The Welsh Coast Pioneer and Review for North Cambria

CARNARVONSHIRE EDUCATION COMMITTEE. TREMADOC PARENTS' REVOLT. IMPORTANT AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION PROPOSAL. A £ 10,000 SCHEME. CHILDREN'S MEDICAL RELIEF FUND. (From Our Reporter.) A meeting of the Carnarvonshire Education Committee was held to-day week at Car- narvon. The chairman (Mr D. P. William?) sided, and the attendance included Miss I Price, B.A., Dr. Robert Parry, Dr. R n. Mosses Richard Davies, Ralph Fisher, lssard Davies, Edward Robert3, G. O. Jones, R. E. Jones, Griffith Jones, Robert Roberts, R. B. Ellis, R. O. Jones, R. Jones, Maurico Jones, J. R. Priteliard, Abel Williams, Revs W. W. Lloyd, T. E Jones, with the secretary (Mr Evan R. "Davie-), the county architect (Mr Rowland Lbyd Jones), jtnd the county treasurer (Mr W. M. Williams). TF.EMADOC PARENTS' "REVOLT DEPUTATION FAIL TO INFLUENCE THE COM Mil TEE. A deputation from the managers of the Tre- madoc Counci! School attended with reference to the resolution of the Committee requiring children of standards 5 to 7 in that school to attend at the Portmadoc Higher Standard Selij-" The deputation consisted of Miss Greaves Meisrs Evan Williams and Fred Buckur^'JT' MP. BUCKINGHAM said that tho p«.:<;i»ls, the local managers, and the County Committee had worked amicably since tho "appointed day." all endeavouring to ensure good education for the children. but this proposal to remove the uppe. .tandards to the Portmadoc Higher Standard School had raised a turmoil. Tho local mana- 'dered th,,? matter, but they cons, ,,ers tilOrOLIghly failed to see eye to eye with the Committee. They were proud cf their school at Tremadoc. it being everything they could dos-ire; it was equal to any similar school in the whole countv and secured the* highest grants. The sum of B600 had been recently spent upon the school, which was built to accommodate 211 children, whereas there were only 98 on the registers. Who could guarantee that by the removal of the children to Portmadoc their education would improve? The Higher Standard School movement was sim- p!y in its infancy and its advantages had not yet boen proved. Why not let matters remain as they were until it was soon that the new school at Portmadoc was a success? The managers were anxious that the children should obey the law, and Mr Evan Williams, who was an elder at a local chupl, asked the parents at a chapel meet- ing to obey the wishes of the Committee and send their children to the Portmadoc school, but they held a protest meeting and refused to do S). MISS GREAVES, Tanrallt, stated she was born in Tremadoc and had taken tho deepest in- terest in tho schoci for years, knowing the chil Iron and most of their homes personally. She mentioned that to show that she knew the local conditions of the place, and stood before them as a woman r: presenting the women of Tremadoc, who had implored her to endeavour to prevent their children being sent to Portmadoc. She pictured what would happen to the children if they had to walk to Portmadoc in wet weather, and said that whilst their school had not been closed in conscquenco of infectious disease that at Portmadoc had been closed for that reason, and if they herded the children of both places in one school at the latter place there was a danger of infectious disease being spread. At present much attention was being bestowed in Wales -ir -i f r t,t ?i tit,, qucs'?.ioii of ttiberculos!*s, d ti? -ilide .3ittely t.hitt was I)r?,se?it it Trer? c in a grave form. S?io liad preached capei Nv;?dows in and out of seaeon, and was glad to say that windows were now more open than over in the viijage. (hear, hear). But the greatest fanatic for open air would admit the great evil of children going about with wet clothes and sitting in them for hours. Perhaps the Committee would reply that they intended provid ng dining and drying rooms, but the presold generation would not enjoy such privileges. In their school at Tre- madoc was not efficient she would not say any- thing, but they were all—managers, parent?, and children—proud of their school, and that. feeling was an enormous asset in the educational life of the district. Whenever the school concerts were held, the buiuang was packed, but the removal of the elder children would kdl al! that. "I am sure you won't bnng the matter to the point of what is legal or not," add d Miss Greaves, but. if you do there will be sullen acquiescence. A