SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Marlborough Daily Times, Volume VIII, Issue 1875, 9 June 1886, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

An adjourned meeting of the Borough School Committee was held last night, there being present Messrs Healy (in the chair), Falcooner, Birch. Jellyman, and [ Macey. There was a good attendance of the general public. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Letter from Mr Lucaaenclosing copies of letters sent by him to the Board, and received by him from bis solicitor. Mr McN.ib which were os follows: Sir, — I have the honour to enclose you a tnpy of a le’tir sent by me to-day to the Chairman and members of the Marlborough Board of Education. As you have the originals of Mi is Harding’s and my letters to you, and a copy of my letter to Miss Harding, it is unnecessary to enclose copies. I enclose copy of letter received from my solicitor. I am, Sir, your obedient servant, John P. Lucas. The following aro the enclosures referred to: — To the Chairman Marlborough Education Board. Sir, —I have the honour to enclose you a ropy of a letter witten by Miss Harding to tiie Blenheim School Committee, clipped from the Marlborough Times of to-day’s date, also copies of my letters to Miss Harding and the Committee. I intended to commence proceedings against Miss Harding in a Court i f Law, but am advised that I cannot do so. I enclose letter received from my solicitor. I beg that you will be so good ns to institute an enquiry, first ns to the charges made by Miss Harding against me, and second as to our respective positions in the si lnol under the Board’s order of June 3rd, 1884; and Miss Harding’s refusal to recognise my au’hority in the matter of the 4th Standard. I would a'so ask that the Committee should be consulted under tho proviso to section 45 of the Education Act, as it is impossible for matters to go on in the School on their present basis.— I have, &c., John P. Lucas.

Dear .Sir. He Harding. I have perused Miss Harding’s letter to the School Committee, as instructed by you. The newspaper is liable for the public ition ; but I should not advise you to take any steps in the matter against it, as the letter was published bona fiilc. As to Miss Ilardiog’s letter, it appears to bean answer to a request from the Committee, who,under the Education Act 1877 (section 74) havo the management of educational nutters within the school district.

It was her duty to make n communication to tho Committee, who have a corresponding interest in receiving it. The matter, in the commnnication made, is certainly libellous and criminating ; but, having been made by a person having a duty to perform to a body interested ns the Committee, is in my opinion privileged, and your rights of action ci itninal and civil are covered by that privilege. Under these circumstances 1 can only advise you to appeal to the Board. Yours Faithfully Sam. McNab.

J. P. Lucas Esq. Letter from Mr Macey asking for leave to withdraw his resignation as requested by a number of persons. Mr Jelleyman proposed that Mr Macey be allowed to withdraw his resignation. Mr Falconer proposed that Mr Renfrew, tiie next highest candidate on the roll, be appointed a member of the Committee, and be allowed to take his seat. Both the motions were carried, and Messrs Macey and Renfrew then took their seats.

The Chairman thought they could not do much with regard to the letters of Miss Harding and Mr Lucas. He thought they should send a copy of Miss Harding’s letter to Mr Lucas and a copy of Mr Lucas’ letter to Miss Harding. Mr Renfrew quite agreed with what the. Chairman had said. Mr Jellyman was of opinion that the discussion need not be delayed. They could at the close of the evening pass a resolution to forward copies of the letters. The Chairman stated that Mr Lucas had no official communication from the Committee in the matter. He was sure that the Committee wished to do everything in a spirit of fairness. Mr Falconer said thot ir. writing to the Board Mr Lucas had ignored the Commits e and treated them with contempt. The Chairman did m t look at it in that light. The shortcoming had been on the part of the Committee. Mr Jellyman pointed out that Mr Lucas stated I hat he had clipped the letter from that morning’s Tl.mks and therefore must have read it.

Mr Birch thought the discussion ehou’d not be stopped. They could afterwards send copies of the letters. The Chairman, in answer to Mr Falconer, said they had a perfect right to discuss the letters, but he thought that in a spirit of fairness thpy should forward a copy of Miss Harding’s letter to Mr Lt cis. The charges were grave ones. Mr Renfrew said the matter should be investigated ns soon as possible. He pointed out the unsatisfactory position of affairs in the school at the present time. It was decided to go on with the consideration of the letters, which were then read by the Chairman. Mr Jellyman read extracts referring to Miss Harding’s school from the Inspector’s reports for ISBI, 1882, and 1881, which were satisfactory. In 1885 Miss Harding's complaints began. If Miss Harding bad put back her scholars in that year like Mr Lucas had done she might have been able to show as good a percentage as'he did. He had faith in Mr Lucas as a teacher. Up to this time Miss Harding had control of the Girls’ School, but Mr Lucas then wished to have control. If what Miss Harding said was correct that he lost no opportunity of placing a slight on her, then the time had arrived for the separation of the Girls’ School entirely from the Boys’, There could be no doubt that Miss Harding had proved herself a competent tenclier—as shown by the Inspector’s report. Mr Falcoiler said that when the teachers for the school were advertised for it was stated that a head teacher and a head mistress were required. He maintained that they had not kept faith in allowing Miss Harding to drift into the position she had done.

