Waipukurau School Committee.

Waipawa Mail, Volume X, Issue 1019, 7 December 1886, Page 3

Waipukurau School Committee.

The committee met last evening, when Messrs Smith (in the chair), Wilding, Palmer, Robinson, Bissectt, Barrie, and Joucs were present. The minutes of previous meeting were passed. The chairman opened the proceedings by stating that one of the objects of the meeting was to consider a letter from Mr Anderson. That gentleman had refused to accept the report made by the Inspector to the Education Board, alleging as his reason for not doing so that ho believed that the chairman, Mr Smith, had held an interview with th Inspector, and had prejudiced him against the teacher, anu hence the, ns the head-master believed, hostile report. The head master declined to accept the report as a fair statement of his results until lie had an opportunity of verifying if. To do this, he desired to have access to the papers in the Inspectoi s office, ami also to those referring to other schools, so that the systems of marking might ho compared, as the head-master seemed to think his school had been adjudged by a different system to the others.

(This is the gist of the complaint brought forward by the head-master. A portion of it was contained in two letters handed in to the meeting just after the minutes had been passed. The letter caused some discussion, some of the committeemen thinking they ought not to be admitted. Ultimately, ou the motion of Mr Palmer, they were admitted.) Mr Jones and others wanted to know what was the usualcourso adopted by committees to give masters the information Mr Anderson asked for.

The chairman said lie had never before heard of such an application being made by a head-master, so he could not say. Mr Palmer appealed to Mr R. Harding, as he was a member of the Education Board, asking if he knew of any reason why the information should be with held. Mr Harding (by permission) replied that ho had always found Mr Hill willing and courteous.

Mr Barrio considered nu enquiry should he held to consider the complaint and charges of the master. That would get at the bottom of the matter, and give Mr Smith an opportunity of clearing himself from the charge mndo against him, and the master of substantiating his charges if they were founded. Mr Amlcrson, who was prosont, (together with a large number of persons who had by degrees assembled in the schoolroom), stated that he had been refused permission to see the papers. Mr Barrie moved “ That the correspondence he sent to the Education Board, and an enquiry be asked for.” Mr Wilding said the matter would now rest with the board, and the evidence be heard at tho proper time. Mr Anderson protested that it was unfair of Mr Harding to speak (the chairman requested Mr Anderson to bo silent.)

Mr Palmer would move an amendment. Tho chairman was rather quick in taking motions, rather too quick, us ho had tried to take one before lie had moved it “ That the board he requested to supply the information.” Mr Jones seconded. Mr Anderson wished to give a communication to the chairman from Mr Haggcn, concerning the chairman. (Called to order.) Tho chairman said tho amendment didn’t meet tho question at all. It only affected the first few lines of the letter. But tliero was the rest of it. They might bo sure the matter wouldn’t rest where it was. The letter complaining of the report had been sent to the chairman, in his public capacity as such, and copies of it to tho members of tho committee. It was in fact made public* It made charges against himself and the inspector. If they were true, neither of those would bo fit to hold their positions any longer. The matter must be enquired into. As a matter of fact, the examination was not held by the inspector at all, but by papers and under the superintendence of the Rev. Mr Knipo and Mr Bisscfct. The papers were sent in and reported on. The report was sent in to the chairman, and he (Mr Smith) had passed it on for Mr Anderson to see. It was the duty of tho master to return it but Mr Anderson hail kept it. He (Mr Smith) had only glanced at the report but considered it was a good one. (Mr Anderson : —Bosh, Bosh.) Mr Smith called to Constable Brosnalinn, (who had taken liis seat in the room) and requested him to remove Mr Anderson if the slightest interruption occurred again. Ho continued : lie asked for an enquiry. A charge had been made against him of influencing or prejudicing the inspector. For 8 years lie had been chairman of the committee, and had always been interested in the school, and he denied that he had interviewed the inspector of done anything to secure a bad report on the school. Tho discussion then became rather heated, though the chairman maintained order very successfully, (with tho exception of some little outbursts, which were speedily hushed). Mr Palmer was the principal speaker, and whilst the two resolutions were before the committee continually accused the chairman of speaking too much to tho motions. The latter replied that ho was not only a chairman and committee-man, but was also tho party who was attacked. He hail a right to speak. This view was supported by Messrs Wilding and Barrie. Finally the motion was put in favour of an enquiry, and was carried ; and then Mr Palmer's motion was also put and carried separately asking that tho required information bo granted to the master. There was repeated sparring between Mr Palmer and the chairman. At one time tho former, was accusing the latter of exceeding his duty. Mr Smith replied : “Now, Mr Palmer, please don’t make any more charges. There arc qtito enough already to last a twelve-month.” The matter of tho report not being returned was again brought up, and at this juncture, the interruptions from Mr Anderson became so frequent that the chairman appealed to the police. The constable was just about to remove Mr Andrson, when Mr Barrie interceded and Mr Smith consented to giving him another chance.

Whilst a resolution was being pressed that the report be laid on tho table, Mr Anderson produced it. It was read, and the mem hereof the committee seemed of opinion that it was a fair report, and nothing to be ashamed of. After nearly two hours of this kind of thing, the meeting went into committee, on a motion supported by Messrs Palmer, Wilding, Jones and Bissett. Mr Barrie dissented. Tho public then left, some ol them expressing their indignation by groaning loudly.