WAIANAKARUA SCHOOL MATTERS.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 7268, 16 October 1891, Page 3

WAIANAKARUA SCHOOL MATTERS.

TO THE KDI'COH. Sik, — Isoeyour correspondent" Truth," or, moro correctly speaking, tho manly " Waianakaruvian" ia again to tho front in your issuo of the other day. Allow mo to congratuate him on having donned the petticoats Ho should have always worn clothes Huitnble to his nature. So all hia neighborhood say. It is to bo hoped he will be long spared to adorn tho district with hia feminine countenance- and oldwomanly actions. Ho wishes to measure swords with me. This I most emphatically decline to do. A challongo from an honest maiden or a man might tempt mo, but n she-man— no thank you, nevor. If there is anything I hato and dread it is the Bhe-man. Now that he has come out in his true oolors lam off. So farewell. Long may he live to take tho part he has so long and so ably played— that of clown — to the groat amusemont of this district. lIOU.SKHOLDKK.

TO THK EDITOR Siu, — A letter appeared in your paper Bomo days ngo over the signature of "Tiuth,"in which tho writer wishes to lead you and your readers to beliovo that your correspondent " Householdor" is misleading your readers, when he says that •' Waianakaruvian" in his placo on the Committee tried to retain Mr Burnard as teacher hero. To prove to you and the public that "Householder" is stating facts, I enclose for publication an analysis of Mr Burnard's work for six years, prepared by " Waunakaruvian," 1 and read at the meeting of tho Com- | roitteo at which the inspector's adverse report was considered. After indulging in a lot of tall talk re the inspectors and Education Board, •* Waianaknruvmn" said it would be a baso injustice to allow a man who could show such results to bo trod on by inspectors and Board, mid ho for one was inclined to fight tho Education Board in this matter. Compare thin with the letter in the Oamaru Mail, and then give us your opinion of thn man who in such a short period changed from a staunch supporter to a bitter enemy. I send you also for publication a testimonial given to Mr Burnard by tho same person. You will bo able to see from these that •• Householder" is stating tho truth.— ; Yours truly, Jamks-Fjndlay. Waianakarua, 14th October, 1891.

[Cory.] Having niarlo a careful analysis of work done by Mi- Burnurd during tho past 6 years, I find that in the first place, that for the above-mentioned period ho has succeeded in pasiing 147 scholars. This makes an averago of 25 passes each year, and eleven of theso were VI Standard scholars. I notice that very few teachers havo succeeded in making as good a record as this, and 1 am sure that this is far above tho uibual average passes of VI Stondard scholars iv any of tho country schools where only one teacher is allowed I find that tho average passes for the six years is 70 ; the average marks for th» h]x years, 47-54 ; the average additional

marks for the eamo period, 69. Tho average for tho whole of Otago is 65. It will bo occn from tho abovo that Mr Bumard haa succeeded in obtaining four moro than tho average of additional marU.s each year. To my mind Mr IHwnrrd lias presented far too many from tho infant class before they were thoroughly prepared or oven old enough. I find that tho aveiagc age of tho scholars passing tho I Standard at WaianaUarua has been 8 yoara and 3 months. The avorago for all the schools in Otago is a little over 9 years. In my opinion Mr Burnard has been too eager to pleaso, and haa injured his own interests in order to advance that of tho scholars and their parents. Ho hus done this by pushing young children into the Standard* before they were of age. I havo no hesitation in •aying that the achool when everything i« considered i< above the average, and the peroentago of passes on the wholo school is woll abovo the avorage of similar sized schools under tho Otago Education Board. [Copy.] Waiunakarua, 12th June, 1891. Testimonial to Mr J. 1). Burnardi— The Chairman and other members of tho Waiaimkarua .School Committoo havo much pleasuro in bearing testimony to the excellent character of Mr J. D. Burnard. Uuring the six years that he has filled tho position ol head tpaoher in tho übovo school, tho Committee havo found him to bo diligent and faithful in tho discharge of h\n duties, and always anxious to promoto tho wclfato of the ehildron attending tho school. Tho Committeo havo also much pleasure in Htiiting that during tho time that Mr liutnaid haa been in tho abovo district ho haa proved himself to be a good citizen, and to be alwaya willing to exert himself in any good cimso or in promoting the moral or social well-being of those around him. The abovo Committeo have, thcioforc, no hesitation in regard to recommending him to any cducatiou board or school committee that Mr Buruurd may see lit to apply to for employment as a teacher, and tho membcis <if the above Committeo will always be plrihed to hear of the future wolfaio of himself and his family, and also to hear of his futiiKi success in his piofession as a teacher. Signed on behalf of the Committoo, JAMJ'S FINDLAY, CllAlllMAN. KoiiHKT Stmvakt, Secieluy. [This coiicB))ondcncc is now cloatnl.]