BOARD OF GOVERNORS.

Auckland Star, Volume XII, Issue 3383, 31 May 1881, Page 2

BOARD OF GOVERNORS.

The regular meetiDg ot the Grammar School Board of Governors was held this morning, tliero being; present—Me3»r3 J, M. Clark (ia the chair), T. Peacock, if, D. Feuton, Colonel Uaultaiu, and the Key. C, M. Nelson.

Grammar School.—A. letter was received from the Secretary of the Domaiu Board notifying the appointment of a committee to confer with the governors re the selection of a site in the Domain for a new Grammar School.— The Chairman reported that Mr Macffarlane's opinion was that a good site could be obtained in the old hospital grounds without encroaching upon the Domain, or allowing the boys to find free entrance to it.--Colonel Haultaiu said that he should lie sorry to see the school established so near the hasp it al on account of the risk of contagion the pupils would have to run. —Mr Feuton suggested that a site might he obtained at the back of Government House. There was available there a splendid playground.—After Boino conversational discussion a list of the Auckland M.ll.lt.'s and M.L.C.'s was made out, and it was agreed that they should all ba interviewed and urged to use their endeavour* to procure the site referred to, each member undertaking to nee v certain number oi representatives, Ponsonuy HALT*—The telegram from the Minister of Lands stated that in ;compliance with the Board's resolution no action would be taken with respect to the Pousouby Hull. .SITE Foil SCHOOL.— Mr Tanner wrote offering lor .sale as a site for a Grammar School mi area of H acres at Kllcialie, three minutes walk from the Railway Station. The price wna £1000 and the owner of the property Mr VV. 11. Feuton. It was agreed to inform Mr I'anner that in case tho present negotiations full through his oiler would be entertained. Miuday ItEOESS.—Mr F. McKae (Headmaster), recommended that during the win tor months, tho recess for lunch should he shortened from 14 hour to one hour.—Agreed to. AN UNEXI'UCTED UMnROOMO.

The lullowuig letter was received from the iloiulinoHlcr (-"Auckland College and Uruiiiinar School, 30th May, 1881. Sir,— On 20th inst., tho English Muster intimated to me by a letter, copy of which ia enclosed, that ho had decided to auk the Hoard to accept his roaigualiun. This day 1 received a letter, copy of which also is enclosed, informing mo that In: had changed hi;i mind. There i.s thus imposed upon me tho unpleasant duty of reporting, for tho information of tho Bunrd, that from tin; commencement of his work hen-, the English Master lia.s been unablu to maintain diacipliuu in Ins classes ; that his failure in this respect is without parallel in my experience; and that his inability no preserve order anil secure the attention of his pupils, makes it impossible that he can continue to hold his present appointment witii prolit to them. Situated an 1 am, I am not disposed to discuss either the value oi tho various heads of Mr Gulliver's " protest" or their bearing on the question of his litueas to inlluenco boy.i, It iippoam to lie Rullicient to nay that it would not bu difficult to shew that tho causes of his failure are to be found in himself, and not in bin environment. In case it should lie thought lit to retain Mr Gulliver, I would reaji eti'.illy usk the ISonrd to relievo me of the responsibilities ot the head mastership, and desire to intimate that i am prcporuu, without prejudice, to accept my dismissal forthwith, or at such notice as the I'oaul may determine, just as if the notice already given hud expired. In making this request 1 am strengthened by the knowledge obtained through tho Press ot the fact that the Hoard on 2nd April appeared to recognise the propriety of granting mo six months' lo.ive of absence.— 1 have, et3., I''aiu;uiiak Mauhak, Headmaster." Enclosure No. ].—'• Auckland, May 20, 1881, Sir,—l have the honor to inform yon that I have decided to a.sk the Hoard of Governors to accept my resignation of the appointment I at present hold uinler them. The olliciiil notification of this will be placed in the hands of iho Chairman of the Board to-morrow. —I am, etc ,K. 11. (JULLIVEtt, M.A., English Master. F, Macrae, fc.sq, Headmaster." [Euclosurc No. 2.] Auckland, N.Z., 23th May, 18S1. Sir:—Referring to my letter of 19th inst., 1 have the honour to state as follows in continuation: -(I) I have modilied the opinion expressed in that letter, and fail to see that I am iv any way called upon to resign. (11) fam of opinion, with all iluo ilef. rence to your position as Headmaster, that a protest from mo is demanded with reference to the arrangements made for the English work in the Upper School. 1 make this protest under the following heads :—(1) The classes arc- of a size altogether unusual in secondary schools, and unmanageable foi individual teaching and supervision. (2) The dillicultioß hence arising arc aggravated by the unsatisfactory classification of Iho Upper Schools, boys being iv tho snme class whoso powers and attainments are widely unequal. (3) There is an unusual absence of the mechanical appliances for promoting discipline and ensuring the satisfactory working of the classes. 1 refer (.i) to the lack of desks and lockers assigned to individual boys iv which their books and sines may be arranged j (b) to the insullicient provision made iv tho class-rooms for writing, whereby much of the English work is boriously impeded and neatness well-nigh impossible. (4) There ia an absence of a properly graduated system of I text books in English subjects. It is Collier and Audciaou running through one class after another, to the weariness alike of teacher and taught. It is iv no spirit of carping critici-m tint I make this protest, Under other circumstance* I should have continued to try a< 1 have hitherto tiied to make the best of tilings : but 1 feel now that justice to myself and ado-ire to main. tain the high reputation which, if 1 may be allowed to nay so, I have hitherto enjoyed asateachor in secondary schools, mane it imperative to write as I am now doing. Assistant masters have 'their rights as well as their duties : and pre-eminent among the former is the right to expect that there should be with regard to the latter ,i reasonable possibility. In the case of the English work that reasonable possibility docs not exist. lam foitilicd in this statement by your own opinion expressed to me at the commencement of my work. You theu stated that I was in a different position to that occupied by previous English masters, owing to tho largely increased numbers '■/nuing under my hands and you further btatod that the work would kill me or any otlior master.—l have.otc.E. LI. Gulliver, M.A., late scholar of Pembroke Collego, Cambridge, English master."

