Barry Dock News

RETURN HOME OF MISS E. P. HUGHES, M.A., BARRY. RECEPTION BY THE BARRY EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY. INTERESTING GATHERING AT HANNAH- STREET SCHOOL. MISS HUGHES ON HER RECENT TRAVELS. In honour of the recent return of Miss E. Price Hughes, M.A., of Barry, formerly Principal of Cambridge Training College, from her extended visit to Japan and other countries in the far East, a reception was held on Friday evening last at Hannah-street School, Cadoxton, the central hall of which was very tastefully decorated for the occasion. There was a large attendance of teachers, and many ladies and gentlemen of the town. The chair was occupied by Mr A. G. Legard, M.A., H.M. Chief Inspector of Schools for Wales, and amongst those present were Mr J. Lowdon, J.P., Dr W. Lloyd Edwards and Miss Edwards, Alderman J. C. Meggitt and Mrs Meggitt, Councillor J. A. Hughes, Rev J. Byrne, Miss M. E. Meredith, Rev D. H. Williams, M.A., Councillor Dr P. J. O'Donnell, Mr Edgar Jones, M.A., and Mrs Jones, Mr J. E. Rees, Miss Fleming, Miss G. Masterman, Mr E. T. Williams, Mr J. Lloyd Jones, Miss Fraser, Mr R. E. Hughes, B.Sc., H.M.I. (Swansea), Mr Bell. M.A. (head-master of Ponty- pool County School), Miss Raw (Normal Depart- ment, Cardiff University College), Miss Pointon and Miss Hagarty (Aberdare Hall, Cardiff), &c. During the interesting proceedings, Miss Mary Evans, R.C.M., who, like Miss Hughes, is a native of Carmarthen, sang several songs in excellent style. Miss Evans is a favourite pupil of Signor Randegger; she possesses a mezzo-soprano voice of very sympathetic timbre, and sang with remark- able effect" The Rose and "The River and the Sea," Y Fam a'i Baban," and 0 dry those tears," being warmly applauded after each song. The Chairman, in opening, the proceedings, expressed the pleasure he felt in offering on behalf of the Barry Educational Society, their warmest welcome to Miss Hughes, whose name was a house- hold word in Barry and throughout the Princi- pality. Miss Hughes had travelled much in foreign countries for a long time, but her affection for home and her native land had not changed. Miss Hughes had been away nearly three years, Thi3 Society was started about the time she" left, and now, on her return, she found the Society a very successful institution, popular amongst all grades of teachers. They wanted in Barry to keep abreast of the times, and he hoped Miss Hughes would tell them something as to how to improve their Society. They were not narrow-minded, and would welcome any hints which Miss Hughes had to offer. When the Prince of Wales returned from his Colonial tour, he told the people of this country to wake up." Mr Moseley, addressing a Cardiff audience last week, also said the people of this country must keep abreast of the educational progress of other countries, or they would be left behind. During her travels abroad, Miss Hughes had seen schools and school methods in about thirty different countries of the world, and they would be glad to hear whatever impressions of her experience she had to offer. Mr Legard concluded by cordially welcoming Miss Hughes, both as an educationist and also as an old friend. (Cheers.) Miss G. Masterman, the hon. secretary of the Society, read the address of welcome, which was couched in the following terma :— The Barry and District Educational Society desire to take this opportunity of offering you a hearty welcome on your return home from your extended tour. We esteem it a high privilege to be able to greet one who has worked so enthusiastically and faithfully in the cause of Education, and one whose name is honoured both at home and abroad. We rejoice that, although your sympathies with Education are universal, yet above all you are zealous for the good of your native land, and cherish equally with us all that we hold most dear in our national life. It is graoifying to us at Barry that one, who is such an authority upon Educational matters, has come into our midst, and who, we feel sure, will extend to this Society warm sympathy and support in its educational work. Therefore, in the name of the Barry and District Educational Society, I offer you Croesaw Miss E. P. Hughes, on rising to acknowledge I the address, and the cordiality of the welcome accorded to her, was heartily greeted. Miss Hughes expressed the thanks she felt not only for the warmth of the reception but also for the kind thought which lay behind that meeting. She had been present at many welcome gatherings, meetings at which welcome was extended to her in many places in America, Japan, and other countries, by brown people, yellow people, and white people not of one's own race, but it