STATE SCHOOL MATTERS.

Kumara Times, Issue 2957, 22 April 1886, Page 3

STATE SCHOOL MATTERS.

[TO THE EDITOII.'J

Sir—Some time ago I paid a visit to the Town Hull, and there seemed to be more of the public there than usual; but that circumstance was explained when I saw that there were two meetings going on at the same time, viz., a meeting of tbe loci! Chemistry Club, and a meeting of the local School Committee composed of the following gentlemen:—Mr Burger (in the chair), Mr A. C. Campbell (Hon. Sec), Messrs Jamieson, Voysey, Barrowman, ami Williamson. Amongst the correspondence there was a communication from the Education Board in reference to an account of,- I think, £33. This money hud been obtained from the Boa id in some inexplicable manner, and was alleged to have been paid to a contractor for patching up the school with old tin, &e. Two of the sob-committee, viz., Messrs Voysey and Jamieson, had written to the Board, repudiating ever having passed the account for payment. The chairman having read all the correspondence on this subject, including a letter from Mr R. J. Seddon condemning the transaction, said "Well what is to be done? The man lias got the money; [ do not see how we can get it back again." He then reprimanded the Hon. Sec. in a very severe manner, and said, I am heartily sick and thoroughly disgusted with the manner in which the business of this committee is carried on. We are treated worse than schoolboys by the Secretary. These kind of things haw been going on for years, and it is high time they were put, a stop to. Mr Barrowman then went for the Hon. Sec, and in a most unmistakeable and unmitigated manner denounced the proceedings of (he honorary secretary. After complaining bitterly of the treatment received from the Hon. Sec, ami failing to find words to express his contempt and disgust, he wound up by saying " Here am I coming all the way from Larrikins 0 meeting after meeting to be made a fool of. Mr Voysey said I am one of the subcommittee. [ never authorized the passing of this account, and all I can say I never will pass it. Mr •Jamieson then rose to his feet and in a very manly and straightforward manner, denounced tho Hon. Sec, the contractor, and the contract. He said, "I went up to the school to inspect the work and saw the contractor patching it up witli old tin out of a case. I asked him if lie could not find better stuff than that ;" and he said " I know that the Committee are very pom- and 1 am trying to do the job as cheap as possible and Stive expenses." ' ; And here," siid Mr Jamieson pointing to the contractor's account, "heie we are ehaiged for a new slice! rf zinc. F never passed tlr- aeemnw. and I never

will. The work is not. :ie.<:nnlin;; to cont.iwe.t.'' The Hon. Sec. Mr C;impi 1,.-!l then k:>!-1 " ". r !..il do y.v, k..„\v j .-lhoi|l i: > ;■!('. Villi 'I h'lldi >?n 01 i 'l'lic'i I vf.u ilo'i;?. Jen')"' ";',vi]i':ii:.' m'i'■•!-1 !i." j.UI. \Vi ; lir. I>l ;,;,,. :,!••.,■ CO PI | .1 = -.i !. i J. •; j itllOllf. :■;<>; v.O MOf.!!'i' !) . I > ' I-:. | >r ( lpO.-(."! | ll'.af. t l\" ;-v-c.i-P!:i!'y i;" ii-ri m ■ < : ' *,, I wiito to tl>v: JVr.u'ii .\.-i;ii y iheui lo p-iy ; no more money to tbe. Sectx-hli'V wiilij out the OonnniUf-rj'.s authority. ?\1 r i Bll'l'OWm;;:i t!;~|l . s:it>-conim;tli .■ bi-im: no m reoor!.. Mr Voy.-ev then reiteiYi,.,! wlr-it he had ' already s-.<ii!, -adding "Hoes vmi like, I will neve:' y.;\ss that" :iec-mnt." A desultory rm-.v i- ,ii<>-, rli o! ensued in j which llie ".-:■. :■• ■• •.. ! ...] ■■ VTiio j [he iui\n.l- i >.h'Md ucvei- iinvc

thought of engaging him." The whole committee then seemed to be at a loss as to who had engaged the man, and

questions were asked why a tradesman had not been employed. The chairman then produced another account from a tradesman for two or three days' work, but it had not been paid. I thought this very significant. Some committee man then complained that the committee never knew what money the Hon. Sec. received. The Hou. Sec. said what business have you to know anything about teachers' salaries ] You have no business to know anything about it. Eventually a resolution was carried that a letter be written to the Board asking it to pay no more accounts unless certified to by the chairman of Committee. The meeting then closed.

Then, six years ago the proceeds of an entertainment for the school amounted to £SO. The proceeds of the last entertainment for the same institution was £3 os. Will Mr Williamsou kindly explain the cau>e of the difference between these two amounts, and, if he can, refute auy of my foregoing statements—l am, &c, Pro Bono Publico.