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Nhguard Hill. I

Vestry Meeting at Fishguard.

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Pembrokeshire Education Committee.

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Pembrokeshire Education Committee. THE TRAINING OF PUPIL TEACHERS. BIG SAVING TO THE RATEPAYERS. THE FISHGUARD SCHOOL PLANS. A meeting of the Pembrokeshire Education Committee was held on Friday, Mr S B Sketch presiding. There were also present Mr J Howard Griffiths (vice-chairman), Miss Rachel Allen, Miss Ada Thomas, Dr Griffith, Archdea- con Hilbers, Messrs Joseph Thomas, W Palmer Morgan, W T Davies, Walter L Williams, E Robinson, W Robinscn, W G Griffiths, J Harries, W Lawrence, and the Rev J Phillips, A telegram received from Mr J Whicher in- timated that he was unable to attend owing to indisposition. AN EXCELLENT APPOINTMENT. An intimation being received from the Privy Council that Mr Palmer Morgan had been appointed on the Joint Education Committee in place of Mr H C Allen, K.C., several mem- bers expressed the hope that the Intermediate scheme would now be pushed through. MR. EGERTON ALLEN'S COMPLAINT. A letter was received from Mr Egerton Allen giving details of his complaint against the management of the Tenby Parochial School. Although the county council manager, Mr Allen stated that he was not consulted in some very material particulars. As an instance of his ex- clusion from the management of the school he mentioned that on March 8th he left a meeting of the managers after being told that there was no further business in which he was concerned, and after he left business was done relating to religious instruction in the school. His com- plaint was that he was in a great measure ex- cluded from the management of the school. On the motion of Dr Griffith, seconded by Mr W Lawrence, it was decided to forward the complaint to the Board of Education. INCREASED EDUCATION RATE. A letter was received from the Managers of the Eglwyswrw Group calling attention 1c the increase in the county rate, and earnestly hop- ing that the Committee would curtail expendi- ture whenever possible without interfering with effciency. The Chairman remarked that he never knew of an Act of Parliament which had had the effect of reducing the rates. They all tended to increase the rates, if ever so slightly. In this case he was pleased to see that the Managers were in favour of an efficient standard being maintained, and he might assure them that all the members of the Education Committee were anxious to keep the rates at the lowest point consistent with efficiency. Mr W P Morgan remarked that the reason why the rates increased was because managers made such requests as was now done by the Eglwyswrw Group, who asked for a chimney sweeping apparatus at a cost of 35s. Dr Griffith said the Committee was a public body and the ratepayers had a. right to send them their views. The Committee could in turn send the managers their views. The rate- payers only wanted the Committee to be as economical as possible, and that was the wish of the whole county. Mr E Robinson mentioned that he expressed his sympathy with the managers, but he told them that he didn't see how it was possible to reduce the education rate. The Chairman I am afraid not., THE GOODWICK SITE. The Llanwnda Parish Council wrote recom- mending the Authority to negotiate for a site near Mr Miles' house on the Goodwick Common for the proposed new school. They also recom- mended a mixed school at Goodwick. Dr Griffith said the buildings committee had visited Goodwick and inspected a very eligible site which it was understood could very easily be procured. There had been a little difficulty with regard to the title, but he was now told by Mr Walter Williams that there would be now further difficulty in this respect. Mr Walter L Williams observed that the managers had already written to the Education Authority asking them to negotiate the contract, and the parish council had done likewise. They were of the opinion that a most suitable site was available, and Mr Hugh Thomas had full authority to negotiate with regard to it. They had in the past been endeavouring to get an infants school, and now a mixed school was re- quired. He moved that the matter be referred back to the buildings sub-committee. This course was adopted. THE STAFFING COMMITTEE. Mr W L Williams asked the Committee- to appoint a member of the staffing committee in his place. He stated the difficulties of at- tending the various committee meetings, and it was decided that Mr Williams and Dr WiTliams should arrange as to the committee on which they desired to serve, and that the Committee would concur in these arrangements. CHIMNEY SWEEPING APPARATUS. The Eglwyswrw group of managers having asked for authority to purchase a chimney sweeping apparatus for the use of all the schools in the group, the furnishing sub-committee re- commended that the Managers be asked to send in any special reasons they have for wishing this purchase. Mr E Robinson now explained that the chim- ney sweep desired to be paid an excessive price, and if the apparatus were produced the Managers would save the cost in one year. Mr J Harries remarked that managers through- out the county might desire a similar