KAIAPOI SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LI, Issue 5598, 3 February 1879, Page 5

KAIAPOI SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

A special meeting of this Committee was held at the School Office, Hilton street, Kaiapoi, on Friday last j present—Messrs Johnston (in the chair), Coup, Pashby, Toong, Bareli, and Parnham. A letter was read from the Board of Education, stating that £8 12a 6d had been paid info the bank to the credit of the Committee for repairs to the school as per accounts forwarded to the Board. Applications were then considered for the situation of assistant master from H. J. M'Clure and J. Grant. Mr 0. Young proposed that Mr Grant be recommended to the Board of Education for the situation of assistant master. Seconded by Mr Pashby. After nearly two hoars’ discussion about re-organising the staff of teachers, and on the question of making the school a mixed one or otherwise, the motion was withdrawn, Messrs Parnham and Beyell voting against the withdrawal. Mr Pashby then proposed that the Board be requested to re-arrange the salaries paid to the teachers by reducing the head master’s salary £IOO, and dividing that amount between the second master and assistant mistress, thus making the assistant masters’s £l5O and the assistant mistress’ £65. Mr Coup second ed the motion. Mr Parnham thought that it was not fair to make the salary of the head master, who was responsible for the management of the school, only £SO per annum better than that of the second master; he was decidedly against the mbtioh.

Mr Revell was also of the same opinion, and quoted statistics showing that it was had policy to reduce the salary of a head master. Mr Famham .moved,' as an amendment, that the question of readjusting the salaries be left till after a public meeting of householders. The Chairman stated that he did not consider he was the proper person to call a meeting. Mr Farnham could not understand this sort of thing. It seemed to him like burkiEg the question. He considered that the Committee ought to give the householders a chance of expressing their opinion, and. he would not be a party to any hole-and-corner work while he was a member of the Committee. .

Mr Pashby thought that Mr Farnham was trying to throw dust in the eyes of the Committee. He might say this was not the place to do that.

Mr Revell seconded the amendment, which on being put was lost by 4 to 2, Messrs Revell and Farnham only voting for it. The original motion was then put and carried by 4 to 2.

The Secretary was instructed to apply to the Board for some certificate forms for regular attendance, under clause 79. There being po other business, the meeting adjourned.