GISBORNE DISTRICT SCHOOL.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 284, 10 December 1901, Page 3

GISBORNE DISTRICT SCHOOL.

RESIGNATION OF MR J. H. BULL.

A meeting of the Gisborne School Committee was held last evening for the purpose of considering a communication from tho Headmaster (Mr J. H. Bull), in which that gentleman tendered his resignation as headmaster of the bchool. The members present were: Messrs A. I’. Matthews (in the chair), Sawyer, Hookey, Morgan, Nolan, Graham, and Humphreys. The following letter from Mr Bull was read :—“ Owing to tho unfavorable effect l on my health of the intense strain and worry entailed in the conduct of a largo school like this, I beg to intimate that I wish to retire from the position I now occupy in your school. 1 tako this step with deep regret, and with every good wish for the future of the school with which I have been so long connected.” The Chairman said that as members were aware the previous meeting of

tho Committee bad been adjourned until that evening. He deeply regretted that Mr Bull had deemed it advisablo on account of his health to tender his resignation as headmaster of tho school. Ho moved the following resolution : “ That the Headmaster's resignation be accepted, and that this Committeo unanimously request the Board to appoint him as first assistant master of the school with as little delay as possiblo.” The Chairman further added that Mr Bull had been with them for a long time both as assistant and head master, and had conscientiously and to the best of his ability fulfilled his duties. Through ill-health ho had been compelled to vacate tho position, but was willing to tako up tho position of assistant master. He (Mr Matthews) thought the committee, knowing Mr Bull’s reputation and the great interest ho had always taken in tho

affairs of the school, together with the

ablo manner in which ho had performed the duties, would bavo no hesitation in

unanimously recommending him to tho Board for tho position of first assistant. | The Committee had abundant knowledge of Mr Bull’s ability, and tho resolution which lie submitted would, he thought, meet with general approval. They could ask the Board to appoint Mr Bull to the position vacated by Mr Strong. Mr Nolan seconded tho resolution pro forma. Ho did so with great regret, because ho felt that Mr Bull had during tho years ho had been connected with the school done valuable, good, and conscientious work. He felt that the Committee should not accept the resignation without putting on record some memento to the effect that they appreciated tho work that Mr Bull had done. Mr Bull had been absolutely conscientious in tho discharge of his duties, aud had worked as hard as any man could work for the school. The Committeo should not allow him to go without expressing their opinion of his past services. Of course, Mr Bull had resigned, and they were compelled to accept his resignation. He would liko to add a little to the resolution, or olse make a separato proposition to tho effect that the resignation bo accepted with regret, and tho Committee wished to placo on record their high appreciation of tho services rendered by Mr Bull. The Chairman was quite of tho same mind as Mr Nolan, and was willing that the latter should make any addition of the kind mentioned.

Mr Nolan then submitted tho following

“ That Mr Bull's resignation be accepted with regrot, and tho Committee place on record its high appreciation of the valuable and conscientious services rendered by Mr Bull during his term of office ; that tho Committee recommend the appointment of Mr J. H. Bull to the position of first assistant-master, and that tho Board be asked to make the appointment without delay. Mr Humphreys presumed that Mr Bull would hold the position of headmaster until his successor was appointed. The Chairman replied that the holidays would intervene, and a successor would not be appointed until the school again met.

Mr Morgan did not think it was necessary to havo the latter portion of the resolution instructing the Board to make the appointment without delay. The Chairman : It seems to me that calling for applications for a fresh master should bo done without delay. Mr Morgan : It is an unique ease. After further discussion it was decided to delete tho latter part of tho resolution and add “ Also that the Board be asked to invite applications for the position of headmaster.”

Mr Morgan spoke in terms of the highest praise of the work done by Mr Bull. He had been associated with Mr Bull for upwards of fifteen years, whilst the latter was assistant as well as beadmaster. He (Mr Morgan) was in fact the committeeman who moved that Mr Bull should be appointed to his present position. Knowing Mr Bull so well, he was extremely sorry that ho had found it necessary to resign his position as headmaster. They were indebted to Mr Bull for the example he had set to the pupils of tho school and for the manner in which he had conducted himself since he had been connected with the school. Ho hoped that Mr Bull would retain his present position until his successor was appointed. He could say a lot more, but perhaps it was unnecessary, as they all knew Mr Bull, and there was no need for him to say anything more in praise of him. Mr Hookey said that ho would like to endorse tho remarks made by Mr Morgan. Ho felt deeply for Mr Bull, and sympathised with him in the position in which he found himself placed. He (Mr Hookoy) had been but a short time on tho Com-

