EDUCATION BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 7539, 16 April 1886, Page 4

EDUCATION BOARD.

The monthly meeting of the Education Board was held yestenky, and - -attended by, Messrs Fraer (chairmau), Green, Begg, Clark, Fraser, M'Kenzie, M;H.R., Hon. Thomas Dick, Dr Brown, and Dr Macgregor. THE CHAIRMANSHIP. After the minutes had been confirmed, but before the chairman had signed them, Mr . Fbaser rose to move a motion, but the Chairman ruled him out of order. Mr Fraskr, however, persisted in speaking for some time, but at last sat down, saying: " I wish to record my protest against the grossly unfair manner iv which you suppress my motion." DrMACGBKGORthen moved—"That the present chairman be re-elected for the current year." He thought it was deairable that a chairman should continue in office-for some little time

when he got thoroughly to understand the business of the Board.

Mr M'Re>czie seconded the motion.

Mr Fraser said there could be no doubt but

that the position of chairman to the Education

Board was one of the most important positions

held by any public man in this province, and there was little question that certain high qualifications were necessary for the post. It

was necessary that they should have a man of strict integrity and firmness, and of rather

more than average capacity. He need not enlarge -upon the qualifications of the gentleman he wished to propose as chairmau, namely, Dr Brown, who was well known as a most indus-

trious man, and—without any derogation to other

members present—was one of the strongest men upon the Board. He (Mr Fraser) had always held the opiaion that an office of this kind, where the body was composed of men of equal capacity, should be a rotary one; but no question of town or country should arise. Mr Fraer resided in: Lawrence, and the only objection that could be made with regard to him was that he did not exercise a wise discretion in debiting the Board with his travelling expensed. He (,Mr Fraser) did not think that the time of country members was as valuable as town members. The Cuaikman : .[ question it. Mr Fdaser : Not so valuable as Dr. Brown's. The Ciiaimtan : My time is quite as valuable to me as Dr Brown's is to him.

Mr Fraser said he could imagine so from the way in which the chairman charged. For at-

tending the Board three days he charged a

guinea each- day and travelling expenses (£1 5s

Now some members of the: Board thonght that charge was unnecessarily High.

The Chairman :, It v.

fixed by the Board.

Mr Fraser said the charge was fixed by the Board at a guinea a day, but it was quite unnecessary for members to start from home a clay

before the meeting of the Board in order to increase their travelling allowance. Mr Fraer's expenses for the year had been ;£S2—a-greater sum than was charged by any member attending any education board iv any part of the Colony.

The Chairman : That is merely a statement.

Mr Fraser replied that it was a statement; but if Mr Fraer was not prepared to challenge it he should leave it alone. He then said, in ihe memory of this Board —since Dr Brown and himself;took their seats—there was a very

strong feeling expressed at the interference ol officers of the ..Board-.with-the appointment ol

