EDUCATION BOARD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11403, 21 April 1899, Page 2

EDUCATION BOARD.

The mcetiiift of the Education Board was continued yesterday morning al 11 o'clock; mcsoiil—Dr Brown (chairman), Messrs D. H. Harraway," J. ,T. Ramsay, .1. Mit,T. M. Gallawny, .1. Sim, Wi Snow, and ilio Hon. J. MacUregur.

AVTOINTMKNTB AND 11K31GNATIONS. \ The following appointments wore confirmed: .luhn D. Burnard, head teacher, Taiori Beach, vico Francis JUilgmulorf, promoted; William Cron, head teacher, Blacks, vico Edward Smith, promoted; Lily Evans, head teacher, Broad Bay, vico John X Bolting, promoted; Alice Aruotl, head teacher, Rongahere, vico Catherine !\ .Main, promoted; Janet A. White, mistress, Lowliurn, vice Lillias I. Thomson, promoted. The following resignations were accepted: John I). Burnaid, head teacher, Hyde; William Cron. head teacher. Merlon \ Norman L. M'Kcnzic, head teacher, Wanaka; Janet A. White, head teacher, Wanaka road; Alice Arnett, head teacher, llawca; Jaiyt 11.I1. ririgor, head toanhcr, Wangaloa; Louisa K. N. Downcs, mistress, St. Leonards; Sarah. E. Mackellar, wcoild female assistant, BalehUha; Louis 11. Murray, junior assistant. Oamaru South; Ed ward Crow, pupil teacher, School of Art; Ida Brown M'Kcnzie, pupil teacher, Oamaru Middle.

Mr D. E. Hutton, assistant, Dunedin School of Art, wrote to tho chairman as follows: "I beg to inform you thai I have been appointed to the position of director of this Wanganui, J'almerston North, and Unworn Technical Schools. I have therefore to lendci my resignation as assistant master in the Dunedin School of Art and Design. The AVangauui Education Board are desirous that I should begin there on the Ist May, and I have therefore to request that I he relieved of my duties at the School of Art and Design at that date, or us soon thereafter as possible. Before severing my connection with your board, allow me to convey my thaiiks to the board and its officers for the kindness shown to me during the 16 years I have served under them. Tlie secretary and his officers during that time have always shown me every consideration in all my relations with them. I shall look back1 with great pleasure to tho time I have served under your board."

The Chairman said it would be within the recollection of members that twelve months ago Mr Hutlon was an applicant for this position, and would have got it, but that tlio man who was going away changed his mind. When tiie vacancy occurred recently the management of the school offered the appointment, to Mr Hutton. This was a compliment to Mr Hutton and also to the Dunedin School of Art, and he (Or Brown) thought it would not be amiss for the board to express their appreciation of Mr Hutton's .services. Ho woidd move—"That the board desire to place on record, their appreciation of Mr D. E. Rulton's services in connection with the School of Art and Design in Dunedin, and wish him every sueces3,in his new sphere." In moving this he would bespeak the attention of tlio members to the annual report, which would, be shortly -published. This school was a striking feature of the board's work. The number of students attending it was greater than ever, and the percentage of honours at the South Kensington examinations was unusually high, this being a remarkable testimony to tho efficiency of tho teaching at the Dunedin school, and to that success no doubt young Mr Hutton's labours had helped to a very great degree, along, of course, with his father's'work. : Mr Gallaway seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr Hutton's resignation was accepted, and the request made by him was granted. THE OTAGO SCHOOL COHJIISKIONEnS. Mr Ramsay moved—"Thai Mr'•fames Green \vt re-appointed as the board's representative on the Olago School Commissioners' Board." Mr Harraway thought the board should have one of their own number as their representative, and to that end he moved "That Mr Borrie be appointed as the board's representative." " . '. ' ; Mr Mitchell seconded Mr Harraway's motion, remarking that in the northern part of the Olago district there were a large number of .valuable reserves, but that part of the country had no representation on the School Commissioners' Board. , He believed there was. reason for saying that these reserves were not.taken care of as they should be, but that would not be Hie ease if a representative from the north were appointed. . The motion for the re-appointment of MiGreen was not seconded, and therefore lapsed, and tho motion proposed by Mr Harraway was put and carried. Mr Borrie was very glad to represent the board in any capacity whatever, but he might pay that if it had not been for the facts stated by Mr Mitchell he would not liava stood in opposition to Mr. Green. He knew, however, from personal knowledge that the reserves in the north had not been supervised as they should have been. A number of them in his own locality had, as a matter of fact, not been looked after at all, and this being sp members would recognise that it, was only in tho public interests that he agreed to his ■nomination. SCHOOL BOOKS. The Books Committee of the board on Wednesday night considered the following letter from Mr W. Eudey, secretary of the Otago Educational Institute: — In accordance with the "board's invitation, a meeting of the headmasters and matrons of th- city, suburban, and neighbouring schools was called for March §5, and was largely attended. At this meeting tho following resolution was carried unanimously:—"That the jaduohtioh Institute are still of the opinion expressed in IB9G-tha.t it is ■highly desirable that there should be a change of Readers.' The reading books for the standard classes were referred to a committee, consisting of Messrs White, Chapman, Jcilery, Kyle, Southwick, J. W. Smith, Bolting, Garrow, and Eudey, and tlie books for the infant department to a committee ol matrons, consisting of Misses M'Ewan, Hooper, Hull, Hay, White, AnderI son, Taylor, Mackie, Hrfig, Turnbull, M'Millan, I and Scott. ,The following series were considered by. the committees :—Palmerston, Imperial, New Australian, Longman's Ship, Longman's New, Chsipibers's Expressive, and the Iloyal Crown. For the infant department the committee of matrons .recommended Blackie's Palmerston Series, Nelson's Royal Crown Series, Longman's Ship Series—a recommendation with which the committee entirely agrees. For the standard classes the committee, after three meetings and careful consideration,, unanimously recommends Nelson's Iloyal Crown Series, and places the best of the other series considered in the following order: — Ship Readers second, New Readers third, and Imperial Readers fourth. The following were appointed to confer with the committee of the board and the inspectors on the subject: — Messrs White; Chapman, Jeffery, Garrow, and Eudey.—l have, etc., Walter Eudey, Hon. Sec.