mittce, but previous to being elected ho had known Mr Bull, and ho was sure that they were losing a man whoso moral character and general standing it would be hard to beat as an example to tho children. Tho resolution was then put and earned unanimously. Mr Graham said that in forwarding the resolution to the Board, it should be distinctly shown that it was a voluntary act on tho part of Mr Bull, that the latter had tendered his resignation solely on account of ill-health. There had been no friction of any kind whatever with tho Committee during tho whole term of office. He mentioned this matter because he thought that they should do all in their power to sparo Mr Bull’s feelings. It was tho duty of the Committee to inform the Board that tho step taken by Mr Bull was voluntary on his part, so as not to effect Mr Bull’s position. There was nothing behind it. Peoplo not conversant with the circumstances, and not knowing Mr Bull’s constitution as well as they did might be apt to think that some pressure had been brought upon Mr Bull to resign, whereas nothing of the kind had been done. Ho was sure that Mr Bull would appreciate any step in the direction indicated, and it was just possible that in the course of time that Mr Bull might feel inclined to make an application for a headmastership under some other Board. Mr Graham concluded by moving tho following resolution : Bull's resignation tho Committee make clear to the Board of Education that the resignation was entirely voluntary on his part, and has been tendered by him solely on account of his health, Mr Bull’s relations with this and all former Committees having been at all times most cordial and satisfactory.” Mr Morgan seconded the resolution.

The Chairman endorsed the remarks make by Mr Graham, and pointed out that the initiative hacl been taken by Mr Bull himself, the latter finding that the strain of so largo a school was too groat, and that it was affecting his health. He deeply regretted Mr Bull’s resignation, but felt that when a man’s health was affected by his positiou ho was doing the right thing in giving up that position. Mr Humphreys said he was sure the Committee all regretted losing Mr Bull’s services as Headmaster, but if Mr Bull felt that he could do better work ns assistant master, and the school would make better progress, they should throw no obstacle in his way. He endorsed all that had been said by previous speakers in regard to the services rendered by Mr Bull | to the school.

The resolution was carried. A long discussion took place with regard to tho advisability of the Committee making recommendations to the Board as to the qualifications which Mr Bull's successor should possess. Mr Morgan raised the question, aud asked whether

preference should be given to a man having knowledge of technical subjects, or to one who was a graduate. The Chairman thought that the Committee should have respect for a teacher possessing good administrative ability. The school was a large one, and increasing in numbers, and they required a man who was thoroughly capable to manage it. This he thought was the paramount qualification they should insist upon. Mr Nolan agreed with Mr Morgan that the Committee should specially regard an applicant being a graduate or having knowledge of technical work. At the same time, he did not think it right that the Committee should bind themselves to such a one, as it might end in shutting out many good men and getting an indifferent one. Mr Morgan said that it was only right the Board should know the Committee’s opinions. Tho Chairman said that the Board would no doubt, if requested b,y tho Committee, send all the applications for the position together with the testimonials. He was aLo in favor of tho applicants sending their photographs. In Mr Strong’s chase a photograph had been sent, and ho thought it was a very good idea, as it gave tho Committee an opportunity to judge as to the character of the applicants. Mr Morgan said it was not tho rule for the Board to send tho Committee the 1 wholo of tho applications. Generally five names were selected and forwarded to the 1 Committee for them to make a selection

Mr Graham thought that a little information outside of testimonials might be obtained in regard to the applicants. Tin: Committee might obtain some particulars from private sumces as lo the character and ability of those applying lor the position. Mr Nolan thought flic Board should know what was required without the Committee pointing it out. He would prefer having the whole of the applications forwarded to tiie Committee. It was unfair that-the Board should curtail the number. As to making private enquiries, no doubt it wus sometimes very good, but it was very risky. Tlisy might make enquiries from a number of people opposed to the man. As a rule, testimonials showed fairly well what a man had been doing.

Mr .Sawyer said that the Board might have good reasons for not sending certain applications. Mr ..Humphreys favored the matter being left to the Board and the Inspector, Mr Hill.

Mr Hookey pointed out that if tho Committee asked for a man who was a graduate or ono with a knowledge of technical subjects, all who did not hold such qualifications would be struck out. He thought all the applications should be sent to the Committee. Mr Morgan said he had raised the question on account of the remarks recently made by the Chairman of tho Board of Education. If two men equal in every other respect applied for the position, and ono could teach technical subjects, the latter should get tho preference. The same thing should apply to an applicant who was a graduate. After further discussion it was decided to leave the matter to the Board, the Chairman remarking that tho discussion had done good, as it enabled members to ascertain each other’s views in regard to the mattor.