THE WAKANUI SCHOOL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2051, 20 September 1880, Page 4

THE WAKANUI SCHOOL.

The above committee still continues to be the centra of considerable interest in that locality. As will be remembered, the committee resolved to charge 3s for every religious service held in the school, with the view of paying off a debt which they owed. An indignation meeting was the result, at which certain members of the committee were severely criticised, and on last Wednesday the committee met to consider what steps they should take. Mr Leadly proposed, “ That forasmuch as the last meeting of this committee, held on the 31st August, was not legally convened in accordance with the provisions and requirements of the 72nd section of the Education Ac L , 1877, this committee is of opinion that the business done at that meeting was and is invalid and unlawful, and declines to endorse the actions or confirm the minutes of that meeting, and desires that they be expunged from the records." The Chairman replied that the mover was taking a lot of trouble to look foolish, and declined to put the resolution, as it reflected upon himself. An animated discussion ensued, m which Mr Kilgour read the 72nd section of the Act, which specifies that no business respecting “ the appointment, suspension, or dismissal of a teacher shall be considered unless written notice that such business is proposed to be transected has been served to every member of the committee at least three clear days previous to the meeting, at his usual or last known place of abode. ” In the course of the discussion, the Chairman ivlimated his intention of resigning, and vacated the chair accordingly. This, of course, brought business to a standstill, until the chairman was subsequently induced to retake his seat. The minutes were then confirmed, and a letter wag read from the secretary to the Education Board, authorising tho committee to charge persons using the schoolroom, and to take legal proceedings against persons who had been guilty of trespass on the school property on tho occasion of the indignation meeting. The Chairman stated that he had placed the matter in tho hands of Messrs Branson and Purnell, with instructions to summon several persons who had taken a leading part n the meeting. A very lively discussion followed, and ultimately Mr Kiif-our moved and Mr Leadly seconded end it was carried by a majority of one—“ That tbia committee is of opinion that it is advisable to tako no further action in regard to tho trespass care of the 9th inot, ; and as the householders think it would bo a great hardship inflicted on them by the committee passing a resolution charging for the use of the school, wo hereby rescind that resolution, and allow them tho same privileges as formerly.” t was also resolved—“ That tho committee think it advisable to call a public meeting of the householders ot the district to take into consideration the bast mea:-s for raising a sum of money in order that tho present incubus of debt may bo removed.” Mr Leadly said that a rumor was current that Messrs Brown, Earle (chairman), and Kilgour had on the previous Sunday taken of the school for tho purpose of keeping the Presbyterians out of it; that they afterwards looked the door, took away the key, did not return it on Monday, and consequently there was no school. If this was a fact, ho would move a resolution condemning the members of committee who had thus obstructed the business of the school. In reply, Mr Kilgour said that ho would Lave paid the three shillings so that the Presbyterians might pass in; that the door was

open far them if the/ had chosen to do so, that though the chairman took the ke/ with him, and forgot returning it on Monday, the children were able to enter the echool, by one getting in through a window and lifting the latoh of the door, that when the teacher came, and found how children hod entered the school, he ordered them to go home. The matter then dropped. The resignation of the school mistress, Miss Leach, was received with regret, and the meeting adjourned.