apparatus. Mr E Robinson; The chimney's must be swept. We shall effect a considerable saving. The recommendation of the committee was adopted. CHARGES FOR FUEL. The bills sub-committee reported on the éx- horbitant prices charged for fuel in some districts and suggested that tenders be invited. The Committee recommend that the Group Man- agers be asked to get tenders for the supply of coal to the Council and Non-Providing schools situated in their group-the price to include delivery at the school and stacking. In districts where there are no group the Committee are advised to advertise direct--Adoptcd. SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. The attendance sub-committee submitted a table of the total and average percentage of attendance during the past half year. The per- centage of average attendance was stated to be 83.6. INCREASE OF SALARY. It was resolved that several recommendations for increased salaries of teachers be considered at a special meeting of the staffing sub-com- mittee in September. THE ARCHITECTS DUTIES. THE FISHGUARD SCHOOL. The following report was submitted by a special committee appointed to consider the architect's duties :—After considering the refer- ences to the sub-committee of the Education Committee and after matters having been explained by the architect, Mr D E Thomas, the committee duly considered the matter refer- red to them and beg to report that they recom- mend that the architect be not granted any office assistance but that a clerk of works to in- spect any buildings in progress be appointed when it is considered necessary,. The Chairman said the architect had only one desire in this matter and that was that the property of the county should be properly pro- tected and inspected. Contracts were being carried out with no one to inspect them and see that the best materials were being used, and the committee therefore felt that a clerk of the works should be appointed. Mr E Robinson thought it most important that a clerk of the works should be appointed. He did not think they would find any other county authority without a clerk of works. It was impossible for the surveyor, with his other duties, to inspect buildings when they were being erected and if the committee engaged a clerk pf the works the work would be carried out more efficiently, and they would effect con- siderable saving. Mr W L Williams asked if it was intended to appoint a permanent clerk of the works, or only a temporary man for particular buildings. The Chairman replied that in a matter of this urgency in all probability the architect would undertake the work, and the committee felt that it would be better to defer the matter for the present, as there were no large contracts in hand. The sub-committee would make a re- commendation, but all appointments must be made by the Committee. Mr Walter Williams inquired whether instruc- tions had been given to the architect that he was not to leave his office to do work of inspec- tion I The Chairman said that a resolution had been passed to that effect. The plans fqr the Fish- guard school were being prepared, and plans of other schools were bting pressed for. The Board of Education had with-held the grant; which was a large one, until the plans of the Fishguard school were submitted. No doubt some of the work would suffer as it was im- possible for the architects to be in his office pre- paring these plans and outside inspecting buildings. Mr Palmer Morgan said there were big con- tracts being carried out at the present time at Narberth and Tenby, where supis of /900 were involved. There were smaller contracts in other parts of the county, and the matter was one which should npt be delayed. Dr Griffith held that an important appoint- ment like that of a clerk of works should be made by the Authority and not by any sub-com- mittee. The Chairman It must be made by this Authority. J Dr Griffite did not think the committee could deal with the question that clay, and there would not be another meeting until September for the members of the committee needed a holiday like other people. Mr Walter Williams desired to have things a little more explicit. Three months ago, he said, it was resolved that the architect should drop all other work and proceed with the plans of the Fishguard school. But he had been about other work, with the result that the plans of the Fishguard school were not more forward now than they were three months ago. It was now suggested that they do not consider the appointment of a clerk of works until the Sep- temper meeting. That would mean that -no appointment could be made before the October meeting. Meanwhile who was to supervise all the school buildings that were being erected in the county ? Plans of the Fishguard school were not likely to be ready before October, and no private individual would allow buildings to be erected without some kind of supervision. He moved that the Chairman and the architect appoint a temporary clerk of the works until October. j Mr E Robinson seconded. Mr Palmer Morgan, in supporting, said there were a lot of buildings needing supervision. Of course Mr Thomas, the architect, would have to go round and certify that the buildings had been carried out according to the plans and specifications before