EDUCATION BOARD AND INSPECTOR-GENERAL.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 12203, 25 May 1905, Page 2

EDUCATION BOARD AND INSPECTOR-GENERAL.

ALLEGED INTERFERENCE. At tho meeting of the North Canterbury Education Board yesterday, a rather warm discussion took place in regard to an alleged interference in the Boards work by Mr G. Hogben, In-spector-General. Tho matter was broached by Mr Hardy. M.H.R., who said he regretted that Mr Hogben had been round interfering with the Board's work. He had visited the Waltham and Templeiou schools, and it was time they put a stop to such interference. It was a scandal, and he hoped the members of the Board would stand up as men and resent such interference. Tho matter dropped for the time being, but was revived subsequently by a question to the Chairman. In replying to the question, the Chairman said no notice had been given to him or the Board of tho intended visit. The secretary (Mr Lane) said Mr Hogben rang him up from his hotel, and mode enquiries as to the average attendance, etc., at Waltham. Mr Lane attended him on his visit to the "Waltham school. Mr Peryinan: Our inspectors make surprise visits; why should not the inspector-General "r" Mr Hardy: Am I to understand that tho Department ha_ acted with such discourtesy to this Board h.s to go making enquiries into our work without notifying n-ir" It's scandalous. Mr Buddo, M.H.1?., paid the Board had drawn attention to the fact that there was insuHicient accommodation at Waltham, and tho Inspector-General had simply been enquiring into it. He did not i*ae any reason to object, under such circumstances. Mr Hardy: It's a want of courtesy. Mr Opie "pointed out that when tluir inspectors made purprise visits they were in connection with tho working of the school. He did not like the visit of tho Inspt-ctor-GeiH-ra! to Templeton : he could not imagine v.hv he should go there. The Board should have been apprised of that vinir. at «ll events. The Chairman said notice ought tc have been given to the Chairman; whether the Chairman accompanied the Inspector-General on his visit was a different matter. Notice was due to the Chairman. Mr Hardy: It's outsido influence; that's what is the matter. Mr Opie gavo notice of his intention to move—"That in matters of dispuN lietween the Board and the Eduoatior Department, if it become necessary tha' the Inspector-General visit any of thschools under the Board's jurisdiction, notice of such visit should be given tc tho Chairman of tho Board."