EDUCATION BOARD.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13954, 14 July 1909, Page 2

EDUCATION BOARD.

ORDINARY MEETING

The fortnightly meeting of the South Canterbury iioard of i'.ducation was held yesterday. Present: Messrs C. S. Howard. X. Sherratt, J. Maze, G. \\". Armitage, \\ . Lindsay, (>. Lyall. J. S. Rutherford, and A\. M. Hamilton. In -the absence, through indisposition, of the Chairman of the Board, Mr .John .Jackson, Mr Howard was voted to tiie chair. CILAIKMA.VS STATEMENT. Mr Howard reported that Miss Dnisv Evans had been appointed assistant at Hannaton, and Miss M. Farquharson, 8.A., as temporary assistant at Tawai. The nominations for the annual Board election were: —North "Ward—Messrs T. sherratt and C. .J. Talbot; Middle Ward —Messrs J. Maze and G. J. Sealey; South Ward —-Mr "Win. Lindsay. 'I lie last hatl been declared electefl, aud thk> elections tor the other wards would take place on the 26th inst. A well attended conference to consider the question of the appointment of an agricultural instructor was held on the 10th inst., when the proposal was fully discussed and information supplied to the delegates of the various bodies asked to contribute. So far as could be judged from the opinions expressed at the meeting, the Board could depend upon the hearty support of the bodies represented. Dr Hilgendorf, having received increased remuneration in his present position, had decided not to accept this Board's offered appointment. TENDERS. Three tenders were received for the erection of a bell tower at Geraldine, and that of Mr A. Evfe at £ls 7s was accepted, as being the lowest. For the erection of porches at TYaimataitai five tenders were received as follows:—Lloyd Bros £260 13s, Tooth 1 Bros. £278, J.- Donald £269, Shillito Bros. £2BB, AY. J. Pearse and Co. £214 9s (accented). DEPARTMENTAL CORRESPONDENCE. The Edncation Department wrote notifying the appointment of Major T._ \Y. McDonald to be officer commanding the Public school Cadet Force. The Department also wrote " recognising " the proposal for the formation of a section of cadets at St. Andrews.

The assistant Inspector General of Schools forwarded copy of the draft regulations for the employment of probationers as drawn lip by the Department after consideration of the regulations proposed by all the Education Boards. It was thought unnecessary to require applicants for appointment as probationers to undergo medical examination. Provision should be made for the transfer of probationers. One month's notice should be given by either side fcr the termination of engagement." —Regulations approved. In reply to the chairman, the secretary said the regulations had not been much altered from those drawn up by this Board.

The Secretary for Education forwarded draft or an Order in Council prescribing regulations for the election of members of Education Boards. —Approved. The Inspector General of Schools advised that Waimate would be a centre this year for the Junior National Scholarship and Civil .Service Junior examinations. SCHOOL AT ALLAXDALE.

Mr J. 'fait, Allandale. wrote enclosing application forms for the proposed school at Allandale. There was an empty house close to the school site which could be leased lor a term for school purrajses. After 'dk<;iissing the matter, it was decided that it should be enquired into by Mr Rutherford and one of the inspectors, who are to visit the district and make enquiry from the people' interested. THE ALBURY SCHOOL.

With regard to the overcrowding of the Albury School (caused through the attendance of children who might attend other schools.) the Department wrote stating that the question of the powers of the committee and headmaster in such a case was one on which it could not advise. The Department had no authority to interpret the law, and its opinion would not protect the Board in any action it might take. There must be many ways in which the difficulty could be got over without coming to a direct conflict on a point of law. The boundaries of the school district might be reconsidered. Considerations might ba brought under the notice of the parents concerned, and they would surely not be so unreasonable as to continue to send their children to a school in which their educational progress was likely to be endangered. The Department commended the action of the Board in declining to propose a grant for the enlargement of the school in such circumstances. In such a case the Minister would not feel himself at liberty to make a grant.