was all the more gratifying to receive such a reception as she had this evening from her own people, from her friends at Barry, some of whom were Britons, and some like herself Ancient Britons. (Cheers). She was glad of the opportunity of saying a few words on this occasion. Since she left Barry more than two and a half years ago, Miss Hughes said she had been round the world." Fortunately, unlike many travellers, she had time to go from place to place slowly, and in each country she had an opportunity of living with the people and amongst I the people, which had proved to her a great advantage. First of all she wen h to America, and had opportunities of visiting the slums of Chicago as well as the palaces Of millionaires in New York. She had visited the crowded cities of the East, as well as the lonely cattle ranches of the West In continuing her journey, Miss Hughes said she had her first taste of the arduous experiences of camping out. In Japan she gained many hearts by calling that country The England of the East." After spending some time in Japan, Miss Hughes continued her tour, visiting the Malay States, Java, Burmah, Ceylon, and then home. It was a long journey, but on the whole it was a, very pleasant and interesting one. Whilst in Japan, Miss Hughes said, she was invited to take up the professorship of a men's college, which she accepted, and she was struck with the noble and chivalrous manner in which she was alwavs treated by the Japanese students of that college." In the course of a graphic description of her travels abroad, Miss Hughes spoke of the intense appreciation cherished by the Japanese for nature and art. Two striking lessons she had learnt in connection with her tour. We, the inhabitants of the British Isles, could no longer afford to regard ourselves, from an insular point of view, merly as citizens of the western world. We, in this small island, were the heart and centre of an enormous Empire. If the whole of the subjects of King Edward VII. were gathered together in one place, only one face in seven would be white. This fact in itself imposed upon them a tremendous responsibility, which, as sons and daughters of the Mother Country, they should endeavour fully to realise. She had never known before how it was to look at things from an Oriental point of view. Great Britain had a mass of Oriental subjects to- wards whom those at home should learn to realise their grave responsibility. As teachers they could best impart to the children how to become worthy subjects of this great Empire. While she admired the splendid characteristics and superb sense of justice displayed by British subjects abroad, yet 3he was struck with their marvellous ignorance. In Hong Kong (China) and Upper Burmah, for instance, she visited schools, maintained with British money, the native children at which had not the remotest idea that they were subjects of the British King. The Americans were right and we jwere wrong in not cultivating a spirit of patriotism in the schools. Patriotism was system- atically taught in the schools of America, and also in Japan, in fact, in Japan it was the one religion "1)J)le, and their greatest ambition seemed the privilege of dying for their ■>vas not an empty Jingoism, bat if the people, created and and it was time ^^oire, to 'O!l:e of country. Referring to the new Education Act, Miss Hughes said the measure was passed during her stay abroad. If she had been Minister of Education in England she would not have framed such a Bill, and it was a measure that must be altered. (Cheers.) But as teachers they must remember that education was something above and beyond sectarian differences and party politics, and the Act must be carried out in a true educa- tional spirit. There were parties which had been wronged by the Bill but there was one party which above others had been wronged, and that was the party of women. Why should women not be represented by themselves in the operations of the measure ? The reason was obvious; women were, politically speaking, non-existent, and that was the reason why they were being ignored. Co- option was a very sorry thing at best, and while it was necessary that a few experts should be co- opted — men who probably would not be publicly elected, men who would represent no one but themselves-still she felt that women should take a necessary part in the administration of an essentially democratic organisation like the Education Act. There were more girls in school than boys, and more women teachers than men. She hoped, therefore, that this much-needed change in the measure would be made when the other changes were being effected, and that women would be granted, not