EDUCATION BOARD.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20362, 20 July 1934, Page 8

EDUCATION BOARD.

Canterbury School Affairs Discussed.

Matters concerned with the schools of Canterbury were discussed at a meeting of the Canterbury Education Board this morning. There were present: Messrs W. P. Spencer (chairman). W. A. Banks, R. Wild. J. W. Preen, C. S. Thompson, G. Benstead, S. R. Evison. S. Baird, J. J. Hurlev. S. Smith, If. J. Bignell and G. W. Armitage. The Appointments Committee reported that, an application for payment of boarding allowance for secondary pupils at Akaroa was referred to the department for favourable consideration. An application was received from Mount Guardian for the institution of a conveyance service to Parnassus. It was resolved to obtain the details necessary in connection with the possible establishment of a small school, on receipt of which the senior inspector would be asked for a recommendation. Correspondence was received regariling the institution of a conveyance service at Mangamaunu. It was decided to express regret that the proposal could not fee considered favourably, and to advise that the pupils concerned should join up with the correspondence classes. An application for an extension of the bus service at Hilton was referred to the committee for investigation. Mr S. R. Evison, referring to the holding of teachers’ refresher courses at the Training College. Commented on the enthusiasm with which all grading teachers had attended. On his motion, it was decided to congratulate the Training College instructors on the results. Building Proposals. The Buildings Committee reported that a petition had been presented from the residents of Kaiapoi Island asking that (a) a new school to replace th« present building should be erected in a more central position near the Rivet Trust’s construction camp, and (b) that the present teacher be retained when the new school was provided. It was decided to instruct the office to prepare a map showing the distances of the nearest schools from the existing and the proposed new site.

The report of the senior inspector (Mr A. M .Neil) that in his opinion the provision of a portable room at Linwood Avenue would not be justified was adopted. The school was easily accessible and had surplus accommodation, he stated.

A report from Mr M’Xeil regarding the Spreydon application for additiona! accommodation was read and adopted The report stated that the provision of extra space was not urgent; that if an open-air room were erected there would be surplus accommodation and that it was doubtful if the school could he organised efficiently when staffing was normal so as to use the suggested room without at the same time leaving the large brick building more than halfempty.

Mr M Xeil also intimated that after inquiring into the Redeliffs application for additional accommodation he was of opinion that there was no case for increased space and suggested that consideration of this question be deferred until the grade of the school for next year had been decided. The report was adopted. The resignation of the Blackball Committee was accepted, and it was decided to take no action for a month. In regard to the disqualification of a member from the Lobum School Committee, it was decided to hold an election forthwith. At the conclusion of the meeting, the chairman extended to the retiring members the board’s thanks for their work, and to the whole board his personal thanks for the manner in which they had assisted him during the year.