Yesterday the following report was submitted: —The •>mmitte'e beg to report that they met on Wednesday night and considered the recommendation from the Educational Institute, and it was decided to recommend the Minister to place on the list the following books: Writing, ''Southern Cross Copybopks and Erect Writer"; grammar and composition, " Southern Cross Grammar and Composition " ; geography, " Southern Cross Geography "; history, "New Zealand," by W. P. Reeves; science, " Lowey's Natural Science "; elementary agriculture (Standards IV, V, and VI). Whitcombe and Tombs; reading books, '■ Longman's Ship Series," "Longman's New Readers," the "Imperial Readers," and "Nelson's Royal Crown Swies." On the motion of the Chairman, the report was agreed to, and the decision as to the books to be used in the Otago schools was deferred till next meeting. itn k. wabburton's case. .. Mr A. Warburton wrote from Cromwell under date lllh April:—"ln reply to the letter from the board conveying resolution ro my connection with the Cromwell Argus, passed at the last meeting, I have the honour to state that my partner, Mr W. J. Scott, is the active editor of the Argus, and is responsible) for what appears in that journal." Mr Harraway asked that the letter sent to Mr Warburton should be read. The letter was read by the secretary as follows: — Dunedin 10th March, 1899. I have to inform you that your latter of 6th inst., regarding the complaint of the school committee re your acting as editor ot the Cromwell Argus newspaper, was kid before the Education Board at its meeting to-day, when I was directed to request you to state, before tho next meeting of the board (tho 19th April), whether you take an active part as editor in tho work of the newspaper mentioned.—P. G. PniD"E, Secretary. Mr Harraway remarked that Mr Warburton did not answer the question put by the board —as to whether he took an active part in the carrying: on of tho paper. Tlio Chairman: He says another man does, but he docs not say whether he does or not. Wo don't want to know about his partner, but about himself. . Mr Ramsay thought it was about time the matter was allowed to drop. Thr, Hon. ,1. MaeGregor said that if the board dropped tho matter at this stage they would be making fools of themselves in admitting that they had been fooled with their eyes oprn. The' letter received at last meeting was a palpable evasion, and the letter sent, to Mr Warburtnn was purposely framed so as to mnlfß evasion impossible. Mr Warburton's renly just roael wns a further evasion —a palpable, evasion.—and for his own part ho could not help tnkinsr Hip letter as an admission that thn answer' to IHe ouoslion sent by the board wa» in the affirmative, and that Mr Warburton did take an active part in conducting the newspaper. A Member: Ho does not deny it, The Hon. Mr MncGregnr Raid: No, he did not deny it. Up knew well that the board looked on his letter of la?i mouth as an evasion: he know that tins Question was uut

