EDUCATION BOARD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 199, 22 August 1929, Page 5

EDUCATION BOARD

MONTHLY MEETING HELD ROUTINE BUSINESS The Wanganui Education Board met yesterday, Mr W. H. Collins presiding. There were also present: Messrs Adams, Aitken, Hornblow, Dukeson, Coleman, Hemingway, and Woodroofe. The Education Department wrote notifying a grant towards the impro enient of out-offices at the Wanganui Central Infants School. A similar communication was received with regard to out-offices at Queen’s Park. The secretary (Mr W. H. Swanger) reported the correspondence as confirming telegraphic advice of the grants. —Received. The committee of the College Street School wrote urging that the Board • proceed -with the erection of the new > building for the infant department. The chairman reported that there had been some hitch with regard to matter, but they had the authority to go ahead and he moved accordingly. This was carried. A letter from the Education Department approved of the establishment of a school at Coal Creek. —Received. The late commissioner for the Te Maire School (now closed) submitted a report on the suggested removal of the school building to Kirikau. In this he considered the Board would bo well advised to retain the building on its present site in anticipation of renewed activity in milling timber a large block of which grew at hand. The report was approved. A request for the establishment of a European school at Pipiriki made by Mr H. P. White, was referred to the Education Department with the Board’s approval. The Public Works Department wrote in reference to the suggestion to establish a school at the Public Works camp .at Koroniti, pointing out that the camp would be moved within about three weeks’ time, and it was not practicable to establish a school there. The Board decided to take no action. An application was received from the Putorino committee asking that the school be enlarged. The request was supported by Mr Dukeson. The matter was referred to the senior inspector. . The Education Department wrote with reference to the suggested acquisition of land for a swimming bath. The site was on a scenic reserve, and, from what was understood, the Crown Lands inspector did not altogether favour the establishment of baths there. The Board’s architect (Mr E. R. Hodge) said that they had started to excavate to put baths in the school ground, but now the idea was to shift down nearer the stream. The w’ater, he thought, would be too cold. It was decided to refer the matter to the school committee for their comment. Mr A. S. Coleman submitted a report regarding land offered for sale to the Board near the Greatford school. The report was received and Mr Coleman thanked. It was decided to authorise £3O for the erection of two out-offices at Te Arakura. A report was submitted by the secretary regarding a fire which occurred in that building, detailing the events leading up to and following discovery of the blaze. Prompt action by two passers-by, Messrs. Herd and Hansen had been the means of saving the building. The report was received and the secretary’s action in forwarding a copy to the Education Department was endorsed. The action taken by Messrs Herd and Hansen was referred to in eulogistic terms and the Board minuted its appreciation and also confirmed the secretary’s action in drawing the department’s attention to the save as being one which merited reward. Tenders were dealt with for clearing the site of the Nukumaru School, that of Mr W. Waters, for £36 being accepted. The committee of the Ngaturi school applied for a grant for fencing and stated that if the Board found the material, Mr T. Mitchell would supply the labour. The chairman paid a tribute to the interest Mr Mitchell took in the school. “We don’t know where Ngaturi would be without him,” he said. Supply of the required materials was authorised. The Tawhero school asked for a grant towards improving the grounds. The chairman said that this school was to be complimented on the manner in which it had raised funds. They had done remarkably well. A grant of £3O, on his recommendation, was authorised. That doors be fitted to the girls’ outhouses at Ohakune was a request from that school committee which was approved. It was also decided to authorise gratings for the new entrances. The Bulls committee asked for a grant for concrete work. It was decided to point out that this was a favourable undertaking for £1 for £1 subsidy. The Board would be willing to proceed on those lines if the committee so decided. The matter of re-modelling the South Makirikiri school was reported on favourably by the architect and it was resolved to place the work on the urgent list. The N.Z.E.I. wrote condemning the practice of exploiting the schools for advertising purposes. The Board unanimously endorsed this view. Special grants to school committees were authorised up to a total of £240, the secretary pointing out that the allocation had been made on much the same lines as previously and the larger schools received the bigger share. The woodwork instructor applied for equipment for Marton, Hunterville, Taihape and Ohakune centres, the total cost of which would amount to £2B 6s 9d. This was granted. The cookery instructress at Patea applied for an additional range, electric preferred. This was agreed to. It was asked that the Board approve of a committee at Te Rena elected by parents. The secretary reported that th' Board had appointed two commissioners and the election of a committee included t’ j people who had worked hard for the school and informal approval was what was required. The Board gave its approval. CHAIRMAN’S REPORT The chairman submitted the following report. I have to report as follows for the past month:— Works.—The architect presents the following report: Work Completed. Castlecliff. —The whole of the work in connection with the erection of an I additional room and Inbby to the side ► school, has been completed. Patea. —The work in connection with

