MASTERTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 2, Issue 155, 9 May 1879, Page 2

MASTERTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The usual monthly meeting was held yesterday. Present Messrs Feist (chairman), McKee, Wrigley, Vile, Brown, and Paytcn.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

The resignation of. Mr Holmes Crayne of his seat as a member of the Committee was read.

It was resolved, on the motion of the Rev J. McKco, seconded by Mr Wrigley, that it be accepted with regret, The mover alluded to the continued ill-health' which prevented Mr Crayne from rendering now the valuable services which lie had given in the past. On the motion.of the.Rev J. McKeo, Mr Brown was elected Treasurer, vice Mr Crayne, resigned,

The teacher's monthly report was read. It stated that the average attendance at the school during the montli of April was 230. The number of pupila in the infant' room had increased, and he had engaged another monilress for this reason. Ho proposed engaging a pupil teacher as soon as a suitable one was obtainable. He complained that several boys attending the school were very irregular in their attendance.

The Rev J. McKee, as visiting member for the past month, reported satisfactorily. Ho called attention to the necessity of furnishing one ; of the rooms, In order touring forward for discussion the desirability of adopting the compulsory; clauses of the Act, Sir JR. Brown gave a notice of motion for next meeting. The Chairman drew attention to the position the assistant master, Mr Gordon occupied with reference to his creditors, in order to take the opinion of the meeting as to whether the committeo should take cognizance of it. Mr Payton regarded the assistant mastar as responsible more to the head master than to the committee. The Rev J. McKee said there was an impression abroad unfavorable to the assistant master. He did not wish his remarks to be reported. Mr Payton rose to a point of order. He claimed that their meetings were strictly public, and that nothing should be said at them which was of a private character. The Rev J. McKee considered that there were times when it was inexpedient to publish reports of proceedings. He had 110 objection to anything he might say being published, provided ■he was reported My. Tlie Chairman sympathised with the view expressed by Mr Payton. Mr Vile desired to know whether the assistant master could be suspended under the 47th clause of the Act for gross mis : behaviour. He considered Mr Gordon's conduct since he had resided at Masterton was tantamount to it, and lie desired what he said to be reported.

Mr Brown said the committee had nothing before it on which to take action, and it would be better to wait till it had,

The Treasurer reported receipt of capitation grant of £2O for the past quarter. , An application from Mr J. Ci. Rockel for party fence erected in 1877, amount £6 lGs lid, was referred to the Chairman to report upon by next meeting. An account for supplementary salary to assistant teacher, £7 10s. covered by grant from Masterton Trust, was passed for payment. Accounts from W. W, McCardlc for planting trees, £llßs, and Mr Coker repairing windows 7s were passed, The Rey J. McKee gave notice of a motion for next meeting in favor of two scholarships, one of £ls and the other of £lO per annum, Tho Masterton Trustees to bo asked to give a grant to cover the amount. The meeting then adjourned.