bad feeling i, being fomented in a district where evei.ytii-* ivoric:?r. ot .n, 1,s been -4 smo lily bc-fore. I ask VClI not to send us back to the Portmadoc people to tell them that our mission has failed." MR EVAN WILLIAMS said he remembered tho laying of the foundation stone of the old National School at Portmadoc. and he attended it. He also rer,wmbered- MR R. E. JONES: I suggest that Mr Wil- liams should givo reasons for not removing the ctiildien MR EVAN WILLIAMS proceeding said he was not against the principle of Higher Stan- dard Schools, and was prepared to do all he could lor the sake of education, but they thought their own school w.as doing such ex- cellent work that it should not be disturbed. By removing the upper standards, t.he com- mittee would be converting tho scliool into a sort of infant school. According to the Government reports, the school had done ex- oecding'.y well, v.hcreas the High-ex Standard School was in an embryonic state. Whfon the children returned to the school from their holidays, and were t.o:o that they could not be admitted, it struck at the heart of the whole distinct. The whole place was unani- mous on the point. He knew of persons who had lost their health through walking to and from school in wet clothes, and of what use was education without health? There had been much discussion of late about the House of Lords, but Tremadoc p:op!e regarded the committee as a. sort of House of Lords (laugh- ter). The committee should remember that the villagers had tlic,.ir principles as weJl as the members of the committee, and if they were ignored, it would set the villagers against education in general, end lie feared that that feeling had already found root. The CHAIRMAN stated that only eighteen of nuiety-eight children in the school would be effected. He was glad the deputation did not disapprove of the act-ion of the commit- ttM. MR EVAN WILLIAMS: We quite agree with the principle. The CIIAIEMAN The only object we have is the educational welfare oi the children. I have a list which shows that some of the children walk only a mile, others IV miles, and only three walk 1:1 miles, and that ;.i:i not a long distance for children of twelve years and upwards. Mit YeiS; but they have to cover the distance four tiiii4,6 a day. The CHAIRMAN said the committee would be pleased to offer facilities to enable the chil- dren to have their meals at the school. He pointed out the great advantage which would accrue to the Tremadoc children by attending the Portmadoc School; where there were more than one teacher for a single class. The de- putation had conceded the wisdom of the policy of the commit bee, and he was sorry their zeal for the educational welfare of the children was not sufficient to enable tliem to get a better education for them. The advan- tage to the children bv educating them at Portmadoc would be enormous, and if the villagers could only understand that they would l>e only too glad to send their diildrc-Ii thore. MR EVAN WILLIAMS: Why do you com- pel th-C children to go there? W 'Hie -CHAIRMAN- We are onJy asking you in Tremadoc to do wha.t we intend asking "he residents of Llandu<Lno and (. amurvon to do, as we are going to build Higher Standard Schools there. We hofnj to extend the**?, facili- ties to-every .part of the count.v. Tiui SLljkllTAUy pointed out that if the bill, Gt-h, and 7th Standards were retained at Trcrnadoc, it would mean that the headmaster would have to be told- off to teach th-em. AswiMiung that Llie echolars remained at Trcrnadoc,- the wst "f educating each and* every one of them 'oll.d be more than the 1 oouunitbo uouid sttToril to pay, LLo thai I the improvement to the children at the Borthvgest School, where there had been a transfer of children, had been marked. The headmaster took the lower standards to tho advantage of the children's education. MR ISSARD DAVIES proposed that the committee should abide by their decision. The deputation should realise that it was im- postsible for an master to teach Standards 5. aa, ,d chil ?r?en in the F,ame class. 