OAMARU SCHOOLS COMMITTEE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1281, 15 May 1880, Page 2

OAMARU SCHOOLS COMMITTEE.

The monthly meeting of the Schools Committee was held last evening, at Mr. Hardy's office. There were present— Messrs. N. Fleming (Chairman), Smith, Forrester, Mollison, Stevenson, and Mitchell. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confired, and : -the outward correspondence was read and approved. .The Secretary to the Education Board

wrote stating that it-he Committee's appli-

cation to have water laid on to the schools had been referred to the Board's architect, and that the Board could not see its way to have a survey made of the District High School grounds.

Another letter from the same Writer intimated that the application for a third assistant teacher for the North School had been granted.

A third letter from the Secretary to the Education Board stated that the Board had imported from Home a number of boxes of apparatus. to exemplify Balfour Stewart's Physics Primer, which would be supplied to District School' Committees at L 5 10s, half the original, cost. It was stated that early application was necessary.—The letter was referred to the Visiting Committee, with power to act. - Letters were read from the Palmerston and Teaneraki School Committees, concurring in the amendments suggested by the Oamaru Committee' in the Education Act, and promising their support. The Palmerston Committee suggested that one of the amendments should go further, and define the relative positions of Education Boards and .School Committees upon all matters; The writer also stated that. Mr. M'Leah,: for Waikouaiti,. would be -requested -to support the proposed amendments in the Act., '

A telegram from the Secretary to Mr. Forrester having been read, asking if the Committee had decided upon the position of the South School, sonie'discussion took place with referen pe ; to . the departure by the Secretary ,to the Board from the proper 'CQ.urse of. proceedure in addressing a private member of the Committee instead of addressing the communication to either the Chairman' or Secretary. It was resolved that the Board should be written to requesting that all future communications from the Board to the Committee should be -addressed to the Chairman or Secretary.

It was resolved, on the motion Of Mrf] Forrester, seconded by Mr. Stevenson, " That, in the opinion of this Committee, the aspect of the new South School buildings should be towards*the north, and that the Board be requested to purchase the lease of the corner section No. 11, block 75, the occupation of this section by any other party than the school authorities being exceedingly inexpedient." The following letter from the head master of the North School was read :

" When I applied for an additional assistant teacher List month, I ought alsb to have applied for an additional pupil teacher. I now take the- opportunity to apply through you, to the Education Board, for an additional pupil teacher. I may here mention, that I have made (as requested by your Committee) several attempts to reduce the number attending the North School, but in most instances, the parents of the children whom I have threatened to turn away, have waited on me, pleading that I would allow their children to remain. I feel it my duty as superintendent of the above school,, to again : make application for additional accommodation. I wish you clearly to understand, that I do not make this application with the slightest motive or intention of being contrary to the late decision respecting the school, but purely in the interest of the social, moral, and intellectual welfare of those under my charge.

With reference to the letter which appeared in last night's Mail, re North School, I consider it my duty to forward to you my opinion of the matter. This morning, I enquired strictly into the affair, and the result is that I have not succeeded in finding the slightest trace of harsh treatment.

In short, I consider the letter from beginning to end, as most contemptible and totally uncalled for. I may add, that the pupil teacher referred to has one of the kindest and most obliging dispositions of any--boy I know. I may also add that my health is so far restored, that I intend resuming my duties on Monday first, Through you I beg to thank the Education Board, for the kind and prompt assistance sent. While I was laid aside, Mr. Petrie called on me several times and expressed his great satisfaction, at the able manner in which the school was conducted during my absence. I see by the Dunedin Daily Times that the Education Board has advertised for a female assistant for our school. It is generally the rule to appoint a male and female alternately. The last appointment was a female, therefore, according to custom, we are entitled to a male assistant. I do not wish to press this matter, but I thought we might yet induce Mr. Closs (who has been assisting during my illness) to apply for the vacancy and who if appointed would render us most valuable assistance."

I am &c., James Lindsay. The several matters were dealt with as follow :—That an application should be made to the Education Board for an additional pupil teaoher ; that an extract from the letter asking for additional accommodation be forwarded to the Education Board ; that the Visiting Committee should inquire into the alleged misconduct of a pupilsteticher ; .and that the Board should be requested to appoint a male assistant teacher in accordance with Mr. Lindsay's request.

Accounts to the amount of L2 lis 6d were passed for payment, and the Committee rose.