MASTERTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1738, 17 July 1884, Page 2

MASTERTON SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Masterton School Committee was held last evening. Present—Messrs Boddington (Chairman), Woodroofe, Galloway, Johnston, Bjsh, Lowes, and Payton, The minutes of tho pi'Qvioue meeting were read and confirmed, The Treasurer reported a credit balance of £2l 7s 3d. Correspondence was read from Mr G. M, Wood re removal of nightsoil, and raising his charges for same. Mr Payton proposed that the question be referred to the Chairman and visiting members. Seconded by Mr Galloway and carried, . A. roport was reoeived from tho head master re absentees from school, Three children were reported to have made no attendances after receiving formal notice from the Committee in May last. Mr Payton moved that the three names be placed in the hands of a solicitor. Mr Johnston seconded the resolution. Mr Bish asked if no other course could be adopted,

The Chairman thought not, repeated warnings had been given. The resolution was put and carried.

The following accounts were passed for I paymento. Daniel, £4 19s 6d; W. Sellar, £3l9s 8d; J. Payton & Co., ss; G. M. Wood, 10s 6d; Mrs Shepherd, 60s. The Chairman had the pleasure to report that the deputation which waited on the Town Lands Trust, had been successful in obtaining a grant of LoO. Act* ing on the discretionary powers given to them by the Committee, they gave the Trust an assurance that none of the money would be spent on the cadets.Had they not done this they would not have obtained it. It was,satisfactory to know that jihe vote was carried unanimously. They would have to deal with the grant that evening by ordering the apparatus, which would absorb L2O. Mr Woodroofe inquired it a theodolite would be included in the apparatus. The Chairman replied that it would not, A theodolite would absorb the

whole sum, He would liko to see some amount allocated from tho grant to encourage sewing, Ho suggested that £2O should be devoted to the Behool library. Mr Lowes moved that tho Hoad Master and Chairman bo authorised to expend L2O on apparatus. Mr Bish seconded tho motion which was Carried.

Mr Payton moved that L2O out of tho balance be allocated to the library. Mr Wo'odroofe advocated a careful seleotion of boobs, and not leave tho same to the Head Master. . Mr Lowes thought the Committee were in a position to judge tho class of literal ture suitable for children.

Mr Payton moved that a sub committee be appointed to inspect books before boing put on the shelves. He doubted whethor they possessed the necessary knowledge of juvenile works to make the seleotion themselves, Mr Bisli seconded the motion but thought the sub-commitlee should select the books. ,

Mr Galloway moved that tho Chairman, Head Master, and Mr Payton be appointed a sub-committee to purchase the books.

Mt Woodroofo ueoonded the motion, _ Mr Lowes said they ought not to lose sight of the fact that they were catering tor a great variety of minds. There would be a safe guard in having a large committee. He was, however, satisfied with the one proposed. Mr Payton withdrew his motion and Mr Galloway's resolution was put and carried.

Mr Payton moved and Mr Lowes seconded that tho balance of the grant, LlO be allocated to the sewing classes and that the Head Master be requested to report on the best method of distributing the same.—Carried.

Mr WoodroofG'a • notice of motion against the cadet corps was then taken. Mr Payton asked the Chairman to rule whether it was in order. It was a political question reflecting on the act under whioh the Committee was estab* lished. Was there any line to be drawn between questions which were admissible and inadmissible, The Chairman read the clause of the act which made the establishment of cadet corps compulsory. Mr Woodroofe contended that the act was permissive.

The Chairman ruled that it was compulsory butsaid on tho.point of order, if called upon, lie would not take the responsibility of ruling the motion out of order. Mr Lowes eaid the Education Aot was altogether a compulsory measure. He did not wish to burke the the question, but he failed to see the utility of discussing a matter in which they had no power, They were not in a position to tamper with the aot.

The Chairman had no sympathy with the motion but felt placed in a position of responsibility, • aud would leave the question in the hands of the Committee. Mr Bish felt sure that they could tako no step to upset the clause of the Act. Mr Woodroofe, in moving the motion standing in his name, referred to the opposition of Mr Payton to his views on the subject of holidays. He then read a long speech from a printed newspaper slip, declining a suggestion made that the secretary should read it for him, He concluded an address, which occupied half an hour in delivery by a few scattered remarks on minorities being often in the right; on the advantages of standing alone; on the four passions of the human race—love, anger, hatred, and revenge; on the tiny finger on the rifle trigger; on great wrongs dying hard deaths. He illustrated his remarks with anecdotes on red Indians, the Highland kilt, Major Bunny, &c. He appealed frequently to the deity, and claimed an impartial decision from the Committee. The Chairman called for a seconder to the motion.

Mr Lowes said he would second it, only he considered it " ultra vires."

Mr Bish seconded : the resolution pro forma. He thought, however, that their first duty was to uphold the law. Mr Payton said Mr Woodroofe mistook the ground of his opposition, He admired • his sincerity, and ho respected the decision of the Chairman on tho point of . order, but he had not time to devote to discussions which appeared to his mind useless and irregular, He grudged no time devoted to the real business of the Committee, but he could not, having less leisure than Mr Woodroofe, devote time to debating abstract questions, and would be compelled to retire from the Committee,

Mr Woodroofe, in reply, censured the Committee for failing to express a decided opinion on his motion, for staying dumb and covering themselves behind the act, Mr Galloway thought they bad suffered fl sufficient infliction by listening to Mr Woodrjofe patiently for half an hour, and ought not to be now lectured by him. He regarded Mr Woodroofe's speech as a thorough absurdity from beginning to end.

The motion which read as follows " That in the opinion of this Committee it is inexpedient to continue the practice of military drill in the public school, inasmuch as military drill exercise is calculated to divort the atleniion of the young from the pursuits of knowledge into dangerous and pernicious channels; inculcating an undesirable fondness for murderous and deadly weapons; developing a combative if not a ferocious disposition; and promoting a savage if not cannibal habits, instead of cultivating the arts of peace," was then put and lost, Mr 'Woodroofe alone voting for it. The Chairman hoped Mr Payton would reconsider his intention to resign, Mr Payton for several years had beon one of the most useful working members of the Committee.

Mr Pavton thanked the Chairman, hut said it was a. question whether he could find time to attend the meetings, Mi' Johnston was, appointed visiting member for the ensuing month. The meeting then adjourned,