the erection of a shelter shed for girls’} use has been completed. West End.—The work in connection; with the plastering of the exterior walls I of this building has been completed. Manutahi. —The school, residence, and outbuildings have been painted in two coats. Marton D.H. —Partitions have been erected around the girls’ lobby to afford privacy. Marton manual training building.— A new out-office consisting of four stalls has been erected for boys’ use. Alton.—Repairs have been carried out to all the buildings and the school, residence, and outbuildings painted in two coats. Whenuakura.—A porch has been erected, bathroom facilities provided, and the .building painted in two coats. The rooms of the interior have been repapered. The school and outbuildings have been painted. Komako. —Two new out-offices have been erected, and the school repaired and renovated and made ready for occupation. Ruahine.—Repairs have been carried out to the school and residence. Karewarewa. —A new wash-hand basin has been fixed. Rangiwahia.—Repairs have been carried out to the school, residence, and outbuildings. Main South Road.—Repairs have been carried out to the school building. Mangarimu.—The school building has been repaired and the porch wall and ceiling matchlined. Repairs have been effected to the residence, two new tanks supplied and the kitchen chimney rebuilt. All the outbuildings have received attention. Ohingaiti.—Repairs have beOn carried out to the school and residence. A dividing fence has been erected between the school area and the residence. A sleeping porch has been erected in order to afford additional sleeping accommodation. Poukiore. —Repairs have been carried out to the school building. Mangaonoho.—A porch has been erected over the back door of the teacher’s residence. Te Arakura. —The damaged woodwork made by the recent fire has been made good. Mqumahaki.—Repairs have been carried out to the school and outbuildings. The damaged chimney has been rebuilt. Rangiotu residence. Additional lighting has been provided to the two front rooms. The whole of the interior has been roscrimmed and papered, and the woodwork renovated. Work in Hand West End. —The painters have in hand the painting of the roof and other iron work and woodwork of the school and. outbuildings. The interior walls and ceilings are being distempered. Moumahaki.—The painters have in hand the painting of the school and outbuildings. Kai Iwi.—The work in connection with the shifting ’ of the shelter shed and fuel shed to new positions is nearing completion. Queen’s Park.- The work in connection with the erection of a shelter shed for girls’ use has (with the exceptiion, of the painting work) been completed. The new brick out-offices and shelter shed for boys’ use is well under way. Te Arakura. —The painters have in hand the painting of the interior walls and ceilings of the class-rooms. Proposed for Ensuing Month. To carry on with the works in hand. Waverley.—To proceed with the erection of the new building. Central School. —To make alterations to roof of the Infant School building. To provide partitions across corridor; at dental clinic. Hunterville. —To arrange for work , on new site in preparation for commencement of the new buildings. Workshop. The workshop staff is being kept busy in executing orders and stock. A motor shed has been erected to house the new truck. The staff consists of: 9 carpenters; 2 apprentices; 7 painters, 1 plumber, 1 bricklayer, 1 labourer, 2 motor-drivers, 1 storeman, total 24. AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION The chief agricultural instructor reports as follows: Indoor science experimental work is proceeding apace. The results noted on our recent visits are particularly pleasing, and it is remarked that the response obtained, and the knowledge displayed by the primary children on work similar to that done in the secondary classes, is in many cases superior to the latter. This augurs well for the future science work of the high schools, but points also to the necessity for revision of the secondary school science to avoid much of the present overlapping of elementary teaching. It has been recommended that the present season’s outdoor work be put in hand by mid-October, and that most indoor schemes should be completed by then. This promises to be the rule. The completion of the work of the 1928-29 outdoor garden plots has shown a marked advance on that of previous years, and the tendency to treat December as the end of the agricultural year is gradually being overcome. The Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Clubs’ results are now in hand. Attached herewith is the report of the Feilding area. Wanganui and Hunterville centres will follow. A glance at the reports will serve to indicate just what progress has been made, and dose study of the returns will be of interest in demonstrating the value of the work carried out by our instructors. Practically every available school in the Wanganui, Marton, and Feilding areas is now engaged in some club work, and the movement is rapidly extending to the Taihape area. I await with more or less patience the instructions of the Departments concerned re future activities, but would remind you that entries for the cofhing season must be in our hands by mid-September at latest, and early indication of the future policy to govern the clubs would be welcome. Seeds and ‘manures are now being prepared for distribution, these being for the most part delivered by the instructor in his usual visit. Arbor Days have been celebrated in many districts, and instructors have attended wherever possible. - Our aid also continued to be sought by committees in their improvement works, and some important jobs are at present under supervision. Resignations. The following resignations have been received since last meeting: Mr M. S. Pitkowsky, sole teacher, Tangiwai; Miss G. Ross, sole teacher, Poukiore; Miss S. E. Corbett, assistant, Manunui;

and Miss G. K. Whishaw, assistant, Umumuri. Relieving Teachers The following teachers are at present on the relieving staff: Acting head teachers: Miss L. Gilbert, Halcombe; Miss M. Y. Hay, Kelvin Grove; Miss O. Aburn, Horopito; Miss G. Law, St. John’s Hill. Acting Sole Teachers. Miss E. G. J. Wingate, Utuwai; Miss E. B. Mills, T'utorino; Mr J. G. Miers, Middle Road; Mr H. Savage, Te Rena; Mrs H. C. R. Mclntyre, Kiwitea. Acting Assistants. Miss A. T. Patchett, Foxton; Miss I. B. Ford, Karioi; .Miss A. T. Patchett, Gonville; Miss M. E. Simpson, Gonville; Miss E. L. Paterson, Manchester Street; Mrs A. F. Blight, Aramoho; Mrs H. V. Haydon, Hokowhitu; Miss D. G. Crawford, Longburn; Mr K. Matthews, Patea; Mrs E. G. Patience, Bunnythorpe; Miss E. E. Price, Halcombe; Miss G. S. J. Franklin, Gonville; Miss N. Kendrick, Kai Iwi; Miss D. Tregurtha, Horopito; Miss J. M. Coombe, Ohakea; Miss E. L. Marchant, Manchester Street; Mrs S. B. Fergusson, Palmerston North Central. Acting Secondary Assistants in District High Schools: Miss A. M. Brown, Marton; Miss I. E. W. Belcher, Hunterville. Acting domestic science instructress (Palmerston North and Foxton centres) Mrs L. K. Paine. School Commissioners The following school commissioners have been appointed: Te Rena, Mr H. Goddard and Mrs E. Ashworth; Momohaki, Messrs F. J. Finer and T. W. Laird; Makotuku, Messrs C. H. Faull and M. J. Crawley; Pohonui, Messrs A. Lewis and A. Scrivens; Omahina, Mr G. I. Harper. The report was adopted.