New Zealand Times. THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 1875.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4317, 21 January 1875, Page 2

New Zealand Times. THURSDAY, JANUARY 21, 1875.

The Wellington Education Board cannot be congratulated upon the efforts it has made in the cause of education during the past year. A move in the right direction was undoubtedly made when Mr. Lee, of tho Bishop’s school, Nelson, was chosen —out of a considerable number of applicants —Inspector of Schools for tho province of Wellington. That gentleman has introduced an excellent system of Standards into our schools, which are gradually getting into working order according to a homogeneous plan that cannot fail to break down if distorted by tho alterations that a new inspector would, no doubt, introduce. But tho Board has just resolved to upset this excellent system, which has attracted attention throughout the colony, and in the case of Canterbury elicited an. expression of approval from the leading newspaper of that province. It will bb in the recollection of our readers, that a motion by Mr. Toomath has been before tho Education Board for several weeks, to tho effect that on the score of economy the offices of Secretary to the Board and Inspector of Schools should be united. A “callof the Board” was mado to consider this proposal, but only five out of ten members constituting

the Education Board attended yesterday, the time fixed for its final consideration.', What transpired at the meeting we cannot tell, beyond the fact that the motion was carried by a majority of one, because the reporters, and executive officers of the Board directly concerned, were requested to withdraw. The Secretary and t Inspector are to receive six months’ notice, which is tantamount to immediate dismissal, inasmuch as the educational machinery of the province would be completely deranged were these officers retained in tlu) ; r, positions under such a very equivocal footing as that on which they now undoubtedly stand. The three members who voted, with closed doors, the virtual destruction of the Wellington common school system are—Mr. Pharazyn, sen., Mr. Hutchison, and Mr. Toomath —who conceived the brilliant idea. Those who opposed it were Messrs. Bunny and Brandon — the latter being in the chair. We attribute no motives to the majority, although we have heard motives freely attributed to more than one of them ; but we put it to these gentlemen whether, under all the circumstances of tho case, they are justified in incurring the responsibility which yesterday’s vote imposes on them. Doubtless the majority present supported Mr. Toomath— that is, he had two votes in addition to his own ; but there was not even a majority of the Board present. To say that these three gentlemen, hovvever intelligent and disinterested they may be, should take advantage of a small meeting of tho Board, notwithstanding the special summons to attend, on a matter of such vital importance to the province, is equivalent to saying that Messrs. Toomath and Hutchison shall constitute the Board, because the chances are that they will always bo able to find some other member complaisant enough to vote with them, at all events while the doors are closed. This is only one aspect of the question, however, and objectionable as it undoubtedly is, it is not the most objectionable. We can conceive circumstances in which it might be possible for a community even to submit quietly to a mild despotism by Messrs. Toomath and Hutchison ; but these circumstances do not presently exist. Wellington, from its position, should be in the educational van, instead of lagging be hind half a century, so far as organisation is concerned ; for we cannot conceive even the majority of yesterday mean enough to appropriate the result qt IVIr. Del’s experience, as embodied in his first report, and then summarily dispense with his services. This conviction is forced upon us by the consideration, thai although his system Was embodied in his report, presented in the beginning oi August last, and has been in operation since, the I'eport itself has never been considered by the Education Boat d. and consequently has not been printed or communicated to the teachers foi thejr guidance. Such a serious dereliction of duty on the part of the Education Board, or rather of its aciive members, can only be explained by what, took place yesterday. Tlie Board will have nothing to do with Mr. Lee or his ’ Standards ; but will revert to that ancient system which obtained, when Mr. Toomath condescended to inspect the schools of the province for his travelling expenses merely. Now, while it is ungrateful to look a gilt horse in the mouth, we must certainly protest against accepting the services of this gentleman, under any terms whatever, as Inspector of Schools ; and seeing that Messrs. Graham and Lee are both under notice, we see no other alternative before the Board, as constituted, we were about to say, but in reality as controlled by Mr. Toomath, than the union of the offices held by them in the person of that gentleman. But the teachers are also to be considered in this matter. They would be ihe first to see any great incapacity or neglect in the conduct of tho school inspections ; and they appear to be perfectly satisfied that the present Inspector is performing very valuable services, and is in every way well qualified for the important office he holds. Hence the impolicy of making the contemplated change. To this it may be answered, that there is no intention to supplant’Messrs. Graham and Lee by Mr. Toomath, “ or any 11 other man that it is intended to -get rid of one of these gentlemen only, retaining the other iri a dual capacity. But this reply will not bear a moment’s consideration. And first, neither of these gentlemen would consent to profit by tho causeless dismissal of his brother officer; and second, they are too high-minded and conscientious to undertake duties which they could not efficiently discharge. It is quite clear that tho Secretary could not attend the fortnightly meetings of the Board arid bo inspecting schools at the same time ; much less could ho conduct the large mass of correspondence that is entailed upon him by his present occupation. But again, wo may be told that a clerk may be employed to assist. But that would not lessen the number of officers employed, while it would ensure inefficiency, for which the trifling sum saved would be no equivalent. Then, there is another important section of tho community which is deeply interested in this matter. Wo refer to parents and guardians throughout the province, who have a right to demand that the educational system for which they pay shall bo as complete as possible. Tho saving of a few hundred pounds per annum is a mere bagatelle compared with a well-organised and successful system of common school instruction. Now, how docs the case stand ? There are some three thousand children on the roll of tho schools under the Board’s control, and there were, on the Ist of March*: 1874, no fewer than 7,525 children, between the ages of five and fifteen, in the province of Wellington. Whence it follows, that the existing schools are not nearly adequate to the educational requirements of tho province, to say nothing of the steadily increasing demand caused by immigration and natural increase. At a time, therefore, when Wellington should bo putting forth its strongest efforts in the cause of primary education, wo find a dominant section of tho Education Board working courageously to destroy the little efficiency that exists. This is a public question. It is not one of economy, measured by the narrow and contracted views of Messrs. Toomath, Hutchison, and Pharazyn. It affects the welfare of the whole people. Young and old are alike interested in it ; and wo trust that steps will forthwith bo taken by tho majority of the Board to have yesterday’s resolution rescinded. Apart from the resolution being a discreditable broach of faith with Mr. Lbb, who was induced to surrender a respectable position in Nelson, on the faith of tho permanency of the office to which he was appointed under tho Education Board, it will unsettle the teachers’ minds, disorganise the entire educational machinery, and do incalculable harm to tho province. That it should be in tho power of one or two men to do so much positive injury to a great community like this, is one of the most remarkable of the facts connected

with the affair. The causes are not far to seek. Our space, however, forbids our enteringupon these points at the tail end of an article. This branch of the subject is, however, one which will bear special notice. Bui as we have already said,. we trust that steps will be taken immediately to have yesterday’s resolution rescinded, and in some measure repair the mischief that has already been done.