WAITAKI HIGH SCHOOL BOARD OF GOVERNORS.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8088, 28 September 1894, Page 3

WAITAKI HIGH SCHOOL BOARD OF GOVERNORS.

Tho JJmonthly mooting of tho above Board was hold yoatorday morning, there being present Messrs Borrio (ohair), Waddell, Sutherland, Montagu, and Hamilton. Tho minutes of tho previous meeting were rend and confirmed, Tho Bucretary oaid that in reply to communications tho HL'crotarioa of tho Tunaru and Invorcargill High Schoola had Huppliod Iho following particulars of salaries, etc.; Southland. [L'imaru $ £

r lhe rector at the Southland Boya' and

Girls' High Sohool roooivoa the foes of tho boarding ostablishmont, and has a froo houso, and tho rector of tho Tiraaru Sohool recoivos lOtt per head capitation. Tho avcrago attendance of boys and cii-Ih at Invercur/zill was 57 aud at Timaru 83 (52 boys and 31 girls). Tho Harbor and -Education Hoserves Bill was read by tho seorottry. It was resolved to forward a lettor to tho Minister for Kducation and to the members of both Houses of Parliament protesting in similar tormu to the Outgo High School Board to tho provisions of the Bill, and at tlio samo timo pointing out that an the roads in tho district woro all formed iherowasno noooesity for "thirds" or •' fourths " Tho secrotary notified that ho had boon asked to supply certain information re ondowmonts a&ked for by tho Commissioner of Crown Lands. — Tho information to bo supplied. Tho Hector wrote as follows : Dour >Sir, — Ko tho appointment of at>sistaut masters, with an additional master tho work of tho roIjooI would bo arranged aa follows : Headmaster — Classics, French, Higher Knglish, History, Geography, Extra Classes, German, and Shorthand. First Assistant Master — Mathematics, Momentary Science, Middle English, Drawing) Book-keeping, perhaps Drill Second Assistant Muster— Lower Mathomaties and English, Lower Latin or French, Drill, Shorthand. There will still bo no provision in tho sohool for experimental science, carpentry, or " Lloyd." Tho second assistant master would tako off our hands all tho younger boys, and those boys past the higher standards who piovo backward in picking up matheniivtics and languages and who at present act as a drag upon the better now boys from tho town schools. 1 am not anxious to fseo a third master appointed. 1 know that many parents consider the presont staff too small, and have for that reason been unable to send to tho sohool boys whom they wore for other reasons anxioua to place with us. This applies particularly to boarders who oro not limited to a particular town in their choice of achools, and are sent, other things being ! equal, to those schools that have a good anci sufficient teaching staff. I may add that there has this torm boon an encouraging entry of now boys from tho town (six already, and fivo of them passed tho Sixth Standard). If a third master were now appointed, i believe that it would still further encourage parents to send their .sons, and that an impetus would bo given lo the progress of the school next year. With respect to remuneration of masters, I should doubt whether a competent teacher ot mathematics and science could bo got for less than L200, especially as ho would havo to bo a man of some experience, and a thorough disciplinai ian. With respect to tho third master, should the Board consent to allow one, the Governors will themselves bo best able to judge what sum can bo afforded, if tho amount Avero very small, the place would havo to bo filled by a local candidate living at homo. It would be a good thing to have masters who would actively interest themselves in tho sports of the boys. They would need to bo men of vigorous health to stand tho long walk from town in all weathers. The question of tho appointment of a second assistant master wus then considered. Mr Sutherland moved that two 98sistant teachers bo appointed (a first and a socond) ; seconded by Mi' Familton. Mr Waddell remarked that tho present condition of the school wao anything but satisfactory. In his opinion it might be advieablo to consider nho'bor they could not bolter thoir position aa regards a hoadmas'or. Mr llarkness did not appoar to bo in every Wi\y satisfied with the position ho held. In reply lo a quosbion tho Seorotary stated that Mr Hatknosa had forwarded no official reply as regarded his con* tintt'ince of tho ovoreighb of iho boarding establishment, IIo had mentioned in conversation, however, that ho would stay on while tho boarders woro ho few, Mr Sutherland thought tho time was not opportune for a complcto change. Mr Montagu agreed that it would be unwino to "Swap horsoa in Iho middlo of ft s;ream.'' Mr Waddoll did not look rib ib in this light. IIo did not see why Mr Burn should be dismissed and Mr llarknoss rotainod. Mr Montagu said that this was quito another stoiy. Mr Waddoll protested against the motion to appoint two new teachers, and at tho same timo retain tho rector. lie thouuht tho whole question of tho staff should bo thoroughly threnhed out, and tho position rearranged, From what ho could hoar thoro was but little hope of obtaining two good assistants under tho present circumstances, Ib was resolved — Mr Waddell dissenting — to appoint a second assistant. Tho question of salaries was then considered. Mr Montagu thought that tho salaries should not bo made too high while tho salaries at tho Girls' School were so low. Tho Girls' School was admittedly by far tho more c/liciont. It was resolved that the second assistant's salary bo L120 a year. The first assistant's salary waa retained at L220. Mr Sutherland wovod that applications be called for. Seconded by Mr Montagu. Mr Waddoll moved as an amendment that boforo calling for applications for first aud socond assistants the whole question of tho stall bo reconsidered with ii view to a complete readjustment. Thoro was no use in expecting satisfac- ; lory work unless thoro was a complete revolution. Mr Familton seconded tho amendment in order to ascertain what Mr Waddell wanted. Mr Waddell said tho matter was very simple 'Lhero was intense dissatisfaction at tho general management of tho school, and tho school was certainly not a success. If ib woro moro accoptablo he would move that applications should bo called for a headmaster, at L350 a year. Mr llarkness could re-apply thon for tho position if ho liked. Mr Sutherland said it would bo unworthy of tho positions they held, undignified, and disgraceful for tho Board so to act that tho first notice Mr llarkness would got of thoir determination would bo an advertisement in tho papers calling for applications for tho position he now held. Mr Montagu agreed that ib would nob bo dignified or propoi to advertise for a new headmaster without giving tho Hector duo notice, ft would be lowering to their dignity, besides being improper. Mr Waddell disagreed with this. Mr Ilaikneea had asked to bo reliovod of tho duties relating to tho boarding cstabliehmont, and hnd nob answered the Board's refusal to allow him to discontinue these duties. They rnusb assume, thoroforo, th.it ho did not agroo with their decision. Mr Sutherland's motion was carriod by 3 to 1. Accounts amounting to L168 were passed for payment. T. P. Wright's tender (L43 13a) for levelling at tho school was nccepted, Mr Waddell gave notice to move at next meeting that tho Rectoc*8 salary bo reduced by L&O-to L3G0. Tho Board then rose.

It m wonderful the improvement that has been made lately in the art of economically [clreBBing. Messrs ./, Maodonai/d and Co, [wq thw iwb very fQtgibly,

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