THE HEADMASTER.

Marlborough Express, Volume XLVII, Issue 139, 14 June 1913, Page 5

THE HEADMASTER.

[to the editor.]

Sir,—l notice with considerable sur-; prise the attitude the Borough School Committee took up on. Thursday night in ignoring the recommendation, which was practically a. direction, of the Education Board, and recommending the appointment of.an outside applicant for the headmastership of the Blenheim Borough School. The Board in inviting applications by advertisement might just as well have notified that no local teachers need apply. There are men qualified for promotion to this higher position, and they have been in their present positions for perhaps maaiy years, doing good work which will compare favorably with that in any other district in the Dominion.; But one. avenue of promotion has been closed, to them by the Blenheim Committee. In view of the fact that all other Boards in the Dominion confine their selections for the principal positions to their own teachers, the Marlborough teachers have no chance of preferment at all, seeing that the local channels of promotion are closed, judging by the actions of the Blenheim and Ren wick

Committees, and outside employment

is so uncertain. I noted with a great deal of satisfaction that the Education Board gave such an excellent lead to the School Committees in the matter by appointing Mr D. A. Sturrock to the Marlborough inspectorate, a position for which he had become amply qualified by years of faithful and successful service; and it is to be

■ sincerely hoped that they will see \ their way clear to refer the recomi mendation back, for further considera-

tion. Such treatment of local teachers as has been meted out will doubtless have a far-reaching influence on

] the teachers of this district. Know- ; ing the qualifications and records of » some of Marlborough's principal | teachers, there can be no doubt j whatever that ; they are eminently i suitable for the position.^ It would <be interesting to know ' how the

j chairman of. the School Committee 1 voted when the selection was being ! made, especially in view of the fact ; that he seconded Mr Mackay's resolution that it .be suggested to the Oom- ! mittee that Marl bo rough teachers be ■ given preference, a resolution which i was carried unanimously.

observer;