WANGANUI EDUCATION BOARD.

Patea Mail, Volume V, Issue 496, 31 January 1880, Page 2

WANGANUI EDUCATION BOARD.

The above board met on Wednesday last. Present.—Messrs W. H. Watt (chairman), Sanson, Baker, McGregor, Snelson, Coiuts, and Rev. J. Ross. From the Herald we take the following information : The following new oppointments were made, subject to the approval of the School Committees :—Mr Cornfoot, assistant at Hawera ; Mr Flood, assistant at Carlyle ; Miss Darbysliire and D. Strachan, pupil teachers at Waverley, Miss McNeill and Thos. Merritt were placed on the list of teachers awaiting appointments. A letter was read from Carlyle containing estimate of new buildings required. Also staling that with a more popular master the attendance would improve.—Mr Sanson remarked on the wonderful change of opinion respecting the master. When the school was made a District High School it was represented by the Committee that (he master there was the only person in the Colony suitable for the school.—As the matter was not brought officially before the Board no action was

taken. —Letter from the master, asking lor an increase of salary.—Mr Sanson pointed out that when the High School was established it was understood that no extra expense could be incurred for salaries. The High School fees were to go towards the payment of a second master.—The Chairman said it was clear the school had not come up to the expectations formed by the Committee. The excuse offered by the Committee that the master was not popular was a strange one after their warm reccommendutiou of him a few months back.— Mr Contts thought that if additional accomodation was provided the result would be more satisfactory.—Resolved that the Secretary be instructed to reply that so soon as the estimates were passed by the Government, steps would be taken to improve the accommodation. —Nothing could be done with respect to the salary. At last meeting of the Board a tender of £GS for removal of school residence was accepted. Correspondence to hand subsequently showed that what the Board considered were tenders, were merely estimates sent in by the Chairman of the Committee. The members of the Committee, acting independently of the Chairman, called for bona fide tenders and sent one into the Board for £3O for the same work.—Very strong remarks on the action of the Chairman of the Committee were made by several members of the Board, it being considered that he had deceived them.—Mr Contts asked what would be the position of the Committee with respect to the second tender.—Mr Baker considered that the Board were compelled to go on with the tender of Long and \Valsh for £GS, although from the action of the Chairman of Committee some £35 would be literally wasted.—Mr Contts said thu Normunhy school had always been a difficulty. The local Committee systematically disagreed witli each other.— Finally it was moved by Mr Sanson, That the contract catered into with Long and Walsh be carried out; at the same time the Board (expresses its dissatisfaction at the action of the Chairman of Committee.”—The Chairman said the conduct of the Chairman of Committee was most reprehensible. He (Mr Watt) thought it would he better to endorse the action of the Committee in accepting the lowest tender, and to submit the undoubted claim ot Long and Walsh for compensation to arbitration. This method would make the matter public, and the action of the Chairman would be put in its proper light.—Mr Contts agreed with this course to a certain degree. He would suggest that the Committee should send in the claim from Long and Walsh, and if reasonable it bo paid by the Board.— Mr Snolson thought it would be better not to go on with the work at all just, yet, but make the district suffer for the action of ths Chairman and Committee. Public opinion would thus be brought to bear. —After some further discussion the motion was withdrawn, and the matter left in the hands of the Finance Committee and Mr McGregor to

arrange. The Secretary said that last meeting he had referred to the manner in which returns had been made up by some of the teachers. The list of those teachers had not been published, by request. He had not heard anything more of the matter until Mr Scott, of Wu verify, attended the Board’s office, and in a most insulting manner demanded Lis cheque, stating that he could not fill up his returns, and would put m anything to get his cheque. On the cheque being refused till the returns were filled up, Mr Scott became still more abusive, making most insulting remarks. Finally he did make up his returns, but stated that in future he would deal direct with the head office, and not with him (Mr Browne.) —Mr Srielson thought the Board should uphold their officers.—Mr Sanson thought the Board’s officers should be protected from insult, and he would move, That Mr Scott be directed to apologise to the Secretary.—Mr Baker deemed it bettor to Lear what explanation Mr Scott had to offer, and then, after bearing both sides, to take some action. —Bov Mr Ross was disposed to let the matter drop, He thought that after what had transpired at the Board, nothing objectionable would again take place.—Mr Sanson did not think it right to allow the matter to pass. As far as the Board knew, Mr Scott’s conduct was indefensible, and he would alter his motion to read, That Mr Scott be called upon to explain to this Board the cause of his conduct towards the Secretary in the Board office in December last.—Seconded by Mr Snelson, and carried.