EDUCATION BOARD CHAIRMANSHIP.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1696, 31 August 1904, Page 72

EDUCATION BOARD CHAIRMANSHIP.

MR R. LEE ELECTED. The election of a chairman to fill tho vacancy caused by the retirement of Mr Bradey took place at Thursday’s meeting--of the Education Board. Mr Hogg proposed, and Mr Buchanan seconded, that Mr R. Lee be appointed. It was pointed out by mover and seconder that Mr Lee was a man of leisure, and was, therefore, in a position to devote time to the important duties of chairman; that he resided within easy reach of the city, which would enable him to keep in touch with the secretaiy and assist him in his many difficulties of administration; and, finally, that Mr Lee commanded the respect of members, and would fill the chair with great satisfaction to all concerned. Mr Lee was unanimously elected. In acknowledging the compliment, the chairman said that though ho was not over anxious for the position to which they had elected him, lie was thankful for the kind expressions of members. As had been said, he had some leisure time, and this he would feel it a real pleasure, as well as a duty, to devote in the service of the Board and of thocommunity. (Hear, hear.) He recognised that the position lie was taking over was no sinecure if it was to be properly attended to. He had been,connected all through life with financial institutions of different kinds, and it would he his great endeavour to get the Board out of the financial difficulties under which it now suffered. Something must be done for the better equipment of tlie schools if educational work was to proceed as it should. In conclusion, lie felt assured that in carrying out his new duties he would always have the co-operation and assistance of the Board. (Applause.) Mr Hogg thought they should place on record an appreciation of the services of the late chairman. Ho moved “That the Board places on record its appreciation of the good services rendered by Mr Bradey as chairman of the Board .during a period when the inadequacy of the provision for new buildings and maintenance rendered bis duties extremely onerous and difficult; and that the Board regrets that he has felt it necessary to relinquish a position he has filled so well.” Mr Field seconded the resolution, which was unanimously carried. MR LEE’S CAREER. Mr Robert Leo, the new chairman of the Wellington Education Board, can certainly claim an intimate knowledge of the circumstances and requirements of tho Wellington educational district, with which he lias been connected for the past thirty years. In 1874 he was chosen from twenty-eight candidates for the position of Chief Inspector of Schools in this district, and held that important office until about two years ago, when he resigned. Shortly afterwards, lie was elected to the Board. Mi’ Lee has not been out of school harness sinc-e his days of boyhood, and as scholar, pupil-teacher, master, headmaster, and inspector, he has had more than half a century’s experience. Born at Grantham, in Lincolnshire, he was educated first at a private school and afterwards at the Grantham National School. At an early age he showed much ability, and at tho age of seventeen years, after four years as pupil-teacher, he-gained a first-class Queen’s Scholarship, which took him to St. Mark’s College, Chelsea, London, for two years. Here he pursued his studies with such diligence and success that he was allowed the rare privilege of a third year’s tuition. At the close of his college career Mr Lee was appointed by the principal (Mr Derwent Coleridge, youngest son of the poet) resident master of the college. Two years later he resigned to accept an appointment as headmaster of Ail Saints’ School at Preston, Lancashii©, a position which he occupied for five years, and was then appointed headmaster of the Bishop’s School at Nel-

son, -New Zealand. This appointment was conferred in Eton College by Bishop Chapman (afterwards Bishop of Colombo), acting .for Bishop Ilobhouse, first Bishop of Nelson. Mr Lee arrived in Nelson in 1864, conducted the Bishop’s School for ten years, and was then, as stated above; made Chief Inspector in this district. It is no exaggeration to say that Mr Lee is an enthusiast in the cause of education. He is still in the full vigour of health, botli physically and mentally, and is ever on the alert for opportunities of advancing the cause of education. The standard system of education was introduced by him in 1874, when he devised four standards, each embodying a course of study for two years. This system was adopted in the Wellington, Wanganui, .Patea and Marlborough educational districts of that period. Mr Lee has also done, valuable service as the editor of “'Longman’s Geographical Reader for New Zealand,” in the compilation of which he acknowledges important assistance from Sir James Hector, Mr Edward Tregear, and Mr T. R. Fleming. A Parliamentary return describes Mr Lee’s scholastic status as —“Certificate, class 1, division 2 Privy Council of Education, England, with endorsement entitling to highest obtainable classification; drawing certificate (full in four subjects), and certificates in organic and inorganic chemistry from Department of Science and Art, South Kensington.” He also holds St. Mark’s College certificates, double first-class.