MR. GRANT'S REMOVAL FROM WAIMATE SCHOOL (PAPERS RELATING TO).

Appendix to the Journals of the House of Representatives, 1888 Session I, E-13

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1888. NEW ZEALAND.

MR. GRANT'S REMOVAL FROM WAIMATE SCHOOL (PAPERS RELATING TO).

Return to an Order of the Tlouse of Representatives dated 3rd August, 1888. Ordered, " That a return be laid before this House giving a copy of the resolution of the South Canterbury Education Board, with any amendments thereon, proposing that Mr. Grant be removed from the Waimate School, and any other minutes or papers affecting his removal."—(Mr. Pebceval.)

Education Boaed, District of South Canteubuky.—Extbagts from Minute-book. At the Board meeting of the Ist July, 1886, the Waimate School Committee wrote to the Board, urging by resolution " that steps be at once taken to relieve the present headmaster (Mr. Grant), and replace him by a more suitable person." The Board, after considerable discussion, passed the following resolution: " That the Board does not deem itself, from any information in its possession, in a position to accede to the request of the Waimate School Committee re change of headmaster." Mr. Grant was in waiting, and was admitted to interview the Board, and, after sundry statements and replies to questions, the foregoing resolution was read to him, and, being assured that perfect justice should be done him, Mr. Grant thanked the Board, and withdrew. The above resolution was forwarded to the Waimate School Committee, who, in reply, requested the Board to appoint a committee of inquiry. The Board took no action in this direction. On the 29th November, 1887, the Waimate School Committee wrote to the Board, forwarding the following resolution : " That, in the opinion of this Committee, the headmaster has lost that respect in the school due to a gentleman holding Mr. Grant's position, thereby impairing his usefulness, and this Committee urges the Board to take into consideration the advisability of a change in the headmastersiu'p of this school." The Board hereon passed the following resolution : " That, from any evidence placed before it by the Waimate School Committee, the Board does not see its way to accede to the Committee's request re change of headmaster." Also the following : " That, owing to the continual disagreements which are from time to time taking place between Mr. Grant and the Committee, teachers, childreti, and inhabitants of the district, and the consequent harm done thereby to the school, the Board will look for his resignation within the next three months, otherwise it will be compelled to give him notice of the termination of his engagement." A copy of this resolution was duly forwarded to Mr. Grant by this office (letter dated the 7th December, 1887). On the Ist March, 1888, Mr. Grant interviewed the Board, when the Board decided that its former decision would be upheld, and this was notified to Mr. Grant by letter dated the sth March. On the 11th March, 1888, three months' notice was given Mr. Grant of the intention of the Board to dispense with his services. On the sth April, 1888, correspondence was read from Mr. Grant, stating that the School Committee who had recommended the change of headmaster had been illegally elected, and that his notice of removal was also illegal. The protest against the legality of election of the Waimate School Committee for 1887-88 was considered by the Board, and it was decided that no immediate action should be taken with regard to the correspondence. On the 3rd May, 1888, a new Committee having been elected, the following resolution was forwarded to the Board : "That, in the opinion of this Committee, it is desirable that a change in the headmastership of the school should be made, and would respectfully urge the Board to take the necessary steps to give effect to this resolution." It was accordingly resolved, by three to two, that "three months' notice be given to the headmaster of the Waimate School of the intention of the Board, to dispense with his services." The Waimate School-Committee at the same time forwarded a petition from a certain portion of the householders, praying the Board to retain Mr. Grant's services. The resolution conveying this petition read as follows: " That this Committee forward as a matter of courtesy the protest of three of its members as requested; but in doing so distinctly disapprove of its sentiments, and the mode of getting it up, and, further, advise the Board that the question was made a test one at the householders' meeting, with the result that a majority was returned who were known to be favourable to a change being made in the headmastership. (Protest of three members, and householders, forwarded herewith.") At this same meeting, after the resolution of the Board was carried by a majority re giving Mr. Grant three months' notice, a notice of motion was tabled, "That, as the Committee of Waimate are not unanimous as to a change in the headmastership, Mr. Grant ba retained, and the resolution giving him notice be rescinded."

