NELSON EDUCATION BOARD.

Colonist, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7698, 2 August 1893, Page 3

NELSON EDUCATION BOARD.

The nsual monthly meeting of this Board was held yesterday at 10 o'olook. Present : Messrs Tarrant (chairman), Talbot, Hursthouse, Franklyn, Sinclair, Dencker, Look, and Maginnity. The minutea of the previous meeting were read and oonfirmed. The Chairman formally introduced Mr G* A. Haikneaa, M.A;,the recently appointed Assistant Inspector, and in doing so said that he bad to congratulate Mr Harknees on his appointment, feeliog sure that from liia past oareer be would fulfill the dutie3 of Inspector in a creditable manner, one thing in hi 9 favor would be that for a considerable time he would be under Mr Hodgson. Mr Harknesa thanked the Board for their approval, and said that they would always gnd hig services devoted §q {he bead ifttuegts

of the B>:ad and edaoation in the district, and farther expressed tbe pleasure he would have in working uuder Mr Hodgson. MrLodley reported to the Board that ho had prestn'ed himself at the temporary school in Bridge street and found the door looked ; he then applied to the Chairman of the Town Committee for the key, but was refused. Mr Ladley then withdrew. The Secretary read the miriutes of the meeting o! the Board's Bub-Committee on the Central School question. Besolved that the report should be adopted, and the sub-Committee be thanked. Mr Fell, on behalf of the trustees in Sohumaber'a estate, wrote signifying their willingness to allow 10 years for the payment of purchase money for Central School site, the Board to pay off after reasonable notioe having been given, say six month?. The Secretary was empowerad to oonfer with Mr Fell as to whether this would allow the Board to make part payments} and conclude arrangements. Resolved that a cheque for £300 be drawn and held pending completion of agreement. The Town Committee wrote, asking for the Board's sanction to call for tenders for erection of Central School, and submitting same to Board. Kesolved, That the Committee call for tenders, and submit same to the Board. Letters were received from Messrs Harkness and Mills and Sir Robert Stout, M.H.R.'s, in reply to the Board's request re an additional vote for the Central School. The Inspeotor presented his reports upon certain schools, and it was resolved to direct the attention of the Committees interested to one or two bad reports. The letter from the Town Schools Committee, enclosing resolutions passed at a special meeting with regard to Mr Ladley's appointment, came on for consideration. Mr_ Maginnity said this opened a very wide and important question, and, as one who took part in the appointment of Mr Ladley, he though it right that he should make a statement, and also put himself right with the public ; and the Board were as much the servants of the public, and had the interests of Education as much at heart as tbe local Committee could possibly have. The transfer of Mr Ladley was made after considerable thought and enquiry, and the resolution carried by 7 to 2. The capabilities of Mr Ladley were well known to members of the Board who had been longer on the Board than he had. (Hear hear). Personally he did not know Mr Ladley, never having seen him. Before the transfer was agreed upon, a long string of questions were put to their responsible officer, the Inspector, as to the capability and fitness of Mr Ladley, and the answers given were that he had been 30 years in the service, never a black mark against him, and was highly fitted for the office. He was sure that the Board would acquit him of any personal feeling, and he was sure there was not any such feeling on the part of the Board, but it was a growing feeling in the Board that there should be some proper system of appointment in the service. They had a staff of 160, and if they were to build up a good staff the service mast be made attractive to them by a proper system, whereby every master and mistress should feel that they had a right for consideration for promotion, provided always that they were competent for the vacant post. Following out this, the Board had appointed Mr Ladley. As to whether the board had a right to do so he would touch on later. Their existence was for the promotion of eduoation, not for the closing of schools, and the children had not a right to Buffer the loss of a single da; a eduoation. The aofcion of the Committee was unjustifiable, and in bringing this pressure to bear upon the Board they bad no right to make the ohildren suffer, because both bodies existed to oonserve their interests. (Hear, hear.) This aotion was not going to solve the diffioulty, and it seemed to him that the friendly feeling that hitherto existed between the Board and the lodal Committee could only be injured by tbe aotion of the Committee. Tbe impre?eion seemed to exist in the minds of the Committee that the Board desired to usurp the power the Committee should exercise, but sinoe he had been a member of the Board he found that members had tried to avoid dashing with the Committee. He thonght the Act was to blame in a measure, beoause it was only with a desire to give and take upon both sides that friction was avoided, and the line of demarcation was so finely drawn that it was almost impossible to find which of the two bodies should perform certain functions. The Committee said that the Board's aotion was unusual, but admitting for the time that it was, he would point out the desire of the Board to giva a deserving officer promotion, an opportunity for which might not ooour for a considerable time. If the