EDUCATION BOARD.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume III, Issue 857, 8 November 1916, Page 7

EDUCATION BOARD.

TO-DAY'S MEETING. The Canterbury Education Board met to-day, there being present: —Messrs C. 11. Opie (chairman), C. S. Howard, J. Grimmond, J. Maze, G. W. Armitagc, J. Jamieson, W. M. Hamilton, W. A. Banks, 11. J. Bignell, T. W. Adams, A. Prcvcrill, and E. 11. Andrews. APPOINTMENTS COMMITTEE.

The Appointments Committee recommended the following appointments:—Otaio, Mrs A. M. Criglington, mistress; Port Levy, Miss A. Tizard, mistress; St. Albans, Miss L. Gray, assistant mistress; St. Andrews, Miss B. E. Fenwick, assistant unstress; Sumner, Miss 0. Hanham, assistant mistress; Sydenham, Miss E. Bean, assistant mistress; femuka, Miss M. Proudlock, assistant mistress; Winchmore, Miss L. Charles, mistress; Christchurch East, Miss L. Munro, temoprary assistant till end of year.

The following leaves of absence owing to illness were granted:—Addington, Miss R. Morgan, a week; Alford Forest, Miss 11. I. Treacy, two weeks; Belfast, Miss A. I. Webb, extension of a month; Callaghans, Miss I. A. Campbell, additional month (without salary); Duvauchelles Bay: Miss C. E. Macintosh, additional (without salary); New Brighton, Mr W. J. Joyce, a week; St. Albans, Miss M. M. Newman, a month; Somerfield, Mrs M. F. Menzies, two weeks; Templeton, Miss R. Buchanan, additional two months; Woolston, Miss M. Ditford, three weeks. The following resignations were received and accepted:—Arundel, Miss S. Buckett, mistress (recently appointed); Opawa, Miss D. Hanham, assistant mistress; Richmond, Mr J. W. Connell, assistant master; Ruatapu, Miss I. M. Fraser, assistant mistress; Lyttelton, Miss L. Gray, assistant mistress.

A report was received from the board's truant officer (Christchurch) to the effect that the attendance had improved considerably, and that in several schools it had regained normal conditions. One hundred and forty-three ordinary notices had been issued to parents and in 32 cases final notices had been sent out. A letter was received from the Hornby committee applyirg for an addition to the staff. The average being one unit below the minimum entitling average it was agreed to submit the case to the department and to recommend that in the circumstances (illness among the children), the board be authorised to engage an additional assistant until the end of the year. The committee recommended that the senior inspector's suggestion that a summer school in agriculture be held on the West Coast receive the board's favourable consideration.

The report was adopted. FINANCE COMMITTEE

The Finance Committee recommended that the department be asked to let the board know exactly how much of the grant for buildings is for the reinstatement of old schools, as without this information the board is unable to base its future financial policy; that the Government be urged to make an advance of £2455 9/10 to cover the old board's liabilities in connection with the purchase of school sites; that it be a recommendation to the board that in future no new sites be purchased unless funds are available; that in the opinion of the committee the department should grant the full cost of all school sites, whether of new sites or additional, the purchase of which may be necessary in the interests of the several schools; that as the department is now in possession of the audited balance-sheets of the several old boards, the Minister be asked what proposals he intends to make in order to place the new board on a sound financial basis. A statement of the estimated receipts and expenditure on the general account for the ensuing 12 months was submitted. This statement, which was adopted, showed an approximate credit balance of £lB5.

A telegram was received from the Director of Education, stating that there was no authority to increase the grant to the board beyond what was provided by the eighth schedule to the Act.

A letter from the department, intimating a grant of £403 10/(5 towards additions to the Anama, Glentunnel, and New Brighton Schools was read and received.

The reported was adopted BUILDINGS.

The Buildings Committee reported that the Ashburton School Committee had asked the board to fix a site and proceed with the erection of a new school. II was decided to reply that the school would be erected oil the domain site, and, if not, on the infant school site.

The department wrote, risking the board to improve the desk accommodation in its schols. A reply had been sent to the effect that up-to-date desks were being supplied as fast as money became available.

The Shirley Committee wrote, staling that it had instructed the headmaster not to enrol further scholars. The committee had been

informed thai (lie board could nol approve of the action.

The West Christchureh Committee had forwarded suggestions for the erection of a. new school, and j the proposals had been handed to the architect for a report. A report had been received from j Messrs Bignell and (irinunond on the requirements of the Blackball, Runanga, and Cobden School.. Mr Jamieson dealt at length with I the requirements of the West Coast I schools, saying that a special list would he prepared for submission I to the Minister on the matter. The chairman said that he did not; think the Buildings Committee apparently understood the Shirley position. He thought that in view of the fact that the school accommodation was for only 300 pupils, and there were now 405, it would be a scandal to condemn the Shirley j Committee's action in not taking more pupils. It was decided to amend the report i in the direction of approving of the School Committee's action. CORRESPONDENCE.

Mr P. H. Goodsir wrote, reporting the death at the front of his son, R. K. Goodsir, who held a Gammack scholarship. A vote of condolence was carried by the board. The board's solicitor wrote, stating that candidates outside North Canterbury are qualified to compete for the Gammack Scholarship. The matter was referred to the Appointments Committee to make the necessary alterations to the regulations.