WESTPORT EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 286, 1 July 1868, Page 2

WESTPORT EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

A meeting of the Education Committee was held yesterday afternoon, at half-past 4 o'clock, at the Courthouse. The first business was the election of officers. Mr Munro thought that the late officers had given every satisfaction. He moved that they he re-elected— Mr Tyler as chairman, and Mr Reid as hon. sec. The Eev. "W. Harvey seconded this proposition. Mr Franklyn said it had been hi <* intention to move for a change in the chairmanship, but as the feeling of the Committee seemed to be so favor able to the resolution, he should not op pose it. The motion was then put and carried nem. con. The chairman briefly returned thanks, and called on the hon. sec. to read the minutes. The secretary read the minutes and also correspondence despatched. He had also received a letter from Mr Hodgson, the Inspector, stating that the amount of £l5O, on account of the school-house, would be payable at the Union Bank, on the 2nd of July. He

also promised to send an ample supply of books, Blates, maps, &c., which had since come to hand. The hon. sec. further reported that Mr Phillips, the newly elected master, had arrived, and had called on him stating his willingness to open the school next Monday. He (Mr Phillips) had taken possession of the school-house. Mr Harris said that sufficient books, &c, had beeu sent to supply fifty or sixty children. These were not charged, to the committee, and would be issued gratuitously. A short discussion took place as to the time of opening, whieh wa3 ended by a resolution of Mr Harris', " That the school should open on Monday next, July 6th, and that advertisements should -be published in the local papers to that effect."

Mr Harvey thought it would be well to embody in that announcement a statement that no fees would be required from parents, as many were quite ignorant that it was a free school, and this suggestion was agreed to. In reply to Mr Harris, the Hon. Sec. stated that Mr Somner sent in no claim for extras, but merely for the balance of contract on building, for which he held a certifieato of completion from Mr Lowe. Mr Somner's only claim over the balance w s £5 5s for plans supplied. He added that the schoolmaster was perfectly satisfied with the arrangements of the school. Some other items in connection with the building, braces, watertanks,&c were found necessary, and it was resolved to ask the Central Board for £SO more to supply all requirements and liquidate liabilities incurred. Mr Munro thought the Committee should appoint some one to represent them at the Central Board in Nelson. They were entitled to appoint a gentleman, and should do so. Mr Reid moved that Mr D. M. Lackie be requested to act as their representative. Mr Luckie had been on the Central and local Committees, and would prove most valuable to Westport if he was elected. Mr Franklyn seconded Mr Luckie. Mr Harris proposed Mr Barnicoat, but as it turned out that that gentleman was already acting as a member of the Central Committee for one district, the members did not apper to approve of such an appointment, and Mr Harris withdrew his candidate to save him from defeat. Mr Luckie was then unanimously elected to fill the position. The powers of the Chairman were next discussed, and eventually it was decided that he should have a vote on all questions as well as a casting vote. The next matter was the election of a Visiting Committee for tho school. Mr Franklyn said that he feared if the Hev. W. Harvey was put on this Committee it would deter many Catholics from sending their children to the school.

Mr Munro who had proposed Mr Harvey's name would withdraw it, for Mr Harvey could discbarge his duty whether a member of it or not. Mr Harvey s:u'd. that at the time of his appointment, some exception bad been taken but he had purposely said nothing at the time. If, however, his appointment was any hindrance to the proper working of the Committee he would be the last man in the world to keep it, and if any respectable Koman Catholics objected to send their children because he was a member, he would at once resign. He would not have accepted the office if a large number of persons had not desired hiin to do so. Such appointments were by no means without precedent, and they had been found to work very well. It was not only contrary to his wish, but his principles strongly forbade his tampering with the forms of faith of children in the school. On children of his own faith or children of those who wished him to do so, he would exercise all the religious influence he possessed, but his conscience would not allow him to interfere with Roman Catholics, or to attempt to instil bad principles into them by setting them the example of dishonesty. He repeated his intention of in no way meddling in the faith of others, and concluded by again saying that if the really respectable Roman Catholics of the town came forward and expressed their dissatisfaction at bis holding office, he would at once resign it. He hoped the press would notice his remarks in order that the public might be made fully aware of his opinions on this subject. Mr Franklyn thought that such a declaration, if published, would be the means of sending many Roman Catholic children to the school. No one dreamt that Mr Harvey would be guilty of tampering with the faith of other children, but rebgion drew on the imagination largely, and some were apt to imagine much in connection with it. Mr Rcid thought that Mr Franklyn

would be able to form a better opinion when the rate was gathered, and the matter had better be dropped till then. A visiting comuvttec consisting of Messrs Tyler (chairman), Franklyn, and Harris, were then appointed for one month, and the ordinary meetings of the whole committee were fixed for the first Monday in every month. The next to be held on Monday, August 3rd. A small account was passed, after which the committee adjourned.