THE WELLINGTON EDUCATION BOARD.

Evening Star, Issue 11642, 31 August 1901, Page 8

THE WELLINGTON EDUCATION BOARD.

- _— Mr Lee, chief inspector of the Wellington Education Board, whose retirement, has been decided upon by the Board, has made public his defence of certain statements ma.de in his last annual report criticising the Board, and which have had a sood deal to do with his being superseded. In justification of his allusion to the unsatisfactory selection of teachers, Mr Lee quotes a number of examples of teachers having been promoted over the heads of others more deserving, teachers appointed to infant schools who were, unfitted for their work, reappointments after having once left, the service, and the retention of teachers whose removal had been recommended. The selection of pupil teachers is, he says, even more unsatisfactory, and continues-'to be made in haphazard fashion, especially rn the country districts. He justifies at length his assertion that certain functions are properlv discharged by the. Board which have until lately been lefH to its responsible officers, and in conclusion says that if he. has in any way exceeded his duty in calling attention in bis report to the drift affairs have taken he apologises for doing so. Tf he has attributed dishonorable 'motives to anyone, he disclaims any snch intention; and if in his reference to teachers be has been compelled to' make unpleasant comparisons, he regrets the necessity for so doing. His simple aim from first to last has been to safeguard the interests if the service as far a-s he was* able.