THE HIGH SCHOOLS.

Taranaki Daily News, 23 September 1924, Page 5

THE HIGH SCHOOLS.

MEETING OI BOARD. REPORTS OF PRINCIPALS. The New Plymouth High Schools’ Board of Governors met last night. Present: Messrs. H. R. Billing (chairman), L. C. Sladden, J. S. S. Medley, F. Atkinson, A. E. Washer, L. A- Nolan and Dr. E. F. Fookes. Leave of absence was granted to Messrs. H. J. Eaves, E. P. Webster and S. G. Smith, M.P. Miss F. E. Kershaw, principal of the Girls’ High School, reported that the third term had commenced on September 16 with a total roll of 213 pupils, 37 of these being preparatory scholars as against 35 at the end of the preceding term. Word had been received that the inspectors would visit the school on September 24 and 25 for the purpose of examining for senior free places and awarding higher leaving certificates. The hostel roll for the third term was 51. The great need for more accommodation had been stressed during the past week, and. accordingly it was gratifying to know that the Old Girls’ Association members were doing their best to meet the need. By means of a mart and a concert they hoped to rafse the balance of the £2500 which was their objective for the new hostel.

The principal of the boys’ school (Mr. W. H. Moyes), reported that the school had re-opened for the third term on September 10. Ho regretted to say that Mr. Rockel was still absent through illness, and would probably not be hack until towards the end of the termMr. T. H. Bates, architect to the beard, wrote that in consequence of the recent fire in one of the classrooms at the boys’ school, he had inspected the various fireplaces and had found that none of the others had been burnt or in any wav scorched.

With reference to the installation of hot water showers nt the boys’ school, the Director of Education wrote Informin? the board that its application for £330 for this purpose, together with other matters relating to the high schools, was receiving immediate consideration. Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., wrote in reference to the same matter that he had interviewed the authorities and understood that authority had gone forward for a grant of £lOO towards the cost.

It was decided to renew application for a grant of £l5O for improvement to the gully at the boys’ school. Mr. S. G. Smith,’ M.P . wrote with regard to agricultural plots on the Avenue Road that he had interviewed the general manager of railways and was now awaiting a reply as to whether his department would favourably consider the question of leasing to the. board a portion of the railway settlement lands. Comment was made on the fact that nothing had been heard from the department for some time regarding the proposed amalgmation of the technical and high schools. The secretary was instructed to write to the department asking what was being done in the matter, and pointing out that the question of appointing assistants for next year would be materially effected if the department decided on any definite move.

The secretary was instructed to write to the department requesting consideration of a subsidy for travelling expenses of the boys journeying from Waitara to the High School, or failing that provision of an earlier train service. The secretary pointed out that as far as he could remember the ’bus fares had recently been raised to 7s Cd a week.

Regarding boarding accommodation at the girls’ school, the board decided to forward a letter to the department requesting it to take steps to secure the freehold of the proposed site and to have definite plans drawn up and approved. In view of the fact that the future course of boys sitting for university scholarship examination cannot be decided until the results of the examination are known, it was decided to request the University Senate to notify successful candidates for the Taranaki scholarships as soon as possible after the results are made known.

A revised cony of the proposed amendments to the regulations was received for consideration from the secretary of the High School Boards’ Association. Dr. Scholefield. The board decided to support the amendments with an additional recommendation that greater prominence should be given in tbr curriculum to music instruction. The secretary of the New Zealand National Field Committee of the Y.W.C-A. wrote thanking the board for its offer of the use of the Boys’ High School for a girl citizens’ conference, but stated that the committee wished to withdraw its application as it had been offered the use of the Sal way Girls’ College at Masterton, and was accepting this offer.