KAIAPOI BOROUGH SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1291, 9 May 1878, Page 3

KAIAPOI BOROUGH SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

A special meeting of this committee was held on Tuesday evening. Present—Messrs Coup, Pashby, Bevell, McKenna, V.C., and Johnston (chairman). Letters were read from the Board of Education, saying the Board had resolved that the matter in dispute between the committee and Mr Eayner would be fairly met by his writing a letter to the committee expressing regret for not having given the information respecting the sale of books to the members of the committee, Messrs Johnston and Bean, and for having written a letter published in the News of Bth December, and that tho Board was of opinion the committee should accept such expression of regret, and that on these terms Mr Ifayner be retained in the position he now occupies. Prom Mr J. Matthews, offering his grateful acknowledgements for the pension awarded him, and pointing out that, as in a similar case of a master at Ashburton, he ought to be entitled to an increased sum as pension for length of service and position he had occupied. He had asked the Board to accept his resignation, as ho felt afraid he would not be able through failing health to maintain his position as second master. From Mr Kayner, head-master, to the Board of Education, acknowledging receipt of a copy of the resolution passed by the Board on 17th nit., and informing them that it had given him great pleasure to comply with its resolution, and expressing his sincere thanks for the patient hearing accorded him by the Board on the 17th. From Mr Rayner to the committee in the following terms : "Sir, —I have tho honor to acknowledge the receipt on the 23rd ult. of a copy of the resolution passed by the Board of Education on the 17th inst., and in deference to the opinion stated therein, I desire to express regret for not having given the information respecting the sale of books to the members of committee, Messrs Johnston and Bean, and for having written a letter published in the ' News' of Bth December. "I have the honor to be, Sir, " Your obedient servant, "Edwin Rayner, Head-master. " To tho Chairman Borough School." Tho Chairman—lt is now for the committeo to consider whether that letter is an apology or not. Mr Revell—Ought the letter to the Board not to have been forwarded forthwith 'i The Chairman—No. Our rule is_ that all letters have to pass through the committee. Mr Revell—Suppose we lei'uso to accept Mr Bayner's letter, as I hear some members intend to do, what will be the position if the Board considers Mr Bayner's letter meets its resolution ? The Chairman —Tou can accept or refuse the letter. The matter is in the hands of the committee. Mr fievell—The Board gives an expression of opinion, and Mr Rayner has adopted the recommendation in its exact words. The Chairman —The Board virtually upholds the committee in the actiont>ken, and says mother words, 'in the event of Mr Rnyner npologioiug ho mayremain in charge of the school." It makes the condition of his tendering an apology the only condition on which he shall remain. The tone of h s letter, however, ignores the committeo, and nothing in it can be construed as expressing his regret to the committeo. His

letter to the Board is altogether different in spirit. The committee in the course it has taken simply wished to show Mr Kaynor his position, and to maintain its dignity and the respect duo to it. Mr Rwcll—The Board takes the same view as we have done, bnt I am afraid Mr Eayner in his letter has met the resolution. I cannot soo how we can do anything in the matter. I am not taking his part at all, as 1 have found him in some matters impracticable to deal with. Still, my ndv;ce is-let the matter drop. Mr McKenna—Only tho address of the letter shows it to be intended for the committee. Mr Eevell —The action of tho sub-committee towards Mr Bayn ; r was looked upon as an unwarrantable intrusion and enquiry into a matter which T as placed entirely in hi • own hands to deal with. There were certain aggravating cirenmstances in connection with the affair which ought to cause tho committee not to deal with tho case in an extreme way. The Chairman—That, however, is passed, and when things are cool and soma months have elapsed, he writes this letter, which is anything bnt what it ought to be. Mr Pashby—The committee has to consider, "Is this an apology?" and neit, will it be satisfied with an apology drawn oat of a teacher by tho Board P He thought not. The committee ought to stand by its resolutions. Mr McKenna—The chairman met Mr Eayner very well, I thought, when ho offered to take an apology or an expression of regret in a private way. If Mr Rayner exprepsed his regret he should bo willing to accept it, but the letter in question did not truly express anything of the kind. He had forgotten his place. An old committeeman had said Mr Eayner would soon be chairman of committee and master. The Chairman —If he treats the committee in the way he is doing, there had better be no committee. Mr Eovell —Has he offended in any other way than as stated ? Tin Chairman—lt is for Iris insubordination the Board wished him to tender his regret or bo dismisßed. Mr Eevell—Has any other complaint been made P

The Chairman—None has come to my notice. Mr Revell—We might move that the letter be sent to the Board and its opinion asked thereon. The Chairman—Mr Eevell means to say we are not competent to deal with it. Mr Eevell—Privately I should haTO no two opinions of the matter. I should consider it useless to pursue the question. Mr Coup —Tho Board might tell us ho had done all *>° *";«*o waked to do, but still some of tho committee did not consider the lame exprossal of regret sufficient.