teachers. It,was generally recognised by the Board, that.ithey could not too jealously guard against undue official interference, and all the members worked themselves into a glow of righteous indignation over the matter. Since then Mr Fraer, as chairman of the Board, had made a practice of advocating claims of certain teachers to the school committees, and this Board could conceive nothing more fatal to the proper administration of this body than that the head of it should interest himself in favour of certain favourite teachers. This was favouritism of the worst possible type; and what he (the speaker) referred to had been done in the case of the Albany street School. He (Mr Fraser) had been informed by members of .that school committee that Mr Fraer had canvassed a majority of them in favour of a certain teacher, and that he had written to some of them and spoken to others. They had a letter before the Board that day written: by a, member of that school committee, and complaining of this undue interference. The Chairman said he had seen that letter, and he knew nothing about the matter ref erred to in it. Mr Fraser was prepared to stand or fall by the facts he had stated; he was .prepared to refign his seat on the Board if the facts were not true. , He did not know the teacher's name on whose behalf Mr Fraer had interfered, but he was certain that she came from Mr Fraer's own district, and was probably personally known to himself. He (Mr Fraser) thought this matter called for rigid inquiry. He had stated the matter as moderately as he coulfl, and he appealed to members of the-Board to deal honestly and fairly in the matter,; If the facts brought before the Board by him were correct, and the chairman had been guilty of influencing school committees in favour of certain teachers, it should certainly not cost him (the speaker) the confidence of any independent man who wished the education system to prosper. He appealed to Mr M'Ke.nzie and Mr Clark, if they thought his facts were correct, not to vote for the appointment of Mr Fraer as chairman. \Mr Begg seconded the nomination of Dr Brown. He was not. going, to commit himself to the statements made by Mr Fraser, but he seconded Dr Brown's nomination as he thought he would fill the office of chairman to the Board to the satisfaction of all concerned. The Chairman said he did not intend to make any remarks in that bitter spirit which had actuated Mr Fraser in dealing with this matter. About a month ago Mr Fraser, unsolicited, complimented him on the way the business of the Board had been conducted since he (the speaker) had been-in office. Mr Fraser: I regret to give your statement an unqualified denial. The Chairman : I here state that, unsolicited, you made those remarks. Mr Fraser: You are repeating a deliberate untruth. Mr Begg remarked that Mr Fraser should not have made a statement of that kind, and he should withdraw it. Mr Fraser : He should have accepted my denial and dropped the subject. Mr Dick said his opinion was that both Mr Fraser and the chairman were in the wrong. He did not think that the chairman was justified in bringing a private conversation before the Board, and Air Fraser should not have interrupted the chairman. The Chairman said he had not done anything as chairman of the Board to forfeit the good opinion of other members of the Board. What he had done he was quite prepared to standby. If the members of the Board thought he was qualified to fulfil the position of chairman for the next 12 months, he would cheerfully accept the position; but if Dr Brown were elected he would give him every assistance in his power to enable him to carry out the duties of his office. Mr Dick thought whoever held the position of chairman required to,hold a firm rein, but he did not know whether the present chairman had displayed full control or not while in office. He noticed in the papers that there seemed to be a want of control in the management of the affairs of the Board. Whether it was that members of the Board were too strong, or the chairman was too weak, he (the speaker) could not exactly say; but there certainly was a want of control, and he did not think that, as an education board, they were setting a good example to other education boards. He trusted that they would not be a board dealing merely with educational matters, but that they would act in a gentlemanly manner towards one another, and see that the business of the Board was conducted as became a board of education. With regard to the appointment of chairman, he was in favour of Dr Brown being appointed, as he had shown a great interest in educational matters and possessed the necessary qualifications for taking charge of the affairs of the Board. After some further discussion, the amendment was put to the meeting, when there voted : For "it"—Messrs Fraser, Dick, and Begg. Against—Dr Macgregor, Messrs M'Kenzie and Clark. The Chairman gave his casting vote against the amendment. On the motion being put to the meeting, Messrs Clark, Macgregor, M'Kenzie and the Chairman voted • for it; while Messrs Dick, Fraser, Begg, and Dr Brown voted against it. The Chairman said he would follow the usual Parliamentary practice, and allow things to remain as they were at present. His vote would be given for the motion, which would therefore be carried. At a later stage of the meeting the following letter, addressed to Mr Pryde, was read:— " Sir,—Will you kindly bring the following memo, before the Education Board for their consideration: ' That Mr Fraer's actions in writing and interviewing members of Committee in reference to the selection of suitable applicants for the position of matron to the Albany street School is uncalled for and unjust, and deserving of. a full apology.—Daniel Smith, member of Albany street School Committee.'" The Chairman said he had seen two or three members of the School Committee, and had mentioned that one of the applicants for the appointment of matron to the Albany street School was personally known to himself, and he could vouch for the correctness of her testimonials. He also asked them to fairly consider her claims; and he had done this in bis private capacity, and not as chairman oi the Board. After a warm discussion, the letter was received.

jin green's election. Mr James Green was declared duly elected in the place of Professor Shand (resigned). INOHOUIK. It was resolved to adhere to the original site fixed on for the school at Incholrae. TOMAHAWK. Dr Brown reported that he had, as requested, inquired into the matter of the school in the Highcliff and Tomahawk district, and recommended that the Highcliff school be not shifted. FINANCE REPORT. The report of the Finance Committee was submitted and adopted. The Committee recommended, inter alia :—

That the application for assistaneo in erecting a playshed at, Hampden be declined. I'hafc the Albany street School Committee be asked to furnish the Bniird with the number of children attending their school from outside the-school district, the Committee having made renewed application for additional school accommodation. Tli»t the proposed exchange of sections recommended by the Mnhcno School Committee be given effect to. and the necessary alteration!) for improved ventilation curried out. That the application from the Port Chalmers School Committee for a refund of the cost of alterations effected to the master's residence by the late rector (Mr Fearnloy) bo declined. That the present schoolmnetcr's residence ijfc Otepopo be sold, and that a new one be erected in wood. That the portion of the old building at Palmeißton which is not required for school purposes be handed over to

