HUNTING THE BADGER; OR THE TIMARU SCHOOL COMMITTEE ON THE WAR-PATH.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2362, 12 October 1880, Page 2

HUNTING THE BADGER; OR THE TIMARU SCHOOL COMMITTEE ON THE WAR-PATH.

Another special meetingof the Timaru School Committee, to consider what further steps should be take to secure the overthrow of Miss .Forbes, head mistress of the school, was held last evening. Present Messrs Wuleot (Chairman). Jones, Hamilton, Hall, Machin, and Hart. The Chairman having introduced the proceedings, it was resolved on the motion of Mr Hall, seconded by Mr Machin—“That Miss Forbes having declined to send in her resignation as head mistress as requested, the Board of Education be respectfully recommended to dismiss her,as the Committee feel convinced that so long as she occupies her present positiou, the work of the school cannot be conducted in a satisfactory manner.” Mr Hart called attention to some inaccuracies in the reports of the previous proceedings. He submitted that the Chairman of the Board had misrepresented his (Mr Hart's) action, as well as the condition of the school. As a visitor, ho found the school working satisfactorily, and not in a state of disorder, with all authority at an ond.as Mr Walcot had alleged. Miss Forbes might lack amiability but she possessed excellent teaching capabilities. According to the last report of the Inspector a higher percentage of her pupils had passed standards than in any other school in the colony. If the Committee had accepted the suggestion of the head teacher and abolished the office of fourth mistress, no dispute would have arisen. Mr Hart concluded with a soul-stirring appeal to the gallantry of Miss Forbes’ persecutors. The resolution was carried, Mr Hart alone dissenting.

Mr Hart then moved—“ That a cony of this Committee’s indictment he placed in the hands of Miss Forbes,that she ma}' have an opportunity of answering the charges preferred against her before the Board of Education.” Mr Hall seconded the motion pro forma, but the Chairman having expressed his dissent on the ground that a copy of the indictment could do Mias Forbes no good, the resolution was lost, Mr Hart only voting for it. This concluded the meeting.