The general question of granting recognition of teachers' services on their retirement or superannuation was considered yesterday by the Education Board. The subject came up on the resignation of Miss Janet Fleming of the position of mistress of the Pukeiwitahi (Shag Point) School.
Miss Fleming had been 31 years in the board's service, 26 years of which had been spent in her present position.
Appreciation of Miss Fleming's long service was expressed and the suggestion was made that a retiring allowance should be made, notwithstanding that superannuation was to be received. It was advocated that other teachers who were retiring at the end of the year should be accorded similar recognition.
These teachers were Mr John Whyte (head master, Highcliff), Miss Mary McLaren (mistress, Tokomairiro), Miss Jane Beatrice Fowler (mistress, Lawrence District High School), and Miss Mary Kinloch Allan (mistress, Balclutha District High School). Mr Israel moved and Mr Mitchell seconded - "That each of these teachers be granted two months' salary from January 31, 1912." Mr McKinlay objected to establishing the principle, although quite prepared to consider each case on its individual merits. Mr Borrie also objected to the establishment of a principle in the matter, but denied that the proposal was, if agreed to, tantamount to that.
The motion granting salary to March 31 was adopted, Mr McKinlay dissenting.
• A gentleman who has made a fairly comprehensive tour of the goldfields reports that the whole of Central Otago is looking remarkably well, and the farmers there are very hopeful of the prospects. The spring rains have been plentiful and the grass and crops are coming away well, while the fruit crops from the Roxburgh, Clyde, and Earnscleugh districts are expected to be record ones. Large areas have lately been cut up for fruit-growing, and the trees - mostly peach, apricot and plum - are looking in excellent condition.
Our informant says that the development in the matter of laying out new orchards is, in fact, phenomenal.
The erection of the freezing works at Finegand is progressing very well, considering that the contractor has been greatly handicapped by inability to procure sufficient carpenters. It is expected (says the Free Press) that the machinery for the works will be arriving at the end of this month or beginning of next.
• Messrs Baldwin and Rayward, Joel's Building, Crawford street, Dunedin, report that amongst the many applications for patents they have just filed are: - J. B. Rasmusen, Dannevirke, motor car lamp bracket; E. J. Armstrong, Eltham, teat cup; Robertson Marine Engine Brake Co. (Ltd), Timaru, controlling speed of steam engines; A. T. G. Symons, Christchurch, golf clubs; U. T. G. Wilderstrom, Port Ahuriri, tent poles.
• A strange instance of perverted maternal instinct is reported from St Kilda. A gentleman who resides in that suburb states that while examining the nest of a sitting hen, he was surprised to find that the hen was mothering a young kitten which had barely opened its eyes to the fact that no sustenance was forthcoming from its strange foster mother. As the poultry run was completely enclosed, the owner is quite unable to account for the feline addition to his flock. The hen strongly resented the temporary removal of her charge and, on being returned to the nest, the kitten was welcomed back with every manifestation of pleasure by its foster mother.
ODT, 16.11.1911.