6 Standard 7 childr-e-m would simply be markimg time, whilst the other children in the class would be taught. The object of the commit- tee was to have a full Standard 5 teaoher, a full Standard 6 teacher, and a full Standard 7 teacher. MR BUCKINGHAM suggested that vo action be taken for two or three years, in order to see whether the Higher Standard School would be a success. If it proved a success, they would no doubt- be pleased to send their children to Portmadoc. The SECRETARY remarked that though the managers passed a resolution suggesting that the Tremadoc children should go to Port- madoc, Mr Buckingham himself did not send his daughter there. MR BUCKINGHAM said the whole district was unanimous on the point. MR EVAN WILLIAMS said that ho did not think the Portm.adoc School was any bet- ter than the one at Tremadoc. MR J. T. JONES asked why the Tremadoc people did not protest against the building of the Portmadoc School? MR BUCKINGHAM We did not propeily understand the proposals of the committee. The SECRETARY remarked that one Tre- madoc manager, Mr Bryant, did protest. "NO ARBITRARY ACTION." MR ISSARD DAVIES said t hi'.t the commit- tee had not acted in any (arbitrary manner, and there was no need to talk about "war" or "misery." Miss Greaves had spoken about children having to walk a mile to school, but a large percentage of the children of the county, did that, and, more- over, they attended schools with a pe"<:Titage of 99 per nt. (hear, hear). He ,J the deputation would go back, and lead N people, and not let the people lead them. MR R. E. JONES said he knew of a school where the children walked from two to four miles a day. His experience was that chil- dren were lvealthier after walking some dis- tance to school. MR J. R, PRITCHARD thought the peo- ple of Tremadoc should be met to some ex- tent. asd he suggested that Standard 5 should be allowed to remain in the Tremadoc School. By removing Standard 5, they re- moved as it were the heart of the school, and h, thought that was the real -r:evance. What th;ev -objecw to waa the co'n'verqion of i,lie g,orifi stli-i?ol ipt,o a ,)Grt, of ed infants' He moved tha.t Standard 5 should be retained at Tremp-doe. MR ISSARD DAVIES pointed out tli/U- trr deputation a,gre>ed with the principle o. lit commit tee's policy. The committee should not act from any false sentiment as it would crippjo the whole movement, and it would form a precedent for otb&r districts where Higher Standard Schools were to be estab- lished. MR GRIFFITH JONES (Sarn) asked how the oounty would lose financially by not conceding what the deputation required ? The CLERK said an extra .oaeher would have to be obtained at the cost of at least £ 55 a Tho 18 children had been out of school tv.,o manths. "YI]t R. I- EI,LIS ur,?,d tlio Comm-;tt(,e that the 1 ,N, sriould stand fo,r priiio?pl?- thev ha,(t c. pouse il, especially as it was to be extended out, the c?)itnt.)r. W(,re ti.,?7 going to give waY S.1111)iy biaeatigi-? onc, distr.et revolted? They had to look further than Tremadoc School (hear, hoar). He quite agreed that it was to the benefit of the children's health that they should walk a little distance to school. MR C. HUMPHREYS c clared that his si?rnpattiv ivc?-it out tk, the of Ti,e- 'flicro -was a f(-,I;ng in 'ihq county that tli.c- c-o-riii.?ttee bc-nt u-)4Dn c,3nv(-,rtiti, senior schools into junior schools. In view of the County Schools he saw no reason for the Higher Standard Schools. Let them strengthen the education imparted in the elementary schools Be-s.dcs, it would not be fair for children educa- ted :il1 ordinary schools to have to compete against pupils of these liisrher Standard Schools the county school scholarships DR. PARRY supported the decision of the t woulcl be a ret ?,aio otep "0 if t,(,y d:fl 01?lie I'?'s as i ourt iv -ith the bu? l?is lif?-t-d was w'th th,?; coDi-,iiitt2,o (laughter). It was their duty to teach not only the pubic outside but. the members inside 3.;) to t,? aini-s ef tl).o ,?lit E. -")' \'rl,,3 iilion tiio a?dv,n- ta,ges of St.andard 1,,<)Nv chll,,iren's ill'?ll.3 would d.(?y,o?, bv b,r. reiroved fi-on tl,,?- environment of small ooimtry schools and by mix ng with other children. MR ABEL WILLIAMS expressed surprise that the deputation had not advanced better rea- sons for eighteen children being kept out- of school for two months. What the villagers had done was to 'instil into the children a rebellious feeing which would bo retained by them a long time (hear, hear). MR RICHARD DAVIES being anxious to smooth the controversy suggested that Tremadoc children who were physically unable to attend the Portmadoc School should be exempted. By 14 votes to 6 the committee adhered to their decision that the children must attend Port- lna-doo School except those who were physically unable to do so. When the deputation was informed of the committee's decision, MR BUCKINGHAM observed: So its the l'a1110 as before. You really concede nothing. I am eorrv for that and I am afraid there ds no- thing but war for it. I should — The CHAIRMAN We cannot continuo the discission. The deputation then left the room. NO TURRET FOR TROEDYRALLT SCHOOL The formal consent, of the Txxial Government. 