Salaries of Inspectors and Teachers.

Observer, Volume xi, Issue 667, 10 October 1891, Page 9

Salaries of Inspectors and Teachers.

In October of last year, the four Inspectors employed by Auckland Board of Education made joint application for increase' of salary. The matter was left in abeyance until Friday last, when Mr Bice brought it up in ' ordinary course.'

Mr Muir promptly moved that the application be declined. (Some members looked aghast at his temerity). Mr Lennox : I move that the matter be deferred until the Chairman brings forward his salary scheme. [That will be about the Ides of March, if indeed it be not postponed till the Greek Kalends.] If (quoth Mr Lennox) we are going to reduce the salaries of city teachers, which I am in favour of to a certain extent, I would be in iavour of the Inspectors remaining as they are. If, on the other hand, the city teachers 1 salaries are to remain as they are, the Inspectors' salaries should be increased.

Mr Luke : I am in favour of an increase to the Inspectors, and I think it should be given as soon as possible. In Otago, the Inspectors are paid £500 to £550. Our Senior Inspector, Mr Goodwin, had £400 some time ago, but it was reduced to £350. As several head teachers have higher salaries than the Inspectors, it is time for the salaries of the latter to be raised. I therefore move— That the salaries of the Inspectors be increased, and that they be fixed as follows:— Mr Goodwin, £400 ; Messrs Airey, Dickenson and Crowe, £350 each.

The Chairman : That is out of order, until the motion and amendment are disposed of. Mr Moat: I agree with Mr Lennox that we should defer consideration of the matter till we deal with the whole question of salaries.

Mr Buckhurst: I am of the same opinion. There are other employees of the Board in receipt of salaries quite as unequal in proportion to their duties. On a division Messrs Muir, Motion and Grant voted to decline the application, while Messrs Lennox Moat Buckhurst and the Chairman voted to defer the question.

Mr Luke : Can I bring my motion now ? The Chairman : No ; the matter is deferred. You are too late.

The roost notable feature of this little discussion is the deolaratiou of Mr Lennox that he is in favour (even to ' a certain extent ') of reducing the salaries of the city head- masters. This change of attitude seems to contradict Dame Rumour's assertion that Mr Lennox does not intend to seek re-election.

The moral ot the incident is: Trot out your salary scheme, Mr Chairman !

A Felt Want.— A Truant Officer to. compel the attendance of Board members who are irregular.

Mr Grant thinks that, when a man absents himself from two or three consecutive meetings of the Board, he should cease to be a member.

The postal authorities, as if to show their spleen at having co carry school stationery free, have been delivering the ink and blotting paper ' inextricably blended,' parcels burst open, etc.

There are five maiden lady teachers in the city schools who have been from 12 to 18 years in the Board's service. It would be ungallant to give their names. Their salaries range from £90 to £120 per annum.