EDUCATION BOARD.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 98, 3 August 1880, Page 2

EDUCATION BOARD.

- • ■ (From the Wanganui Herald.) Foxton — Letter, from Committee enclosing a series of resolutions. • (Thehp resoln-tions-have already b^en published in the Hbbai/d.) — Letter sent by the Chairman of the. Board in reply was also . read. — Mr Coutts moved that the Chairman's letter be considered a sufficient reply to the resolutions.— Seconded by -Mr Boss. He would, like to add in further explanation of Miss M'Phee's conduct that he thoroughly believed she had not been actuated by the motives attributed to h<r by certain members of the Board. She 'had been in great mental trouble after signing the affidavit produced by Mr Hulke, and had consulted a olergymun as to her duty in the matter — Mr Notraan said the resolutions clearly shewed that the Koxton' Committee had implicit confidence in Mr Hulke notwith standing the decision of the Board. He did not know that any action could be taken on the resolutions. They formed an expression of opinion on the part of the Committee, and with that opinion hey thoroughly agreed. — Mr Sanson snid the only natter in which the members of the Board were not at one was the question of the qualification of the Inspector. The speaker then reviewed the Foxton case and added that after having passed a resolution expressing sympathy with Mr Foulis they should, to be consistent, have also given Mr Hulke three months notio of dismissal. The decision of the Board practically accused Mr Hulke of having tutored his pupils to bear false evidenco. — The Chairman said he had known Mr Hulke for many years, and had perhaps been his best friend. .He knew,, thjkt, Mr Hulke was impetuous, approaching to rash.

ness Although the charges brought by Mr Hulke against the Inspector were not such as would warraut the Board taking action, yet he (iSr Watt) did not feel justified in depriving Foxton of the valuable cervices of Mr Hulke. He was one of the best teachers in th^'employ of the Board, enthusiastic and.painfctaking in the work of teaching. As the charges in question had not arisen out of much, he hoped the mat* ter would soon be forgotten. To pursue Mr Hulke would make the Board appear vindictive.— Mr Maker said that although not present at the last meeting, yet he bad carefully read the evidence brought forward by Mr Hulke in support of his charges He (Mr B) had expected something very much stronger, and he w»8 oompeiled to say that the charges were frivolous and entirely wanting evideooe in ' J Bup'piJrtT~Tle'Bad"been careful in reading all the evidence, aq he had been anxious to find something tQ warrant Mr f^anson in tabling the notice of dismissal of the In* spedtor.- - He (Mr-B) had failed to find anything to support such a notioe, and could only conclude that the notice was the outoome of .that loss of confidence in Mr Foulis referred to by Mr Sanson as being commenced many months nast.— (ln explanation Mr related how the Inspector had related to him the manner in which he (Mr F) had examined the Infants at Foxton, and then at the Board table stated that -the six children scheduled for the First Standard, but who bad failed, hnd been taken by him as samples of the Infants. The two stories were at variance and proved the Inspector to be altogether 1 ° unreliable) —Mr Baker most certainly read in the public reports that Mr Stfnson had stated that his confidence in Mr Foulis had been shaken twelve months back. Under the present school system was the Board supposed to have as an Inspector a man able to take a high; place in the Government classification, and one competent to examine in all the higher subjects taught at the -ligh Schools, or a man who was a thorough disciplinarian, one who knew all about the arrangements of a school, and who knew when teaching was well done ? The only tangible objection that had been urged, against Mr Foulia was that he was not able to examine in this or that subject. It was an act of- the grossest insubordination for a teacher to write to a member of the Bonrd bringing all sorts of charges against the . Inspector. The letter should have gone through the Local Committee. (Mr Sanson explained that Mr JElulke's letter had been sent to the Education oilic addressed to him.) Why if they had an angel for an Inspector some teachers .' would be found to pull feathers out of his wings and dirty tbe remainder. He (Air B) had no sympathy with with either party. Mr Foulis or Mr Hulke. Some time back he had been doubtful as to the Inspector's fitness so many rumonrs were going about, but the charges so far as they had been brought were frivolous. He had come prepared to give notice of motion reprimanding Mr Hulke, but after what had fallen from the Chairman be would not. He (Mr B) know that Mr Hulke was enthusiastic, but it was as difficult to draw the line between enthusiasm and fanaticism as between instinct and reason — Mr Coutts* motion was then put and carried. Notices of Motion.— By Mr Sanson: That Mr Foulia has failed to perform the duties of School Inspector to the satisfaction of this Boaid ; th.it a large majority of the teachers have uo confidence in his ability to advise them how best to iustruct their scholars, and therefore have not tha*" respect for him which is necessary to secure harmony and success in the cause of education It is therefore resolved to give Mr Foulis notice in terms of his imjriigement tint his services will not be required after the 30th November i.ext. (2) That an advertisement be inserted alternately in the Waniran-ii newspapers each issue, and also in the Wf lliugton Post twice weekly for one mouth, inviting applications from persons desiro'is of filling the office of Inspector for Wangunui district No application to be entertained which is not accompanied wiih a certificate of competency and recommendation from Mr Habens the Inspec-tor-General. (3) That tho Hon the Minister of Education be requested to allow Mr H-ibens to undertake the work of olassifung the certificates referred to in these reflations.— By Mr Uaker: That the action of the Foxton schoolmaster in bringing forward ohitrget of a frivolous nature against the Inspector is subversive of all proper discipline, and is gross insubordination ; and that the teacher be censured by resolution of the Board. The Board adjourned at 6. 15. p.m.