The South Wales Star

BAKRY (U.D.) SCHOOL BOAKD. An ordinary monthly meeting of the Barry f U.D.) School Board was held on. Monday night in the Board-room, Holton Schools. Mr. John Lowdon presided, there being also present Capt. Davies, Drs. O'Donnel, Treharne, Edwards, and Livingstone, Mr. John Rees, the clerk (Mr. W. H. Lewis), and the depnty-clerk (Mr. Treharne Rees). The minutes of the Board meetings of the 6th March and the adjourned meeting of the 10th March were confirmed. THE BYE-LAWS COMMITTEE. The report of the Bye-Laws Committee for the 17th March was presented as follows There were present Dr. E. Treharne (in the chair), and Mr. B. Lewis.—The attendance officer's monthly report was read and considered, also his report as to the low attendance. The following parents attended before the committee as to the non-attendance of their children Mrs. Marsh, 14, High-street Mrs. Lark, 2, Lee- atreet; Mrs. Moon, 86, Princess-street Mrs. Andrews. Robin's-lane Mrs. Chubb, 4, Lee- street Mrs. Shaw, 32. Wood-street Mr. Lloyd 22. Churchill-terrace Mrs. Perriman, Barry, road Mrs. Callaghan. Beverley-street Mrs.- Collins, 31, Graving Dock-street; Mrs. Watts, 12. Castle-street; Mrs. Grant, 122, Queen-street; Mrq. Coombes, 38, Castle-street Mrs. Evans, 21, Richard-street Mrs. Dishman, 45, Station- street Mrs. Richard, 7, Wood-street; Mrs. Pearce, 25, Station-street Mrs. Slocombe, 18, Wood-street and Mrs. Randall. 17, Morlais- street.—Ten prosecutions were authorised.—The committee recommend that a dust bin be con- structed at Cadoxton school.—That the large schoolroom at Cadoxton Infant School be divided into two parts, and that the architects be asked to report to the Board thereon. Dr. Treharne moved the adoption of the report. In the last paragraph the Board would notice the committee recommended that the infants' depart- ment at the Cadoxton school be divided into two f>aits by a folding partition. He had visited the schools upon three different occasions, and had found three classes being taught in the one room He and Mr. Lewis thought it would be a great Advantage to divide the room up. The Chairman quite agreed with the recom- mendation. The only difficulty he saw in the way was the heating. Mr. Lewis thought it would be possible to divide the room into two. and have a fire-place in each part. There were two fire places in the room. He supported the recommendation strongly. The Chairman remarked that they had done the same thing at the Barry Boys' Schools. Mr. Rees-And it has had a good effect. Dr. O'Donnell asked whether it was not against their principles, this central business, and large central halls with large open spaces. The Chairman said that for the teaching un- doubtedly the separate class-room system was the best. Dr. O'Donnell—Would it not be better to build another class-room ? The Chairman—There is no eoom you will be on the Common. Mr. Lewis thought they could have a sliding division, the top of matchboard and the bottom a. sliding or folding partition. The Chairman thought there would be no diffi- culty, Dr. O'Donnell—How would it stand with the • Inspector and Educational Department ? The Chairman—The Inspector highly approves of it. The Clerk-The Deputy-inspector hai visited the Barry Infants' School, and it would come from him as a suggestion. Captain Da vies—The Barry School wants it very badly. If you take one you might take the other as well. The Chairman suggested that the matter should he left to the Bye-laws Committee to carry out, and this was agreed to. Dr. Edwards would like to know what powers the Bye-laws Committee were entrusted with by the Board in the matter. The Chairman—Get tenders, and earry the thing out. Dr. O'Donnell—I shall vote against that. Mr. Benjamin Lewis suggested that the Bye- laws Committee should only obtain the surveyor to prepare pIma and get tenders. He agreed that the Board should not be shorn of its powers. It was agreed that this should be done. THE SCHOOL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. The report of the School Management Com- mittee was presented as follows SCHOOL MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE. At a meeting of the School Management Com- mittee held at the Board room, Holton-road Schools, on Monday, March 20th. There were present Mr. J. Rees (in the chair), Captain R. Davies, Mr. B. Lewis, and Dr. W. Lloyd-Edwards. -An application was read from Mr. J. A. Jones, assistant master, Holton-road School, for an increase in his salary on account of his having his" D It certificate in drawing.-Resolved that the Clerk be directed to reply that the advance of £ 5 on account of the"D" certificate could not be given until he had obtained an appoint- ment as a certificated assistant under the Board, and that his application for such a vacancy when it occurs will be fully considered by the Board.