SCHOOL MASTERS AND COMMITTEES.

Press, Volume XLVIL, Issue 7724, 2 December 1890, Page 3

SCHOOL MASTERS AND COMMITTEES.

A special meeting of the Geraldine School Committee was held in the schoolhouse on Friday evening. There were present—Messrs R. H. Peaxpoint (Chairman), C. E. Sherratt, A. White, J. Williams, J. W. Pye and J. Riordan. The Chairman explained that the meeting had been called to consider a letter from the Head Master in reply to one forwarded by the Committee embodying certain resolutions passed at the last meeting of the Committee. The resolutions were to the effect that the Town Board havlug made a pass at the south end of the large park the Head Master be requested to see that no boy or girl crossed the fences. The Committee having ascertained that he was giving tuition to outside pupils during school hours It was decided to inform him that this could not be allowed. It was also decided to ask the -Head Master for an explanation of the •irregularity of the home work given to the children, as several parents had complained; also to ascertain from him the whereabouts of the lamps used in the old school. The Chairman was also Instructed to obtain an explanation from the Master with regard to a complaint of having punished a boy with undue severity, and report at, the next meeting. _ The master replied that he was not there as a combination of the duties of policeman and town crier, and tho matter of the park fences had nothing to do with him, but was solely between the lessee of the park and the public. * One of the outaide pupils receiving tuition was.a young .man; about twenty or.so, who was looking forward to passing the J_,examinatioa In January, and simply came to the school and took his place among the children tO receive such assistance as the master was able to devote to him when not otherwise engaaed. However, as there were some three other"pupils'on-the roll who were over school age, he had struck them all off, as requested; to do, by the Committee. He claimed the right to give much, little, or no home work, without reference to the Committee. The lamps mentioned were the property of himself and some others who subscribed towards them for lighting a room for a drawing class. With regard to the charge of undue severity, he might answer that when he had a copy of it iii writing. As to the Chairman's suggestion to call upon him and talk over the above matters, he would find him at the school at any time during business hours. In conclusion he said it appeared to him that It was the aim of the Committee, or ■ sotoe'members of it, to pass harassing aud, annoying resolutions, and publish them in the newspapers. After considering the letter at some length the following resolution was passed by the Committee —"That this Committee, through its Chairman, on the 17th Novem- ; ber,* IbVO, did respectfully request the Head ■Master to carry out certain minor matters which they considered for the general benefit of the school. The Head Master replied thereto on the same date in a most discourteous and defiant manner. The Committee now beg respectfully to draw his immediate attention to the due observance of the matters referred to, and further to state, that unless the Head Master is prepared to work more in harmony with the Committee in carrying out its reasonable requirements, and conducting his correspondence with and his reports to the Committee in a more courteous and gentlemanly manner, this Committee will be reluctantly compelled to place all the facts before the Board ot Education." It was further resolved: — "That the three pupils over school age whom the Head Master had lately struck off the roll be reinstated; that this Committee grants to them special leave to attend the school until such leave is" revoked."