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On the 4th May, 1888, no'ice was given Mr. Grant, in pursuance of the Board's resolution, of the intention of the Board to dispense with his services at the expiration of three calendar months from the date of the receipt by him of the notice. On the 7th June, 1888, at the meeting of the Board, the notice of motion, that the resolution of the Board to give Mr. Grant three months' notice be rescinded, was pat and lost by five to two. True extracts. ' J. H. Bamfield, Secretary, South Canterbury Board of Education.

Appendix A. (Eead at Board Ist July, 1886.) Sie,— Waimate, 30th June, 1886. I have the honour to inform you that I am directed by the Waimate School Committee to forward to Board of Education for South Canterbury copy of resolution passed at special meeting of the Committee on the 29th instant. The following is a copy of the resolution referred to : " That, in accordance with the desire of the parents and inhabitants of Waimate, as demonstrated by the election of the majority of this Committee last evening, the Secretary be instructed to immediately apply to the South Canterbury Board of Education to at once take steps to relieve the present headmaster, and replace him by a more suitable person." I have, &c, G. H. Gbaham, Secretary, Waimate School Committee. The Secretary, South Canterbury Board of Education.

. Appendix B. (Eead at Board sth August, 1886.) Sie,— Waimate, 28th July, 1886. T have the honour to inform you that the following is a copy of resolution passed at meeting of Waimate School Committee on the 27th instant: " That this Committee regrets the decision of the Board of Education in reference to the removal of the headmaster, and begs to request a reconsideration of the matter, with a view to the Board appointing a committee to inquire into the general condition of the school." I have, &c, G. H. Gkaham, Secretary, Waimate School Committee. The Secretary, South Canterbury Board of Education.

Appendix C. (Eead at Board Ist December, 1887.) Sm, — Waimate, 29th November, 1887. I have the honour to inform you that, after considering a charge of unduly severe punishment of a pupil made by Mr. James Shaw against the headmaster, Mr. A. Grant, and Mr. Grant's statement in reply, it was resolved by Waimate School Committee on the 28th instant: " (1) That this Committee, after carefully going through the evidence, are of opinion that the punishment of the boy Shaw was not justifiable ; (2) That, even if the punishment was justifiable, it was unduly severe, and should have been administered in open school as a warning'to others, to prevent the reoccurrence of the same ; (8) That, in the opinion of this Committee, the headmaster has lost that respect in the school due to a gentleman holding Mr. Grant's position, thereby impairing his usefulness; and this Committee urges the Board to take into consideration the advisability of a change in the headmastership of this school. I have, &c, G. H. Graham, Secretary, Waimate School Committee. The Secretary, South Canterbury Board of Education.

AprENDix D. Sib, — Education Board, District of South Canterbury, Timaru, 7th December, 1887. I have the honour, by direction of the Board of Education, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the date as per margin, and in repiy to state that I have been directed to inform you, by resolution of the Board, that, owing to the continual disagreements which are from time to time taking place between you and the Committee, teachers, children, and inhabitants of the district, and the consequent harm done thereby to the school, the Board will look for your resignation within the next three months, otherwise it will be compelled to give you notice of the termination of your engagement. I have, &c, J. H. Bamfield, Secretary. A. Grant, Esq., M.A., Headmaster, District High School, Waimate.

Appendix E. Sie, — Education Board, District of South Canterbury, Timaru, sth March, 1888. I have the honour, by direction of the Board of Education, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the date as per margin, and in reply to state that, in reply to your interviewing the Board on the date of its last meeting, on the Ist instant, it was resolved that its former decision should be upheld—that is, in case you did not forward your resignation within the period originally stated, three months' notice would be given you of the intention of the Board to dispense with your services as headmaster of the Waimate District High School. I have, &c, J. H. Bamfield, Secretary. A. Grant, Esq., M.A., Headmaster, Public High School, Waimate.

