DENTAL CLINIC. Matiere committee forwarded ,tbe following remit: That the urgent necessity of establishing a dental clinic in the Ohura district be placed before the Department, as the hickblock children, have not the facilities of the town schools. After a short discussion the remit Was adopted.

MARRIED TEACHERS. Mr Coleman moved, on behalf of the Central Committee; That the Minister ofi Education he urged to give Education Board’s greater discretionary powers in the appointment of married women telichens. Mr Smith said the Board had at present no discretion. He thought that if the Boards had discretion in the matter, the resentment at present in evidence would disappear. The remit was carried. HELP FOR DENTAL NURSES. Mr Smith moved, on behalf of the West End committee; That whilst appreciating the valuable work of dental nurses, representations he made to 'proviclG. more assistance. The remit was carried. SIZE OF CLASSES. The chairman moved, on behalf of tne executive; That this Conference is in accord with the New Zealand Teachers’ Institute with regard to the necessity of smaller clUsses, and that the Minister of Education) he written to asking that such steps as are possible be taken to give of-j feet to their recommendations. The remit was canned without discussion., , CAPITATION ON SWIMMING. Mr Coleman moved, on behalf of the executive; “That the Education Department he urged to again introduce the capitation on swimming. MV Moss opposed the remit, on the ground that tne conference was making requests to the Government winch would involve much expenditure qi money, and that it was not right at the same time to make a request lor expenditure which, would benefit only certain schools. The remit was carried.

AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION. Mr Amery moved, on behalf of the executive: That the Minister of Education he asked to. give an assurance thht the control of instructors ot agriculture in public schools be not taken out of the hands of Education B Mr Smith said it would be a bad day for New Zealand when the control of education passed to Departmental officers —it would do away with tdie present excellent system of peisonal local touch with educational mattons In 1016 the Taranaki Eduoa lion Hoard was the only body in Taranaki except the Neu Plymouth High School Board- Now, by various means, the governing bodies had been greatly multiplied, and he S aw no reason why ,<> ne boC ! J should not he created which would control all educational matters m province. The remit was carried.