only the privilege of being co-opted, but the right of being elected to seats on the Education Committees. Concluding an ad- mirable and exceedingly interesting address, Miss Hughes said it was difficult to explain adequately the lessons which she had learnt during her visits to other countries it was also difficult for many of her hearers to appreciate those lessons, difficult to get them across that gulf which necessarily existed, to comprehend the relations between the East and the West, but she hoped that the two lessons which she had pointed out would be realised and acted upon. Miss Hughes expressed the great regret she felt that, owing to ill-health, she was obliged to abandon the work she so muck cherished at Cambridge, but she was greatly com- forted by the fact that she had decided to settle down in Barry, a town which was so intensely democratic, composed so largely of working-men, and a town the people of which were so keen on the subject of education. It was gratifying that the Educational Society had done so much good from an educational point of view, and here again she understood the women preponderated as members. She hoped to spend many years in Barry, and to have an opportunity of using any knowledge and experience she had obtained for the benefit of the town generally. (Cheers). Dr W. Lloyd Edwards said he was glad that Miss Hughes was now a citizen of Barry, and expressed the hope that at the next opportunity she would be elected by the vote of the people to a seat on the Town Education Committee. (Cheers). Describing the work of the Society, Dr Edwards said papers had been read during the session by some of the best authorities on educational matters in South Wales. The motto of the University College of Wales at Aberystwyth was "Nid byd, byd heb wybodaeth (not a world, a world without knowledge), and he thought that this motto appropriately applied to Barry, where there existed such an intense love for education. (Cheers). Mr R. E. Hughes. B.Sc., Swansea, on behalf of the western side of Glamorgan, welcomed Miss Hughes back to her native country after her long travels. By her return Wales had gained a great intellectual strength, and her counsel would be sought on educational matters throughout the Principality. Welsh-people had a great part to play in the British Empire, and the educational strides which Wales was making by means of her colleges and schools, with all their faults, were daily qualifying her young people mora and more in this direction. Referring to Miss Hughes' remarks with reference to the teaching of patriotism in the schools, Mr Hughes said that there was probably a greater necessity for this in America than in this country, but he did not think that even in America they were doing more in the direction of manufacturing patriots than in Great Britain. Englishmen had a natural aversion to being manufactured by the State, and would be equally unwilling to having patriotism taught in the shcools. More in his opinion had been done in this direction by means of an intuitive feeling, and whatever was done to promote and encourage patriotism amongst the young should be done very carefully. (Cheers.) This concluded t:ie formal portion of the pro- ceedings, and some time having been spent in an informal manner, during which Miss Hughes renewed the acquaintance of her many friends present, the conpany partook of refreshments at the kind invitation of the Educational Society. The gathering altogether was most pleasant and interesting, and was a pronounced success.

BARRY RAILWAY ENGINEER. MR W. W. WADDELL APPOINTED TO THE VACANT POST. We are pleased to learn that Mr W. W. Waddell, C.E., for a number of years assistant engineer to the Barry and Vale of Glamorgan Railway Com- panies, has been appointed to the more responsible post of resident engineer, rendered vacant by the recent death of Mr J. Bell. The appointment is a highly popular one, Mr Waddell being held in much respect throughout the Barry district.

CORRESPONDENCE. [The Editor desires to state that he does not necessarily endorse the opinion expressed by correspondents.1 "Give me above all other liberties, the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely, according to conscience." -John Milton. STREET NOISES AT BARRY DOCKS. To the Editor of the "BARRY DOCK NEWS." SIR,—Is it not in the power of the local authorities to place some restrictions on the street noises in the town ? There are a large number of men who have to work by night, and, with the streets in the possession of the various hawkers, who yell and bawl as loud and long as they like, it is impossible to obtain any rest during the day.-I am, &c., A NIGHT WORKER.