Colonel Haultain was very much surprised to hear of Mr Mcltae's disagreement

with Mr Gulliver, especially as ho had heard such high opinions of the latter gentleman from pureuts whose children

attended the school. He had given the greatest satisfaction.

Mr Fcuton was sorry that the matter had come before them in such au unpleasant way. More than a week ago, Mr Gulliver bad told him of his intention to resign, anil he then had endeavoured to dissuade him from such a purpose, by pointing out the confusion in which it would place the school, seeing that it was now in a state of transition. It was doubtless in consequence of that advice that Mr Gulliver had withdrawn his resignation.

The Chairman did not see that there was any implied threat in the Headmaster's loiter. He merely expressed bis tvilliugness to accept the six months' leave of absence, which the Hoard had professed itself ready to give. It seemed to him also that Mr Mcltae was prepared to leave now, providing he were paid up to the oud of the ensuiug six months in lieu of notice. He naw that he had to go, and he wished therefore to go at onco, dispensing with any notice.

Mr Peacock thought that tho complaint against Mr Gullivei should be regarded altogether apart from the fact that Mr McKae was under notice of dismissal.

Col.' Haultain pointed out that Mr Gulliver was in a similar position. Still he considered that as it had already been decided to find a successor for Mr Macrae in the interests of the school and of Mr Macrae also his services should be immediately dispensed with.

Mr Fonton, notwithstanding the Chairman's statement to the contrary, held that there was au implied threat ia Mr Macrae's letter that unless Mr Gulliver were dismissed he would himself leave, and he regretted that it should be made «at such an inopportune time—when tho school was in a transitional state. It was language which would not he tolerated iv the Civil Service.

Mr Peacock did not see anything improper in the request. Tho plain meaning of it was that the echool could not be satisfactorily conducted while both remained, and that, failing Mr Gulliver's dismissal, the Headmaster himself would leave.

Colonel Haultain thought that Mr Macrae was entitled to something more than the mere £350 represented by six months' salary upon ceasing his connection with the school

Mr Fenton was inclined to the same same opinion.

After some further discussion, Mr Peacock proposed, and Colonel Uaultain seconded, " That tho Board, in view of the .fart that all masters are under notice of dismissal, regrets that it cannot see its

way to shorten the notice to the Itcv. Mr Gulliver, but, recognising the tliflicult position of the Headmaster, that it releases him from further attendance at the school without implying any censure upon him, or going into the merits of his letter, and further that he bo grauted salary up to tlie turmiuatioD of the period of notice, and .fix months salary in addition in consideration of hia loug and faithful service." Mr Fentou and the Rev. Mr Nelson objected to the expression ot regret regarding the notice to Mr Gulliver. The Chairman thought that part might be omitted, as it virtually prejudged the case

Mr Peacock consented to the excision of of the phrase which contained the expression of regret. Exception, however, was taken to other ports of the proposition, aud the Chairman, therefore, moved as au amendment —That the Board having read the Headmaster's letter of the 30th May, and the enclosures resolves that recognising the difficult position of the Headmaster iv the present cirbumstances in which ho and tho other masters are placed resolves that he be released from further attendance at the school without implying any censure upon him or going into tho merits of the case, aud also that he be granted salary up to the termination of the period ot notice and a gratuity of £350 iv addition in consideration of liis long and faithful services."

The amendment was seconded by Mr Fentou, and curried.

Tjsmporarv Headmaster. — It was resolved to appoint Mr Headmaster pro torn., ami tliao for this additional work he should be paid at a rate of £200 per annum iv addition to his present salary. Authority was given tho Chairman, Mr J. M. Clark and Colouel Haul tain to arrange for extra temporary assistance until a new Headmaster is appointed. Accounts. — Accounts amounting to £443 3s 2d were passed for paymotit One of the large items was the sum of £143 lO.s for tho shorthand report of the recent enquiry into the Purchas charges. This concluded the business.