LOCAL AND GENERAL

Sun (Christchurch), Volume V, Issue 1293, 5 April 1918, Page 5

LOCAL AND GENERAL

» The Mayor acknowledges receipt of £2O from the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association and £lO from Mr A. \V. Rutherford as contributions to the fund for relief of sufferers by the Eaetihi bush fires. The concert at the Art Gallery this evening will be given by Mrs H. B. Smith's Pom Pom Pierrots. Mrs Holland and the staff of the Lady Liverpool depot will be the hostess, but all the proceeds will be handed to the Bed Cross Fund. At the meeting of the Education Board to-day it was reported that the Kindergarten Committee had applied to the board for the board's architect to be permitted to draw plans for the new kindergarten school that is to be erected at Phillipstown. It was decided to comply with the request. The truant officer for the Canterbury district, Mr Blank, in a report to the Education Board to-day, covering the work of his office for the past year, says that in all some 2551 cases had been dealt with. In 106 cases information had been laid against parents. Of these 71 had been fined, while seven cases had been dismissed. Of the latter, two parents had procured medical certificates, three children were over age, and two had been sent to an industrial school. The education Board has had under consideration the question of securing coal in bulk for the purpose of distribution to school committees. Circulars were sent out to the various committees concerning the supplies they would require, and a number had replied stating their willingness to take their supplies through the board. The special committee which had the matter in hand reported to the board at its meeting today that in view of the inquiry made by the Christchureh Coal Trade Committee, which presumably would allocate supplies to the public schools, that it was undesirable to proceed any further at present with the scheme. A deputation from the TVaimairi and West Brighton Burgesses' Association waited on the Education Board to-day with a request for better school accommodation at North New Brighton.' The deputation also asked that the standards be increased to the Sixth Standard. The deputation pointed out that the district was a growing one. At present children going to the main school had to go through the plantation, which was very undesirable. The chairman (Mr Opie) said that he could not hold out any hope that the board wouid build on the present site unless a better tenure could be secured. The board desired to secure the freehold of the site, but special legislation would be required which could not be passed until the October session. After the deputation had withdrawn it was decided to effect necessary repairs to the building at once.