the School Committee on condition that the proceeds { derived from its sale be exDended in improving the school grounds. That the following sums be granted for thecompletion of buildings:—North Otago Heads, £15; Waugaloa, £•! ; Anderson's Bay, £tu. That the following tenders be accepted:—Awamoko. | residence, W. Forrester, £212; Sawyers' Bay, additions, IV. Knowles, £UV ss; North-East Harbour, new school, J. E. Hellyer, £iS2 )8s (id. That the letter from the Oamn.ru Corporation solicitors re closets at the District High School be referred to the local School Committee, and that the application for raising the roof of the iuiant-rooni iv the North School be declined. That consent be given to the Walton Park Coal Company obtaining a title to the right-of-way adjoining tue Lreorge street, behool site, on condition that Uie Company pay the cost. " ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £0944 3s 5d were passed for payment. TUB SYLLABUS. Dr Macgregor moved, according to notice— " That the Board resolve to inquire what is best as to amount of instruction and number of subjects to be prescribed for common education, especially as affecting health and healthful culture of mind, with a view of preparation for the duties of mature life."

It was resolved to appoint a committee, consisting of Messrs Dick, Fraser, Dr Brown, and Dr Macgregor, to inquire into and report on the syllabus. PRESENT OP BOOKS. The following letter was received from Dr Hislop, late Secretary to the Education Department : —

. Wellington, April 2.1880. —It has occurred to me ill connection vrith my retirement from publieofticiiu life that, the books in my library relating to educational subjects might prove more serviceable if placed within reach of the teachers and students of the Otago Training College thnn if kept on the shelves of my own libra y. 1 shall therefore feel gratified if the Education Board would accept the books on behalf of the Training College library. There are about 90 volumes and 20 pamphlets. I attach v list, of them. As lon template taking up my residence in Dunedin, the books would always be within my reach in the event ot my wishing to refer to any of them.—l have, &0., Juux iiisr.op. On the motion of the Hon. Mr Dick, seconded by Mr Green, it was resolved—'- That the Board tender their sincere thanks to Dr Hislop for his generous gift, and take the opportunity at the same time of expressing their regret at the retirement of Dr Hislop from the position which he has hold with such adviintag« to the interests of education in New Zealand." MM 51'KKXZIR'S MOTICIK. iMi: M'Krn/ie moved, according to noticu — " That this Board, request. Mr Begg, as i\u-. Board's representative on thu Ofcago School Commissioners Board, to give :m explanation regarding his action in connection with the purchase, on behalf of the Hon. Robert Campbell, in 1388, of section 23, block V, Maerewheutin district, containing 1473 acres, the same being an education reserve, for a term of 14 years, at a rental of 4s lOd per acre; and to explain how this reserve happened to be again offered for sale in September ISSo and re-purchased by Mr Begg, as agent for the Hon. Robert Campbell, for a term of 14years, at a rental of 2s per acre ;

and also that Mr Begg be asked to state whether he, as agent for the Hon. Robert Campbell, conducted the negotiations, either verbally or in writing, which led to a loss to the education fund of £250-1, or a yearly loss of £208 13s 4d; and whether his action in this matter was in the

interest of his principal, the Hon. Robert Campbell, or in the interest of the Otago education fund." He said that he had in moving this resolution no such feeling as had been attributed to him, but had been compelled to do it as a public man, he haviug been called on by means of letters from a large number ot persons to inquire into the affair. The question that people felt very sore on was this : the laud was widely advertised in the Oamaru papers as for sale, and was purchased by Mr Begg, and it was understood that it had been disposed of for 14

years. Shortly afterwards, however, it was put up at Dunedin without being advertised in the Northern papers, and sold for far less than it

would have brought if properly advertised. That was the subject of complaint, and he hoped that Mr Begg would be able to explain it.

Mr Fraser seconded tho motion pro forma.

Mr Begg : I hold that this motion is quite incompetent. If the Board wishes an explanation of any action of mine as its representative on

the Board of School Commissioners, of course I am quite ready to give any such explanation, as this Board is fully entitled to ask it. This motion, however, does not propose to ask me to give any such information, but to give an explanation of my action in connection with a purchase at auction, of a lease on behalf of. a constituent. When this Board did me the honour of appointing me its representative on the Board of Commissioners, no such condition was even hinted at as that I should give up my private business, which, among other matters, included the agency for two of the several hundreds of lessees under the Commissioners. Had such a condition been even mentioned, I would lißver for :i moment have agreed to accept

the appointment. What would such a condition have meant? iSimply that, in order to accept an honorary office for which thp Board considered my practical knowledge of

