THE APPOINTMENT OF TEACHERS.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XIV, Issue 4459, 28 August 1889, Page 1

THE APPOINTMENT OF TEACHERS.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Tilery was a meeting laat Wednesday at Papakaio for the election of a new teacher to the school, and perhaps the best man was selected. Bat there was no help for It, as the Education Board—or, rather, I should say, Mr Pryde—has been at the old game. In this case, SB in others, three names only were sent to the Committee to choose from, bat two out of the three were no more intended to bo selected than I was. One of them, who is aoting at present bb a barrister, is a declared Freethinker, and was not at all likely to Buit a God-fearing people like the Papakaloites. The second was a good teacher, but very quarrelsome, and he also could not sing—an accomplishment that 1b required ia a teacher at Papakaio. The third and successful applicnut had no thought of applying until Mr Pryde suggested to our Chairman that ho should write to him, and, without the sanction of the Committee, lie wnß written to, with the result that he became an applicant and received the appointment. I would think nothing of this had there been no other good teachers applicants for the position, but there were, and one of these might have got the post had the whole of the names been laid before the Committee, as they should have been. There can be no wonder, I think, that one of the t -o'lers (Mr D. White) spoke so strongly against the Board for determingto submit only three names to Committees. I can see very plainly now that it is nothing but cunningly devised method of bestowing favoritism, and the sooner Parliament puts a stop to it the better. I do not blame our Chairman, for I think he was actiDg for the best when he wrote to Mr Pinder, but it was handiaapping other teachers. Now, Mr Editor, I hardly think that this election would stand in law, for I understand that all School Committees must be elected by ballot, and such was not the case hore. If you think that this election of teacher oould be upset, kindly let me know through your paper. I am, etc., IIUSTIOUS. [Tho election caunot bo upset npon the ground suggested by oar correspondent. Even if the election of the Committee were irregular, which we are not prepared to admit, the aots of the Committee would not be vitiated by reason of that irregularity. All the acts of tho Committee would have fall force, for until the election were declared void upon pcooedure in accordance with law, tho Committee must bo held to be in legal possession of offioe and invested with all tho powers oonferred npon School Comm'tteea by tho Education Act. Even were the election of tho Committee now upset, their past acta would not be affected thereby.—Ed O.M.]