TIMARU PUBLIC SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2356, 5 October 1880, Page 2

TIMARU PUBLIC SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The ordinary monthly meeting oi : the above Committee was held last evening. Present —Messrs 15. B. Waleot (Chairman), Bruce, Hamilton, Machin, Hart, and Hall.

On the minutes being read, Mr Bruce objected to them as containing inferences and matter of an extraneous character. An acrimonious discussion ensued, but the minutes were ultimately confirmed. The monthly attendance returns were read as follows :—Boy’s School: Average attendance, 231.8 ; number on the roll, 27b. Girls’ School : Average atdance, 203.1 ; number on the roll, 2GG. Infant School : Average attendance, 45G.8 ; number on the roll, 508. The Head Master handed in the sum of TlO Gs for subscriptions in aid of the incidental grant. Two letters were read protesting against the imposition of any school fee.

The Chairman said the subscription was voluntary and not afoe. He had,however, told one of the complainants that it would be a mean action to expect his children to obtain tiring, etc., for nothing when others wore paying for it. Mr Hall spoke in condemnation of the conduct of a teacher who was said to have asked all the children provided with a shilling to hold up iheir hands in class. This was calculated to defeat the object aimed at, as it placed the children of poor parents in a humiliating position. He believed the Committee’s wish was that these subscriptions should be paid privately and unostentatiously. The following letter was read from Miss Forbes, the head mistress :

“ To the Chairman of the School Committee.

“ Sir, —I have to acknowledge receipt of the resolution of the Committee requesting me to resign; but, having carefully considered all the circumstances of the case, I see no course open to me but to decline comptying with the request. I certainly never intended to insult the Chairman by anything which I said, and I do not see how such a construction can fairly be put on anything which passed ; and as this is made the ground of the Committee’s request, and not any incompetence for or neglect of my work, I must most respectfully decline complying with the request. “ I have Ac., “ M. Fokbes.”

Considerable discussion followed the reading of the letter the Chairman stating that he had not accused Miss Forbes of insulting him, but that she had defied the instructions of the Committee, and Messrs Bruce and Hart dissenting from the action that had been taken.

Eventually it was proposed by Mr Hall, and seconded by Mr Machin — “ That owing to Miss Forbes’ refusal to send in her resignation as requested by the Committee, a full statement of the facts of the case be laid before the Board of Education with a request that they will give Miss Forbes the usual notice of dismissal. Also that the Chairman be requested to wait on the Board with a view of affording them any further information.” As an amendment, Mr Bruce moved, and Mr Hart seconded—“ That the whole of the evidence regarding the matter in dispute between the Committee, Miss Forbes, and Miss Ball be referred to the Board of Education without comment from this Committee, for their decision thereon.” The resolution was carried by three to two. The Chairman explained that Miss Ball had resigned her appointment as fourth mistress. The head master had recommended that Miss Allan, pupil teacher, should be appointed as fourth mistress temporarily, until she passed her examination in January. Miss Allan had expressed her willingness to accept the post. If the committee thought favorably of this proposal, two pupil teachers would be required, one to fill Miss Allan’s place, and another that of Miss Hibbard, who had resigned. lie had already received a number of applications for these pupil teacherships. The following resolutions were then passed . Proposed by Mr Hamilton, seconded by Mr Hart —“ That the resignation of Miss Ball be forwarded to the Board of Education, and in accordance with the recommendation of the headmaster, the position of fourth mistress be temporarily filled bj T Miss Allan, pending her passing the next examination, and that a pupil teacher be appointed to take Miss Allan’s place.” Proposed by Mr Hall, and seconded by Mr Hart—“ That the board be requested to advertise for two pupil teachers to fill the places of Miss Allan and Miss Hibbard respectively.”