'P,oard to borrow C,1,255 for -ItoratA* ns and ;Yi- 'c)' I)rovc,rent.s t,o tlils -hool, In 30 N-va3 re,(?iv4ei), to.,?ct.h7!r with a covering 'letier' stating that the Board were not pro-pared to con- sent to the borrowing of JS136 in respect, <f the proposed turret, nor could they properly consent to a loan for furniture as the accommodation provided will not bo increased. The ARCHITECT reported tha.t the contractor had been instructed not- to proceed with the erec- tion of the turret. PENYGROES COUNCIL SCHOOL. The Board of Education have consented to a.J1ow the improvements to this school to be de- ferred till the summer of 1912 on condition that any minor repairs H.M Inspector reports to be necessary are carried out after his next visit of inspection A communication was read to the correspon- dent of the managers regarding the general question of school accommodation for the neigh- bouring d sfriets of Bryncroes, Sum, and Llan- gwnadl, but in v ow of tho proposal to i:nprovc th? existing school premises at Llangwnadl Church School, it was decided that no action be I taken 'in the matter for the present.. CARNARVON ITTGHER STANDARD SCHOOL. TENDER FOR £ 6,295 PROVISIONALLY ACCEPTED. Letter were submitted from the Board of Edu- cation intimating the formal approval of the plans of this school which will provide accom- modation for 320 mixed scholars in classrooms; •20 boys for handicraft, IS girls for housewifery) 18 girls for laundry work, IB girls for cookery 20 scholars in the art room 25 scholars in the chemical and physeal laboratory, in addition to Assembly Hall, drying rcolll. scullery, head- master's room and two teachers' common room. The SECRETARY reported an interview which the County Arohiteet and himself had with the representatives of (he Board of Education and the Local Government Board when the gene- ral scheme was discussed and exception"1 "was taken to the proposal to provide terra cotta for the front elevat on. A revised sketched plan had been subsequently submitted and provis.onally approved. Three tenders were submitted for the erection of the new school premises and that of Messrs G.' L*. Williams and Roberts, Carnarvon, was provisionally accepted at £ 6,295 subject to the sanction of the County Council and the Local Government Board being received to the j.e-j-es- sary loan. REPAYMENT OF LOANS. The Secretary reported having interviewed the Assistant Secretary of the Treasury "with rofer- enco to the period for tho repayment, of school -Lns %v' 'o. 'tli a v %y t,) tite 'p,?riod sa-.ictioiked by the Local Government Board (50 for build- irlgs- and 60 years for brd) being adopted by the Public Works Loan Hoard as the actual periods for repayment, a.nd the-Treasury had promised to fully investigate the matter. Tho Secretary farther reported that the Edu- cation Committeo of the County Councils-Asso- ciation tvero also interesting themselves in tho matter, SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. AWARD OF CHALLENGE SHIELDS. The Attendance Committee reported that the Geirionydd and the Portmadoc district^ each with a percentage of 93.9, headed the list for the year ended July 31st, Bethesda being second with 93.8. Challenge shields for the best attond-anoe in each district for the year ended July 31st were awarded as follows:—Bangor, LI a njf air f echan Cburah (Boys), 97.2; Bethesda, Carneddi P. (mixed), 97.9; Bottwnog, Deunant P. (mixed), 95.7; Carnarvon, Bci tws Garmon, P. (mixed), 99.9; Conway, Dyffryn-road> P. (mixed), 88.1; Geirionydd, Cwm Penmacfhno, Church, 95.6. <1.nd Roe-wen, P., 92.6. (Tho com- mi titee decided tha.t too names of both schools bo placed on the shield, which will be held by the Cwm Penmaohaio sohool for the first six months of the year, and by the Roe- wen school for second part of the year. Llan- beris, Brynrefail, P. (mixed), 98.4; Penygroee, Nasi tile (Infants), 99; Portmadoo, Pemtrefeiin, P. (Infants, 98.5, and Pwliheii, Rhydyclafdy, P. (Infants), 95.1. It was reported tlnat the percentage of nt- tendance at the Bettws Garmon school wxuid have been 100 were it not for the irregular at- tendance of a Carnarvon boy, who waj spend- ing a, holiday at Bettws. Certificates w-ere awarded the fallowing schools, wliich were second a<rd third respt.