THE DUNEDIN HIGH SCHOOLS.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 994, 1 September 1877, Page 2

THE DUNEDIN HIGH SCHOOLS.

Resignation op the Lady Teachers. [ter press agency.] Dunedin, August 31. Mrs Burn has to-day written to the Education Board, positiA r ely declining to hold the position of Lady Principal any longer than t.o the cud of the present session. Miss Burn and four other lady teachers of the High School have also resigned. The action referred to has been taken in consequence of severe strictures which have appeared in the Dunedin papers disapproving of the conduct of the Education Board, and imputing nepotism to the girls at the High School. The teachers have been requested by the Board to retain their positions till a commission of inquiry be appointed. A petition is in circulation this afternoon for presentation to the Governor, asking that a commission be appointed to inquire in) o the proposed alterations of the Board, and that they be prevented from having further effect till such is done.

[PROM TttE CORRESPONDENT OP THE PRESS.] The memorial to the Governor, regarding the High Schools, says the action of the Board, the memorialists believe, are arbitrary and unjust towards the Rector, and the arrangements it proposes respecting the future management of the girls’ establishment are such as to shake confidence in its future success. The memorialists therefore ask his Excellency to appoint an independent commission to inquire into the circumstances connected with the proposed alterations, and, in the meantime, to t ake steps to prevent any further action on the part of the Board towards giving effect to such changes. Mrs Burn writes to the Board covering her own and the resignation of all the teachers under her except one, adding, “ the tone and spirit of the articles published in the newspapers, and of letters admitted into them since the neAv arrangement Avas made, show that, in addition to hard work and many difficulties, I should have to combat a strong opposition, which would materially hinder the successful fulfilment of my duties. There- | fore I positively decline holding the position ; any longer than to the end of the present I session.” ! The High School committee resolved to request Mrs Burn and the other teachers to hold their resignations in abeyance until an opportunity be given tor the appointment of a a commission, which the committee will cordially support. The papers teem with several personal letters on the subject. , Mr Gillies, replying to some of them, says : | —“ The coarseness of character indicated in making such remarks as those permitted in regard to young unoffending ladies marks out the persons as better deserving horsej whipping than other notice.” 1 Dr. Stuart says : —“ If writers Avould only give their names, King Lynch has enough subjects in the city to call them to account.” Altogether there is a pretty storm brewing.