The Pahiatua State School Trouble.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume II, Issue 146, 9 May 1894, Page 2

The Pahiatua State School Trouble.

Meeting of Ladies.

A meeting of mothers and guardians of children attending the Pahiatua State School was held at the Town Gall last evening, when, notwithstanding the inclemency of the weather, about 40 ladies were present.

Mrs Cooper was voted to the chair, and in opening the meeting said she had no doubt they all knew for what purpose they had assembled, namely to enter their emphatic protest against the removal of Miss Reese from the position of infant mistress of the local state school. Personally she had not corns there out of any feeling of animosity to Mr Lee or personal friendship to Miss Reese, but out of a feeling of consideration for the interests of her children. She considered it would be a calamity if Miss Reese were removed from her position of control, seeing how greatly she had endeared herself to her pupils.

Mrs Stratford moved :—That this meeting fully endorse the action of the school committee in their endeavour to remove

the present head-teacher, being of opinion that as long as he remains in charge the stall will continue disorganised. The resolution was seconded by Mrs Armitage and carried. Mrs R. P. Greville moved : That this meeting views with astonishment and regret the result of the so-called enquiry by the Education Board in so far as it affects the infant mistress, Miss Reese, in whom the parents and guardian of children have unbounded confidence as to her fitness for her present position, and desire to point out that Miss Reese has given them every satisfaction during the five years she has been a teacher at the school.

Seconded by Mrs Newport and carried. Mrs Armitage moved : That this meet; desires to draw particular attention to that portion of the annual report of the committee which refers to the friction between the head-master and the staff. which reads as follows :—“ In conseque >f the continued friction between t headmaster and the subordinate teach > which has been going on ever since the appointment of Mr Lee, who in the opinion of the committee is entirely to blame in the matter, we have unanimously resolved to request the Board to remove him being unanimously of opinion that the interests of the school will be best served by such a course being adopted. We desire to remind the Board that the Committee was re-elected by the housholders to give effect to the recommendation. The mover said she considered Miss Reese the best adapted person she had seen in the school. She had the children's welfare thoroughly at heart and did her best to bring them on. If Mr Lee were to be retained until a position could be found for him, she certainly thought Miss Reese should also be retained and a position found for her.

The resolution was seconded by Mrs Bentlev and carried.

Mrs Bentlev moved : That this meeting appeals to the Board that it should, in fairness to Miss Reese, retain her in the Rchool. seeing that she has given no cause for complaint to the committee or to the householders ; and considering the many well-known disadvantages she has laboured under she has performed her duties in a very satisfactory manner. We urge the Board to consider what the mothers here know, that Miss Reese devotes herself wholly and heartily to her work with such effect that she has en dcared herself to all the hildren she lias ever had in her charge, f.nd that nothing that could be suggested would be a greater injury to the school than the removal of this teacher. Seconded by Mrs Buddeu.

Mrs F. Greville said her children had been under Miss Reese's charge, and had progressed satisfactorily. It was hard that their children should lose a teacher whom they nil desired to retain. She did not think the committee wished Miss Reese to go. and was of opinion the Board should be informed how much against their wishes such a course was.

Mrs Bentley said the Board affected to believe that there were no teachers within their district who were without certificates. As a matter of fact there were in the Wairarapa many uncertificated teachers who did good work. Miss Reese had been handicapped by having to teach three times as many children as any teacher should have.

Mrs Hyde expressed regret that Miss Reese was leaving. Most of the parents were fully satisfied with Miss Reese's results, and she was sure they all hoped she would bo retained. The resolution was carried. Mr* F. Greville moved Thai the foregoing resolutions be forwarded to the school committee with a request that that body forward them to the Education Board.

Seconded by Mrs llyde and carried. Several ladies spoke in eulogistic terms of the many qualities which so admirably tilted Miss Reese for the position of infant mistress.

Mrs Cooper said *he had not mot a single parent who had not expressed regret at. the action taken in this matter. Mrs Bentley moved : 'filial a house-to-house canvass ho made to obtain signa tures to a petition asking that Miss Reese's services might he retained. Seconded by Mrs Greville and carried. Mrs Cooper pointed out that this matter was the one they should have most at heart. The children wore the objects of their first thought, and it was in their interests the meeting was held that evening. Mrs Bentley moved That the following ladies form a committee to obtain &ig natures for the proposed petition : Mesdantes Greville. Shelhournc. ilvde. Bon. i Stratford ami the mover. Seconded h\ Mrs Stratford and carried. On the motion of Mrs F. Grevilh seconded hv Mrs I’renton a vote of thanks " is pai ed to the* chftirwoinin vnd th meeting terminated.