SCHOOL TEACHERS' APPOINTMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 550, 3 July 1909, Page 3

SCHOOL TEACHERS' APPOINTMENTS.

Sir,—l. would like -to draw the' attention of the. readers of your, widely-circulated paper to what I consider to be one, of the most open and flagrant attempts to influence a school committee ; in their selection of a; headmaster. It is - a matter which' corioorns applicants from various places in New Zealand, and I think it only right "that they should know what is being'. done at the plaoe of interest. ; As you-know, the election of' a committee for tho school district of Western Petone has. just taken place, arid 'hefore'.tho new committee have'had:time to hold a meeting, regarding the 'appointment" ofv teachers, the./f'Hutt and/ Petone' Chronicle" publishes: a sub-leader sotting forth the claims of a particular applicant; This. .1 say, is most unfair to, the other apphcants. .Is it any wonder - that teachers are afraid .to truet school committees in' the matter of appointments,: when' , euch open attempts are, made to influence their decisions?. How oomos it that'-'the ! editor of tho •"Chronicle"', knows the names of the teachers sent but by the Education Board to' the committee, boforft the committee have held a meeting .to' consjder the same? Moreover, the editor has.- put the :names in' the wrong orderV leaving it to be supposed that Mr. Bidmgfield headed'; tho list, 1 which is contrary to ; fact. , It is l scarcely. necessary to point to the iriipropriety of pubhshing the names, before a selection, has bean made. Wfe were informed at the election ' the other evening, that a sealed ; packet Was to.'.,,be; handed to the. secretary of the new committee, which, no doubt, contained the credentials of the various teachersj sent out by ~ the Education' Board; ' The "Chronicle" says:—"Not one of.the three candidates holds a' higher certificate than the',B I.", Has'the.editor ;or the "Chronicle" had access to that sealed packet already, that he knows' qualifications of the'bther applicants? . In any case, I should think that the high-credentials of the ' 'Chronicle's , ' ■ favourite should \be Vsuffii cient,. without the "Chronicle'' asking "that the committee may bo considerate enough to recognise the applicant's solid worth, 'arid appoint him; to the coveted position." I hope some ablor, pen: will take.'this' matter up, : and deal'with such,contemptible tactics in a manner which they deserve.—]'am, etc.; ■:■'-.■>■ ■'-'■' ■'■■' , , FAIK ; PLAY. , •' Petone, July 2. . v ;// ''7. '>'■;',':,'.;:.