E.—l3

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."