CITY SCHOOLS COMMITTEE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIV, Issue 8035, 24 August 1887, Page 6

CITY SCHOOLS COMMITTEE.

Thk regular meeting of the Committee was held last night in the Wellesley-stree* School. Present:-Mr. W. Gorrie (chairman), Messrs. Blades, Mo Master, Farrell, and Batty. Rkmoval of Teachers.—The secretary of the Board of Education notified that Miss Jane D. Grant had been removed to the Training College, and Alice Kells and Mabel S. Harris had been attached as probationary teachers. Napibk-stkkkt Souool.—The secretary of the Board wrote, intimating that the Board authorised tho purchase of the site for a school in Napier-street at the price named, £450. The chairman said Mr. Allright was instructed to prepare alternative plans for wood and brick. Bkrksford strekt. —The same officer intimated that the repairs to the play ground at Beresford street school would be attended to as soon aa the weather allowed, and that closets, ho,, would also be attended to. Albbrt-strkkt School.—The same officer wrote in regard to the application of the head tcaotii-r oi Albort-street School that Miss Lumsiieii, assistant teacher from Beree-ford-etreet, had been sent to Albert-street School as suggested by tho committee, and that Miss Isabella Smith, certificated teacher, had been sent to Beresford-str.eet to fill the vacancy. 4

Franklin Road.—-The secretary of the Hoard wrote re the employ men t of Miss Margaret Astloy at Franklin Road School, Btatisij,', that aho was sent to fill the vacanoy caused by the resignation of Miss M. Kennedy on account of ill health. The head teaoher wrote that the man who paiuted the blackboards had done so in euoh a way that they wore of no uso. It was stated that the man would not be paid, and tho Board would have them properly done. A Complaint.—Mrs. McDonald, caretaker of the Wellesley-street School, complained of annoyance from Mr. Cranwell, mueio teacher, who required the doors to be opened two nights a week and gave no extra pay, and she asked whether she was supposed to clean and lock up after him for nothing? It was moved by Mr. MoMaster, that the permission for the singing class bo withdrawn, but finally it was dccidod that Mr. Cranwell be informed that the committee had only granted him permission for ono night in the week, and having heard that he required it for two nights, they required an explanation. /\bsk.\ok FitoM SOHooL. —The head teaoher of B'Tost'ord-street school wrote in reference to the absence of Mr. Blinooe'e children from school. Mr. B'incoe had complained of his boy being discharged from school on aocountof repeatedabsence. Mr. Blinooe said the boy w.r- detained at home through ill-health. Mr. Harrison had written to him that the matter was plaoed in the hands of the truant otlicer. He considered Mr. Harrison had exceeded hie duty, and asked the committee to decide whether a child should be sent to school in wot and rainy weather or when in ill-health, or when not having sufficient clothing. In conclusion, he said he bad decideii to send him to a private school. Mr. Harrison's report was that the boy was absent months -at a time, and had been seen playing about the streets apparently in robust health. It was agreed to forward a copy of Mr. Harrison's letter to Mr. Blinooe, with an intimation that if he had anything further to urge he could appear before the committee at their next meeting. Appointment. —Mr. Charles Biahoprick applied to be appointed second assistant in Beresfoi'd-street SchooL He was at present tilling the vacancy, and was recommended for the appointment by the head teaoher. It was agreed to recommend the Board to make the appointment. Repairs.—Mr. Harrison sent a memo, of certain repairs required in Beresford-street School and yard. It was agreed that the matter be attended to.

Leave of Absence.—Mies Longmore intimated that ehe had been absent from her duties in Beresford-street School, and forwarded a medical certificate of ill-health. It was agreed that a letter be sent to Miss Longmore stating that she had not complied with the regulations by applying for leave of absence. Mies Howard, who had been absent for a week from School, enclosed a doctor's certificate to the effect that she was unable to attend to her duties. Mr. Meld rum also accounted for his absence for two days, on account of a cold. Several other absonoes were reported. The committee wore of opinion that there would be fewer oases of colds and illness if the salaries were deducted. It was remarked that the absences from the Wellesleystreet School, where the greater number of teachers were employed, were lees than in any other school in the city, and it was agreed to call the attention of the head masters of Beresford and Nelson Streets Schools to the frequent absences of teachers irom their schools.

TEACnERS AND THE BOARD SECRETARY. — The notice of motion given by Mr. AlcMaiter and postponed from the 128 th of June wan then brought up. It was as follows :— "That a letter be sent to all the head teachers requesting them to inform all their »UfT of teachers, assistants, pupil teaohers, and probationers that all correspondence between them and the Board of Iducation, or the secretary of the Board, muet be through the committee ; also, if called upon by the secretary to wait upon him, they shall, before doing so, notify the same to the committee, and afterwards state the nature of the business that the secretary wished to see them about." Correspondence on the subject was read, in which the head teachers suggested that the correspondence should pass through the head teaohers, who would forward and report on them to the committee. Mr. MoMaetersaid hie intention waa that the head teacher should be included, and that everything should be done aboveboard between the teachers and the officers of the Board, and as a protection to the pupil teachers and probationers. Mr. Crowther tiuggested that this might atop now, aa the secretary said that when his salary was reduced he should not do ae much work, and probably he would stop this. He did not think the resolution could be given effect to, for there was business between the teachers and the Board which was out aide the committee's duties. It seemed to him that it conveyed an indirect charge against the Board, that they neglected their duty, and did not look after their officers. He would prefer approaching the Board directly on the subject. Mr. Bladee , coincided in this view. After some discussion the following was drafted by the Chair man, and adopted :—" Recent ciroumetanoee having given the committee reason to believe that verbal communications between teachers and the Secretary ot the Board of Education have lud to misunderstandings, and in some cases resulted in injustice being done, the committee consider It noceasary that all communications between the teachers and the Board shall be in writing ; or, if it is necessary that private interviews shall be held between teaohers and the Board, it shall bo the duty of such teachers to communicate to the committee the result of auch interview immediately thereafter."

Accounts.—Current aooounts were submitted and approved, and pasted for paymout.