A NEW ERA IN POST CARD COLLECTING. The cult of Postcard collecting has now reached a stage sufficiently advanced to warrant the intro- duction into this popular branch of art of the system now in vogue for many years past, in the issuing of a limited number of proofs of engravings, photogravures, and other high-class art publications. A large number of such proofs originally published at prices ranging from R,3 3s to o£10 10s per copy have advanced in price to twenty, fifty, and a hundred guineas and more, and even at such enormously increased prices collectors are loth to part with their treasures. The intro- duction of this system of issuing in future a separate small proof edition of the more important of the new postcard publications of Messrs Raphael Tuck and Company, London, as they appear from time to time, will no doubt be hailed as a boon by all collectors, who will thus be in a position to incorporate in their collections authentic first copies of the postcards the firm named as they are struck off the plates. Only 1,000 copies of such proofs of each selected design will be issued, and as these will become distributed among the numberless thousands of postcard collectors all the world over, it follows that once each limited edition of proofs is placed, the price must necessarily advance rapidly. Twelve sets of proof postcards are in course of preparation, every set being issued in a snull artistic portfolio. Any ,t or sets can be ordered, for delivery when Mshed, from any bookseller, stationer, or art hroughout the world.

BARRY DISTRICT COUNCIL. MEETINGS OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE. A meeting of the Attendance Committee of the Education Committee of the Barry Urban District Council was held on Thursday, the 11th instant, at the Council Chamber, Barry Docks, when the members present were the Rev Ben Evans (in the chair), Mr J. A. Hughes, Mr D. Lloyd, and Miss M. E. Meredith. EVADING SCHOOL ATTENDANCE. The Attendance Officer (Mr A. Seig) reported that the number of absentee visits paid by the officers last month was 3,050, notices served 213, prosecutions 24, 13 being fined, 6 attendance orders made, 1 dismissed, and 4 committed to the truant school. The parents of nearly 100 children received notice to attend this meeting, most being cases of systematic irregularity that required firm treatment. In the cases of Emily Hearne (Davies- street), Bertie Shiers and Kate Shiers (Glamorgan- street), the parents were apparently determined if possible to evade their obligations towards the children the first-named had been prosecuted six times, and the two Shiers three times each, and in the two latter cases the children had been sent to Porthkerry School with a view of their being placed beyond the reach of the. Barry authority, but in the opinion of the attendance officer the boy worked at Rhoose Limekilns, where his father was employed as lime burner. Mr Seig further pointed out that he had reason to believe that boys of school age were occasionally sent to the Island with donkeys, and girls of school age had also been found there selling goods.-It was resolved that the names of these children be taken, with the view of having them dealt with also that the matter be brought under the notice of the Health Committee, who had charge of the Island. The summary of school attendance for May showed a per centage of 88'2, compared with 89'6 in the previous month, and 89 6 for the corres- ponding month last year. The falling-off was attributed to sickness, the attendance at Holton- road Infants' School during the last two weeks in the month being only 63 per cent. A number of parents attended before the Com- mittee with respect to the non-attendance of their children, and they were urged to send their children more regularly to school than hitherto. The Committee decided to take legal proceedings against the father of Bertie and Kate Shiers, 11, Glamorgan-street, for habitual non-attendance.

SPECIAL MEETING OF THE EDUCA- TION COMMITTEE. A special meeting of the Barry Education Com- mittee wad held on Friday afternoon, at the School Board Offices, Barry Docks, the members in attendance being Mr J. A. Hughes (chairman), Mr J. A. Manaton, J.P., Mr J. C. Meggitt, J.P., Mr D. Lloyd, Mr J. Milward, Rev J. Byrne, Rev Ben Evans, and Miss M. E. Meredith, with Mr T. B. Tordoff (clerk), and Mr R. Treharne Rees (deputy clerk). RE-ARRANGEMENT OF SCHOOLS. Previous to the meeting a conference took place with Mr A. G. Legard, H.M. Chief Inspector of Schools for Wales, several schools being visited, and suggestions of re-arrangement were considered. These recommendations were now fully discussed by the Committee, more especially with reference to a re-arrangement of the Barry Boys' and Infants' Schools and Holton-road Infants'. The Chairman pointed out that Mr Legard had suggested that it was essential to have a central hall in connection with all the