EDUCATION BOARD.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 10298, 1 November 1911, Page 2

EDUCATION BOARD.

The North Canterbury Education Board, met this morning; presentMessrs M. Dalziel (chairman.), T. W. Adams, H. Langford, W. R. Smith, G. llenniej, O. H. Opie, H. Boyd and Dr C. J. Russell.

Mir C. A. C. Hardy, M.P., was granted further leave of absence until December 1.

• Tho Buildings Committee reported that the Cashmere Committee had written drawing attention to tho overcrowded state of the Cash more School, the opening of the Somerfield School not having affected tho attendance' to any great extent. It was further pointed out that in all probability the accommodation at the Somerfield School would be taxed to the utmost after the Christmas holidays. The architect was instructed to prepare a plan for an addition to tho Cashmere School, application for a grant to meet the estimated cost to be sent to tho Department. Tho Culverden Committee had renewed its application for improved accommodation at the school. It was agreed as a temporary expedient to havo tho partition moved and somo other improvements made, the question of moro accommodation to be further dealt witli should the attendance continue to increase. A letter had been received from Mr Inch, of North Rakaia, pointing out that the school building approved by the Board's architect was too costly for the residents to undertake. As tho committee was of opinion that a suitable building should be erected, such as the Board could take over without hesitation on tho stipulated conditions being complied with, it recommended the Board to make a grant of £SO towards tho cost.

Tlio report was adopted. The Appointments Committeo reporteel that a deputation representing the North Canterbury Educational Institute and tlio Headmasters' Association had waited 011 the committeo with regard to its siqk pay regulations. The deputation pointed out that in other education districts the allowance was on a more generous scalo than was the case in North Canterbury, and that under present conditions somo teachers who could not afford loss of salary remained on duty at a time when they were really not fit for work., owing to illness. That, it was contended, was not in tlio best interests of the schools. A statement was also submitted by the deputation showing tho allowance mado under other Boards. In viow oftho fact that the sick pay allowance mado by the Board during tho current year had not absorbed' tho full amount provided by tlio Department tho committee recommended that from January 1 next the Board should revert to its old regulation under which full payment was nfade during tho first month and half pay during the second, and that tho alteration should bo mado retrospective as for the present year so far as the funds would admits to ho determined at tho end of tho your. A report was received from tho ehiof inspector to tho effect tliat ho had conferred with tho principal of tlio Training College with regard to assisting teachers in outlying districts to obtain a full qualification. Tlio report, which was approved, recommended tho issue of a circular letter to the teachers concerned inquiring whether they would bo able to attend at a central class to be held in Christchurch during January or February. Tlio following resolution passed by tne committee at its previous meeting had been reaffirmed: —"That in the case of applicants holding licenses to teach or partial certificates the appointments could only bo regarded as temporary." The report was adopted. Dr Russell moved—" Seeing that swimming is becoming a most important part of primary education from a humane, health and physical point of view, and seeing that all primary schools are (where it is practicable) being furnished with swimming baths, and this Board being frequently applied to for assistance, would most respectfully suggest and request the Minister of Education to approach tho Government with a view to having a sum of money provided for tho abovo special purpose, that the various Boards of Education may bo in a position to render assistance in urgent or important cases."

Tho motion was seconded by Mr Smith and carried unanimously, and it was decided to forward it to tho other Boards in the dominion.

A letter from the Mead Committee, relative to accommodation, was referred to tho Buildings Committeo. A letter was received from tho Society of Professional Orchestral Musicians protesting against tho fact that Mr G. A. Hansard, of West Christchurch School, had been engaged to provide an orchestra for tho Trades Council's Exhibition. The orchestra was engaged to play at a rate that was one at which the professional < musicians could nob hope to make a living. Tho Board decided to forward tho letter to Mr Hansard for au explanation.