EDUCATION BOARD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 71, Issue 277, 22 November 1928, Page 8

EDUCATION BOARD

HUNTERVILLE SECONDARY SCHOOL CLOSING OBJECTED TO The statement that the Wanganui Education Board had recommended the closing of the secondary department at Huntervillc, at the c’osc of the current year, without having the slightest knowledge of the number of pupils who would bo prepared to attend the school, was made by Mr R. Dukeson, at the monthly meeting of the board yesterday. The meeting was presided over by Mr W. A. Collins, and there were also present Messrs W. 8. Woodruffe, M. H. Oram, J. K. Hornblow, Dukeson, W. Adams, E. F. Hemingway, A. 8. Coleman and J. S. Tingey. Objections to the closing of the Huntervillc secondary department were received from the local School Committee, Chamber of Commerce and Town Board. It was stated that the Council of Education had intimated that the department would be closed unless 20 pupils could be enrolled. In reply to Mr Dukeson, the chairman said that, in deciding to close the school, the board acted on the advice of the senior inspector, Mr N. T. Lambournc. Mr Lambourne said that under the present transport conditions it was not possible for Huntervillc to draw from the surrounding district for its pupils and the township could not provide the quota of 20 required. The chairman stated that Mr Dukeson could rest assured that if it were possible to continue the school it would be done. Chairman’s Report. In his report for the month, the chairman stated that the Education Department had approved of grants for the erection of an additional classroom at each of the following schools: Waverley, Longburn, Marton Junction, and Ashhurst, and for the removal of the Dukekaha School to Middle Road. The chairman had interviewed the Prime Minister on the occasion of his recent visit to Wanganui, and had been informed that a grant had been approved ■ the erection of a school on St. John’s Hill. Resignations. The following resignations had been received since last meeting: Miss I. Fauchelle, sole teacher, .Mount Richard’s Road; Miss F. M. Burne, sole teacher, Orautoha: Mr W. E. Hird, head teacher, Taihape; Miss I. Estcourt, sole teacher, Waiata; Miss E. Kibblcwhitc, assistant, Palmerston North Central; Miss M. I. Giles, assistant, Marton. Relieving Teachers. The following were at present on the relieving staff:— Acting head teachers: Miss M. Graham, Raurimu; Mr H. Savage, Greatford. Acting sole teachers: Miss N. Y. Hay, Mount View; Miss K. Graham, Potaka Road; Miss E. B. Mills, Whaka Road; Mr W. Liggins, Karioi; Mr J. G. Miers, Middle Road. Acting assistants: Miss M. Armstrong, Kakaramea; Miss C. T. Spurdle, Victoria Avenue; Mr R. Hurdle, Manchester Sareet; Mr D. G. Flower, Aramoho; Miss M. I. Edwards, and Mrs 8. B. Fergusson, Palmerston North Central; Misses J. M. Coombe, E. C. King and G. G. Law, Wanganui East; Miss G. Franklin, Gonville; Mrs E. Thom, Marton; Miss N. Kendrick, Kai Iwi; Miss H. Allan, West End; Mrs I. Cody, Ohakune (secondary department); Miss P. Blackburn, Huntervillc (secondary department). Works Department Reference to works completed was made, inter alia, by the architect, as follows:

Okoia: The school and outbuildings have been painted, both interior and exterior. The roofs have been painted and new sink installed. Matarawa: Repairs to the school and outbuildings have been carried out. Parewanui: The teacher’s residence has been raised and reblocked with concrete blocks. General repairs to the building have been executed. Waitotara: -pairs to the school, residence and outbuildings have been carried out and the bathroom divided off from the v ash-house. At the school a new range of three wash-basins have been installed. Maxwell: The shed at the residence which was so badly damaged by the recent gales has been reconstructed, and other damage has been repaired. Patea: Repairs have been carried out to the main building and an experiment is being carried out with a wa-ter-proofing compound in an endeavour to save the building from deterioration by water penetration. At the Manual Training School, the turf has been removed from around the building and a gravel path 6ft in width formed right rour.d the building. Greatford: The school and residence have been repaired. The exterior and interior of the buildings are now receiving paint, and repapering in the cottax- where necessary. Taihape: The ont-office extension (in brick) have been completed with the exception of the installation of the washdown pedestal closets. This work should ,however, bo wholly completed with in the next week. Marton Technical: The painters have in hand the painting of the building in two coats, and the roof in one coat. Amongst the proposed works for the ensuing month were the following:— Marton: To paint the primary school building, anti to carry on with the works in hand. * Marton Junction: Extensions, one room. Waverley: New building, class-room and cloak-room. Agricultural Instruction. The chief agricultural instructor reported as follows: “This month has seen the completion of the science indoor course and the commencement of the experimental work in the plots. Generally speaking the work can be said to have been well covered in most schools, your attention being drawn to the individual reports now coming to hand. It is hoped to have these reports completed by December 10, in time for your final mooting. “In all schools the plots are well inaugurated, in some the crops being well forward, and more so than in any previous year. Attention has also

been definitely drawn to the necessity of getting away from aimless gardening and the substitution thereof of research into the growth, etc. of t' crops dealt with. Certain lessons have been discussed with the teachers and all have been instructed to ensure that the class has a sound knowledge of the work to be done, and tho research to bo undertaken. It is hoped by this to get more definite records, though the usual vacation period of comparative neglect must in some me sure militate against this. Class record charts have been adopted in many schools for the recording of the results, etc., and these will bo closely watched for au indication of their value and subsequent unanimous adoption.

“During the month, In the Marton and Wanganui areas, the seeds, fertilisers, and instructions were issued personally by us, assisted by the instructors of the Department of Agriculture, when opportunity was taken to talk to tho children on the work of the boys’ and girls’ clubs. Also as far as possible opportunity was taken to interview local residents interested, and it is hoped that by this means to obtain a better understanding of the requirements, and resultant improved crops, etc. Attention is drawn to my report of October 25 in this connection. The entries this year have exceeded all expectations, we now having 50 per cent, of our country schools engaged in root growing. The necessary prizes and certificates won during last season have been distributed.”