Alleged Muddling

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 204, 12 August 1927, Page 4

Alleged Muddling

By Technical School Board. MEMBERS TAKE UP ARMS. NO PERSONAL REFLECTION MEANT. The usual harmonious atmosphere of tho Napier Technical School Board of Managers was broken yesterday, when the members expressed their disapproval of some remarks made by Mr A. King at the last meeting of the Education, and after a very lengthy and fairly heated discussion, Mr King agreed to make amends. In opening the debate Mr T. W. Bear (ehairman) stated that the remarks made by Air King had cast reflections on the members of hrs board. Air King bad said that he had come to the conclusion that if the Technical School was run from the Education Board like the High School it would be better for the Technical School. Their business methods, he had said were not his ideas of doing things, and there was a

frightful lot of muddling. He did not itant to decry their methods, but they had not the business acumen to do things properly. “I am of the opinion that Mr King spoke rather out of his place,” continued the chairman, ‘‘as the subject had nothing to do with him. I would suggest that it should be withdrawn.” Air Bear then went to explain that when several members’ attention had been drawn to the reports iu the papers they were all annoyed and suggested that Air King be 'wired to asking if the reports were correct. This bad not been done, the director writing instead, and Mr King had replied intimating that “though the reports read ratner in the bald state and looked like mud-throwing at the Technical School, he did not mean to imply this. A QUESTION OF PLANS. Replying to the chairman, Mr King stated that at the time he was not aware that it was an “open” meeting. “I wasn’t alive to the position tor my remarks were not intended for the public. I'll say this that as a practical man I am interested iu the Technical School, and I am here because of this, not just as a hobby.” Mr King then contended that at a recent meeting the board had some plans for a section of the now school, and tenders had been called without the board having really seen them. The speaker went on to voice h.s opinion to effect that if the boa.rd J had a secretary as the Education Board had, a man who knew the ins and outs of educational matter then he considered, things.would have gone on more satisfactory. “It is the Educaton Board that does everything and 1 consider it should not be so. We should have a secretary like the Education Board, and with due drierence to our director I say that no schoolmaster can do his own work as well as attend to this board’s work and it is not a fair thing to ask him to do it. We have muddled along all right simply because we have not a specialist to carry out a specialist’s duties. ’' Referring to the Education Board, Mr King considered that it was most unfair to grant one section of education £lOO,OOO. “Yet this is a fact. The Department have fooled about with us, and the Technical School has been left out in the cold.” Mr McLaren; We have no endowments. EDUCATION BOARD TO BLAME Air R. C. Wright considered that Air AlcLaren had done his work correctly and efficiently. “I would be very sorry to see the Technical School under the same conditions as the Napier High School” he said. Air Wright then pointed out that it was not until January of" this year that the Technical School Board had managed its own affairs. “The High School is three feet lower than it should be. Are you going to blame that on the Education Board secretary?” asked Mr Wright when referring to Air King having giveh Air Dunn the praise for getting the new High School. “The fault lies in the Hawke’s Bay Education Board in it being the controlling body,” he declared, “I feel sure that the High School would be ever so much better if it separated from the Education Board. If this committee had been backed by the Education Board then this school would not have side-track-ed as it undoubtably was, for the Hastings High School.” “All that only bears out my argument that we are muddling about,” retorted Air King. “I feel sure that Air Armour would not have had that school if ho had been secretary of the High School Board.” “What about Waitaki Boy High in Oamaru? queried Air Wright. “If Mr Armour took more on himself as is done in other schools like Waitaki, then the Napier School would go ahead In leaps and bounds.” PLANS NOT MUDDLED. Referring to the matter of plans us raised by Air King, it was contended by Mr Wright that no muddling had taken place as the plans had ueeu on the table for two months during which time Air King was absent. “Then 1 withdraw my remarks about them’’stated Mr King.” 1 did not mean to Infer that any particular member of this board did not nave business ability.” Mr Bear: “If you thought you saw where we had made a mistake it was hardly the thing to show us at another meeting as you did. I should, have thought that you would have tried to instill in us some sense or correct us if you thought we needed it.” Air King Pll tell you more in committee if you like, but I won’t add anything if it’s open.” “In regard to Mr King's words at the meeting 1 consider them quite uncalled for” stated Mr .1. Clark Thompson, who realised that sometimes when a man was on his feet at a meeting he used words that if he had given them thought he would not have said. “1 am very sorry that Air King made those remarks, and 1 was every concerned when I saw file words in cold type. I sympathise with Mr King who, I feel sure, has no animosity against any particular member of the meeting. ” (Continued on Next Column).

(Continued from Previous Column). “TO NO GOOD PURPOSE.” “I feel this very much and I think it most indiscreet,” commented Air R. McLaren. “It is the first time in live years since I have been here that such a thing has been said, and you mark my words, Mr King you will fulfil no good purpose towards the fostering of gool fellowship between tho schools.” The speaker admitted that if the Technical School had been left to the High School Board then there would have been no Technical School. “Your comparison between the High SchoSl and the Technical School and between the secretary of the Education Board and myself will bring no good” stated tho director to Air King. “Technical education has always been up against the Department and the Department up against the Technical Schools oho have to fight for every little thing.” The High Schools have always been better furnished with improvements and to say that ffiie man can run things better on his own is wrong. A director of a Technical School has as much business acumen, commonsense and tact as these great secretaries you have mentioned. I would like you to point out where nil this muddling has taken place.” NOTHING PERSONAL. Mr King: My interest is in the schools and not in the secretaries who are paid servants. I am sorry this thing has taken a personal aspect, and am surprised, also as my remarks were made purely in the interests of education. If you, Mr McLaren take it to heart then I am sorry, but 'l still maintain that the Technical School did not get a fair deal. Mr A. G. Pallott; It never has had. Mr King: If the Technical School does not get a fair deal then it is up to us to let the public know it. I have nothing personal in the whole matter.

“While casting no personal reflections I would suggest that Air King, having said the things he did under a misapprehension and that if he would withdraw them it would about cover the position” suggested Mr C. 0. Morse.

Air King: It’J gone further than X thought.

On the motion of Air Morse it was decided that Air King should write a letter to the press, explaining the circumstances and expressing his sorrow for the feeling that has been caused with the board and director. Air King expressed his willingness to do us requested.