the land question qualified me, I was to relinquish my business connection because one or two of my constituents happened to hold education leases. It would be quite as reasonable, supposing any member of this Board were a lawyer and one of his clients happened to have a claim against the Board, to say that the members position on the Board was inconsistent with his acting for his client as legal adviser, and that a motion would be competent calling on him to explain his action. Or, again, supposing a member of this Board were unable to pay his debts—if it is not high treason to suggest such a possibility—and his creditors were so considerate as to accept a payment of a composition in full satisfaction, would thin Board, in order to find out whether the member in question had come under the disqualifying clauses of the Act, be justified in calling on him to explain how much in the pound he had paid, and why he had not filed his schedule ? The doctrine apparently propounded in this motion is that no member of a public body can bring any matter before that body for consideration which may directly or indirectly affect himself or anyone with whom he has business relations. Of course it is quite clear that it would be highly improper for any member of a public body to take part in adjudicating upon any matter affecting himself, either directly or indirectly ; but I entirely repudiate the other doctrine. If such a principle were generally acted upon the result would be that all public business would be left to the incapable, the impecunious, and the unemployed. In view of what I have said, I would be quite justified in merely saying that I did not take any part iv adjudicating on the matter in question; but in view of the fact that certain slanderous statements have been industriously circulated on the subject, and in order to refute these statements, I will jusi. state all the circumstances, which are very simple. In 1883 a lease for 10 years—not 14 years as stated in the motion—of the section in question, which had been previously occupied under lease by my constituents, Messrs Robert Campbell aud" Sons (Limited) —not the Hon. Robert Campbell as stated in the motion—was offered by public auction, at an upset rent of 2s an acre, and I purchased the lease fo:1 them at the auction sale, tho rent being run up to 5s lOd an acre—not 4s lOd as stated in the motion. This was an extremely high rent even at that time; but, prices being good* and the adjoining land being owned by the lessees, they thought it might possibly bo worked so a.* to pay the rent. There was shortly afterwards a heavy and apparently permanent fall in

values, and the lessees, finding that it. was quite impossible to take anything like the rent out ol the land, instructed me to apply either for a reduction in the rent or to have the lease cancelled. The application was made by letter, as follows:—

Dunedin, October 19,1855, The Secretary Otago School Commissioners.

Sir,—l beg' respectfully to apply to the Commissioners either to allow a substantial reduction in the rent of section 23. block V, Maerewhenua district, now held under lease by this Company, or to accept a surrender of the lease. The land was taken up some years ago at a rent which was tbeu yen high, the rent having run up to 5s lOd an acre. Af the most of the land can only be used for grazing purposes, and ;is t.'io price of wool and all other produce has fallen so much, it is now simply impossible to make anything like the present rent out ol the laud. Trusting that the Commissioners will see their way to accede to this request,—-Wo are, &c, KOIIEKT CWMPIJELL AXD SO.\S, Per A. C. -Begg, General Manager. The matter was considered by a full Board. I taking no part oither in the discussion or decision arrived at, and Messrs K. Campbell and Sons received the following reply:—

School Commissioners of tho Provincial District of Otago, Duncdin, 20th October ISSS. A. C. Begg, Esq., general manager, Itobert Campbell and Sons, Dnnerlin. Sir, —I beg to acknowledge receipt of your letter of yesterday's date asking lor a reduction'm rent of section 2.3, block V, Maerewhenua.

The matter was considered by the Commissioner? at a meeting held fo-day. when it was decided thai they have no power to' reduce the rent, but thai tliev are willing to accept, surremV-r of the lease oi, payment of rent due on Ist September last, and to offer the section at auction for a further term of 14 years at an upset of 2s per acre, the Company pnyinj: expenses incurred in connection with the"sale.—l am, &c.,

C. JlACAxrmrcw, Secretary. There were no further negotiations, and so far as I know not one of the commissioners knew before the meeting that any such application was coming on. If the motion means anything it means that there was r. conspiracy between the commissioners (Hon. W. 11. Reynolds, Hon. Dr Menzies, Mr J. P. Maitlaud, and Mr W. H. Pearson) to defra.ud the Trust. It either means this or nothing; and I leave any candid man to say whether this is at all possible. It may be a defect in my mental vision that I cannot see through Mr M'Kenzie's spectacles, but it appears to me self-evident that if the lessees in this case had desired to obtain my influence and vote in supporting their application, and had considered it likely that I would allow myself to be \ised for such a purpose, they would have made their application through another agent, and not have instructed me to make it. This concluded Messrs Robert Campbell and Sons' connection with the land for the time. They paid up all rents, including a half-year in advance, all their fencing was given up without compensation, and all their interest in the laud ceased. On December 10, 1885—not September, as stated in tinmotion—a lease of the :section was offered by public auction after the usual month's advertising, the lease being for 14 years and the npset rent 2^ an acre. There were no bids for the lease, anil having been instructed to bid for it on behalf of Messrs It. Campbell and Sons, I did so, and the lease was knocked down to them. These are all the facts of this case ; but it is also the fact that iv a good many other cases the commissioners have deemed it prudpnt and just to accept surrenders of leases where they were satisfied that the rent was excessive and could not be paid out of tho land. It would be interesting to hear Mr M'Kenzie's explanation why, in his new-born zeal for the proper administration of this Trust, this was the