—The application of Miss S. J. Harris. assistant mistress, Cadoxton Girls's School, for an increase in salary was considered, and also a report from Miss Phalp as to her capabilities.— Resolved that the Clerk be directed to write Miss Phalp and inform that the Board are pleased to hear that the report as to Miss Harries is so 1 satisfactory, but as she is receiving her maximum salary the Board are unable to grant an increase. -According to the motion of Dr. Treharne the D" certificates were Bumbmitted from the I following teachers, and were found correct:— Holton-road School—Boys T. Higman (head), E. T. Williams (assistant), J. E. Thorpe do.; girls J. S. Fleming (head), J. Macnab (assis- tant), M. J. Morgan do. Cadoxton School- Boys T. Eivbank (head), H. Whitehouse (assis- tant girls 0. Phalp (head). Barry School— Boys: R. T. Evans (assistant); infants: Kate Carr (head).-15 applications were received for appoint- ment as monitresses in the schools under the Board. Resolved that the head teachers be asked to report thereon, and the matter brought before the next meeting of the Board. — Requisitions for books, apparatus, and stationery were considered and allowed.—Resolved that a form of requisition book be obtained from the Cardiff School Board. Miss Jane Williams, assistant mistress (under Art. 68) Holton-road Infant School, tendered her resignation, which was accepted.-Resolved that the Board be rt- commended to advertise for an assistant in the place of Miss Williams.—It was reported that Miaa Hester Davies had arranged to send a fresh cookery teacher to Holton and Barry Schools. Mr. John Rees moved the adoption of the minutes. Dr. Edwards seconded. Dr. Treharne said he should like to know whether any of the teachers not in possession of a 4' D Certificate were receiving the D "'grant 2 The Chairman replied there was no teacher under the Board whose certificate was not there who received the Drawing grant. Dr. Treharne again asked if it was true that a teacher at Barry had been receiving £ 5 from the" D" Certificate, and he was not in possession of it. He remembered a letter in the Harry Dork Keics last year about it. Mr. John Rees—You are referring to the head- master of the Barry School (Mr. Rees) I believe ? Dr. Treharne said that was so. Captain Davies said Mr. Rees never had re- ceived it. Dr. Edwards—He is entitled to it, and he ought, ta have it. The Clerk-He is applying foi it now. The report was adopted. THE FINANCE COMMITTEE. The report of the Finance Committee was pre- sented as follows Finance Committee meeting held at the Board Room, Holton-road Schools, on Monday, March the 27th. 1893, at 7 p.m. Present—Mr. J. Lowdon (in the chair) and Mr. J. Rees. The following accounts were submitted for considera- tion, and recommended to the Board for pay- ment :—Walkington and Co., slates, A3 15s. 4d. <3. J. Thomas and Co.. utensils for cookery depa rt- ment, £ 13 10s. lid.; M. Begley, sweeping chim- neys, 14s.; B. T. Pomeroy, rat traps, &c., 6s. 6d.: F. E. Aitkin, firewood, 17s. 6d.; Barry District Billposting Company, Limited, posting 100 bills for evening schools, 14s.; Rees Jones, printing, &c., £116s. 6d. Lewis Evans, ditto, £ 2 5a. 6d.; Barry Dock News, advertising, Al 16.; South Wales Star, advertising, £ 1 168.; The School- master, advertising for teachers. £ 2 4s.; The Schoolmistress, dittG,:£1 7s.; G. F. Urry, insu- rance premium, Z2 9s. 6d.; T. Higmaa, salaries, Holton-road School, J6166 It. 4d. T. Ewbank, ditto, Cadoxton School, £ 108 16s. 8d. J. E. Rees, ditto, Barry School, £ lt!ft 7a. Id.; E. T. Williams, ditto, Evening School, 9s.; M. J. Morgan, ditto, 9s. A. Seig, Attendance Officer, d67 18s. 4d.: J. M. Davies, ditto, :£6 5s. S. Heskett, caretaker Cadoxton School, £ 5 4s. Loan account- Wa- tern Mail, advertising for tenders, £ 2 Barry Dock News, ditto, jEl 16s.; South Wales Star, ditto. £116s. Particulars of salaries of teachers, &c., for month ending April 30th, 1893, were presented. Mr. John Rees moved the adoption of the report. Captain Davies seconded. Dr. O'Donnell desired to ask a question with reference to the salaries. Re saw salaries down there and no date. In the Finance Committee's report for the 6th March, there was an entry for Sidney Heskett, caretaker, for five weeks wages to April 3rd, 46 10s., and in the Finance Committee's report of the 27th March, a. sum of £, 5 is., making a total of j611 14s. He took it that Heskett com- menced his appointment on the 6th March. The Deputy-Clerk said there were five weeks in March and four in April. The man entered upon the appointment at the commencement of March, just after the meeting of the Bye-laws Committee not on the 6th. Dr. O'Donnell said the appointment was illegal, and he should object to the payment of the salary before the auditor, unless that was changed. The Chairman—The Bye-laws Committee has innocently but illegally made