NOKMANBY SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume I, Issue 39, 25 August 1880, Page 2

NOKMANBY SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

A special meeting was held on Saturday evening. Present— Messrs. Quin (chairman), McDowall, Richardson, Sisley, and Rowe.

Mr. Hill, the teacher, and Mr. McCutchan were also in attendance.

MINUTES.

The minutes of previous meeting were confirmed.

THE SECRETARYSHIP.

A letter was read from My. "Wi-eford, resigning bis appointment as secretary. The Chairman said that Mr. Wreford had held the appomtment for over two years, and he (the chairman) could testify to the' very efficient and gentlemanly manner that he had performed his duties. The minute-book was well kept : it was clear and tidy, and a pleasure to look at. He was extr mely sorry that the Board had stopped the capitation allowance, which deprived the committee of an excellent clerk. But there was nothing left but to accept Mr. Wreford's resignation. There was a general expression of regret at the loss the committee had sustained through the resignation of the;r late secretary, which was accepted with ragret. Mr. McDowall consented to act for the remainder of the year, although he said he was well aware that the post would involve a good deal of trouble ; but as the capitation vote had lapsed, somebody must act, and he would do so.

Mr. McDowall's offer was thankfully accepted by the committee.

SCHOOL PROPERTY.

The Chairman said that it would be necessary for the committee to empower Mr. McCutchan to take over the school property when Mr. Hill was leaving. He (the chairman) had some slight misunderstanding when he had previously demanded possession of Mr. Hill, and he did not intend to have it again. He had been a good friend of Mr. Hill's, and the members of the committee could certify that he had frequently spoken in the teacher's favor when Mr. Hawke and other members of committee had moved adverse motions against him. Mr. Rowe proposed that Messrs. Sisley and McDowall shonld, with Mr. McCutchan, take over possession of the school property when Mr. Hill was leaving, and that the treasurer should furnish a statement of the property to them. Mr. Richardson seconded the motion, which was carried.

THE LATE DISPUTE.

The Chairman said the next business

Would be to deal with the late " brawl." He could not help feeling that a mountain had been made out of a mole-hill. Even if he (the chairman) had said all that Mr. Bill had alleged — which he did not— still it would be found there was nothing in it, alter all. '

A letter- having bpen read from Mr. McCutchan, to the effect that he had made a written statement, as closely as he could recollect, of the conversation which had taken place between the chairman and the teacher of the school in his presence, The Chairman asked the committee whether they would be willing to proceed, as the whole ot the committee were not present. He had nothing to hide, and therefore it would be for the committee to say whether the matter should be proceeded with or not. If the committee liked, he would vacate the chair. The teacher had set a trap for the committee, and they had, in turn, set a trap for him (the chairman) in asking him to do that which he could not.

Mr. McDowall thought it better that the chairman should leave the chair whilst that particular matter was being discussed.

Mr. Sisley did not see any necessity for the chairman, leaving the chair. Mr. Richardson agreed -with Mr. McDowall.

The ■ Chairman said if he remained in the chair, he would not allow any verbal evidence from Mr. Hill or Mr. McCutchan, and he would not give any himself, as there was documentary evidence from the three of them. Mr. Richardson said he considered it best to let the whole matter be " blown away with the wind." The Chairman said he courted inquiry. It had been published that a certain document had been kept back, and the public seemed to think there was something dreadful -in it. When the dooument came to be published, however, it would be found that the whole affair was not half so dreadful as it appeared to be. It was, after some discussion, decided that the chairman should preside during the reading of the written documents. The following documents were then read : —

MR. HILL'S STATEMENT. Normanby School, August 14, 1880. Gentlemen, — I am compelled to complain bitterly of the manner in which Mr. Quin has carried out your instructions, and has attempted to make it appear to the children that I was leaving in an ignominious manner. On Monday morning Mi*. Quin came te the school, without having given me any previous intimation "whatever, and demanded possession of the property of the committee. I explained to him that 1 declined being turned out in such a manner, without a moment's warning, and that I awaited an unswer to my resignation from the Board. The following conversation then took place : — Quin — "But yon asked us to let you leave at once."

Hill — " Yes ; but not to be turned out in such a way as this."

Quin — •• More fool you, then, for asking us."

Hill — " I don't allow such language here. You must confine yourself to gentlemanly language, or out you go."

•" I won't. Children,

Quin (excitedly) — go home all of you."

Hill — " Don't one of you stir."

Ab no one stirred, Mr. Quin left, after making some abusive remarks about my not wanting to leave at all, but " only to bounce and annoy the committee," and showing me a paragraph in the Act about the tenancy of the teacher's residence being only on sufferance. I note this, as it shows that he meditated persecution at the time, and has taken advantage of his position to revenge a private spite. Mr. Quin has since served, on some friends of mine staying at my house, a notice to quit at once, and to pay £10 rent. What I complain of is the malice shown by your chairman in the matter, and I beg of you to appoint some gentleman to take over the books, &c, from me. — I am, &c,

Jno. C. Hill. The Normanby School.Committee.