-c- tively in the matter of attendance for the year ended July 31st ;-B3.Il.gor, Glasinfrvn (mixed) and Upper Bangor (mixed); Bottwnog, Tyd- weiliog (mixed), Llangwnadl Church (mixed); Bethesda, Gerlan Church (mixed), Rhivvlas P. (Infants); Carnarvon, Bethel P. and Bontnew- ydd P. (mixed); Conway, Lloyd-street (Boys), Craigydon (mixed); Geirionydd, Yapytty- Ohu-roh (Infants), Maenan P. (mixed); Llanberis, Na-nt- peric, P. (Infants), Cwmyg'o P. (Infants); Pony- groes, Pantglas P. (mixed), Brynaerau P. (mixed); Portmadoc, Bor,thygest P. (mixed), Prentes P. (Infants); Pwllheli, Llangybi P. (mixed), Chwilog P. (mixed). COUNTY OCULIST'S INTERESTING SCHEME CHILDREN'S MEDICAL RELIEF FUND. Dr. Richard Ban-gor, the couniy oculist, submitted a letter in which he stated that since his appoint to examine and treat the elementary se.hooi children of the county he had observed that the parents, owing main- ly to lack of means, had great difficulty in many oases in procuring the glasses and other remedies 'which were pre-x>ri!>e>d. In some eases, no doubt, when the parents' means were Tjjt &o restricted, there was an unwillingness to find the money. It occurred to him that moans ri,t;.m(rlit ba found by whkfa these cvila may bo avoided, without one on the one hand -n,, tmli-Cbin. Oil tdie sie I-er regouroo, of the parents to any appreciable extent, and on the other witheut having to resort to the funds at tho disposal of the Education Authority to tthe extent of a single penny. "Mv scheme (proceeded Dr. Williams) con- sists in getting the paironts to subscribe to a fund to the extent of one penny a month or one shilling a year. This fund might be eni I-e cl C? dren'k M,dical Re?ief Fund," or cbme other koultub' It 11 diffi- cu,.t to conc- ',e ive ariy number c? parents, either unable or unwilling, to spare that small sum in view of the fact that they obtain their children's education free. And yet, it can be easily demonctrated 1- If-t that sum, small as it is. can' be made to provide not only glasses but treatment for many of the ailments, such as throat, defections, from which so many of the pupils suffer, and which incaixioitate them f riiii oomlwtiti.r wth the-ir fe'(>w7;. Ttriw, ?n of 200, arq sch-,ol wit;h there would accumulate a fund of JS10 by the end of the first year. and supposing there wore 50 such co.nt- th .y -ore would tliue be a fund of £ 500 available for the purposes indicated. In any given school the proportion of children requiring medioal assistance wo;dd be comparatively small—say ID per cent.—-hij-I the contributions of the 90 per cent, fortunate on-as would come to the a^s<?.Lance of their more unfortunate comrades, and the fund would naturally acquire the character of a true charity as deli nod by the poet, blessing "tihem that give" as well as ''them that take." The sc.heme would secure a much more satisfactory result of the treatment of the cases Illid' it v?4Duld rk?move, thi c.nfi.,d.ed to ore'i mre, taint of pauperism or charity from the parents The seihemo need not in. any way affect the relation;} of general practitioners and their patients inasmuch a; such parent must be a free a-L-eiitnof practitioners. The School Attendance Committee reeom- tof the cxlionl.-e, aiid that ii-c r-e the teachers of the county be asked for their co-operation and support. It was further re- ,c;?)lvc-cl th,.it tb.?? (-'outity Tcac-hcrs' ,'lirc.(- o?' thei be aslc-,d t,) 2*,?')T'<),nt r merl?2?rs t- ecnfey v,?it,i tli?,s co-4nmItUc'e with regai-,i tc? the details of the schcm. The committer suggested that the contribution be fixed at .VI per month for infants, and Id per month for o d r scholars. In reply to MR R. O. JONES, the CHAIR- m-'T sa,d tl-i(? wo-s pir,y Yoluntarv. -N ?,'CIIOOL ATTE'gD,?.NCE OFFICE, RS' SALARIES. It was deckled to make the following' in- creases in the salaries of the school attendance officers:—Messrs A. L1. Edwards (Bangor), J0S8 to £90: J. T. Davies (Bottwnog), X-77 to £ 80; G. J. Roberts (Carnarvon), £81:1 to ££10; Thomas Parry (Geirionydd), £ 77 to .£80; and J. W. Thomas (Pwllheli;, .