FOXTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 91, 9 July 1880, Page 2

FOXTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

» A meeting of the above Committee wag bold at Messrs Thynne, Liaton & Co's office on Monday l«»t. Present — Messrc Thynne (Chairman), burgess, Gray, and Stewart. < Mr M'Anulty sent in his resignation as a member of the Committee, and Mr 0. Honore was elected and shortly afterwards took bis seat to fill the vacancy. The following resolutions were passed : — The Committee desire to reoord their approval of the action taken by the iraster in regard to the unsatisfactory manner in which the duties of the Inspector were performed at the last examination of the Foxtou School, and to convey to Mr Hulke tne assurance that he possesses their entile sympathy and confidence. — Proposed by Mr Burgess, seconded by Mr Thynue, and carried. Ayes', 5; No, Mr. Stewart. This Committee regrets the result of the enquiry into the charges made by Mr Huke against Mr. Foulis, and fails to set; how it will be possible to further co.i. vincrt the Board of the want of cotfidenci telt by Hie parents of the childivn attending tlio school, iv the reliability of the Inspector's examinations, wiiou the diree affidavits of respectable residents, the vetba statements beforu the Board of certain of ;he scholars, and the written statement** <>i ;>:<rents relating to remarks made by then? children are accounted of no value, a u against Mr. Foulis' simple opinion. Proposed by Mr Thynne, seconded by Mr Ho* oore. Carried. Ayes, 5; No, Mr. Stewart That the statement made by Mr. Hulke to the effect thai the infants were not examined is proved to be correct, and that the Cmnaittee feel confident no examination was made. Proposed by Mr Burgess, seconded by Mr Gray, and carried unanimously. That this Committee regret to notice that in the case of a letter produced by the Inspector from Miss M'Phee, an assistant teacher in a school in charge of this com • mittee, and commenting upon its management, the same should have buen acoepted before submitting the same for our consideration, especially as it differs materially from strtcmeiits made. by her to a sub-committee of this Committee and which had been forwarded up to the Boaid. And that it would have been more satisfactory bad Mr. Hulke's letter to Mr. Sanaon been directed to have be^n sent through the Chtirtuan. — Proposed by Mr Thynne. seconded by Mi ■Stewart, and carried unanimously. That this committee iequ«st the Board to at ouco remove Miss M'l'hee, as from the very contradictory nature of her statements as made to two n.embers of this committee, and ala'o in au affidavit made by her beforeone of them, to thoie made in a private lft ter read to the Board by Mr. Foulis ; it is impossible thnt satisfactory relations between her and the head master of the school can be maintained, or with this committee.—Propoatd by Mr Thynne, seconded by Mr Burgess, and carried uuanimoußly. An adjourn«d meeting waa held on Wednesday for the purpose of hearing the affidavits and other documents used by Mz Hulke at the recent enquiry read. When this had been done, The Chairman remarked that Miss M'Phee could not possibly eater the sohool Again. It was impossible - that the head master and that lady could work together after what had occurred. If the Board had the courage, they must dismiss either the Inspector or Mr Hulke. According to that body, Mr Foulis was all right, and Mr Hulke all wrong. Therefore, they must dismiss Mr Hulke. Mr Gray agreed with the remarks of the Chairman. Ho would be very sorry to see Mr Hulke removed, but it was quite evident that the Board must remove either that gentleman or the Inspector. Mr Stewart said that in voting at the previous meeting against the resolution expressing approval of Mr Hulke's action, he had every confidence in that gentleman, but he (Mr Stewart) did not think any totton ia the natter had been MCMtuy.

He also did not believe in all the charges made by Mr Mulke against the Inspector. - Mr Stewart then handed in hia resignation as a member of the Committee, stating that he could not devote the time necessary to the office. ••• The Chairman said he regretted to see the action Mr Stuwart hud taken, and he considered it was that gentleman's duty to have Been the mattor through. Mr Stewart remarked that he had assisted the Committee as far as he conscientiously oonld. He had not the titaa to act on the Committee; aud farther, he considered that the office was scarcely compatible with his position in the Civil Service. Mr Thynne said it bad taken Mr Stewart something like two yean to find that out. He (the Chairman) thought Mr Stewart coutahSfecome out far stronger and better in the iraU«r than he had done. They all knew Mr Hulke was a good man for the position he held, and worked hard for the children's benefit, and he thought the parents should give the master all the moral support they could at a juncture like the prepunt as a quid pro quo. If the Committee, were composed mainly of parent h whose children, had attended the school for some time, any action taken would have far more weight than if the Committeo Were composed of perjons reoently appoined. He exceedingly regretted Mr .Stewart had taken the action he had. -The Committeo then adjourned.