The six members of the Albury Committee waited on the Board in connection with this matter. Mr J. Austin acted as spokesman and explained that the infant room in the school is only 20ft by 20ft; there are 50 children in it; and seven more were coming in the spring. Even if they turned these away, the school would still need enlarging. The school district had been cut up badly. One parent had to send his children to the Te Ngawai school though he was nearer the Albury School. Mr Gow said that there were at least 12 children attending the Albury School for whom the Hoard had made provision at Chamberlain and Te Ngawai.

Mr Buckley said that the Albury School was overcrowded and something must be done'at once to put the school in a healthy state. The school was overcrowded by 50 per cent. Albury was a growing district and apart altogether from the attendance of pupils from other school districts, the school should be enlarged. Five years ago the roll number was 40, now* it is 90. If the school was not enlarged without delay he would keep his children from school, and S)U per cent, of the parents would do likewise.

Mr Sherratt pointed out to tho deputation how difficult it was to get the Department to agree to an enlargement of the school so long as they were hampered by the present, regulations. Especially was it difficult to get an enlargement when only one part of a school was overcrowded. Mr Sherratt said the Hoard could be depended upon to do all it could in the matter, and he suggested that the committee might do something by prohibiting children from other school districts attending the Albury School. Mr Buckley said he did not think the committee had power to order any children away from the school: if a resident <>i Smith Canterbury chose; to send his child to a school at the Bluff lie was at liberty to do so. The chairman said there was lio doubt the committee had power to refuse admittance to children from outside t!ie school district, it had been done in many cases. The committeo need iu>t expect to have accommodation i-qnal to tlie roll number of the school : in no school that he knew was this t'>e case, but apart from this he thought the committee had made out a verv good case for the enlargement of their school.

Mr Hamilton said ho thought tho regulations of the Department in regard to space should apply to each

room, of a school instead of having them applied over the whole' school, as this allowed one room to be overcrowded without making an increase in the size of tho school justifiable, according to the regulations. Mr Buckley said the people of Albtiry had a good school —one of which they were proud—and the committee had" no intention of turning children away from it; it was not their duty to do so.

Mr Gow said it was important to know how many children there were in the district under 7 years of age. so that they could see what the future prospects of the school were.

The chairman endorsed this and suggested that some members of the Board should visit the school and see tho conditions for themselves.

The deputation promised to supply 'n writing, the figures in connection with the present and prospective attendance at the school, and with a promise from the Board that their request would receive sympathetic consideration they retired. The Board did discuss the matter sympathetically it being agreed that the deputation had made out a good case.

Mr Rutherford asked members of the Board to go to Albury and promised that if they would do so ho would meet them a,t the Albury station, and drive them to the Te Ngawai and Chamberlain schools after they had inspected the Albury school. Messrs Howard, Maze, Armitage, •Sherratt. and Lyall. agreed to go with Mr Rutherford on Friday next'. GENERAL CORRESPONDENCE.

The Aslnvick Flat School Committee wrote asking for a grant of £4 for shingling.—The Board decided to grant

The Cave School Committee asked the Board to subsidise their proposed expenditure, on tree planting this year, the same as last year. —Mr Bell said that last year the Board granted £2 10s being a £ for £ subsidy.—Mr Howard said the Cave Committee was very anxious to improve tile school property by planting trees. Those planted last year had done well.—.Mr Lindsay said that tree planting should be encouraged but he regretted to say that at some schools after the planting, the trees were neglected.—lt was decided to vote a £ for £ subsidv up to £2 10s. * ' r

The Cricklewood School Committee asked to have repairs effected at the master's residence, and to the drain. —l'oreman to report. The Fairview School Committeo wrote asking for a grant of £2 for some small repairs.—Agreed to. Tha committee also drew attention to the fact that there was a shortage of desks and forms in the school, caused through the removal of some to the Geraldine school after the fire there. The school mistress at Fairview wrote drawing attention to the insufficient seating accommodation for the children. At present there were 38 on the roll, with, only 57ft. of desk,- or. an average of 18 inches per child. The desks and forms now in use were scarcely suitable for growing children giving little or no support to the back. Most of the desks and forms were far too narrow. —Reply to be sent that the Board will do the best it can in the matter. Mr Bell said he had sent out 2 new desks and 2 new forms. The headmaster of the Hilton school applied for some shrubs for the school g.uuens.—i-~l to be granted.

