WINCHESTER SCHOOL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2283, 21 November 1891, Page 3

WINCHESTER SCHOOL.

A speoial meeting of the Winchester School Committee was held on Friday evening, 13th November, to consider correspondence received from the Board of Education. Present Messrs Carston (chairman), Jones, Connelly, Haar, Louden, and Baillie. Mr W. Page's letter, previously considered, but withdrawn, was again read, and the former resolution—" That the charges being frivolous are unworthy of the committee's consideration''—adhered to. A fresh indictment, dated twelve months back, was not entertained, as it was considered to be as baseless as the rest, or more like an afterthought. A specimen charge will suffice to give an idea of the whole : " The master told me lie could give a boy 50 to 100 lashes. Is that correct ?" In reference to Mr W. Philp's complaint, the master explained that in the exercise of his undisputed right he had not presented Mr Philip's child, her age being only 7 years and 9 months. As according to Mr Philp's letter she should 'have been presented in Standard 1. two years ago, or a few months over s—not long after the child's admission to school -—the absurdity of the apparent injustice was manifest.—The committee resolved accordingly. With regard to Mr Philp's boy being removed for " similar proceedings," the master explained that the boy had failed for the second time in his standard. His having produced a drawing book "prepared" at home, and his want of candor to the inspector's queries on the matter, may have had something to do with his failure. " Similar proceedings " being a vague phrase would hardly explain the facts of the boy'B case. Mr W. Page's denial of apologising or withdrawing his letter, or letters, was discussed, and it was resolved—" That a letter be drawn up and signed by the members then present, to be forwarded to the Herald for publication." Some unknown correspondent having insinuated to the board that children had been induced to absent themselves from the examination, it was resolved that the replies of the parents giving such statements an unqualified contradiction, be sent to the board.