£78 to X-80. The school attendance officers are to be called upon to render whatever assistance is neces- sary in connection with the medical inspec- tion of school children. LACK OF LADY VISITORS. The Attendance Committee submitted a list of lady visit-ors appointed by managers to follow "up cares reported by the nvedieal offi- cers ias requiring furt.her attention, and it was decided that in cases where appointments had not yet been made, a further appeal be made to the managers. MR J. R. PRITCHARD regretted the fact that a number of districts were without lady visitors, and unless ladies came forward, the only cause left would be to appciai to the chu.rehcs and chapels. MR RALPH FISHER said that cut of S7 schools not covered by the Nursing Associa- t; ,o.is, on,y 2"-7 to p,(),,nt IL,.dv and 1.?e r.gai-" i, is a reflection upon the managers. The work of tli,o la,,Iv Y,*slt,,?)rs v.-4,s hard. btil it wks Nvork. It wa, rather dL-APT)<)i?I'Lin- in i ieli-iou?; s-ent;Tn,?-iit was he bel-evc-ti existed, to fizid that the social and altruistic side had apparently not been developed as it should hav-e been. He feared the question would resolvo itself into one of school nurses. Ml,,? J. R. PR?Tl,"HARD siid that p,-oL,I?,iv scii-ciol iiurs-o Iiav4e. to ,a.r-d r.-o dolli-,t that -it -j.culd i ,,?Ve to rloce coriiplaints about tho work being cehtralise-d at Carnarvon. MR GRIFFITH JONES remarked it was no e-azy matter to find lady visitors in rural parts. MR J. R. PRITCHARD explained that i-he lady visitors had to see that the orders of the doctors were carried out. The REV. W. W. LLOYD pointed out that the lady visitors were not empowered to enter houses. qE(*RU? T?-RY sa* tlicy c-oi-L,'d d 'ig, MR B. EI,LIS: Yoti cannot ?expeet I.atlv v;.?it<>rs to pi-o,?-,?cute their iie;-hLotirs. Wlv ,c aii't, -t ii,? tcaehk?rs do t' w wo rl- MR RALPH FISHER remarked that at Llandudno the Charity Organisation Society did the work splendidly. 'T am glad to have the doctor's report," said one lady connected with the Society, "because it gives us an ex- cuse for calling at the houses of some peo- ple." ple." Tho CHAIRMAN thought tho comniittoe were getting along slowly, end they could not be expected to form public opinion at' once. FURNISHING CHURCH SCHOOLS, MR RALPH FISHER asked whether any- thing could net be done to furnish the Church School. After all, most of the children at- tending those schools were Nonconformists, and it went to one's heart to ols-erve the. desks upon which the poor children had to v.ork. He understood the committee intended bor- rowing money fo.r the purpose. Tho SECRETARY said that whenever ur- gent representations were made to the com- mittee as to the need of new desks, they en- deavoured to supply them, but if they intend- ed overhauling the whole of the non-provided scheo?s "n the co-antv,,Pii.Li pi?ovi4iiig -neiv flic- tl, aniour?t'thcy bo,-r4:) W. would be wholly inadequate. All they obukjf do was to provide in urgent eases. MR FISHER So its the case of tlie unfor- tunate beggar in the Bible-—hc who shouts loudest gets the most (laughter). I don't believe this policy can, in all its fulness, be carried out for evier and ever, amd in the mean- time Welsh children in these schools are suffering. Even if we have to 'borrow a larger amount, it is high time we faced the matter. The SECRETARY said it was not fair to the committee to put it entirely in that way. In a large number of Church Schools, the furniture was put to other than school uses. For instance, lay desks 'with backs to them ■were required in Church Schools for matters not connected with education, and to bring all the Church Schools up-to-date in the mat- ter of furniture would cost from X4000 to £5000 MR RICHARD DAVIES agreed with th-2 Secretary, and said that the matter was brought home forcibly to Irim recently in re- gard to a building on which the committee held alease for 99 years, but the Vicar had oertain rights under the lease, and the furni- ture in the school was used for purposes other than educational. No action was taken. LLANDUDNO HIGHER STANDARD SCHOOL. A communication was read from the Carnar- vonshire Territorial Association intimating their willingness that the plot next, to Thorp's yard, originally assigned for a drill hail for the Asso- ciation, should be re-allotted to the committee, the plot next to that taken by the Education Committee- on the other side,, being assigned to the Association, in lieu of the former. Lord Moetyn, it was stated, was prepared to sell to the committee for the purpose of the school, a site containing a total area of 7,407 square yards and the oommittee decided