any payments were made. Dr Griffith moved an amendment that a special meeting of the Authority be held to make the appointment. Mr W Robinson seconded. Mr J Howard Griffiths did not think that tho Committee could give anyone power to make an appointment. The Chairman I have previously ruled that all appointments must be made by the general Committee. Mr J Howard Griffiths held that the duties imposed upon the clerk of the works would be additional to those of the architect. Rev James Phillips asked if it was intended to appoint a clerk of the works for a particular building or to make a permanent appointment. The Chairman replied that the committee thought that in the-event of two or three build- ing being in the course of erection simultaneous- ly two or three clerks of works should be ap- pointed, and thus avoid travelling expenses. It was not proposed to make a permanent appoint- ment, but rather to appoint local men in the districts where the works were in progress. Miss Thomas said she was under a similar impression. The Committee thought that a local man could be engaged in each case. The Chairman Of course that would have to be left to the Committee, who would be ad- vised by the architect as to whether there was a suitable man in the locality. Mr Williams: That is not an advisable course generally. The report of the committee having been adopted, I .1r Walter Williams asked if it would be possible for the architect to inspect the buildings and at the same time prepare plans. The Chairman The committee has decided that Mr Thomas is to give his whole time to the Fishguard plans until they are ready. Mr W L Williams then moved that the com- mittee advertise for a clerk of works at a salary of £2 2s a week. Mr E Robinson seconded, arguing that to do without a clerk of the works was false economy. Questioned on the point, Mr Williams said he proposed to make the appointment for three months. Mr W P Morgan said that the clerk of the works should be a cyclist. He looked upon the office as a most important one. The question of expenses was raised, and Mr Robinson said these should be allowed.' Dr Griffith thought that the question of salary should be carefully considered, because it was no use having a cheap and inferior man whose reports they could not relv upon. Mr E Robinson Their wages range from £ 2 2S to £ 1 3s. Mr J Howard Griffits moved that the com- mittee do not consider it necessary to make any appointment that day. He submitted that a clerk of the works would not assist the architect one iota. It was additional work. He was quite prepared to appoint a clerk of the works when the building of the Fisnguard school was in progress. Mr Williams asked if it was true economy to put up buildings without supervision. Dr Griffith said "Yes." Dr Griffith rose to a point of order. If he whispered a word he held that a member had no right to make it public. He could explain what he meant only he should be out of order. Mr E Robinson Don't be so cross, Doctor. (Laughter). On a division eight voted for the amendment that the time had not arrived for making the appointment and seven against. The amend- ment was therefore carried. TRAINING OF PUPIL TEACHERS AND BURSARIES The higher education committee recommend that for the year 1st August, 1907—31«tJuly, 1908, the county schools be paid the sumofjE3 for each pupil teacher in addition to any grant earned and jE4 for each probationer and any grant that they may earn. Recommended that next year no probationers' examination be held. The committee also recommended that before the drift of the proposed- scheme for bui-s-ii lei is submitted to the Board, copies should be sint to each mem- ber for persunl Mr W P Morgan said he was glad to report that during the coming year a great saving would be effected in the training of pupil teachers. In the county there would be 48 pupil teachers who would tiuish their apprenticeship, and 21 in the Borough of Pembroke. The total number of probationers who were likely to become pupil teachers was about 25. Several probitioneis would be asked to remain, and would only cost the committee 24, whereas if they had became pupil teachers they would have received not only the jE3, but a salary of X12. The new arrange- ment would be a souice of great economy. This year the committee would save abGU £600, equal to nearly a half-penny rnte. And it would itifliet no hardship on anyorie. The poor man's child would not suffer because 25 places in the county schools would be free, and there was no doubt that it would be of great advantage from eveiy point of view, because boys and girls would have continued instruction for two 01 three years. It would be of great advantage to the children of elementary schools th:it they would not have two or three teachers a week, and it would be a great advantage to the ratepayers as in two or three years time it would relieve the committee of about a penny rate. The Government bad in- creased the day second-try grant to f,5 for every pupil in the school, and no county school would receive less than £250. Next year he hoped the higher education rate would be reduced from 2d. to Id. The Chairman expressed pleasure at the pros- pect of a reduction in the rate.

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