DISTKICT SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

North Otago Times, Volume V, Issue 99, 11 January 1866, Page 2

DISTKICT SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

A meeting ol the above Committee took place in the School-room on Monday evening last, &ix o'clock, when there were present — Messrs Ashcroft, Gibbs, Pinkerton, Waddell, Bain, Smith, Sumpter, and Paradise (teacher). Mr Ashcroft presided. The minutes of previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Report of the Committee to be laid before the annual meeting the same evening, wan also read, and nfter some discussion and a alight pmendment, adopted. The Treasurer's statement was also confirmed. A discussion thereafter arose on the question of & certificate to Miss Hay, the late female teacher, whereupon it was moved by Mr Waddell. and seconded by Mr Smith, that the certificate be granted. Mr Gibbs was sorry for many reasons that this matter of a certificate had been as it were forced upon Mis* Hay. Had she never been asked to apply for one, he believed she would not of herself have asked for one. It was also uncilled for, she having been so short atime in the school. She was here only a few months when she tried to coerce the Committee into a rite of salary by sending in her resignation. Finding she could not gain her object, she withdrew it, but only for a short time, as she again shortly afterwards gave up the appointment. There were other matters iu connection with the granting of the certificate which he certainly never would have mentioned but for the manner in which it had been brought forward. He had cherished hopes of the certificate being at least modified. in its terms As it was now seven o'clock, the hour of the Statutory Annual Meeting, the Chairman reminded Mr Gibbs of the fact Mr Gibhs submitted that it was a duty he bad to perfoi m to oppose the certificate, and he would do it. Ho denied the propriety of Hiring it, and no member of Committee had furnished proot lhat Miss Hay was deserving of it. He also opposed it partly on hit own account, instancing two of his own girls as examples of Miss Hay's inefficiency as a teacher of " manners." The certificate testified to her efficiency, but he could certify to nothing but her ability to teach sewing. # He regarded the getting up of this testimonial as a direct hit at the schoolmaster, and intended to damage his professional capabilities. This idea, had been strengthened the other day, when a, member of Committee told him that, if he refused to sign the certificate, the Committee meant to take up the question of alleged incapacity on the part of Mr Paradise. He ( Mr Gibbs) had full confidence in the Teacher's abilities, and was in a position to bear testimony to that effect. After some further remarks, Mr Gibbt moved as an amendment — "That from the entire want of manners of the girls under the tuition of Miss Hay, the testimonial be not granted." Mr Waddell, who considered himself the member referred to by Mr Gibbs, denied the allegation that coercion had been practised by him on Mr Gibbs to £et him to sign the certificate on behalf of Miss Hay, and declared the insinuations thrown out quite uncalled for. The amendment not being seconded, fel to the gfound. Another amendment proposing to strike out the part of the certificate which stated the regret of parent* at Miss Hay's leaving the school, was negatived by a majority of 5 to 2. The motion was then put and declared carried— Mr Gibba protesting and dissenting. Mr Ingram, as Secretary, submitted that he bad not beeit over-officious in the matter of Miss Bay's certificate. He bad merely stated that if she desired a U*tt-

monial from the Committee she thould mike afiplictitioTi for it. This concluded the business, tad on the minutei being Confirmed, the Committee rose.