Orari Bridge asked for repa'irs and painting to residence, also tor some fencing.—£s to be granted, Mr .Slierratt undertaking ,to supervise? the work.

Urari Gorge drew attention to tho necessity for improved lighting 111 tlie ■.chool. —Grant IP) to £4 to be made.

Orari South asked for painting and distempering.—Foreman to report. The Pleasant Point committee applied for a subsidy on the proceeds of a concert held there on behalf of the school. —Mr Maze said lie would not be in favour of sending the request on to the Department. The Department never intended to give a subsidy on the proceeds of school concerts, but only on voluntary contributions. Ho understood that the money was simply Taised to augment tho incidental fund in the ordinary way.—The secretary said that the committee was within its rights in asking for a subsidy, and it was then decided that the request be sent on to the Department with an explanation of tho way in which the money had been raised.The headmaster at the Timaru Main School asked lor painting and papering at his residence. —Foreman to report.

The Waibaorunga Committee applied or tree planting.—£2 IDs to. be 'ranted.

The Waimataitai School Committee wrote that they considered the cost of underground drainage at the school should bo borne by the Board. They however, offered to pay to the Board the £3 per annum which they now Jiavo to pay • for scavenging. The secretary said lie had seen Inspector Kershaw, who recommended syphonie latrines for the school. Tho cost was estimated at £Bo.—Mr Sherratt expressed surprise that .Waimataitai should get its scavenging done for £6 a year, and at tho committee ollering so little towards the cost of tne underground drainage. Ho tiiuught they should get more from iiui.i. uu iil..i, n. nvju ue Uiifair country schools, which could hog get tlie benefit of underground drainage, to cpciiu so uii.cn on ti:e

sciioois, anci men get such a return jt'3 a year iroiu a school luce \>aimalaitai. —ijtie secreLary said that the iimaru -viam and liinaru feuutn schools would also ha ve to be connected. Jne cost of tne latter would be at lease i'iUO. He suggested that the Board snould tiraw up a differential system or distributing tlie incidental grant, so that those senools which have underground drainage will not receive incidentals jn tne same proportion as other schools. —This was considered a good suggestion, and tlie matter was eventually leit in the hands of the chairman and office to get lurther details. GENERAL. Business communications were received in respect of the Riddell school desks (25s each), Barningham school desks (IDs lOd each), dolphin filters, and Turner's ventilators.

The foreman reported on work done at the office at Pleasant Point and Timaru South. He reported on an application from Teniuka for a partition in the school, and for repairs, painting, and tuck pointing. —The Board decided to grant £2O for a

moveable partition, tlie committeo to iind the other £ls it' they want a folding partition. The repairs and painting to be done, but not the tuck pointing. Timaru South. —The foreman said, that new grates were necessary.— Work deferred.

Miitord. Repairs and painting. These to be done ill accordance with the report, excluding the window asked for. it. was decided to build a. foreman's workshop at a cosl of £IOO. ' The painter reported on painting done at Timaru Main, cost £OO, at Pleasant Point,c V>st £2l, and at St. Andrews £G 9s 7d.

Applications were received and recommendations made in respect of ap-

pointments at Skipton, sole teac! 10r. Waihao Downs, assistant, and Silverutream, assistant, D. Alymer was appointed probationer at Timaru South. : ,It was decided to advertise, in tlio principal centres for an agricultural .instructor at a salary of £350 per annum and travelling expenses. Inspectors reports were read and considered. ACCOUNTS. Accounts were passed for payment ns follows:—rrßuildinys. £166 2s. 4d, technical £22. 0s lfld, general' £ls Is 6d. The Hoard rose at 4 o'clock.