Aranui Headmaster.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20282, 17 April 1934, Page 8

Aranui Headmaster.

Vote of Censure

Absence from Meeting Criticised. MOTION deploring the absence of the headmaster from the meeting and recording the householders’ censure was carried with only one dissentient at the householders’ meeting in the Aranui district last night. Ihe meeting warmly criticised the e >T^ m^ Ster V. H. Bremner). Mr E. Rowse presided over eightv-four householders in the Aranui Hall. The headmaster was not present nor did he forward a report on the working of the school, two facts on which there was no lack of adverse comment, while he was criticised further for not closing the school for the annual picnic, although no children attended the classes, the teachers being the sole occupants of the rooms on that day. Mr Rowse said there was no headmaster’s report; Mr Bremner had stated that he would not attend the meeting. The headmaster had promised to write something as a report, but had not done so. It was a most unfortunate position and not conducive to the best interests of education when the headmaster did not put in a report. The members of the committee had done their best and were sorry they had no headmaster’s report Criticism was voiced at the lack of a football team, and the chairman declared that he did not think the boys had had a fair run at Rugby and it was a pity they lacked coaching. There was a further question as to the activities of the stall at the picnic and the chairman said that, unfortunately, the teachers did not take a prominent part; in fact, they had attended the school that (jay, though the attendance of children was nil. A letter was then read from Mr W. P. Spencer, chairman of the Canterbury Education Board, in which he expressed his surprise to learn that the staff had assembled at the school on the day of the picnic; their place undoubtedly was at the picnic, for the committee had a right to close the school on picnic day, he stated. Applause greeted the letter. Mr Rowse added that the headmaster had refused to have anything to do with the picnic and had declined to help with a concert if it was in aid of the picnic fund. The committee had done everything possible to get Mr Bremner along, but yet he had said he was ignored. Mr J. Brook-Taylor declared that Mr Bremner had shown a lack of courtesy in not attending; he was probably the only headmaster in Canterbury who was not present at a householders’ meeting. After the secretary (Mr A. C. Boyd) had stated that the headmaster had not replied to a request to attend the meeting Mr C. F. Saunders moved that the meeting should deplore the absence of Mr Bremner and recommend the incoming committee to take suitable action. The chairman remarked that with 100 per cent of proficiency passes there was nothing to worry about in the teaching of the school. Mr G. M’Caw then moved as an amendment that the meeting pass a motion of censure. Mr Saunders withdrew his motion at this stage, stating that he favoured the amendment, which was carried with one dissentient. Mr G. Wheeler: I reckon you are a bit tough on Mr Bremner. He has the confidence of the Education Board or he would not hold his job. When a man is not present you should not rub in the dirt too much. (Hear, hear.) He is the board’s representative and you ought to be careful what you say. When the motion was put to the meeting the only dissentient was Mr Wheeler. The following- were elected to the committee:—Mesdames E. G. Beardsley (60), J. Roberts (46), and Messrs C. F. Saunders (46), J. T. Dickie (42). G. Miller (38), A. Rowlands (35), and A. C. Boyd (31).