to adopt a plan sent by the Mosfyn. Estate Office. The Architect reported that nine contractors had intimated their intention to tender for the erection of the building. The tender of Mr Ed. Owen ( £ 7995) was provisionally accepted, subject to certain eliminations to reduce the oast be-low £ 7500, and it was decided to apply for L211,000 to oover the oost of the wiiiolto scheme. SURVEY OF NON-PROVIDED SCHOOLS. The Building Committee discussed at length the requirements of the Board of Education with regard to existing Church School premises as dis- closed in the Department's letters in the case of Cwm and Llangelynin Church Schools respec- tively, and in order to avoid any possible mis- conception as to the extent of the obligations devolving upon managers of Church Schools vith regard to the alterations amd improvements necessary to satisfy the requirements of ti-e Board of Education, it was decided to urge the Board to instruct one of their architectural staff to roport upon the following schools for the in- formation of the managers and the committee:- Carnarvon, Gerlan, Glanogwen, Uanlleohid, Con way Infants', Deganwv, DolwyddeJen, Llanddeiknoien, Tyn.twr; Church Walks, Llan- dudno Boda.fon, do.; St. Be uno 's, do.; Llan- dwrog and Llysfacn. EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM OF THE COUNTY. "A GRAVE SITUATION." ri he special committee appointed to arrange for an enquiry into the educational system of tho county submitted their report. MR El). ROBERTS, who presented the re- port, said the committee felt an enquiry ehould bo made, but the truth of assertions contained m the recent Government report upon tho work of the County Schools, and reflecting upon their efficiency. The C'HAIRMAN reported that Professor Sadler had found it impossible to undertake the task of investigating the educational con- d't.ons. and reporting on the. educational re- sources of the oount v, and that after a meet- ing of tho committee, held on the 15th day of October, 1910, a communication had been addressed to Professor Henry Jones, of Glas- gow, inviting him to undertake the mat- ter. PROFESSOR HENRY JONES, in his re- ply, regretted that the situation was not such a.s to justify him accepting the invitation of the committee. It was, m his opinion, xr u el> too grave. "I do not know whether it is true or not that 'tho highest iiins of education has been missed,' or that the present system is 'th«. cause of a wood-en and unintelligent type <J m:e-d,' or that teachers from exoeseiv^ regaru for examination results, or preference loi easy aubjeots, 'do not make a study of their pupils and teach thoem, proceeded Pro- fessor Jones. In either case the situation is much too grave, to leave me cny reasonable grounds for believing that I could be of real practical use to your committee. If the chargK) is true, then the worst kind of educa- tion is being given; if it is not true, then grievous injustice has been done to those who arc responsible for, and engaged in conduct- ing intermediate education in Wales. No en- quiry that I could conduct could be sufficient- Iv complete and thorough, and no suggestion I could make would have sufficient wecght to bring about, the changes required. qbe question seems to me to be "national" in its character, too concern the deeper inte- rests of Wales, and to be soluble only after rn-,icli d4-1;1->c-ra t 74() 11 <, 'n t-li, part of th.(-Y?,2 who aric. iriic?li irc>ra a(-?jUa,4nt.CXI v-i Th. c<i r,- cational affairs in the county as a whole than I can h-3 after my long absence. Will you thank the committee for the hon- our htve don,- r"lv? invit;ng ir?L, to ,L t-z,7k v;lticli 'Lli at onc?, '&o diti.Tjei,,It a.nd so Important, and will you tell them thut it is with the greatest reluctanc.e that I have concluded that I must deny myself the privi- lege of trying to assist my own people. The "Chairman and Mr Ed. Roberts were deputed to furthor enquire as to a suitable person of persons to undertake the investi- gation, and roport, :and that the report of the Board of Education upon the intermediate schools of Wales be by tho com- mittee at meetings to be specially conveued for thai purpose. MADRYft CASTLE A3 A FARM SCHOOL. AN AMBITIOUS SCHEME. A report was presented by the sub-committee represent.ng the Education Committee and the Small Ho.ciings Committee of the County Coun- cil with regard to the future of Madryn- Castle. The feeeieiary r. pjried that subsequent to the last rli?cti ot the coil-iiii' 'n itt?,e at I\Iadryn, whe.,?i they conferred with Mr Dymond and Dr. Wm. Williams, of the "Board of Education, the archi- tect had made a complete survey of the house and build.n-s at Mi.dryn. The architect and hinuelf Ili-cl subsequently conferred with Mr r. 