KAIAPOI SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5588, 22 January 1879, Page 6

KAIAPOI SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

A special meeting of this Committee was held at the Borough School office on Monday; present —Messrs Johnston (chairman), Young, Paahby, Eerell, Mathews, and Coup.—Letters From the Board of Education (1) stating that after deducting the amount overpaid on the last incidental expense account, there would only be £6 16s coming to the Committee; (2) stating that the Board would not give the price asked by Mr Butts (£76), and would only give £6O for the site for a master’s house ; (3) giving notice that three members of the Board (Messrs Montgomery, Duncan, and Bowen), would have to retire in accordance with the Education Act. An application was received for the situation of second master from Mr H. J. M'Clure.

The deputation appointed to wait upon the Board of Education re incidental expenses and increase of the second master's salary, re* ported that the Board had promised to favourably consider all accounts for incidental expenses if forwarded to them. The Board were very decided in expressing their opinion that they could not raise the salary of the second master, and pointed out that the Committee had a remedy in malcing the' school a mixed one, as repeatedly advised by the Inspector. The deputation endeavoured

to get the opinion of the Board whether they would be favourable to reducing the salary of the head master and raising that of the second master, if the Committee should see fit to pies a resolution to that effect; but the Board would not giro an opiniomfor or against the proposal. A long diactusioirtbok place on the report of the deputation. The Chairman said that although heftas verymuch againstre* duciog the salary o'fthe heocWhaaterJjit would be preferable to ntaking the school a, mixed one. Ho would suggest that the Commstteehshould express their views on the subject of making the school a mixed one or not, so that r tho householders would be 'better' able to decide; whom to elect on the Committee at' thin forthcoming Mr Be # vell thought that if it was the intention of the Committee'* to bring forward a. resolution such as that mentioned in 'the report of the deputation,' the head-master otlght to be informed of it. Mr Fashby said, i h his opinion,*,it would be a very great pity to lose the services of a man like the present hsad master, who could teach both drawing and and singing, which he felt qure the Committee would do ff they reduced his salary as suggested. At the same time he H

thought it would bo preferable to making the school a mixed one, a course to which ho had been decidedly adverse ever since such a thing was first mooted, and he was still of the same opinion. The following resolution was then carried unanimously : —“ That a clause be inserted in the annual report to the effect that a re-arrangement of.the salaries of the teaching staff is advisable as the only way to obviate the necessity of making the school a mixed one.” Kesolvcd —That the Secretary forward all accounts owing by the Committee to the Board for their favourable consideration.” The Secretary was instructed to write to Mr M'Clure, asking him should the Committee recommend him for the situation, when he would be able to commence his duties, and also in what class he holds a certificate. The Secretary was instructed to write to Mr Butts asking if ho would accept the offer of the Board, viz., £6O, for his section as a site for a master’s house. Ine Chairman stated that the only other business before the Committee was to draw up the annual report to be submitted to the public meeting on Monday next. Toe Committee then proceeded to curaw up the report, after which they adjourned.