schools, At Barry Infants' it was suggested to have two separate schools, because, as had been pointed out to the sub-committee, it was unwise to have a junior and senior section. All the different standards of children in an infants' school should be under one headmistress. Rev Ben Evans said the arrangement at Holton Boys' was only a temporary one, and he was con- vinced this would soon have to be altered. He would propose that at Barry there be two. distinct infants' schools, with the boys' department at the rear of the building and that it be an instruction to the architect to modernise the building as much as possible. This was agreed to. At the suggestion of Mr Manaton, it was also agreed that a manual instruction centre bo also formed at the Barry School. SITES OF NEW SCHOOLS. The Sub-committee also suggested that prices be obtained from the Wenvoe Castle Estate of the cost of portions of land on which to build new schools in Gladstone-road, Tynewydd-road, and Buttrills-road. Mr Milward asked why four acres should be suggested for the Tynewydd-road site when one acre was sufficient in the other cases ? They had been told that the Board of Education only sanctioned schools for 400 children. The Chairman thought they should provide a suitable playground for the children at present they played about the streets. If they had a large green playground, the children could play cricket and football, and inter-town and inter-school matches could be played there. This he thought would be an admirable thing for the children. Mr Milward We shall not get one acre at the same proportional price as four acres. The Committee agreed to the recommendation, the price to be obtained both of one and four acres in Tynewydd-road. ARCHITECT TO BE ADVERTISED EOR. The Chairman said he was not sure whether they would be able to get an architect to do the work of preparing the plans, &c., for new school work at four per cent. commission. The School Board used to pay six per cent. They should secure the services of an architect experienced in school work. Mr Milward said there were plenty of capable architects who would do the work at the price. He suggested that the Committee should employ an assistant of their own to prepare plans, specifi- cations, and bills of quantities under the supervi- sion of the Surveyor. This would save the town a deal of money. The Chairman At what salary do you suggest ? Mr Milward About B200 a year. The Chairman did not think they would be able to secure a person well up in his profession at that figure. An architect was similar to a solicitor the District Council had to offer £500 for a clerk, and he did not think they would be able to secure a really good architect at the figure suggested by Mr Milward. Mr Meggitt enquired whether there would be sufficient work to employ as architect in connec-. k tion with the schools' The Chairman did not think so, and also pointed out that they would also have to provide assistants, and to get a good man they would have to pay about j6400 a year. Rev Ben Evans did not favour the appointment of a young man. If one was to be appointed he should be a first-class architect. Mr Manaton said they would not have sufficient work, after the first twelve months, to regularly employ an architect, and he did not think they would get a good man at dE200 a year. If they got the work done at four per cent. they would get it done cheaply. Mr Meggitt considered that four per cent. was too low if the architect had to make out his own bills of quantity. Rev Ben Evans proposed that they offer five per cent. on the amount of the work done. Mr Meggitt seconded, and the resolution was agreed to, Mr Manaton being the only dissentient. STANDING ORDERS. The Committee agreed to the Standing Orders for the government of the Committee which are similar to those recently adopted by the District Council. APPOINTMENT OF TEACHERS. The Committee confirmed the appointments of teachers made by the Sub-committee on the previous afternoon, a list of which appears above. The Chairman explained that the Committee had adopted the plan of the old School Board, in allow- ing the head teachers to recommend certain of the applicants in order of merit, and in the whole of the cases, except one, where further information as to qualifications were required, those recom- mended had been appointed. Mr Manaton Were the whole of the applica- tions read to the Committee ? The Chairman said the Committee had allowed the head teachers to submit certain of the applica- tions, and these were submitted to the Sub- committee for final selection, but the whole of the applications were there for the Committee to puruse. The proper course, he thought, to adopt was allow the head teachers, who were far more capable, and took a deeper interest in the matter of selection than the Committee, to select and recommend the best applicants. The Sub- committee also discussed the qualifications