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Appendix F. Sib, — Education Board, District of South Canterbury, Timaru, 11th March, 1888. I have the honour, by direction of the Board of Education, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the date as per margin, and in reply to state, with reference to this office letter dated the 7th December, 1887, and more than three months having elapsed since that date, I have the honour, by direction of the South Canterbury Board of Education, to give you now three months' notice of the termination of your engagement with the Board as headmaster of the Waimate District High School, and due notice is hereby accordingly given. Your period of service under this Board will consequently expire on or about the 11th day of June next ensuing. I have, &c, J. H. Bamfield, Secretary. A. Grant, Esq., M.A., Headmaster, District High School, Waimate.

Appendix G. (Read at Board sth April, 1888.) BIE, — Waimate, 6th February, 1888. . I have the honour to inform you I yesterday made my protest against any notice of dismissal or of removal being served on me, in the meantime stating one reason why I consider doing so would be illegal. I further state that I have reason to know and believe that one of those, who have acted as members of School Committee, and are now so acting, had no bond fide qualification as a householder at the time of his so-called election ; also, the grounds alleged by the Board as cause for my removal are insufficient and, in some important respects, false. Having made this my protest against any notice of dismissal or removal beiug served upon me by the Board of Education of South Canterbury meanwhile, I consider the Board itself, at a legally-called meeting, must judge as to validity of said protest. I have, &c, Alex. Gbant, The Secretary, South Canterbury Board of Education. Head Teacher, Public School.

Appendix H. (Read at Board sth April, 1888.) Sib, — Waimate, sth March, 1888. Intimation to the Board of Education that a Committee had been elected last April was legally a fraud. For that and other reasons to be given in it is illegal for the Board to comply with or fulfil their threat contained in letter of 7th December, that they would be compelled to give me three months' notice to resign. I have, &c, A. Gbant, The Chairman, Board of Education. Head Teacher, Public School.

Appendix H2. (Eead at Board sth April, 1888.) Sih,— Waimate, sth March, 1888. I beg respectfully to state that I was present at the meeting of householders in Waimate called for the election of a School Committee under the Education Act in April of last year, and held in the schoolhouse at Waimate. At the said meeting the ballot was never used, nor was there any attempt at using it in the election of members for a School Committee ; therefore the election, so-called, was null and void, for "The Education Act, 1877," provides for the election of members of a School Committee only by ballot and by no other means whatsoever. And I make my protest accordingly that the gentlemen wdiose names have been given as members of the Waimato School Committee never were elected according to the requirements of the law. T have, &c, John Neilson, The Chairman, Education Board, South Canterbury. Householder, Waimate. Signed in the presence of me at Waimate, this sth February (sic), 1888.—Alex. Gbant.

Appendix I. (Read at Board 3rd May, 1888.) (Memorandum.) Waimate, Ist May, 1888. Copy of resolution of Wairaate School Committee passed at Committee meeting, 30th April, 1888: " That, in the opinion of this Committee, it is desirable that a change in the headmastership of the school should be made, and would respectfully urge the Board to take the necessary steps to give effect to this resolution." The Secretary, Education Office, Timaru, G. H. Gbaham, Secretary.

Appendix J. (Bead at Board 3rd May, 1888.) Sib, — Waimate. Wo, the undersigned three members of the Waimate School Committee, protest against the resolution passed on the evening of Monday last re change of headmaster, because any business conducted at that statutory meeting except the business for which it was called was illegal. We also base our protest on the grounds of equity. In the course of twenty-four hours we have received the' signatures in favour of Mr. Grant being retained from the parents of 216 children now attending school; while only five parents who were asked to sign the memorial refused. The average attendance for last week of over 440 scholars also shows unmistakably the wishes of parents in the district. W. H. Gall. SAmuel Collett. The Chairman, Board of Education. Wm. Black.

