THE MEMBER FOR GERALDINE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1154, 20 March 1884, Page 3

THE MEMBER FOR GERALDINE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I am surprised that the letters of your correspondents Mumbo, and Humble Bee, have met with no response from Mr Postlethwaite. Possibly this gentleman never sees your paper, and consequently knows nothing whatever as to what the electors are craving for. Would it not be better to call a public meeting of the electors and send a formal requisition to their Representative in Parliament, informing him that it is the general wish ot his supporters that he should meet them before the next session of Parliament, and afford them an explanation of his past actions, also his intentions for the future. From what 1 know of Mr Postlethwaite, I venture to say that he would at once comply. Can it be supposed for a moment that he is afraid to meet his constituents ? He is not such a coward, and as he told us at the election he is a conscientious man, I have no doubt he will do upon this occasion what his conscience dictates to be done.—l am, etc., Fairrlay. [Mr Postlethwaite is a subscriber to this paper. Doubtless he has his own reasons for having delayed addressing his constituents. He did not address his constituents until a few days before the session last year, and verj probably, if bis friends will be a little more patient, they will hear him this year also as soon as the hurry of the harvest season is over,—Xhe Bkitor._

TEMUKA DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL. The usual monthly meeting of the above school was held last Tuesday evening. Present—Messrs A. R. Kirk (Chairman), Bolton, Blyth, Edgeler, Miles, and Hayhurst. An apology for non-attendance was read from the Rev. D. Gordon. MINUTES. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. Correspondence was read from the Education Board to the effect that Miss Brown would be appointed at a salary of £6O a year, provided the Committee dispensed with the services of one of the pupil teachers ; the six dozen inkwells asked for had been granted, together with maps, globes, infants’ cards, etc. inspector’s report. The Inspector’s report was read as follows : “Report on a visit of i'spection made to the Ternuka School on I'ebruary 22nd, 1884, “This inspection was mainly for the purpose of reporting on the furniture and apparatus required to fully equip the school. Mr Kirk, Chairman of Committee, accompanied me on the inspection. “ The contracts for gates, fencing and division fence have been faithfully carried out, and the provision made is suitable, but the grounds in front of the building should be cleared of rubbish and properly formed. The building appears to be giving every satisfaction, and proves suitable in every respect. The furniture provided during my illness is not altogether suitable or complete, and I have to suggest the following additions. Two of the class rooms should be provided with galleries for collective lessons—one for the infant division, the other for the senior classes ; and the raised platform in the main infants’ room should be continued the full length of the room (13ft additional). If the galleries are supplied twelve desks and forma now in use would not be required, and would be available for other schools —say Belfield and Silver - stream. The cost of the alterations is shown as follows :

“ I would reap ctfully urge that if the necessary expenditure can be made, the alterations are urgently needed for the efficient conduct of the school. “The supply of maps is very inadequate, and I beg to advise that eight new maps be supplied from the depot, together with a globe, a set of infant cards, and six doz ink-wells. The school is efficiently conducted, and Miss Ladbrook and Mr Gurr, the newly appointed teachers, are giving satisfaction in their work. “ Henry W. Hammond, “ inspector. “Education Office. Timaru, “March 4th, 1884.” HEAD MASTER’S REPORT. The Head Master’s report was to the effect that the highest attendance for the past month was boys, 156 ; girls, 130 ; total, 286. Humber on the roll—boys, 199 ; girls, 151 ; total, 350. Strict average —boys, 151 ; girls, 120 ; total, 271. Working average boys, 151; girls, 120 ; total, 271improvement OE THE GROUNDS. Mr Miles stated that he and Mr Blyth had visited the school twice during the month, and found everything satisfactory with the exception of the ground in front of the school, which required something being done. Mr Blyth said a man with two horses and a scoop would level it in a day. After some further discussion, it was resolved on the motion of Mr Blyth, seconded by Mr Hayhurst—“ That the Board be asked for £8 to make a footpath from the gate to the school, and shingle the front of the school.” It was also decided to ask for the £2O voted for planting. THE STARE. In discussing the question as to M ; ss Brown’s position it was ascertained that her present salary was £SO a year ; that she would only get £6O if promoted ; and that as the effect of the promotion would be that one of the pupil teachers would have to be dispensed with it was thought undesirable to do this, as it was possible that the number of scholars would increase to entitle the school to an assistant mistress in a short time, and on the motion of Mr Blyth, seconded by Mr Miles, it was decided to ask Miss Brown to continue to teach as at present, and to inform her the Committee would do all in their power to advance her interests, and that the Board be informed of her reply. PRIVILEGE. The Secretary brought under the notice of the Committee the letter written by Mr Edgeler, a member of the Committee, which appeared in this paper. The Chairman thought the letter a gross insult to every member of the Committee. He could not allow such things to go on at all, and would have the meetings conducted properly. Mr Bolton raised the question as to whether the letter could be taken in evidence, it being only a copy. Before they could discuss the matter he thought they ought to have the original.

The Chairman said the fact that it appeared in the paper was sufficient. It was a most outrageous thing that a member of the Committee should go writing to the papers about what had occurred in the Committee. He would call upon Mr Edgeler to explain. Mr Edgeler said be had written the letter which appeared in the paper, The Chairman would not a’low him to say anything, and that was the re; -on he wrote it.

The Chairman denied that he had refused to allow Mr Edgeler to speak.

Mr Bolton said it was evident Mr Edgeler was not up in the routine of Committee business. Mr Edgeler felt he had a grievance, and took this way of ventilating it instead of calling n public meeting. However, it was not too late to call a public meeting yet. (Hear, hear.) The Chairman objected to calling a public meeting, and demanded that Mr Edgeler should make an apology. He had thrown a slur upon every member of the Committee,

Mr Edgeler : I think it is no use for me to be here, Mr Chairman, because you will not listen to anything I say. Will you accept my resignation ? The Chairman : Yes, if you put it in writing. Mr Edgeler then handed m his resignation, and left the room, new member. It having been ascertained tint Mr Gray was the highest on the list of defeated candidates, he was unanimously elected to the seat thus vacated, on the motion of Mr Miles, seconded by Mr Bolton. ACCOUNTS. Accounts to the amount of £1 5s were passed for payment. visitors for the month. Mr Bolton and the Rev. D. Gordon were appointed visitors for the ensuing month. The meeting then adjourned.

£ s d Two galleries, 18ft each, 36ft, at . 53 0 £1 8s per foot 8 Extension of platform, say . 4 0 0 57 8 0 Less 12 desks and forms, say .. . 20 0 0 £37 8 0