with the teachers. Mr Manaton said, with all due respect to those who had been selected, teachers who had been apprenticed to the Board, and who had gone to college to qualify, should receive the first con- sideration in the appointment of teachers, rather than go outside, One teacher had gone to college at the express desire of the Board, and had not now been selected. He proposed that the report be referred back, and that the Committee should go through the whole of the applications. The Chairman hoped the Committee would not agree to Mr Manaton's suggestion. If there had been no local applicants this point would not have been raised. Personally he preferred giving the appointments to local applicants, provided all things were equal, but they should first of all see that they were equal. They should appoint the best teachers, no matter where they came from. Many of their best teachers came from outside the district. It was evident someone had been talking to Mr Manaton, and he was sorry for that. They should not listen to these statements which only tendbd to prejudice their minds against the head teachers. Most of the teachers appointed were leaving college, and if they were referred back they would no doubt apply elsewhere for appointment. Mr Manaton: Did the Sub-committee have before them the standard of the whole of the applications ? The Chairman The Sub-committee only went through the qualifications of those recommended by the head teachers, and in the case of local applicants enquiries were made. Mr Manaton Did a teacher leave here at the request of the Board to go to college t Rev J. Byrne Yes. Miss Meredith said the head teachers had not seen the testimonials of the local applicant. Rev J. Hyrne lathis to be the settled method of appointing teachers ?: The Chairman I hope so. Rev J. Byrne thought it would be better to refer them to the Committee who made the appointments. The Chairman I was much impressed with the manner in which the teachers went through the applications. I do not intend to go through the whole of the applications. On Mr Manaton's proposition. being put to the meeting, Mr Manaton, Mr Milward, and Mr Lloyd voted in its favour, and the rest of the committee against, the proposition being, therefore, lost. Rev Ben Evans proposed that Miss Pinch bf1 recommended to the head-mistress of Romilly-road Infanta' School. The Chairman That is another way of appoint- ing her, because it is unlikely that the head teacher will go against the recommendation of the Com- mittee. Miss Meredith seconded. The Chairman: I am told that this teacher is not fitted for an infants' school. The Rev J. Byrne: We ought to know whether she has a Froebel certificate. The Chairman She is not qualified to teach kindergarten. Rev Ben Evans then withdrew his motion. Miss Mary Lily James, Barry Docks, was appointed as a supernumerary teacher, and the recommendation's of the Sub-committee were then agreed to. INCREASE OF SALARY. Application was made by Miss G. Davies- and Miss Warren for an increase of salary, and the Committee decided to grant the same at the com- mencement sf the school year. RESIGNATION OF MISS LLEWELLYN. Miss E. V. Llewellyn, head-mistress of Holton- road Infants' School, tendered her resignation. Rev Ben Evans proposed that the resignation be accepted with regret. Miss Llewellyn, he said, had done excellent service under the Board, and he was sorry she was leaving. Mr Milward seconded, and the resolution was agreed to. The Committee accepted the suggestion of Mr Legard, and decided to divide this school into two, and to advertise for two headmistresses. THE KIGHT OF APPOINTMENT OP TEACHERS FOR ST. HELEN'S SCHOOL. Notice of motion was given by Mr Meggitt to rescind the power vested by the Education Com- mittee in the managers, of St. Helen's Roman Catholic School with regard to the appointment of teachers. Rev J. Byrne remarked that Mr Meggitt seemed to legislate for the managers, and objected to the notice of motion. The Chairman ruled that Mr Meggitt was in order. Rev J. Byrne stated that he had the applications for the vacant post in his possession. The Chairman That is another matter. Mr Manaton thought it would be well to ask the managers not to make the appointment in the meantime. The Chairman concurred. Mr Meggitt then proposed, and Mr Manaton seconded, a resolution asking the managers not to make the appointment, but it was lost by the cast- ing vote of the Chairman. The Committee then decided to hold a special meeting on Friday to consider the whole question of appointments. Rev J. Byrne remarked that in the meantime the appointment would be made. In reply to Mr Meggitt, the Clerk said that the Committee had vested its powers of appointment in the managers, and at his request a note was taken of. his objection thereto. THE ALTERATION OF BARRY SCHOOL. In reply to a letter from Mr H. S. Randell, con- tractor, Court-road, the Committee