Committee had said that Mr Ladley was unfitted, he would have advocated delay, but they said that he was eligible, but wanted the Board to advertise, and wanted to get someone better. They might have got someone worse, and he thought the ex-. perienoe of the Board bore oat the latter theory — if the aotion of the Board waa unusual, that of the Committee was thoroughly unjustifiable. An error had been made by either the Board or Committee The Board had asserted its right to make the' appointment under section 45 of the Aot f which reads "tbe Board in each district shall be entitled to appoint teachers for every school under its control, or to remove such teac-cr3 from one school to any other school, &c. . . . Provided that the Committee may recommend teaohers to the Board for appointment, and may also reoommend the suspension or dismissal of eny such teacher, but no appointment, suspension or dismissal shall take place until the Committee have been first oonsulted " In the latter part there was not a word about removal, and obviously it had beep kept out— (Sear, hear). He did not offer this as a legal opinion, bat only a reasonable construction of the olauße. The only way be could see to arrive at a deoiaion was to take the authority of some higher tribunal, it was the only solution. He said this with great diffidence, for it would be taking money that was needed for the pur* poses of education, not for the settling of difficulties between Boards and Committees. Under any circumstances, the school should not be kept closed for one day longer, and if the Committee refused the Board must take some step to re-open at once. He regretted the conflict, but it was not sought by the Board, and he would be ready to consider ways of overcoming the difficulty. It was very clear that the Committee could not cancel the appointment, and the Board must adhere to the opinion it had arrived at. He did not say this with a feeling of meanness, for he considered it the most graceful thing an individual or body could do to acknowledge a mistake if one had been made. He moved, — That, fully recognising how easily honest difference of opinion may from time to time arise between Education Boards and local Committees, owing to the ambiguous wording of those clauses of the Education Act referring to the appointment of teachers, the Board suggests, in the interests of Education, the followiog provisional arrangement:— (1.) That the Town Sqhoqls Committee reopen Bridge Street School at once, with Mr Walter Ladley as head master. (2.) That a Case be at once stated for the Supreme Court, with the view of more clearly defining the respective powers and duties of Education Boards and School Committees so far as regards the transferring of teachers already in the service of the Boards concerned ; and, further, as tip what constitutes an effective " consultation " in regard to appointments. (3.) That should the Supreme Court be of opinion that the action of the Board in transferring Mr Ladley to Bridge Street School is illegal, steps be taken with the least possibie delay, to fill the vacancy. Mr Look said he had opposed the appointment on thinking that such an important position Bhould be advertised, he was quite agreeable that Mr Ladley should have the position provided he was the best man. It was said by the Inspector, the adviser of the Board, that he was the beat teaoher uuder the Board, and if that was so the Board had not done anything wrong in the appointment, but not done exaotly what it might have done in the way of appointing. There was an opinion outside that other teaonera in the service had an equal right to be oonsidered with Mr Ladley— (No, no) ~(lhat is the origin of the disturbance) He thought the service should be in the same position as the Civil Service, that any teacher in the Colony with the necessary qualifications should be [eligible. The argument against that was that three Boards in the Colot-y positively refused to consider any application from outside teachers. He did not think that right. He would not like to Bee any person appointed to ttlis school who was not in the flerooa of

some Board In the Colony. He believed in promotion. He believed the Board had done what was legal but not in as nice and oon:t9ousaway as it might have done— (dissent). He instanced a case in Greymouth where the Board removed a teaoher without any other reason than desire for a change, and in total opposition to the local Committee and publio feeling, and where the Inspeotor-Generat said he fully sympathised with the latter, but had to admit that the Board's decision was final. The legal opinion then obtained was that when the Committee had looked the sohool it locked out those of whom they had the control, and that the building was the property of the Board. This was the opinion of the lawyers engaged. He was of opinon that the Board had the power to reopen the sohool and appoint Mr Ladley thereto. Remarks had been made as to the Inspector in the matter; he believed the Inspector to be thoroughly impartial in the case. Mr Dencker said that Mr Graham, in a public speech, had made some reference to the aotion of the speaker in the matter. He thought that he was perfectly right to support 1 this appointment, in accordance with a resolution passed in his name ; that when a vacancy oocurs it is preferable before advertising that the Board take into consideratio: the desirability of promoting deserving tesohers already in the service. He certainly acted in keeping with that. He had known Mr Ladley ever since he wag a member, and ha knew nothing to prevent him occupying the plaoe to