GISBORNE HIGH SCHOOL.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2373, 14 December 1908, Page 4

GISBORNE HIGH SCHOOL.

THE QUESTION OF DISESTAB-

LISHMENT

PROTEST BY THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

A special meeting of tlie Gisborne School Committee was held on Saturday afternoon to consider the action of' the Board of Governors of the Gisbrne High School in appointing a headmaster and the question of the disestablishment of the present District High School. Mr. John Somervell (chairman of the School Committee) presided, and said that he was aware that there was a great deal of dissatisfaction at the action of the Governors, and a number of parents had suggested to him that a telegram should he sent to the Minister for Education, asking that a full enquiry be made into the position before he gave his consent for the diestablishment of the District High School, and passed the regulations for the High School. Mr. G. E. Darton said he was glad the meeting had been called. The time had come when the School. Co- - mittee, which had been almost ignored by the Board of Governors, should take' some definite action. The Minister for Education alone had power to disestablish the District High School, and a request for him to do was to be sent to Wellington. If the Minister simply acted on that it might lead them into a position which would be regretted. If after the disestablishment of the High School!, it was found to be for the worse, it would then be too late to speak. There should be an investiga- - tion before the Minister decided. The reduction in the headmaster's salary might affect the efficiency of the Public School should the committee be culling for applications at any time. By 'the disestablishment of the present High School there would be no connecting link between the primary and secondary schools.' and •lie did 'not- see that that would Ve for their good. The question oi how the two schools would work in the same grounds certainly called for very serious consideration. He was afraid would lead to some trouble. If it could be shown that the disestablishment of the District High School would he beneficial to the district lie would support it. So far ilio position had not been properly explained. The committee had no voice m ths establishment of a high school, but thev surely had a say in the disestablishment of their own school. If the committee allowed the High School to be disestablished without a word of protest they would not be doing their duty to the householders. He moved that an inquiry be held before tlie Minister gave lii-s decision. . 'V' The Chairman said that the difficulty to his mind was how the two schools were to be run in the same play ground. . TffcThe Eev. Dawson Thomas seconded the motion. He considered, that an inquiry should also be made in regard to the building. It seemed to him that they were in the face of confiscation.

The Chairman said the building belonged l to tlie Board of Governors. Mr. Darton agreed with tlie Rev. Dawson Thomas. That would be . a matter which would come out in tSftinquiry. The whole thing wanted sifting and placing on a- proper basis.

The Rev. Dawson Thomas said that it was never anticipated that there should be dual authority.

Mr. Darton said if a- High School were established it should bo some distance from tlie present school. The Rev. W; Grant said that ho thought it was rather late to interfere. The committee havo raised their voice before. Mr. Darton agreed, hut he thought it only reasonable to request the Mir# ister to make an inquiry. Mr F. W. Riaeli agreed with tlie motion. An inquiry would clear up a number of matters which needed clearing up, and would define the position of the School After further discussion,, durwg which members expressed dissatisfaction with the way the committee had been treated by tlie Board of Govrnors. Mr. Dalton’s motion was carried.