'ic Boa -o.,i, i-ihe,-i %,Lr* y ,cr, at t, r,,l of ioas D suggestions were nmde aId considered for adapt- ing the premises at Madryn for use as a farm school. He tthe secretary) ard the architect had also attended, on the advice of Mr Dymond, at the Bedfordshire County School at Richmond, on the L9th day of October last, when they made a careful survey of the premises and the' condi- tio,¡ under wh.ch the institution was conducted. 'pi:l (Mr I)rt-.co) had g'ven v?i',ilab,e forni.-itij,l regard tr) t?lie cz;ttb- iipd con(tue? u,' a farm s(-)ioel, t?id t!ia slln, a had iioiv o?-,ns'!deri-?.d tpA rt-pc-.rtt-,d to cow?in:t,,et! upo-,i ilic adal),Iat;ori of t;i,-? pi-e- -,t ?l,!dryn in Oic l?glit o' f t,io direcl; -,is .,Ivcii arid s?i-gest noiid olis botit by T61r I)yi ari(i 3,,Ir 1)ruc?'. T,o plans of t.h;? pre-nisf?s ?.s they now stand, an well as sketch plans pre- pared by the county architect, showing the pro- posed modification, had been considered by the comririttee. The Chairman indicated that. he had not yet consulted the Small Holdings Ccy mttee as to the price at which the premises, with a sufficient quant.ty cf Lnd, could be acquired for the pur- poes of the farm school, as it was desirable in the first instance that definite information should be available as to the exact area of land required. The committee considered at length the general question of the establishment of-a farm school, and ti'ic, r(,'?at;v, ni,?r:ts of the propo,t, Is '(1) For establishing the school at Madryn: and (2) establishing the school in connection with a small holding other than at Madryn, and provid- ing in connection therewith for the use of the school the buildings necessary for teaching pur- poses, ai:^ also for {ircommcdating the students. After considerable discussion, it was agreed that on the whole thn more satisfactory course would be to.establish the farm school at Madryn, for the following reasons, viz. :— (1) The close proximity of Madryn to the area where it. is proposed to develop an afForestation 'scheme for v.h.ch the County Council have al- ready made application for a grant to the-Board of Agriculture, it being recognised that little, if any, advantage would be gamed -by attempting to establish ar.d develop an afforestation scheme apart 'from its educational aspect-and value. (2) The existence Madryn of -2,)w811e£1 garden 3 pv;.ards -of ttirec- acroin of larti ,,I In-.A 1, rf c-?il wlic,,rt,?> it ivo?,ild 1),0 to t.,c,eh. h?irticu'?t,,Are in all its brai,,chcs 'It fe -t. Lti:? t Xgl U.Ii the sta. lie tir?,,ont. i'ji,.t niust ar?.,?e t.,) pro- T. L holders on the Madryn Estate so that the resour- ces of the land can be developed to the utmost advantage under expert guidance and advice be- ing only possible either by (1) appointing suitable organisers expressly for the purpose, or (2) utilis- ing the staff of the farm school if and when established. The Secretary also reported that the Educa- tion Committee of the County Councils' Asso- .ciation had adopted a scheme for rural develop- 'c merit, in wli; -h it was recommendld that each county should apply to the Development Com- missioners for an annual maintenance grant of L2000 to aid agricultural education, and that he had interviewed the assistant secretary of the Deve iopment Commissioners, who had intimated that an application for a grant could be sub- mitted to the Commissioners at once. The committee recommended that the Educa- tion Committee should apply to the Development Corn mi,lDiie rs fo- a crrant of :ClO,000 towards the establ*Ii nt and e?uipment of ?i farni school 'ne for t?, countv, and for an annual maintenance grant of E2006 toward.- a general -,aeme of agri- cultural education in and for the county, and that they authorise tho special committee to formulate the detailed application to be submitted to the Commissioners as soon as definite information is rec. -s Committf-c as _I ved froin the Small Holdin. to the price which they require for the house and outbu.d'n,i at NlaOryn, to-?,t.l)er A-ith the -arderis ar? about 70 acres of A discussion took place in private on the de- tails of the scheme, and afterwards the report was adopted.