THE CARTERTON SCHOOL DISPUTE.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XVI, Issue 4922, 10 January 1895, Page 3

THE CARTERTON SCHOOL DISPUTE.

The following full particulars of the special meeting of the Wellington Education Board, which yesterday decided to adhere to its resolution appointing Mr Bennett to the charge of the Carterton School, aro from the liming I'osl : The Chairman said the position was this: Applications were called for the vacant head-teachership,and a large number of candidates sent in applications, amongst others Mr F, Bonnett, who was the senior for promotion, and the Board accordingly nominated him for the position, The decision was forwarded to the Carterton Committee in the usual way, but the Committee made a selection on its own behalf—namely, Mr J. Kay. The Board then confirmed the appointment of Mr Bennett, and if there was now a desire to recede from the position taken up, it would be necesary to table a notice to rescind Mr Bennett's appointment, Mr Bradey asked whether the Board had power to make an appointment without the consent of a Committee,

Mr Young said that the Supreme Court had decided that the appointment of a teacher rested with the Board, and not with the committee. The Chairman concurred, It was understood all along that Mr. Kay had no pre-emptive right to the position, but simply put in as an ordinary applicant, The statement of the School Committee that the board had nominated an inferior person was incorrect, as Mr Bennett was fully qualified for the position. TheKev, J. Paterson moved—"The Board having carefully considered the respective merits of candidates, and having selected MiBennett for the appointment, and consulted the local committeo in terms of the Act, and having given due consideration to their representations in the matter, seo no good reason to depart from their first decision, and hereby confirm it." He had considered this matter on purely educational grounds, and looking at the character and qualifications of the candidates, he was perfectly clear that the Board came to a wise decision in appointing Mr Bennett, Mr Kay had no claim for promotion, whereas Mr Bennett had, Ho had no personal feeling about the candidates oneway or the other. Mr J. Young seconded tho motion, He had known Mr Bennett for a great many years, and he was fully convinced that he was tho best of the candidates who had applied for the position. He had been a loyal servaut of the Board and of the public, and the Board would be doing him an injustice if it (lid not confirm his appointment, He had nothing to say against Mr Kay, with whom, on the other hand, he had been very favourably impressed, Mr Fraser said the difficulty was an unfortunate one, They had undoubtedly to consider tha parents.of the children. Seventy-five per cent, of the parents had signed a petition in favour of Mr Kay, and six of the committee desired that he should be appointed to the school, Seeing that it would be n popular appoint- , mont, he thought that Mr Kay might be accepted by the Board as , head teacher.

Messrs Buchanan and Bradey supported the resolution confirming Mr Bennett's appointment. The Chairman said as regards tho qualifications of Messrs Bennett and Kay, in 1893 Mr Kay held an El certificate and Mr Bennett a Dl certificate, which was a full certificate higher.thanMrKay,and Mr Bennett had been for 101 years a head | teacher, Mr Buchanan explained that the reason he had not attended the public meeting at Carterton was that be did not consider that an individual member of the Board should explain

to a meeting called by any three householders basilicas which was transacted by the Board in Committee. Only the decision arrived 'at in Committeo was intended to bo made public, and it would be a breach of confidence on the part of any momber of the Board to disclose anything othor than the decision. The motion was then put and carried only Mr Eraser dissenting. Mr Bennett, who is at present stationed at the Eketahuna School, has been instructed to enter upon his new duties at Carterton as soon as possible.