the appointment, but -the Board by adopting their report made that legal. Mr. B. Lewis-The Bye-laws Committee was fully empowered by the Board to make the ap- pointment. It is a small thing to make a quibble about. They simply did their 'duty, and the Board confirmed the decision of the Bye-laws Committee. Dr. O'Donnell remarked that the entry of the 27th March did not contain any information as to what time the money was paid for. The Clerk said that, in view of any objection being raised before the auditor as to the appoint- ment of Heskett, he had prepared a motion on the matter, which he intended to ask some member to propose. Dr. O'Donnell said there had been ten or twelve applicants, and as the. advertisement did not state whether it was a man or woman wanted, there were several women among the applicants. The Bye-laws Committee, however, in their wisdom, decided that no women were eligible. Dr. Treharne said the reason why the Bye-laws Committee decided so was because they had a woman at present and the work was badly done, and some of the duties were very unpleasant for them to carry out, and the Committee thought it would be better to appoint a man. Dr. O'Donnell could not help thinking that the whole thing was not above board. The Chairman thought to prevent any quibble it would be better to pass the resolution the clerk had suggested, because undoubtedly they passed the report, and if the committee acted beyond their powers. Dr. O'Donnell—I objected. The Chairman-We passed it by a majority, and if the committee departed from their powers we condoned their wrong doing. Dr. Treharne-The unfortunate thing is that Dr. O'Donnell is not on the Bye-laws Committee. He thought it bad form for a member of the Board to pass insinuations upon other members, and, as a member of the Board, he objected to it. He con- sidered the Chairman should ask Dr. O'Donnell to withdraw his remarks. Dr. O'Donnell said several women applied for the situation who had husbands to assist them in the unpleasant work, and it was never stated in the advertisement that women were not eligible. Dr. Treharne—Are the Bye-laws Committee re- sponsible for the advertisement ? Mr. Benjamin Lewis—Certainly not. He dis- claimed anything in the shape of personal feeling towards any person. He did not know the man who cleaned the ischools, nor did he know the man next to him that Dr. Lloyd .Edwards was anxious to put in. Dr. Edwards—Yes, because he was out of work. Mr. B. Lewis said he voted for the man whom he thought would do the work well. He thought it would be a. man to look after the work not a woman. His motive was as pure as an angel's. The Chairman said the Bye-Laws Committee were quite within their powers in suggesting that a man should be appointed. Dr. Treharne thought Dr. O'Donnell should withdraw his insinuating remarks. He disclaimed any motive. Dr. O'Donnell—You know the man? Dr. Treharne—I do. Dr. Treharne-I object to it. I knew most of the applicants, and know the man Dr. Edwards was in favour of. It appears to me that Dr. O'Donnell is anxious to be on the committee himself. Dr. O'Donnell-Yes, I am anxious to get on a committee. I object to be excluded from the committees. Dr. O'Donnell withdrew his objection to the minutes, and suggested that in future that the date up to which the salaries be paid should be put beside the amount in the Finance Committee's report. This Wa3 agreed to. DR. LIVINGSTONE'S MOTION. In accordance with notice of motion at the last monthly meeting, Dr. Livingstone now proposed that the Chairman should have authority to fill any vacancy in the staff between the meetings of tho Board, when he should consider it necessary for the efficiency of the schools,. such appointments to be temporary and subject to the approval of the Board. Dr. Livingstone said some discussion had already taken place by th' Board on the matter in connection with the appointment by the Chairman of a teacher, and it was customary on other Boards to give this power to* the Chairman, either in conjunction with the head teachers or not. Many of the appointments were not very important, and did not require a special meeting of the Board, therefore the advisability of entrusting the power with the Chairman rested with the Board. If the Chairman made a temporary appointment the Board did not approve they would have the power to Peject the appointment. Dr. Lloyd Edwards seconded, and said they had considerable trouble even in obtaining assistant teachers, and sometimes it was necessary to secure them when they heard of them. Dr. O'Donnell said he would support the motion if it did not prevent the usual advertisements going out for the teachers wanted, and that the ap- pointment would be only temporary even if they had to pay a little larger salaries, and that the teachers should be made to understand that they had no claim to