A Head-Teacher's Grievances.

Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4899, 22 September 1884, Page 3

A Head-Teacher's Grievances.

At the meeting of the Board of Education on Friday last, an extraordinary letter was received from Mr O'Donoghue, headteacher of the Waio-Karaka School. He had telegraphed to the Secretary for information as to the scholarships, and in his letter recommended that one young lady teacher should be appointed as assistant to his Bchool. In the course of his letter be said he "objected.to baring dwarfs imposed on him as teachers," which, he said, was persistently done by the officers of the Department. —Mr Cooppr said he thought it was a mistake to employ as head-teacher of one of their schools a man who could use such language regarding his assistants. — Mr ■ Goldje thought the letter was in T ery bad form indeed, and the Chairman said the letter was most improper, and a very wrong letter to come to the Board from a tether.—Professor Tucker asked if the lady referred to by Mr O'Donoghue had made, application for an appointment ?~-The Secretary replied that an application had been put in.—The Chairman thought the girl should not suffer from the injudiciousness of Mr O'Donoghue, but Mr Goldie pointed out that she should not be employed in the Waio-Karaka School.— Professor Tucker suggested that she should be employed in some other school. —Mr Cooper said he did not think they should allow the matter to pass. The fact of the head-teacher of an important school writing in such a tone about his assistants was objectionable, and any head master writing in such a tone was unfit to hold the position. How could they expect a man like that to give a tone to a school ? He felt inclined to propose that Mr O'DoDOghue be censured, and that he bo removed from the Waio-Karaka school.— the Chairman said the letter was addressed to the Secretary, but waa evidently intended for the Board.—Mr Ooldie thought the best plan would be to remove Mr O'Donoghue from the Thames, where he evidently had a heart-burning — Professor Tucker a*ed whether a censure •n itself would be of any use.—The rhairman said he would be aorry that they XttW d 0 anything^severe, but their iT o;n«a« was to consider the school.—Mr SrJdthe least the Board could do Cask Mr O'Donoghue to withdraw !L 8 J^r»reßsion contained in bis letter, and Kved loLt effect.-The motion was to.-Hmld.