The Chairman said that Mr Falconer was introducing matter foreign to the question. Mr Falconer wished to show that householders had not kept, faith with Miss Harding. lie read a resolution of the Committeo during 1884 which recognised Miss Harding as h ea( l mistress. The

, Educution Board overruled this and immediately afterwards her returns began to fall off. He believed Mr Lucas to be a 1 good teacher,and I o doubted if they cotdd ' find a bettor. Miss Harding was also-a good teacher, but he thought it would he bettor for them both to be independent. Mr Renfrew said he was glad some of the Committee thought so much of Mr Hodgson’s reports. The outside public did not. , . , Mr Jellyman himself did not think . much of them, but it was all they had to I by* , . i Mr Birch said that the fifth and sixth Standard Girls were taken away from Miss Harding,so as to give Mr Lucas more to do. Mr Lucas was underworked at the tim°, while Miss Harding had too much to do. Mr Jellyman would support Miss Harding in refusing to recoguise Mr Luoas authority. He thought Mr Lucas should be ashamed of himself for appointing Miss Harding to the Infant School. She did qu'tc right in refusing this. He added that Miss Harding must produce proof of the statement that Mr Lucas had h-lped the cliildr nth ouph the examination. ltie Committee should speak strongly upon the accusation of Miss Harding that he threatened to “go for her” if site said anything against his sister s teaching, He did not think any woman in her senses would make such an accusation if it were not true. If the statement was correct that Mr Lucas had put *'' B * JC T S when Miss Harding did Dot put back her girls he had been guilty of stealing a a march on her. He thought Miss Harding should be asked to bring forward evidence to prove the s'atements contained in her letter. Mr Renfrew said that the letter written to Miss Harding with reference to taking away the fourth Standard was a very gentlemanly one. It allowed her to choose for herself. Mr Renfrew said that if the charges were tro® neither of tho temhers were fit to continue in the school, Mr Birch had always looked on Miss Harding as head mistress, and if she was not head mistress she ought to be made bo, With regard to the letters he was not disposed to sit in judgment on them, He suggested that Miss Harding and Mr Lucas be requested to attend a committeeseparately with a view to effecting a compromise, and that Miss Harding be askeu what she would suggest to improve her position with regard to passes. He would move a motion to that effect. Mr Jellyman thought that the charges should be thoroughly sifted. The two teachers would never agree together again. He moved as an amendment— That Mr Lucas and Miss Harding be requested to attend the next meeting of the Committee to produce evidence with regard to the charges contained in their letters. Mr Falconer thought they should both be allowed counsel, and the Committee could sit as judges. Mr Macey did not feel that he as a member of the Committee was competent to judge the matter. If Miss Harding’s charges, which were very grave, were true then Mr Lucas was not fit to continue to hold his present position,and if they were not true then Miss Ha' ding was not. lie suggested that the matter should hi icferred to the Board with a request that a commission of three gentleman outside the Board be appointed to hold an enquiry. Mr IJealy opposed Mr Birch’s motion. The charges were grave ones and nothing would satisfy the householders but a thorough investigation. The most serious charge was that Mr Lucas helped the children through the examination, Mr Falconer seconded Mr JilUmans motion. He presumed that either of the parties might have counsel with them. TheChairm n and Mr Bi-ch thought that it would only be fair. It was resolved, on the motion of Mr Jellyman that a copy of Mr LueaT letter be sent to Mbs Harding and a copy of Miss Harding’s letter to Mr Lucas, Mr Birch’s amendment was then put and lost, only the mover voting for it. Mr Maccy’a amendment was lost, Me-sr* Macey and Renfrew alone voting in its favor. Mr Jellymau’s mo 1 ion was then put and carried, The following aeo Hints were passed for payment : —Cab hire 7s 64, Auditor’a fee LI Is. The Committee then adjourned until Wednesday, 16th instaut.