HEADMASTER OF THE NORMAL SCHOOL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVII, Issue 33, 7 February 1906, Page 6

HEADMASTER OF THE NORMAL SCHOOL.

MINIMUM CLASSIFICATION' OF APPLICANTS. In pursuance of Ms notice of motion Mr G. Peacocke, ■at to-day's meeting o the Auckland Board of Education moved: "That the resolution of thi Board, dated November 29th, 1905, fixing Bl as the minimum classification of thi headmaster of the Normal School, b< revoked; and that applications for th< appointment be re-advertised withoul restriction as to grade." It seemed t< him that otherwise the Board would b< debarring themselves from the merit* of teachers with a Dl certificate H< would be the last in the world to saj that if a man was otherwise qualifiec for the position in. regard to knowledg* necessary to properly conduct the wort that a University degTee would not b< an added qualification. They had hac an expression of opinion from a responsible person that apart from personality a degree was not worth anything. His motion gave a much larger circle o: application. As a matter of principlt the Board should never shut out thai j large number of thoroughly capablt I teachers who have a Dl certificate. H< j thought it a very honourable rank in th( i profession, and one in which they eoulc get most capable men. Mr Edgcumbe complained that this l decision was arrived at after it had beer subjected to a conference, of which Mi Peacocke was one. Mr Luke: It is a matter of loyaltj to the committee. Mr Edgcumbe: Possibly wider know ledge has obtained since that meeting; no doubt it has, or Mr Ptfacocke woulc not have changed his mind. Mr Peacoeke took full responsibility for having altered his mind, but at th« same time he was a new member, an<3 did not fully consider the matter. Mr Stallworthy did not intend to sup port the motion, because both the chiei inspector and the master of the training coUegre were satisfied wjtb the sura; they had. If they were advertising fOl the first time he would agree to tht motion. Mr McKenzie had no desire to see the matter hanging fire, and advocated the making of the appointment at once, He would like to see Mr Peacocke withdraw his motion. Mr Peacocke: I don't think it would be fair to Dl teachers, not to let them have a chance. Messrs Harris and Greenslade both supported the motion. On the motion being put to the meeting it was carried.