which the Board had now promoted him. . Mr Talbot said as far as he could see the best way out of the difficulty was to get legal advice, at the same time he would very much prefer that the Board should take the usual oourse of advertising. He would rather that Mr Ladley should stand out of it altogether, and that a substitute teaoher should take the place for the time being until the question was deoided. He did not think the Committee would object to this ; he did not mean to justify the aotion of the Committee inclosing the school. He thought, with all respect to the Board, that if they had advertised all this difficulty would have been avoided. Mr Hursthouse said there was no doubt about that, but they did not want to advertise. He thought that Mr Talbot was a party to that resolution referred to by Mr Denoker. (Mr Talbot: Always supposing with the consent and approval of the Committee.) The omission in the 45th olauße of the Aot of consulting the Committee in reference to removal was made purposely with the idea that after a man had been in the service and proved effioient that the Board being the responsible authority to the publio for the efficiency of the teaohera should have the right to remove from sohool to sohool. It seemed to him to resolve itself upon this, were the Committee consulted in reference to that transfer ? He maintained they were, all the member?, with the exoeption of the Rev. Maokenzie, were present when he (the speaker) said that the Board proposed to appoint Mr Ladley. IE they had wanted to argue the point why not have done it then ? They seemed to have tacitly consented to the aotion the Board proposed to take. Mr Grant said something about it was better to advertise. Some of the Committee really thought it was settled. It eeemed to him that the Committee had aoted in a spirit that was likely to oanse ill feeling between two exeoutive bodies with one object only, the eduoational interests of the distrioi. In this matter he was a protectionist, thei; teaohers were debarred in certain districts, and it was better for them to take the devil they knew than the devil they did not know. It had been a faroe in the end inviting applications, for in the Assistant Inspectorship it levelled itself down to two looal men. Upon the question of legal consultation, he did not know that the Board were bound to take the opinion. Let the Board take the hull by the horns, he felt satisfied that the cause of instruction would not suffer under Mr Ladley. He thought that the aotion of the Town Committee for some time had been leading up to a deadlook, in not letting Mr Harkaesa go as Assistant Inspeotqr, their aotion hai been prejudicial to his interests— (Quite right). Mr Ladley in filling that position had a prior right to promotion. Their aotion was puerile and childish, others suffered from the aotion taken by men without thought of those whose interests they were supposed to guard. Similar position of affairs was instanced as having ooourred at Lyttelton, where it was a nine days' wonder, aftor which things quietened down and the people were mainly sati-fled. In Wellington the system of removal was the praotioe, Mr Tarrant_, the Chairman, said that Messrs Maginnity and Hursthouse had said a great deal he had intended to say. He did not know that no 'ice should be taken of newspaper correspondence, but he could emphatically deny that Mr Ladley was the nom.in.ee of tbe Inspector. The action emanated from the Board, and the Inspector was merely referred to. With regard to consultation, he agreed with Mr Hursthouse that the Commiitee were consulted when they were told that the Board proposed to appoint Mr Ladley. Had the Committee been able to say anything against Mr Ladley's moral character or efficiency as a teacher the goard would have taken that into consideration. He held that they were only doing an act of justice in promoting Mr Ladley. When it was said that other teachers in the service were entitled to the same extent, he would deny it, for if not longer in the service Mr Ladley had been holding a responsible position longer tha.n any other master in the service. In reference to what Mr Hursthouse had said about the occasion when the Town Committee were present, he must do Mr Graham the justice to say that that gentleman asked if what had been said was an official communication, and was answered " No," so that could scarcely be taken as consultation ; but correspondence followed, and the Committee admitted therein that Mr Ladley was eligib!°. Mr Ladley had served 31 years, and had always good reports (the last one was read) and these showed that he was fully competent for the post. He held that if they had called for applications when, fully prepared to appoint Mr Ladley, it would have been most improper, raising hopes and causing a good deal of trouble in. getting testimonials. Mr Talbot moved, as an amendment, that a temporary teaoher be plaoed in charge of the sohool till the matter was settled. As he was appointed, Mr Ladley would get his salary. | Under a temporary teacher the education would suffer but little, and the motion, if passed, would not give satisfaction. Mr Sinclair wished to know the position if the Judge's deoision was adverse to the Committee and they still refused to open the doors. Mr Hursthouse said he would have them opened at once if the authority was only given, Mr Dencker said they paid the rent, and the sohool must be opened at once if Mr Ladley was there, and the Judge's opinion favorable he oould stop; if not, he could come out. The Chairman said that even if the Judge's opinion was adverse it was not