ALEXANDRA.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2635, 1 June 1889, Page 2

ALEXANDRA.

Tiik School System.— The master of the Alexandra School. Captain Hearne, leaves here to-inorr-w (Saturday), to the general iegret of the parents and pupils. Captain Hearne is another victim to the unsatisfactory manner in which school matters are conducted under the present system ; his sole reason for resigning his position being the power a couple of persons had by their continued petty annoyances (which no man with self-respect c.-mld put up with), caused his resignation to the great loss of the pupils who were so satisfactorily progressing under his tuition. Mr Cornforh (who has also experienced unpleasantness from members of the Harapipi School Committee), succeeds him here, and so far we are fortunate, as that gentleman is well-known and respected here. Whether he will continue in sympathetic accord with our Committee when once in harness, remains to be seen. The general opinion here is that no one will manage this, unless a female teacher is appointed here, and an Alexandraite has the nomination of the appointment. This is, however, only local gossip, and it is to be hoped without foundation. There was a great deal of truth in a letter which appeared in a late issue of Tiik SVaikato Times, referring to the appointment of school committees, which are supposed to be voted by ballot. This cannot be done as no ballot box, or anything else is provided by Government to carry out an election under that system. The voters also should be thine who have some interest in the school by having children attending it; as it i.s one or two persons can by their influence amongst people who have tin interest whatever in the matter, induce their friends to come in and vote at the school committee election and put in whom they please. At least as a qualification, a member of a school committee should be able to write his own name, even if he could no more pass the first standard than take an M. A. degree. Yet such are found on school committees.

Buioal PitKSKNT.—A very handsome marble clock, subscribed for by the inhabitants, has been forwarded to Mrs Newsham at Te Aroha as a slight testimonial for her services before her marriage as organist at St. Saviour's Church. _ It was intended to present the clock to Miss Jane A. Finch before her marriage as a bridal gift, but unfortunately it arrived too late to be presented before the happy event was celebrated. May the clock mark only happy hours for many years, is the sincere wish of the subscribers.