Wanganui Education Board.

Feilding Star, Volume XVIII, Issue 186, 9 February 1897, Page 2

Wanganui Education Board.

(Per Press Association.) Wanganci, February 8. The above Board met today* Present — Mr Carson (in the chair), Sansou. Rob* bins, Baker, Fry, Pirani, Hurley, Leth* bridge and Boss. The Mayor forwarded resolutions passed at a public meeting asking for a further inquiry. Mr C. E Matthews, solicitor, formerly of Palmerston North, wired asking for further enquiry into the headmaster's cod duct and closing of the school. Mr J. George wrote asking for inquiry into the headmaster's conduct towards bis daughter, and Mr F. Sisley, of Normandy, also wrote asking for inquiry into the headmaster's conduct towards his daughter. The Hawera Committee forwarded reasons for asking for Mr Warden, asßistant master, to be removed. Mr Warden wrote protesting against his removal from the school. The matter was discussed at some length, Mr Baker contending that the decision deliberately arrived at by eifht respectable members of the Hawera School Committee was not likely to be so one-aided as was alleged. Mr Bobbins pointed out that tbe attendance at the school showed an increase of late instead of a decrease as alleged, and strongly defended tbeactien of the Committee as showing tbe independent position held by its members. Mr Pirani moved, that in regard to the letters in reference to the headmaster of the Hawera school, the Board cannot see its way to go behind the apparently exhaustive inquiry held by the Hawera Committee, and that if further action is advisable, owing to the serious character of the charges, it should be taken in a court of law before a judicial authority. He said he could not understand parents, who complained of such conduct towards their daughters as Messrs George and Sisley did, being content with making an accusation to the Education Board instead of initiating a criminal prosecution. If such a prosecution was. not commenced then Mr Strack's duty plainl t was to prosecute them for slander. Any inquiry by the Board would be •bortive as not only was evidence not taken on oath, but the punishment following perjury in a court of law would not ensue. Mr Baker seconded the motion and endorsed the views of the proposer. Mr Sanson pointed out that the Board had not power to suspend the headmaster, the Committee only having that power. Mr Hurley moved that an inquiry be held by the Board and he considered that in removing the junior teachers the Beard was punishing the wrong persons. Mr Carton seconded the amendment, and strongly urged the necessity for the Board holding another inquiry. The Bey. Mr Ross considered there was no straighter way than to support Mr Pirani'a motion. The Board's action in remoying teachers for their own sake was misconstrued, and if power existed the master himself would have been removed to another school. Messrs Carson and Hurley voted for the amendment, and Messrs Sanson, Ross, Baker, Fry, Pirani and Lethbridge for Mr Pirani's motion, the latter being carried. Pihamu— Mr Carter's resignation accepted. Three names to be sant for the vacancy. Asburst— Mr Lyon appointed cadet. Henry Lyall, of Terrace End, to go to Hawera, Mangaweka— >Miß3 E. George, Hawera* to go to MangawekaFox ton— J. Robson, pupil teacher, to remain at this school, and Miss Sisley to be transferred from Hawera. Kakaramea — Miss Richardson (Birmingham), appointed pupil|teacber from Ist March. Kaponga — F. Gabites appointed as cadet. Rewa— Appointment of teacher bold over till next meeting. Marton— Miss Beaven granted leave of absence till end of February. Patea— J. Worsop, pupil teacher, granted leave of absence till end of February. Feilding - Appointment of Arthur Haybittle, cadet, confirmed. Mangatoki— Appointment of A. Cassidy, pupil teacher, confirmed. Momohaki— Nora Crawley appointed cadet.