certain that Mr Ladley would come out of it. If the Board had to call for applications, the probability was that he would remain. Further disousaion took plaoe on this point, as to whether Mr Ladley or a temporary teaoher Bhould remain in charge of the school. The amendment was put and lost, only Messrs Talbot and Lock voting for it. The motion of Mr Maginnity was put, and carried on the voices, Messrs Talbot and Look being the noes. ' It was then resolved on the motion of Mr Maginnity, That a copy of the foregoing resolution be at once forwarded to the local Committee with a request that a reply be returned not later than 9 a.m. on Wednesday tbe 2 ad inst., and in the event ot the Committ c not agreeing to the terms of the r s intion that the Inspeotor at onoe take s-.ep < towards having the sohool re-opened. Ii was resolved that consideration of the applications for Lower Wakefield Sohool stand over till next month. The appointment of Miss MoLean to Merrijigs was confirmed. Resolved, That the Cronadun Sohool be closed, and that applications be invited for a teacher. Tbe appointment of Mr Thos. Lander to Haven road Sohool was aonfirmed, and it was resolved to call for applications for a pro* bationer at Charleston Boys' Sohool. The Hope Committee asked for reoonsidertion of the Ranzau probationer question, and gave particulars of the oiroumatance surrounding his appointment, and made the assertion that there was no fault to be found with the oharaoter of the lad or tho manner in whioh he carded out his duties, but that his retention was damaging to* school &niwoul4

only end in mortifloation to himself and parents. Mr Talbot said that the sohool was Buffer* ing very severely under the oiroumetanoaa, there waa nothing whatever against the boy himself, he thought it would bs the best thing to transfer him to another eohool. It was resolved to consult the Commit tea as to the propriety ol removing the boy to the Hope School. Besolved to oall for applioaticns for pro* bationer at Weatpott Boy's Sohool. Besolved that the Inspect or be empowered to consult with the Inspeator-Qeaeral with reference to proposed conference of Inspectors at Welliagton. The Ngaiimoti Committee wrote, laying a proposal before the Board for removing the present sohool buildings to some more central position. A petition was also received from Rosedale residents, asking the Board to take action to provide education for their ohildi ren, Considerable discussion took plaoe on these matters, and it was resolved to recommend the Ngatimbti Committee to, if possible, secure a site on the lower portion of Mr Martin's land, Eosedale, for the ereotion of a sohool. The resignation of Mr E F. Denoker of the mastership of the Addison's Flat was accepted with regret. The Addison's Flat Committee askel the Board's consideration of the transference o! Mr J. W Maloney from the Westport boys* sobool to the headmsstership at Addison's. Besolved, to grant transfer, and to advertise for an assistant in the place of Me Maloney. Accounts were read and pissed. Mr Lock asked information upon the payments made to Mr Ellis, the Board's Secretary, for arohiteot's work, saying he understood that this work was to be done by the Secretary gratis, The Chairman said this was not the case, nor was it the fact, as sometimes supposed, ! that -Mr Ellis was the Board's architect, the ! Board had not an architect. \ Kesolved that application for tank and I spouting for Sunnyside be granted, the matter of painting to be postponed. Resolved to grant a sum, not exceeding £21, to Eockville Committee for the completion of Residence. A petition of 43 Mokihimi residents asked for reconsideration of proposed school site, and for suspension of aotion already resolved upon. The Mokihinui Committee wrote upon the petition saying that the objections were not there truthfully represented. Resolved that the petitioners be informed that the Board will adhere to the site chosen by its Inspector. Resolved to advertise for fresh tenders for the ereotion of school at Mokihinui. Reaolved, That the Secretary write to the Stanley Brook Committee with regard to Mr Marohant's tender. The Chairman was asked to inspect fence at Upper Montere. Resolved, That the application from Stoke Committee could not be entertained, not being aaoompanied by statement of accounts, . The matter of Kongahu Sohool was de* ferred, the Inspeator no* yet having visited the district. Resolved, That a sum not exceeding £10 should be granted the Reefton Committee for repairs, but that application for shelter ehei should be refused. Resolved not to acquire land offered at Lower Takaka for play ground. Major Franklyn gave notioe to move that tenders be called by Committee in Ootober for painting Blacks Point Sohool. The temporary appointments of Miss Stanley at Lower Wakefield and Mr Oeoil Cosagrove at Westport were approved. The Oaplestou Committee applied for an assistant female teaoher. .^Resolved to point oat position to Committee. Resolved to make application for Bite for sohool at Tophouse. - A petition was received from residents at Upper Motaeka Valley, asking for assistance in re-establishing school, the building being still available. Mr Talbot said that the inoreasiog number of aided schools weakened their funds, and would seriously affeot the more central districts. He did not want to interfere with these children getting edaoation, bat the Board should faoe the matter. Resolved to take steps to re^open tht sohool. The Board then rose, and will meet again at a quarter past sine this morning to eon aider anything there may bo re Mr Ladley'a appointment.