CAMBRIDGE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1865, 19 June 1884, Page 3

CAMBRIDGE SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

A Passage of Arms. Ay adjourned meeting of tlie above committee was hold at the Cutction Hotel, dim hi idge, on Monday c\ cuing, for the pin pose of considering the ebanman's lesignatioi), and appointing his successor. Picsent :Mi G. F. Hoslnng (chairman), Hewitt, yatgent, and Thomson. Mr HosUing, after explaining the object of the meeting, submitted his resignation of the chairmanship vacated thechan. |His lettei of lcsignation has already hecn pul lished in these columns.] Mr Thomson mo\ed that the lesigna tion of Mr llosking be accepted. He felt confident that w hatever Mr Hoskiug's opinion might be as to the capability of the other members of the committee to form an opinion, they flattered themselves they wete not iar behind that gentleman in their power of reasoning, and ai riving at an equitable decision. They all manifested an equal interest with Mr Hos'ung in educational matteib geneially, and in the Cambiidge Distiict High Scl o?l paiticuLuly. The effusion befoic the meeting lip considered to be giotsly insulting and most uncalled for, and altogether unbecoming a man in Mr Hoskiug's position Looking at the lttter from wJiatc\ er standpoint he might, he could come to no other conclusion than that a deliberate insult was intended to the membeis of the committee, peisonally as well as officially. It was a guas slight to their intelligence aa men, and an uncommonly poor tiibute to their position as members of the committee. So far as he could see, Mr Hoslung was gravely disappointed that more respect was not paid to his choice, and that the object of his selection was not appointed to the headmasteibhip. Mr Hosking said : I choose that Ml 1 Francis shall be favoured with this appointment, and you (the committee) as a matter of course must uphold ami |,ive effect to my choice. A moio anogant assumption of a false position he (Mr Thomson) had never befoie encountered, and be could not but expiess his astonishment that Mr Hosking should havp so far forgotten himself. Mr Hewitt seconded Mr Thomson's motion. He was quite of Mr Thomson's opinion as regards Mr Hosking's letter. The remarks were most uncalled for and very unbecoming. They had all got their opinions and were entitled to exercise them, but were it according to Mr Hosking's way of thinking, they sat in the committee as mere dead-heads, merely to approve of the chairman's action. Mr Hosking, in reply, said as regards the remarks ot the two previous speakers about the other members of the committee being equally entitled with himself to form an opinion, he consideied he was quite an humble individual iv the committee, and, moreover, was quite willing to make way for the coining man. As regards Mr Thomson's statement that he intended an insult to the other members of the committee, nothing was further from his mind. It was, undoubtedly, no intention of his to do this. He merely reiterated matters of fact, and if they were not palatable he could not help it. As he had said, lie wrote the letter after re-considering the action of the bare majority. Mr Thomson taxed Mr Hosking" on the question of "majority." What did he mean when he made use of the term, "bare majority ?" Did he want a majority of the whole against it? He thought he (Mr Hosking) waa sufficiently informed to know that a " bare " majority was as effectual in matters of this nature as a majority of the whole. Mr Hosking did not consider they could improve-' what had been done by this barneying. Mr Hewitt nevertheless deplored the letter's injurious effect. It made little of the other members of tho committee, If

the verdict was not. in accordance with" Mr Hosking's wishes it was not absolutely neceB3ary that he should have betrayed the seriousness of his disappointment in the manner he had. Mr Thomson thought Mr Hosking had nothing else to do but to simply resign without going into such an unnecessary rigmarole. If they were not to have an opinion of their own they had better leave it all to the chairman, aud sit iike dummies. Mr Hosking considered that Mr Thorn; son was travelling too fast. He would propose that Mr Thomson take the chair. Mr Sargent seconded. Mr Thomson took the chair accordingly. He said the first for the meeting to do now was the election of a chairman for the remainder of the current term of office. He had great pleasme in proposing Mr Sargent. He felt confident from the interest u Inch Mr Sargent had always taken in the affairs of the school that he would do full justice to the position. Mr Hewitt seconded. Mr Sargent regretted his inability to accept office. Mr llosking moved as an amendment that Mr Foirest be appointed chairman, he being tiie gentleman upon whose motion he. [Mr Hosking.] was obliged to resign. He considered Mr Forrest ought to be the coming man. Mr Sargent pioposed Mr Thomson as chairman. Mr Thomson demurred. He could not vei y m ell accept. Mr Hosking withdrew his amendment and seconded Mr Thomson's nomination. It was subsequently agreed that Mr Sargent occupy the position of chairman pio (cm, the matter to be permanently arranged at the next monthly meeting.