to him for (ho purpose of obviating any further evasion, and ho had now sent a reply which was no reply, and the. board would therefore bo justilied in arriving at lh>; (•.inclusion that Mr Warburlon admit leal, in the words of the resolution of last mooting, that ho was taking "an active part as editor in tho work of (ho newspaper." He (Mr MacUregor) would not allow anyone to fool him in that way, and lie would move—"Thai 1 lie board regards Mr Warburton's letter as .an admission that he does lake an active part as editor in the carrying on of the Cromwell Argus, and the board submits to Mr Warburton that, he cannot, be allowed to occupy the dual position." Mr Warburton must either cease to bo a teacher of cease to act as editor of tho newspaper. Mr Harraway seconded Hie motion. lie only regretted that it was not a littlo stronger, and would iiko.it to read something in this way:—"That, failing to sever his connection with that paper, ho receive threo months' notico of dismissal." Why should the board bo pestered with a man like Mr Warburton? They had given him a good appointmentample, it- was to. he supposed, to keep him in comfort and enable him to provide for his Family, and there were scores of men in the service who would bo glad to take tho situation and not annoy tho board in any shape or form. If they allowed a schoolmaster to edit a paper or to take an active part in business, Where were they going to draw the line? He held it to be a wrong thing that a man who drew Grovcrnmqnl pay should come into competition with the taxpayer—it was wrong in principle. It would bo a hard thing, indeed, if the Government were to subsidise a mnn to run a mill against him (Mr Harrawajl at Burnsido, and that was just what tho board wore doing in this east*. He had heard Mr Warburton described as a strong parly man. If that were correct he would soon have the people in his; district at loggerheads, and how, then, would the board's requirement; that teachers should not put themselves in conflict with the people, be observed? Mr Snow asked whether tho board had power to interfere. Mr Sim: You are going to make a martyr

of him.

Mr Ramsay intended to vote against the motion. Tlio board would not be justified in saying that because Mr Warburton did not state lie was the aoliyo editor he was acting in that capacity. The board would be quite outside its rights in 'taking up the position Mi- MacGregor maintained. The resolution was based on false premises. A teacher should not'take up a position that would bring him into .conflict with the people of the district, but tjiey might go, too far in asserting that principle, and take away a teacher's rights. He thought the board was being made a tool of-by a certain section of people in the Crom-' well district, and the sooner they dropped the matter the better. He did not regard Mr War-burton's, reply as a clear answer to the board's letter, but all the same he would vote against the motion. ' Mr Galiaway said he had asserted when the regulation on the subject was passod that it would supply local enemies of teachers .with a weapon foi assault, and that was what, had happened in this case. 'J?lie . board, slioujd,, judge this matter only on the. evidence before^ them. They had no right to pay attention, to the carefully marked newspaper articles addressed to members of the board. It liad been said by a previous speaker that because a'teacher derived a salary from the board for teaching in a school he had no riglit to take part in any private enterprise. He submitted that that argument was not a, sound one. A teacher" was paid for doing a certain amount of work, and so long as he did that work it could not be said, he was to make no use of the money he derived from the board. That was exactly what the argument amounted to. The Hon. Mr MacGregor: No; nothing of the kind. . >•...'

Mr Gallaway said-Mr. MacGregor and Mr Harraway meant that a teacher was riot to compote in newspaper ■ enterprise, but what they had said was that he was not to compete in any private enterprise. That statement needed only to bo analysed to slfow the ( absurdity of it. If certain employments were to be prohibited they ought to be scheduled, but it seemed to him unsafe, to lay down any fixed rule as to what teachers were to do with their capital. If it could be proved that: Mr Warburton had been neglecting the interests of the school and the children lie was not fit to be in the school, but until 'these-matters were pioved the board would be rather hasty in saying to Mr Warburton, " You must either give up. your connection with the paper, or leave the service," because that was what Mr MacGregor wished to do. If Mr'War-' burton was found to be stirring up strife, that would be time enough to deal with him. Mr Harraway asked if Mr Gallaway would object to anyone being ih'.the board's service who ran a whisky mill. , . . .

