SCHOOL ELECTIONS.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1595, 29 January 1884, Page 2

SCHOOL ELECTIONS.

THE MASTERTON SCHOOL. The Annual Meeting of householders was held in a class-room of the Public School building last evening, and was extremely well-attended. Mr J. O. Boddington, Chairman of Committee, said tho report and balance sheet had been published some two or three days ago for the convenience of members; but as some might not have perused it, he called upon the Secretary to read it. The report having been read the Chairman in moving its adoption expressed his gratification at seeing a gathering which indicated a deep interest in the school. It now held the first position in the Wellington Education district. Its passes were 86 per cent., whereas the best passes made in Wellington was but U, and this only with one school (applause), Referring to the balance sheet he acknowledged the liberal grant made by the Town Lauds Trust, and concluded by referring to the constitution of the school as a high school, enabling parents whose children had passed the ordinary standards, to obtain further training for them, without sending them to Wellington (applauso). The High School was as yet an experiment,' and was to bo worked on an economical scale, but he believed it would be successful and grow till a separate building had to be provided for it.

Mr Park seconded the adoption ol the report.

Mr Woodroofe then made a long speech, declaring that children had too many holidays, and protesting against the, wickedness of arming little ones with rifles, He was constantly interrupted by the laughter of the meeting and for a considerable time figured as its butt.

Mr Kapp asked if a rumor whicr had been industriously circulated thai tho annual report had not been adopted by a quorum of the committee wai correct?

The Secretary read the minutes of the meeting, showing that the proceedings of the Committee had been perfectly regular. (Applause.) The report and balance sheet were then adopted. The Chairman said that this now concluded the preliminary business. He was glad to record that daring the past year three of the outgoing Committee had raado full attendances at

the meetings held. This was tho first record of the kind in Masterton, and indicated improved discipline. He proposed that His Worship the Mayor tab the Chair for the meeting which wag to follow..

Mr Lowes haying taken the Chair, Mr Cwijberg briefly proposed a vote of tbanft Vthe outgoing Committee. Mr Bish seconded the motion, saying that the past year's results wore highly satisfactory both to the district and country. If the school maintained its

I present standard of efficiency, it musk be a credit to the town and to the colony. (Applause.) The motion w«s put and carried amid loud applause. Mr Boddington in acknowledging it said that with very many of the Committee the work had been a labor of love. The Committee had worked harmoniously with the staff and stood well with the Board. (Applause.) , _ The Chairman: The next business is the election of a new Committee.

Mr Park: I think Mr Hogg should now have an opportunity of explaining hisviewßon'the side school question (Applause.) The Chairman said he would make an opportunity for this, but he must first take the election of the committee. -,.,.-.

Mr Hogg, unless ruled out of order, intimated that he would move certain resolutions, so. that the .householders might have the views of ,the men they wore, going to put in.—(Hear!) ' The Chairman said he had no option by the reflation* but to rule Mr Hoee out of order/ 1 - v •'-./■■ "

Mr Caselbarg thought ijr Hogg ought to be allowed to proceed^ Mr McCardle pointed out thai'the meeting was called to, elect a committee for tho mmgement of their school,'and, not for the Mti<jn of another school ■'

The election was then proceeded with. '■': : '[:■;■

Mr Feist expressed his intention not to stand again, He had not attended meetings very regularly in the past year, but, none the less, he took a deep interest in the welfare, ot the school.

> Mr Hoggannounced that he did not intend to stand again for election, and m doing so, proposed Mr Woodroofe in his place. Mr Woodroofe held strong convictions, but he liked a man of .this sort, Mr. Woodroofo did not wish to stand unless he knew the men he would have to work with, (Laughter,) The following nominations were then made: Messrs Boddington, Bacon, Galloway; Pay ton, Bish, Lowes, Johnston, Park,Eapp,andWickens. Thefollowing were also proposed but declined to 1 stand: Messrs MoCardle, Caselherg, Bremner, Daniell, Lang, Macara, Bagge, Pickering, Feilding. Messrs Grundy and Ford were appointed scrutineers,

Mr Woodroofe protested against their acting in this capacity, but was told that he wa3 decidedly out of order by the Chairman. The following was the result of the ballot, the firs 1 , seven names being declared duly elected : iNo.oi'Voteis No. of Votes Boddington 48 101 Lowes 38 61 Galloway ; 29 55 Bish 34 47 ; Johnston 21 44 Woodroofe 14 44 Payton 29 39 Bacon 23 37 Park 23 37 Bapp ,20 29 Wickens 12 14 ' THE SIDE SCHOOL. _ Mr Hogg then proposed his motion in favor of a side school. About two months ago it was stated at a meeting of the Committee that in consequence of the increase in the number of children attending the school it would be necessary to make additions to the building. He then tabled a motion in favor of a side school, which was referred to the Headmaster for his report. That report was adverse, and as the Committee was expiring by effluxion of time, it was deemed desirable to refer the question to the householders' meeting. .He begged to move that for the convenience of families residing; at the northern end of the town, and to prevent the overcrowding of the present building that the incoming Committee be requested to arrange with the Education Board for the opening of a sido school. He denied that he was animated by a spirit of opposition to tho existing school. He was impartial on the question as his own children were not sufficiently advanced in years to attend school. He had regretted to see numbers of small children having to troop to a school a mile away from their homes—a school which was overcrowded—while another one could be utilised at their doors. He held it would be a relief to the teaching staff to have the younger children taken away, that the present school was a monopoly, and that a side school was necessary to create competition, The large attendance at the present school was owing to compulsion. He had much pleasure in proposing the resolution. (Applause.) Mr Casolberg seconded pto forma. He was glad to see Masterton so progressive as to require a second school. He hardly knew what Mr Hogg meant by a side school—whether he meant a school for children of tender years, or whether he meant a school in opposition to the present one. He might support the former, but he did not think the time had arrived to split up one good school to obtain two inferior ones.—(Applause). Mr McCardle said he worked hard to fix the school in its present site, and this he did in the interests of Master-