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Appendix J2. (Bead at Board 3rd May, 1888.) 8m, — Waimate, 30th April, 1888. We have the honour to request that you will forward to the Board of Education the accompanying protest, also the petition of parents and custodians of scholars now at this school. We also beg to retain this petition till Wednesday, as & number have yet to be added to it. W. H. Gall. Samuel Collett. The Chairman of School Committee. Wm. Black.

Appendix K. (Bead at Board 3rd May, 1888.) To the Chairman and Members of the South Canteebuey Education Boaed. We, tho undersigned fathers and mothers of children attending the Waimate School, do hereby protest against the removal of Mr. Grant as headmaster to the Waimate School, and most sincerely request that the Board will not allow the present master to go, as we consider that it would be detrimental to the welfare of educational matters in Waimate. Trusting, gentlemen, that you will give this matter your consideration, and your petitioners will ever pray. [Here follow eighty-one signatures, purporting to be parents or guardians of two hundred and twelve children.]

Appendix L. (Bead at Board 3rd May, 1888.) (Memorandum.) Waimate, Ist May, 1888. I am requested by the Chairman of Waimate School Committee to forward to the South Canterbury Education Board protest and petition signed by three members of this Committee and a number of householders against the Committee's resolution respecting a change in headmastership. I also forward, enclosed herewith, resolutions numbered 1 and 2in reference to this matter. The Secretary, Education Office, Timaru. G. H. Geaham, Secretary.

Appendix L2. (Bead at Board 3rd May, 1888.) (Memorandum.) Waimate, Ist May, 1888. Copy of resolution passed at meeting of Waimate School Committee, 30th April, 1888, forwarded to South Canterbury Education Board by direction of the Chairman, Waimate School Committee : " That this Committee forward as a matter of courtesy the protest of three of its members as requested ; but in doing so distinctly disapprove of its sentiments, and the mode of getting it up, and, further, advise the Board that the question was made a test-question at the householders' meeting, with the result that a majority was returned who were known to be favourable to a change being made in the headmastership. The Secretary, Education (Mce, Timaru. G. H. Geaham, Secretary. [Protest of three members, and householders' petition, forwarded herewith.—G.H.G.]

Appendix M. Sib,— Education Board, District of South Canterbury, Timaru, 4th May, 1888. I have the honour, by direction of the Board of Education, to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of the date as per margin, and in reply to state that it was carried yesterday by resolution of the Board that notice should be given you of the intention of the Board to dispense with your services at the expiration of three months. In pursuance of that resolution I have therefore to give you notice that your period of engagement with the Board as headmaster of the Waimate District High School will cease and terminate at the expiration of three calendar months from the date of the receipt by you of this notice. I have, &c, J. H. Bamfield, Secretary. Alexander Grant, Esq., Headmaster, District High School, Wairnate.

Appendix N. Tfcaru, 3rd May, 1888. Pboposed, "That three months' notice be given to the Headmaster of the Waimate School of tho intention of the Board to dispense with his services." For :E. H. Pearpoint, E. A. Barker, S. W. Goldsmith (Chairman). The Eev. T. J. Smyth and Mr. J. Talbot dissenting. Proposer, E. H. Pearpoint; seconder, E. A. Barker.

Appendix 0. (Notice of Motion.) Timaru, 3rd May, 1888. Peoposed, " That, as the Committee of Waimate are not unanimous as to a change in the headmastership, Mr. Grant be retained and the resolution giving him notice be rescinded." Proposer, T. Jasper Smyth ; seconder, John Talbot.

Appendix P. Timaru, 7th Juno, 1888. Pkoposed, "That, as the Committee of Wa.imate are not unanimous as to a change in the headmastership, Mr. Grant be retained and the resolution giving him notice be rescinded." For, 2: T. Jasper Smyth, J. Talbot. Against, 5 : E. H. Pearpoint, E. A. Barker, J. Jackson, W. B. Howell, the Chairman. Proposer, T. Jasper Smyth; seconder, John Talbot. [Approximate Cost of Paper. —Preparation, nil; printing (1,275 copies), £2 105.]

Authority : George Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lBBB.

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