the office. The Chairman said the object of the motion was to secure good teachers when they had the chance. If ever they had a chance to get good teachers before they could have a meeting they had lost them. Mr. B. Lewis said no teachers of the Board should be allowed to leave without giving notice, and if they had proper notice of the teachers leaving they had plenty of time to fill the vacancy. He would be the last person to reflect on the judgment of their chairman, but he failed to see, if they did not allow people to leave them without a notice, the necessity of it. He had never yet heard of a Board as yet who had given up important functions of that sort to the chairman. They re- tained to themselves the individual right of the selection of the staff, but they permitted the chairman to make temporary appointments of monitors and monitressess. He thought any tem- porary assistance could be Drought from the schools. Unless the appointments were temporary ones he could not vote for the motion. Captain Davies supported the motion, and asked how the Board was to do the work.- They only met once a month, unless a special meeting was called. As to the teachers leaving without notice, he should be sorry to stand by and oppose any young man who could improve his position by leaving the Board. A further discussion ensued, and finally on Dr. O'Donnell's suggestion, Dr. Livingstone amended his resolution to read That the Chairman and head-teachers have power, after advertising, to temporarily fill z, vacancies on the school staff, such appointment to be confirmed or otherwise by the Board at the first following meeting. MR. JOHN BEES' MOTION. Mr. John Rees next proposed that a clerk of the works should be appointed for the erection of the new school at Barry. He did not wish to say anything disrespectful of any contractor, but simply to discharge his duty to the ratepayers, which was paramount to any individual interest, and he thought they should appoint a clerk of the works to see the proper execution of the work. They had an architect, but unfortunately he could not attend there as often as he or the Board would wish. He knew for a fact a case at Cardiff where a clerk of the works was actually on the premises when condemned timber was put into the buildidg. How much more could a contractor do if he wished to da it, when there was no clerk of the works. Mr. Benjamin Lewis would like to ask a ques- tion. He wished to second the proposition, conditional on knowing if they had to pay the architect's fees as well as the clerk of the works for looking after the work. Personally he did not agree to paying both. If they engaged a clerk of the works and dispersed with the architect he would second it, but he could not see the wisdom of paying six per cent, to the architect, and paying the clerk of the Norks as well. The Chairman said they could not dispense with the architect. They would still require him to see that the building- was erected properly. Dr. O'Donnell said he believed they paid the architect for the preparation of the plans, and something extra for the supervision of the work, and he believed six per cent. was the usual charge. Mr. Thomas agreed to supervise, but had not charged any extra fee. They had not entered upon the contract. Before they made the ap- pointment he should like to be clear upon it, whether it would interfere with the architect's position. The Chairman said whether t-hey had a clerk or not they were legally as well as morally bound to pay the architect. Dr. O'Donnell had much pleasure in seconding the resolution. Captain Davies said tke appointment lof a clerk of the works would take the appointment off Mr. Thomas's shoulders. There was nothing in the Barry District which stood better inspection than their schools. If Mr. Thomas had not looked after them properly they coul< £ ask him the reason as long as he was responsible. If they appointed a clerk of the works they would get little return for their money. He would he very pleased to fall in with it if the Board would be any better oS. He had known several cases where clerks of works had been engaged. There were some very good clerks of works, but as a rule they would not come for a eight months' job. He did &ot see that they were gaining an advantage. The Chairman said the essence of the thing was to get an honest contractor. If they had an honest contractor he would not want much looking after. He.would not oppose the motion, but he felt they would not get much, if any, return. As Captain Davies had remarked, the class of men they would get would get would not be the class of men that would be any good to them. He might say in works with which he had been connected, where they had engaged clerks of works, they had been very much worse off than where they had no such officials. There seemed to be a tendency of clerks of