ton, Thoy were well supplied with roads, and if any hardship existed on the part of children attending the school, it was not between there and the Waipoua. In his own neighborhood they could have claimed a school, but they held they could obtain better education at the large school for their children than in a small one, and so they did not mind sending their children an extra mile to school A mile walk was no hardship. His own had to travel two. He believed that in time Mas-

;erton would have two large schools,

but that time had not yet come. He advised waiting till they had a chance of obtaining a good ono beforo erecting a second school. As for competition, the Masterton School was in compete tion with the whole of New Zealand, and he was glad to hear that it was first in the Wellington District. (Applause.) There was not only better teaching in large schools,.but statistics proved ..that there was less sickness. H« had no doubt Mr Hogg wished the school well, but he was certainly not acting well in the course he had taken, —(Applause). I

Mr Woodroofe admitted- that the present site was owing to the exertions of Mr MeOardle, but spoke in favor of two schools, and of Mr Hogg. Mr Grundy asked permission to say a lew words. It Lad beon alleged by Mr Hogg that he had a pecuniary interest in keeping up the size of the school. This was incorrect. His salary was exactly the same now as it was in

the old building. When a school increased above 300 in its attendance there was no further increase in the teachers salary. Mr Pilkington with one half the present attendance had but £2O per annum less than himself. (Applause,) Another point which had been urged against him in the Star was that the school suffered from the fact that it had allowed small schools to take scholarships over its head. But one diatriot scholarship was attached to. the Wairarapa, and aB during three years two out of the three had come to Masterfcon they had not missed much. He considered the inference rather un-; fair. The staff had .worked hard to bring up the school to. the highest pitch jOf efficienoy,- and isuoh a statement was unju&t—(loud applause). In Birmingham he had been connected with Bobools ranging from fifteen hundred to two thousand children, and theW large schools were regarded as the post efficient ones in the Midland coratUs. Is London and other large

centres, large school buildings had a preference because they were more economical and more efficient, With a school of 100 children, each teacher had to take two classes, but with a school of 400 children two teachers could in some cases be allotted to one class, : . Instead of a side school, he was anxious to see a Btrong infant school established in the present building, Their infant school hail been their weak point, and he, had recommended that a wing of the present building should be run out, and a room built capable of holding' 200 children. Such an infant school placed under the care of a specially traiued mistress, would enable Masterton to hold its own against any school in New Zealand, He and the other teachers could not be too thankful for the loyal support which they had received from past school,committees. Without such ssistance they could not have obtained the success they had met with. He referred specially to the valuable services of Mr Boddington and the keen interest he took in the welfare of the school at the late examination. He_ was at the school every day, watched the result as anxiously as any teacher.

Mr Hogg in reply said he had endeavored to lot the school down as lightly as possible. Clareville, a small school, had not only carried away the district scholarship, but had also made a pass in the Junior Civil Service Examination [Mr Grundy: That is not so, but Cole, a Masterton boy, has passed it. (Loud applause).] This was conclusive evidence that the efficiency of the school might be greatly improved. Ho attributed tho success of the Masterton School iu the late examination to the partiality .of tho Inspector who was biassed by personal friendship for some teachers and dislike for others. As a reason for Masterton beating the Thorndon school ho would inform them that Mr Lee had quarrelled with the head master of the Thorndon school.

Mr Grundy: No, Sir! No, Sir I It was not with the master of the Thorndon school—(Applause), Mr Hogg: At any rate it was with the master of some Wellington school. He rominded Mr Grundy that the remuneration of a teacher was not money merely, but tho crodifc ho obtained, and the patronage which he exercised, He accused Mr Grundy of interfering unduly in the appointment of a pupil teacher.

Mr McCardle rose to a point of order. He considered Mr Hogg was travelling outside tho question. The Chairman: I must concur with you Mr McCardle.

Mr Hogg reiterated the oharge of abuse of patronage against Mr Grundy. Mr Grundy; Shame! .I challenge yon to substantiate what yon allege. The Chairman requested Mr Hogg to refrain from personalties, and not to break new ground.—(Applause). Mr Hogg said ho would take another opportunity to discuss the question of favoritism, and proceeded to advocate a side school on sanitary grounds.' Mr Hogg's motion was then put to the meeting, and on a show of hands was thrown out amid loud applause by 32 votes to 19.

Mr Hogg then moved a second resolution censuring a recent appointment of a pupil teaoher. Mr Bish seconded the motion pro forum in order to speak against it. Ho considered it in very bad taste, and on a par with the previous discussion. After Mr Grundy's explanation he considered such a motion was out of place, uncalled for, and ungentlemanly. —(Hear! Hear! and applause). The Chairman said his duty compelled him to put the resolution, though it was very had taste on the part of Mr Hogg to force him to put a motion so repugnant to his feelings, hoped tho meeting would treat it as it deserved.

The motion was negatived on the, voices, and the meeting adjourned with ft \oto of thanks to tho chair.