only case on which he has concentrated his attention. The motion itselF'is a clumsy specimen of the sujipressio veri and the.sugyestio falsi; and although I could suggest the reasons that have prompted it, I ■ simply Jeave the public to judge of those 1 for themselves. If Mr M'Kenzie has any) charge to bring against me, let him do it opeuly, like a man, and I shall then know how to deal with him. I cannot suppose that the Board will so far stultify itself as to pass this motion, because, if any information or explanation is desired, the whole or the facts may easily be learned by applying in the proper quarter— the office of the School Commissioners. It seems to me that instead of carping at theadministration of the commissioners, the members of this Board should give them their hearty thanks for successfully resisting au. insidious attempt made at last session of Parliament to insert a clause in the Land Act virtually taking the administration out of their hands and placing it in the hands of the Minister of Lands. This attempt was, by-the-way, supported by the mover of this resolution, and was simply part of a longcherished design to deprive Otago of these reserves and to absorb them in the general educational funds of the Colony. It was more especially through the determined opposition of the Hon. W. H. Reynolds and the Hon. Dr Meuzies—two of the commissioners, who occupy seats in the Upper House—that this attempted spoliation was prevented. In conclusion, I deny the right of this Board, or of any public body, to pry into the private; business matters of any

member, and am quite confident that any member of this Board whose mind is unbiassed will (mite agree with this view.

Dr Bkown said the only point he would like to hear Mr Begg on was whether or not there was a sufficient advertising of the second sale.

Mr Beoo said there was, so far as he knew. All he knew was that the thing was done iv the usual way. The School Commissioners looked

ifter their own advertising,

Mr Phaser said that as the Board had that day established the principle that a member might do in his private capacity what; he niight not do

in his official capacity, it would be stultifying itself if it decided that Mr Begg had no right to do in his private capacity what he could not do

in hi.s official capacity.—(" No, no ! :l)

majority of tho Board had done so.—(•' Nol v) Well, the casting vote of the Board had done so.

Mr Dick considered that what Mr Begg ban doiif. was done simply in the ordinary way of business, ami he could not see why Mr Begg's clients should be put; in a worse position than other people because, he happened to bo a member nf the Board and v school commissioner.

Mr Clark, thought Mr M'Kenzie was justified

in bringing the matter forward, because it had been much discussed publicly and in the papers. Mr Begg had now-given his reply, and had done so very fully—he (the speaker) was not prepared to say whether satisfactorily or other-

Mr M'Kknzik said that Mr Begg bavin; admitted that everything in the motion was cot

rect, save a couple of clerical errors, his object was gained, and he would now ask leave to withdraw the motion. j Mr Bkgg : I simply deny the correctness of Mr M'Kenzie's statements, and do not intend to take any notice of them. The motion was then withdrawn. RESIGNATIONS.

The following resignations were accepted : — .T. Jeffrey, first assistant, Mornington; T. Davios, mistress, Wakari; M. A. Gibson, first assistant, Ravonsbourne; F. Hilgemlorf, Kurow and Whartskuri schools; Ciara Cakler, pupil teacher, Caversham; J. ]?. Morris, head teacher, St. Bathans; A. Stott, first assistant, Kaikorai. ■ APPOINTMENTS. The following appointments were made: —J. Jeffrey, head teacher, Anderson's Bay; A. Evurness, do, Hyde ; Angus Marshall, do, Kakapuawaka; J. F. Morris, Kyeburn Diggings ; J. Matheson, first assistant, Balclutha; T. Davies, third do, Arthur street; Mary A. Gibson, fifth do, Albany street; Emma Chappie,^schoolmistress, Matakanui; Margaret M'Donald, schoolmistress, Waihola: Ellen Jones, pupil teacher, E vansdale; Flora Watson, pupil teacher, George street. TOMAHAWK SCHOOL. It was agreed that the Tomahawk School should remain in its present position. NORTH EAST VALLEY SCHOOL. it was reported that the Board's architect had cleaDed out the tanks and draius at this school, and found a considerable quautity of nighfcsoil in the cellar.—lt was decided to instruct the architect to fill up the cesspit and to close communication with the cellar.