SCHOOL APPOINTMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 573, 30 July 1909, Page 9

SCHOOL APPOINTMENTS.

COMMITTEES V. BOARDS. A LAPSED MOTION. Contrary to expectations, Mr. A. H. Vilo's motion for tho limitation -of the powers of selection given by tho Wellington Education Board to its school committees, concorning which so much has been heard of late, drew forth no expressions of opinion when tabled at the board's mcoting yesterday. It lapsed for want of a; seconder. Mr. Vilo's motion was as follows:; — That in future appointments of teachers by'this board, tho "list" provided. : for in the Education Act, 1908, -to bo. • sont to school committees, contain' j tho namo of ono teacher only, unless, in the opinion of the inspectors, there arc special circumstances which warrant tho .'i : forwarding of more than one name. ...:,. Speaking to his motion, Mr: Vile said that A return prepared by the secretary of tho joard showed that, in the year 1907 , tho board made 90 appointments. In only 55 cases -was the teacher placed - first tho list by the board accepted by tho committee, and in no fewer than 21 of ' theso, only, one name had originally been, sent forward by the board.' In 1908 67 appointments were made, and in 12 cases only (including 10 positions for which only one namo was sent) wore tho names first on tho lists: submitted by tho board selected by tho committee. A feeling of dissatisfaction was creeping into the service,-and toachers as well as board members were becoming alarmed lest the organisation and efficiency of tho' schools' .might become impaired.' Tho committees'' right of final selection placed the boards in 'a 1 relatively worse position than they were prior to the passing':of the Act of 11)08, and would open tho door very widely to a system .of log-rolling and local influence, which would be inimical to the best, interests of education. '." . ~.'.' "I havo in my.possession," said Mr. Vilo, "letters readme.'something like this: 'Do try and got me (or mine): on tho list. . ~'. Once on tho list the rest can be fixed up with the committee.' What did they read tho other day J One ofitheir own teachers, had been written to for the names of a certain school committee, with the obvious intention .of-canvass-ing that committee.. I do not susgest that all committees' are subject to ; local, influence.' What I do. suggest is that in many, instances influence. is;,usod: in, favour of '.a , teacher known to a_'. committee as aaainst possibly more deserving ..applicants.''.■;•'.' : v ,' ■•!'"'."■; ' .When the' speaker resumed his seat,\. a pause, onsiiod.; Then the chairman (Mr. Lee) •rose to; his feet? ■".;'. •.'".". "I am not prepared to second tho-motion," he said, "but: I would like to say—" , "The motion, has not been-seconded yet," interrupted Mr.''Allan.:'.! ■'■"-.'. ]''. ""■'-. Mr. Loo. sat' down; :and . as ; :nobody ,clso spoke, tho motion lapsed. '..- . ' '••'■■■

; , It, is understood that tho board', subsequently; when in committee for: tho' purpose of considering a -'number.' of appointments'— twelve in all—-decided; in eight cases (two of them important appointments),.'to' send for[ward.'to tho committees'concerned the name of one applicant only.. In threo other cases tho .special: circumstances justified, a list of four,whilo -the.'.remaining caso involved, a question-of transfer!.' '..'■ ../