ASHBURTON FORKS SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1894, 16 July 1888, Page 3

ASHBURTON FORKS SCHOOL COMMITTEE

A ■peolil meeting of this Committee wai held at the Chairman's house on Saturday, Jane 23rd. All members present. As some of the members were ignorant as to why a special meeting was called, the Chairman explained that with the exception of the Committee election meeting, and at which only some of the members were present, a regular meeting had not been held since last December 4. The object ot the present meeting was to consider the desirableness of asking the master to resign, on the ground that as be had been endeavoring to obtain another school some of the members thought on that acooont he should be asked to resign. A long and animated discussion ensued. Mr Anderson protested against this proceeding, and said that the only fault, If It was such, was that Mr Hale wished to better his position. No school m the distriot had had better reports from the Inspector, and how conld they In the face of that ask the Board to dismiss the master. The Boatd would want a better reason than they conld give. After a long dlseoislon, Mr John Oorbett proposed the following resolution :— " Teat as the master, Mr Bale, »e«m» deelrouo of obtaining another sohool, he cannot hare that interest m the school whioh this Committee would wish. t therefore propose that be be asked to resign," This was duly seconded and tarried. Messrs Sutherland (chairman), John Corbett, Sam Knox, Ohurob, and Good Toting for, and Messrs Anderson and John Knox against the resolution. The meeting then adjourned to July 7»n.

A meeting of the Committee was held at Mr Sutherland's house on July 7th. Present— Messrs Sutherland, Sam Knox, Gopd, Church and Andenipn. Messrs Jo.bn Corbett and John Kndx were absent. The master's report was read, reporting that the attendance was much better than the first quarter of the year but .not what it should be, and drawing the attention of the Committee to the fact that some time ago they had advertised as to putting the Compulsory clauses m force, bat that it w»s useless to expect any notice to be taken of it if members of toe Committee were the chief offenders m that respect— a'eo as to Baker's bill for coal. That the Inspector, Dr. Anderson, had inspected the school on June 26th, and seemed well pleased with the work done. The following letter had been sent to the master by the Secretary asking him to resign : Sir,— l have to inform you that at a special meeting of the Ashburton Forks School Committee, held on Jone 23rd, the following resolution was proposed and carried— !' That as the master, Mr Hale, seems desirous of obtaining another school he cannot have that interest m the school whioh the. Committee would wish, T, therefore propose that he be asked to resign." From the resolution you will see $bat the Committee desire* you to resign your position' as master, and -would feel gbligbdbyyou letting them know i? you apceap to their reque&t by thefr next regular meeting, to be held on Saturday, July 7, 1888 — -I am, etc.— John Davjson, $«cretary. To this, the following reply was re calved ;— "The Sohool Committee, Asbburton Forks Sohool, July 7th, 1888 Gentlemen — X beg to acknowledge receipt of letter from you? Secretary, asking me to acoede to your request on the ground that as 1 am desirous of obtaining another school I cannot have that Interest In the sohool which the Committee would wish. T »m n'aasnd m one wav to Gnd that that fl the only complaint ' you have against kpe— a fault common to teachers — and one frnlph fhe JJotia I'feoeourage'by1 'feoeourage'by 'advertising for teachers. ' At the same time I am ■orry that yon have aaoh s low standard of duty as to think that beoauee I wish to onsoge I negleot my work. Such Is not mf Idea of duty. Your Chairman la well aware that I applied for the Hampatead sohool some two and a half years ago, notwithstanding which I have obtained successively favorable reports on cay work heie from the Inspector, who Is supposed to be a judge of such, besides a vote of thanks 'from your Committee only last December, My answer therefore to your extraordinary request Is decidedly not. Yourß obediently, Wk- Hale. A long' and aorlmonious discussion took place on the above, the msjirlty of the Committee expressing an opinion that if oommlti»3s oonld not dismiss or elect a matter at pleasure without consulting the Board, they were not wanted. It was reserved to Rive B?f Hale thjee inontha* notice, Mr Anderson 'protesting •gainst the Illegality ol the action of tke Committee. •• v T>he Committee then adjourned.