_Mr Eevell—Mr Eayner might have gone into a more fulsome expression over tho matter. The Chairman—We ougdit to have had something better from him, and if eight committeemen cannot decide on the letter, it wonld be as well to send it to Mr Eayner himself for his opinion as to send it anywhere else. I would not like to send Mr Eeveil s recommendation to the Board, obtain tyfflßNPiLllßJ&*> .bavin* failed to duct towards the committee would be better Tor tie future, the committee informs tho Board that it abides by its previous resolution. At present, Mr Eayner see Tied to wish to maintain a pisition on his own terms. Mr McKenna seconded Mr Eevell's suggestion pro forma, to allow the latter to reply. Mr Kevell—l think moro has been made of the ca o than ought to be. It is creating a mountxin out of a molehill, and the punishment should not be a-y higher than the offence, which was only trivial after all. The Chairman—l havo no personal feeling, but the committeo should not allow -a motion like this to go to the Board. The Board must think very little of them if it was sent.

Mr Revell—l think we are powerb>Sß. Mr Rayner hag done what the Board sayß ho ought to do. He might, it is tnje, have sent us a more complimentary letter, but he appears to have a kind of mania on the question, and won't give in. If we send his letter to the Board, and they say it is enough, we cannot go boyond it. Really, I do not see that we shall gain anything by opposing the Board, and indicating that the resolution passed by it is not in sgreement with the feelings of some of the committee. lam prepared to accept Mr Bayncr's letter, and let the thing rest. The Chairman—lt rests with us whether we will retain his services or dispense with them. The committee is competent to judge, and it ha t better do so than pass the affair on to the Board again for its opinion. Mr Coup—To meet the matter, how will this amendment do —"That the se rotary write to the Board in reply to their letter of the 18th, also enclosing a copy of Mr Rayner's letter to tie committee, and inform them that the committeo sees no reison to deviate from their original resolution re the dismissal of Mr Rayner, as he has not apologised to the committee for his conduct towards the sub-committee, alluded to in a previous resolution, neither has he expressed regret for his conduct, although pressed to do so by the Board ; and the committee are further of opinion that, if Mr Kayner's services are retained, that there will be a repetition of the same." ~•,., The Chairman—Will you add " insubordinate conduct." Mr Coup—l have no objection. Mr Re veil—l ou ought to shorten that very considerably. The Chairman—" Will Mr Revell accept the amendment? Mr Revell—Oh, dear no ! Mr Coup—l shall erase the words, " until pressed to do so by the Board." The Chairman—How will it be to say the committee has no reason to withdraw its previous resolution ? Mr Revell -Why don't you say you will either accept or refuse the apology tendered ? Mr Coup—He doeß not express regret for his conduct. Mr Kevell—Clearly he does. The Chairman-Does any member second the amendment. Mr Revell—Put it in shorter language. Mr Coup—l consider that in giving a lengthy explanation, we give the public a reason for what we are doing, as we do not want to do anything in an arbitrary way. Mr Pashby— Well, I will second the amendment. I considor Mr Rayner's apology no apology at all, and if it is an apology it is objectionable to have it forced from him, and the sooner the committee— if this sort of thing continues—give way the better. As a committeeman I object to bo ridden rough shod over. Mr Rayner ha* had every opportunity given him. Mr McKcnna —I suggest that we write to the Board, enclosing Mr kayner's letter, and point out that, in the opinion of the committee the apology is not tufficient, or within the meaning of the Board's letter. The Chairman—That is a vague amendment. Tou ought to put more pressure on. Mr McKenna —Leave it to the Board to settle. Oa? minute-book teems with resolutions similar to Mr Coup's amendment. "We now wish to say to the Board Mr Rayner's letter is not equal to the expectations of jthe committee, and leave them to deal with it. Mr Coup—The Board, we think, will deem it satisfactory, but the question is for the committee to decide, if it considers it meets the case. Mr McKenna was sorry all the members were not present, as then they might come to a right conclusion. The Chairman—We want to say the committee does not see any reason to alter the decision come to previously. Mr Coup—That is it. Tlie letter is no apology. . Mr Revell—l will withdraw the motisn, and second Mr McKenoa's proposition. The Chairman—And you will modify it to meet my viewMr McKenna—And what is your view ? The Chiiirman—Well, that we_ do not consider it an apology at all, and desiro the Board to put in force our resolution. I should like to seo the motion made so that I can vote for it. Mr Rov»lI —I do not see how much further you can go than Mr McKenm has indicated. The Chairman I cannot support Mr McKenna.

Mr Rovoll—Well, the sooner this thing conies to an end the better. We are doing nothing to uphold the dignity of the committee or to maintain the efficiency of the school. The Chairman—The committee differs in opinion to the Board. Mr Eevell—The Board is mortal as w 11 as we are. but is not personally mixed up in the affair. Mr Pashby—Mr M'Kenna's motion leaves the question too op n. Mr M'Kenna—Then if Mr Pashby wants to say he ought to go whether he apologises or not, why not say so directly ? The Chairman—Now I will put the question. Mr M'Kenna's amendment first. The votes were, for Messrs M'Kenna and Eevell, against Messrs Pashby, Coup and Johnston. Mr Coup's amendment was then put and carried, Messrs M'Kenna and Eevell voting against th lVwT 9 ' resoW «-* - -»«*«*•' Ictterbe formed to the Board with a recommendation that his pension should be .£240• Mr Pashby referred in eulogistic terms to the manner in which Mr Matthews, had conducted the school under his charge. The committee adjourned to meet on Monday for the consideration of applications lor the position of infant schoolmistress.