Mr Gallaway said what lie was trying to impress upon -the board was that a schoolmaster might engage in any oeeupatioji that did not interfere with his school;

Mr Borrie said in his own locality they had at one time a teacher built very much in the same way as Mr AVarburtbn was,, and it was not very "long before he had the whole district by the pars. That made it clear .to his mind that there should be some restriction oii teachers in these matters. Mr Gallaway had referred to prohibiting .teachers investing their. I money. He did not think that. Mr MacGregGr's motion at all interfered with in; vesting money in any shape or form. He would be very sorry to prevent any teacher, from investing in anything he thought proper. But he could not conceive that anyone who had had much .experience, in public matters would object to probfbi'.' teachers taking an active part in anything which .would lead to a, division amongst the community. If there was cme. thing faorc than another which caused division, it was'a master holding a position on a newspaper. Ho hoped at no distant date the.'oard would see the good sense1 of restoring the'resolution they had rescinded. . ..,; Mr Mitchell said he was going to rote against Mr MaeC4regor's motion. When the bonrd considered 'the; matter before he said they were acting prematurely, and the proper time to take action was when Mr Warburton'| had done something to stir up strife. The board had taken action that had stirred up strife. As to the question of the resolution which was rescinded his vote was given for rescinding the resolution. Hn held that every teacher should be given.a jorfectly free hand, but if a teacher in the exercise of his freedom, did anything which was calculated to bring his school into disrepute he would be the first to vote for the dismissal, of the teacher. Although he had voted r.gainst putting the question to Mr Warburton that was put, he thought the board should insist upon getting a definite reply to the question: "Are you, j or aro you not. actively connected with this J paper?" The board were entitled to a definite answer to that, question, and Mr Wnr-burton in not'answering it was treating them with a large amount of contempt. Mr Sim thought a. teacher in the board's service had a right to do what he liked with his spare time. If they held otherwise they would interfere1 with nearly every teacher in their service. There was hardly a teacher in the employ of the board hut what contributed to. newspapers at some time or other. The Chairman moved as an amendment— "That Mr Warburton. be asked to ..give a definite reply, either affirmative or negative., to the question submitted by the board." Mr Snow seconded the amendment, which. was carried-by sixsrotes to three, Messrs Sim, Snow, Gallaway, Mitchell, Ramsay, and the chairman ■ voting for the amendment, and Messrs MacGregor, 'Harraway, and Borrie against it. I A STUDENT IS TRAINING. Mr D. R. White (principal of the Training College) reported, with reference to an application by Miss J. M. M.Donald to be admitted to the college as a student in training, recommending that she be admitted.— Agreed to. COMMITTEES. The following committees were appointed: —Selection Committee: Messrs MacGregor, Harraway. and the chairman. \ I'oports Committee: Messrs Snow, Borrie, Ramsay, a-nil the chairman. Normal School and School of Arts Committee : Messrs MacGregor, Mitchell, Gallaway, Sim, and the chairman. ' Accounts Committee: Messrs.Sim, Borrie, and tho chairman. " MOTICKS OF MOTION. Mr MacGregor gave notice to move —(1) " That this board is of opinion that tho system of individual passes should be abolished; (2) that this board is of opinion that the system of standards should be abolished; (3) that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to the Minister for Education." The Chairman said in the inspectors' report, which members would have in their hands (M'Coontly, they would .sec that the inspectors recommended the snw i; 'i"g-. The system of individual paws,, ;>:•,! of standards had been abolished recently in Glasgow. ', GE.VE.KAL. Accounts amounting to £5544- 18s 8d were passed for payment. Mr .lames Tait'.s tender for tho erection of outhouses at Totat'a was accepted, the amount being £23 Is. Mr Mitchell gay?, notice to move—"That, it be an iiistrudir.ii to the Normal Si-hool Committee lo repc.r! !,"■],finlly as lo tlm bost means of bringing i,!<o Normal School and Training College more directly under the control of the board." :

. — Organ-grinrlcr:; In Vnrvicrs, Belgium, are by law compelUv.l Wi every mon:ii;c; before the police RupjiHnlenrlent and play their instruments. The ur.Ktis which chanoe to be out of tune mils! !:(( sot in order before a lice.nso to play on the'street will granted. — It in said that t.lie Turks were the first to bury their dn:!(I in cr-meteries adorned wilJi ornamental lioadsioueit. ".Tatloo" Liquid in:ikes plants grow,, increase.? (he sizu and quantity of the flower! ; and for pot plants is simply U'Whribic. Get lull uai'ticulavd from Nimmo and Blaie.