FREE PLACE PUPILS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1687, 1 March 1913, Page 2

FREE PLACE PUPILS.

THE EXCLUSIONS.

COLLEGE CONTROL'S MEETING.

Exclusion fit a number of desiring entrants from tho Girls' College, which was. discussed at a meeting of nio Education Board, recently, was brought up at yesterday's westing of tho Wellington Board of College Governors. Mr. W. H. I'. Barber, who opened' tho discussion, stated that it had come under his notice that a number of girls had been excluded from tho Girls' College. Ho wished to know whether 6ome 6chools held an advantage over others. The chairman (Mr. A; de Brandon) answored that he had no knowledge of that. Mr. Barber then made reference to certain matter which ho had read in tho press on tho subject. The secretary (jVIr. Powles) 6tated that applications by parents for tho admission of their daughters to tho college, were taken irrespective of schools. Mr. Barber mentioned that ho know of one school which had enrolled as a body. He wished to know how mauy pupils were in the Girls' High School who woro not qualified to the same extent as those who had secured proficiency certificates. Tho chairman replied that ho could not say.

Mr. Barber then mentioned another case which had come under his notice. A girl, who had secured tho highest marks at her school, had been excluded from the college when she made application for admittance.

Tho chairman remarked that it would be better to ascertain _ facts firlt. Ho moved that the discussion take place in committee. His reason for moving such a motion was that the board had not come to any conclusion on tho matter, and the discussion would necessarily be one-sided. There wero two sides to the question, and it was possible that ono side or the other might be exaggerated. Tho board should at least bo given credit for arriving at its decision fairly, and, if the conclusion cf the board was going to be criticised because of an abbreviated report which had appeared in the press, the board would be unfairly treated. The question concerned the internal management, and thercforo_ he considered that it should be dealt' with privacy. Any resolutions that might be carried could be made known to the public. Mr. Barber considered that the question ought to bo, discussed in public. It was a matter of public interest. ■ Mr. R. L©e said that the board had nothing to fear from criticism. He was opposed to tho matter being discussed in committee. Tho chairman said that he had no objection to, criticism of tho decision of the board, but he thought that tho preliminary discussion should take place privately amongst themselves. In the course of carrying out tho regulations of the Government and the Board of Governors in respect to the admission of free-place pupils, a certain number had been admitted and a certain number excluded. He could not eay to what estent the officials of the schools were concerned in the admission and exclusion of pupils. Mr. Field remarked thai! he was satisfied that tho initial discussion should take place in committee. Tho chairman then put the motion! "That tho board go info committee to discuss -the matter." The motion was carried, the voting being as follows:—Ayes: Messrs. Field, 'Ward, Warburton, A. de Brandon, and Miss Richmond; Noes: Messrs. Lee and Barber. . The matter was then discussed in committee, and the board subsequently adjourned until Friday next.