LOCAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Kumara Times, Issue 835, 4 June 1879, Page 2

LOCAL SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the School Committee was held at the Town Hall last evening. Present: Messrs Seddon (in the chair), Birch, Wylde, Campbell, Bain, Drumniond, and Munyard.

The minutes of the last meeting was read and confirmed ; the outward correspondence was approved of, and the inward read and received.

An application from the master of the Greenstone School to pi-ocure 6 rewood for the use of the school during the present cold weather was authorized. Messrs Lawrence and Muq>hy were introduced by the Chairman as a deputation from the residents of Wesfcbrook in regard to the establishment of a school at that place. The deputation stated that there were 40 children over four years of a«e, strongly urging that they were entitled to receive education. They also pointed out that a suitable building could be easily procured at a small expense in a central position, which would be convenient for those attending. After replying to several questions, the deputation thauked the Committee, and then withdrew. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr Campbell, Messrs Wylde and Munyard, with the mover and seconded of the motion were appointed a Committee to visit Westbrook and report on the m.itti-.r submitted to the Committee by the deputation. Tenders for the necessary alterations in the building purulv.ued tor a school at the Greenstone were authorised to be called for, on the completion of the specifications.

On the motion of* Mr Miuiyard, si-ended, by Mr Campbell, a Visiting School Committee consisting of two members monthly and alternately were appointed to make a monthly inspection of the school and report to the general Committee requirements or other matters in connection therewith coming under their notice.

The following applications for the appointment of headmaster to the Kumara State School were taken into consideration: J. B. Montgomery (Tasmania), A. S. Kempt (Queensland),

J. Hocking, R. Lee, W. CrantheiV R. 0. Fleming, B v J luJ t, E. Bishop, J. H. Rodgers, P. L. Austin, (_i. R. Lamble, T. Burns, F. L. Weiss, W. C. Kruger, W. Burstou (Victoria), J. Palmer (Stafford Town), E. Blakely (Dunedin), T. M. Wilson (Kumara), and C. Bruford (Oohden). After a careful examination by the Committee of the whole of the oertiticates and testimonials forwarded with the applications, aud' a classification made in accordance therewith, the choice laid between Messrs Fleming, Rodgers, Palmer, and Wilson, and eventually between the two lattei' gentlemen.

The Chairman, in moving the appointment of Mr J. Palmer, of Stafford Town, to the head-mastei'ship of the State School, referred in high terms to the applicant's qualifications aud capa* bilities for the office, and also to the fact that Mr Palmer, being, an old servant of the Education Board, .was justly entitled to promotion.. . He also con* sidered that the certificates and fcestU monials of this gentlemau were superior to any that had beeu inspected by the Committee, and although admitting Mr Wilson, the temporary head-master, was highly qualified and gave general satisfaction, he thought Mr Palmes should receive the permanent appoint-" ment on these grounds. Mr Birch, in seconding the motion, said that although not personally ac» quainted with the applicant, he could bear testimony to the high estimation in which he was. held as a teacher at •Stafford Town, and considered that his certificates entitled him to . the appoiutment. Mr Munya.rd moved as an amendment, " That Mr F. M. Wilson be appointed head-master," as although coinciding with the mover and seconder of the resolution relative to the high qualify of Ml' Palmer as a teacher, he considered the. certificates forwarded by Mr Wilson were quite equal,, if not higher, in standard aud us this gentleman had during his temporary appointment proved he was thoroogly competent, and had also effected a material change in the discipline of the school generally he (the speaker) should strongly support Mr Wilson's appointment. Mr Wylde seconded the amendment and Jfrom persoual inspection was, thoroughly satished that' the appointment of Mr Wilsoit would be -of "great advantage to the scholars; and also after a careful examination he considered that his credentials were superior lib any of the others forwarded to the Committee. . ■'.

Mr Drumniond spoke in favour of the resolution, and Messrs Bain and Campbell iii-favour of the amendment, which was put by the Chairman, and carried on a division—Ayes: Mhtiyard, Wylde, Campbell, and Bain; Noes: Seddon, Birch, and Drurahiond.

The amendment was then passed as the. original motion. Applications for the appointment of a female assistant teacher were received from M. Balnier, M. Brown, A. Reeves (Sandlmist), E. West, and A. Galland (Kumara), and A. E. Meades (Ross). On the motion of Mr Birch, seconded by Mr Munyard, Miss May Brown, of Sandhurst, Victoria, was appointed, subject to the condition'that she forwarded to the Board a Victorian certificate referred to in her application. There were five applications for the office of care taker, Mr Suterina receiving the appointment. After authorising the purchase of a few necessaries required for the school, the meeting terminated at 1.'30 a;m.