ARCHIBALD FORBES.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume VI, Issue 1214, 1 April 1884, Page 3

ARCHIBALD FORBES.

Archibald Forbes, in the Sydney Morning Herald, relates the following concerning Mr Gruneisen, the Morning Post correspondent in the .Oarlist War of 1837 :—“Gruneisen took his chances like other people, snd one of these was a very near thing. He was sentenced to be shot the following day, but was able to get off a messenger to the British Consul atßilboa, who galloped all night up the Asturias Mountain slope, and arrived just before dawn, barely in time to save Gruneisen, the hour for whose execution had been fixed at sunrise. Long years after, at a dinner party in Londonl he was presented to an elderly Spanish officer, who, glittering with multitudinous decoration, was among the guests. ‘ I have had the honour, Senor, to meet you before today,’ observed Gruneiseh. The Spaniard professed himself desolated that he should have no rememoance of the ocoasion. Your Excellency,’ said Gruneisen, with fine polineness,

‘ did me the honour of sentencing me to be shot up in the Asturius in ’37 !” It is not recorded that his Excellency made the retort General Sherman is said to have done to to the American newspaper? correspondent who met him after the war, and told him that he, Sherman, had ordered him to be hanged. * Tnen how the devil are here now V queried Sherman, with disappointment in his tone.”

MARLBOROUGH EDUCATION BOARD. The Marlborough Education Board met this morning. Present —Messrs A. P. Seymour (Cnairman), Sinclair, Parker, Ward and Paul, and Captain Baillie. Mr Hodgson’s report on the schools was submitted to the Board and read. The report was directed to be printed. • The Grovetown School Committee recommended the appointment of Mr F. J. Parker as master of the school in succession to Mr Ogilvie. The recommendation was adopted and Mr Parker requested to enter upon His duties on Monday next. The Secretary pointed out that the Borough Schools would by that appointment be left without a teacher. Mr Simmonds, Chairman of the Waitohi School Committee, wrote requesting the Education Board to appoint a certificated teacher in the place of tho present one in accordance with clause 45 of the Education Act. Mr Garrick wrote to the Board a long letter in his defence. Captain Baillie said that there had been a tremendous row. over the matter at Para. There was great dissatisfaction with somie of the parents and the Committee and teacher were at loggerheads. Meanwhile, whilst the Inspector’s report was good the children were suffering because the parents would not send the children. Mr Carriek, who was in attendance, said lie was only aware of Mr Simmonds’ two children being taken away. Twenty-eight children had left tlic district during tho two years he had been there. The correct attendance was 59. Captain Baillie stated that there were 20 children at Para. About seven of whom went to Tua Marina and five or six to the Waitohi School. In reply to the Chairman, Mr Carrie stated that he had a certificate from the Taranaki Board and one from Home. He intended to send these certificates to the Inspector-General, and if they were not sufficient for classification he intended going up for examination. Captain Baillie said that he had spoken to several parents of children attending the school, who had expressed their dissatisfaction with the teaching. Mr Garrick asked what the Inspector's opinion was worth. Many of tho parents were qnite incapable of saying as to whether these children were doing good work or not. Mr Sinclair moved that the matter be referred to a Committee, consisting of Capt. Baillie and the chairman. A resolution was passed to the effect that the Board is determined to give Mr Carriek an opportunity of going up for examination. Mr Paul could sco no real reason assigned for aeliange. Mr Parker thought that It would only be prolonging the agony if they uyere to retain Mr Carriek. Mr Ward felt that if there werd no good reasons advanced it would be better that the agony be prolonged. The motion was carried. ■ A batch of communications were read from the Blenheim School Committee, includnig one stating that Miss Harding is, and always has been, head mistress of' the school. Another complaining of dilatorness on the secretary’s part, in forwarding resolutions passed by the Board. Mr Sinclair moved that the Committee’s letter be forwarded to Mr Lucas. Captain Baillie wanted to know what was the position now? Mr Seymour thought that if the letter was sent to Mr Lucas the Board abaudoned the duestion of the position of these two heads. It was now the time when the Board should consider their positions. The motion wag put and carried. Mr Ward, referring to the complaint against the Secretary, said that the explanation was very simple. The commtttee held its usual meeting in the last Monday in the month and he thought the Secretary could hardly be charged with neglect when he forwarded the letters to the committee before the date of their meeting. Mr Sinclair condemned the action of the secretary, and said that if the letter had been seut earlier the Committee would have held a special meeting. He did not see why, when money was voted for clerical assistance, the letters ordered by the Board could not be sent with the least possible delay. The Committee could see by the papers that the resolution was carried. Mr Ward said that the very fact that the Committee took the'papers, enabled them to take the proper steps if they wanted to hold a special meeting. If they wanted a special meeting, and the letters from tho Board were wanting, they would naturally make inquiries, but it was evident to him that the Committee could not have thought theresolution of such importance, or they would have called a special meeting. Mr Avery wrote, drawing attention to the necessity for assistance in the Fairhall school. Mr Avery waited on the Board on the subject. Mr Sinclair proposed that application bo invited for a pupil teacher to the school. Mr Parker seconded. Mr Avery said that the Committee had already pledged themselves to recommend Miss Jeffries. The Committee were authorised to appoint a pupil teacher to the Fairhall school. On Mr Paul’s motion, the secretary was directed to request the chairman of the Marlborouglitosvn Committee to furnish an estimate of the cost of the well. On Mr Sinclair’s motion, all the Committees were directed to be written to, informing them that as • the Board has no funds their applications for repairs cannot be entertained. The following accounts were passed for paymentW. Douslin, 1,7 15s 9d ; Smith and Co., L 3 5s ; J. Barton, Lll3 17s Gd ; Inspector’s travelling expenses, L 22 ; Inspector’s examination of pupil teachers, L 3 3s ; Compton, L 3 2s Gd; Bythell, L 7 19s .Gd.