works to try to make a job linger. Mr. Rees asked whether he had tho right to reply. Chairman-Certainly. Mr. Rees said he pitied the Board, and pitied the ratepayers then. He was not in the district at the time, but he could enlighten and open the eyes of the public as to what was done in the school. although they had Mr. George Thomas. Before Mr. Thomas went away for his holidays he ordered something to be altered in the building, and then went. His instructions were not carried out, and the result was that the ceiling had been down since. Mr. Rees then instanced the good results of having a clerk of the works for the new cemetery chapel at Merthyrdovan. The Chairman then put the motion and declared there were three for, and two against. against. Captain Davies-And two neutral. Dr. Treharne then proposed as an amendment that a clerk of the works be not engaged. The work of the schools had been carried out very well under Mr. Thomas, and he did not think they could get a good man under A2 5s. or P,2 10s. It would take a certain amount of power out of the architect's hands. Chairman—That is a direct negative. Dr. O'Donnell did not think it would take any power from the architect. It would not interfere with the position of the architect at all. The Clerk said he might say that Mr. Thomas would not feel that it was any reflection upon him, but would be rather glad that the clerk of the' works was appointed. The Chairman was about to put the motion once more, when Dr. O'Donnell protested against its bging put. as the Chairman had declared it carried. The Chairman, however, put the motion, and there were three—Dr. O'Donnell, Mr. Rees, and Dr. Lloyd Edwards-for it; and five-the Chairman, Captain Davies, Mr. B. Lewis, Dr. Treharne, and Dr. Livingstone-against it. Dr. O'Donnell protested against such a vote being taken, as on the previous occasion three had voted for it and two against. He thought mem- bers should have the courage of their opinions, instead of waiting to see how the others were voting, and then upsetting the previous result. Dr. Treharne said be had a perfect right to vote. Dr. O'Donnell—Yes, if you voted when the resolution was put. Dr. Edwards pointed out that the Chairman said two voted against. On being appealed to, the Chairman said the feeling of the Board was against the motion, but on a technical point, Dr. O'Donnell was right. He ruled the motion lost, but gave Mr. Rees per- mission to bring it on at the next meeting. APPOINTMENT OF EX-P.T.S. The following new appointments as ex-pupil teachers were made :—Cadoxton Girls' School, Miss H. MacGregor, Cardiff; Cadoxton Infants, Miss Emily Powis, Neath; Barry Boys, Miss Amy B. Chandler, Bath Barry Girls, Miss Kate Hodder, Burnham. APPOINTMENT OF MONITORS. Mr. B. Lewis said this was a business they could safely leave to the Chairman and the head-teachers. He begged to move a motion to that effect. Dr. Livingstone concurred with Mr. Lewis' suggestion.- Dr. O'Donnell proposed that the matter be referred to the School Management Committee. It was their business to look after it. He should like to point out that they had spent a considerable amount of time in preparing standing orders, and the tendency of each Board meeting was to get away from these standing orders. Captain Davies seconded, and Dr. Treharne supported. Five voted for Dr. O'Donnell's proposition, which was, therefore, declared carried. THE ADMISSION OF INFANTS. Mr. Rees asked the age at which children were admitted to the schools. The Chairman said at five years it was compul- sory that they should attend school. Mr. Rees said that morning Miss Carr had refused to admit a child four years and six months old. The Clerk suggested that perhaps it was because of lack of accommodation. The Chairman promised to look into the matter. MISCELLANEOUS.. A letter was read from the Educational Depart- ment with regard to an application from Mr. Benjamin Summers that his daughter Annie should be apprenticed to the Board. Tke letter pointed out that the head teacher of the school in which the applicant's daughter was should have entered her name at the examination. This was not done, therefore she could not be apprenticed until after the next examination.—As this was not the fault of the applicant's daughter, but of the head teacher, on the proposition of Dr. Tre- harne, seconded by Mr. Rees that she should receive her first year's apprentices' salary from last October.-An application was received from Mr. Rees, head-master of the Barry School, enclosing his D" certificate, and asking that he might receive the "D" grant of £ 5.—This was granted.-It was decided that the yearly financial statement should be printed, the same as last year. -Miss Barstow, of the Cadoxton Infant School, applied for an extra week's holiday, through illness, and the same was granted. This concluded the business, f