instructed the Clerk (Mr T. B. Tordoff) to reply stating that .they did not intend proceeding with the altera- tions to Barry School at presenb, but were prepay ing new plans. COMPENSATION TO THE LATE CLERK. The Clerk was directed to enquire of the Local Government Board the amount of compensation to be paid to Mr Gwyn Morris, the tat9 elerk to the, School Bacrd. DAMAGE DURING NATURAL HISTORY RAMBLES. Mr David Rees, White Farm, Merthyr Dovan, wrote complaining that the children in their natural history rambles trespassed on his lands and it was decided to call the attention of the teachers to the matter. FACILITATING THE PRESS. It was agreed to supply the local Press with a I copy of the Committee's minutes. BARRY EDUCATIONAL SOCIETY. Rev Ben Evans and Mr J. A. Manaton were appointed representatives on the committee of the Barry Educational Society. LEAVE FOR STUDENT TEACHERS. Leave of absence was granted to those teachers desirous of sitting for the London matriculation examination. CORPORAL PUNISHMENT. Mr H. Whitehouse, headmaster of Barry Boys' School, wrote informing the Committee that there were thirteen teachers in the school under his control who were authorised to adminster corporal punishment, so that the 45 entries in his book last month would only mean a little over three per teacher. The Committee accepted Mr Whitehouse's explanation, and decided to request the other head teachers to see that all cases of punishments were duly entered in the books. PROPOSED CO-ORDINATED SCHEME. A letter was received from the Glamorgan County Council asking the Committee to take part in a conference with the view of securing a co- ordinated scheme for the administration of the Education Act in the County, but the matter was referred to a special meeting of the Committee. This concluded the business of the meeting.

MANAGERS OF THE ROMAN CATHOLIC SCHOOL HOLD A SPECIAL MEETING. APPOINTMENT OF TEACHER. APPLICATION FOR EQUALITY OF SALARY SCALE. The managers of St. Helen's Roman Catholic School held a special meeting on Monday evening last at the Council Chamber, Gas and Water Offices, Barry Docks, when there was a full attend- ance of members, namely, Rev J. Byrne (chairman), Councillors J. A. Hughes and J. H. Jose, Messrs O. McCann, J. Hayes, and C. Moretti, with Mr R. Treharne Rees (the clerk's deputy). THE VACANCY ON THE SCHOOL STAFF. The Chairman explained the circumstances under which the meeting had been called, and said 1 the only item on the agenda was the appointment s of a teacher for St. Helen's School in place of the assistant who had lately resigned. He had been asked by the inspectors whether the appointment had been filled, and having informed them in the negative, the inspectors had told him that the vacancy should be filled up as soon as possible. t They had one application for the post, that of Miss Annie Agnes Cowley, who was i about to sit for her final examination before leaving college. Father Byrne explained the method of i appointment of teachers adopted by the Education 1 Committee, by whom the selection was referred to t a sub-committee and the head teachers, and said it was customary to make the appointment at £ 70, and if the teachers passed first or second at the I certificate examination, to grant them an increase 1 of JB5, but if third class then they were put down £ to JB60. This was what was proposed to be done in the present case. I Mr J. A. Hughes said that at a meeting of the I Town Education Committee on Friday, a suggestion was made that the authority given to the managers to fill the vacancy at St. Helen's School be rescinded, and that the appointment be filled by the Education Committee themselves. When -the authority was given, four voted in favour and three against, two of the members remaining neutral. Mr Meggitt now contended that some of the members voted under a misapprehension In these circumstances he considered that it would be wise that the managers do not proceed to make the appoint- ment this evening, but that it be referred back to the Education Committee, so that the entire 1 question of the appointment and payment of teachers of St. Helen's School might be settled once and for all. He, therefore, moved That this board of managers do not proceed to appoint the teacher, although the necessary sanction has been given to them by the Barry Education Com- mittee, for the following reason :-That this board does not desire to take advantage of a vote 1 given at the last meeting of the Education Com- mittee, but that, relying on the fairness of their < fellow-townsmen, they refer the whole matter to ] the Education Committee, and beg to recommend that Miss A. Cowley ,be appointed at a salary of jETO per annum, the salary to-be raised or lowered so as to meet the scale. of the Education Committee as soon as the result of the examination is known." i Mr Hughes agreed that the managers were within < their legal right in making the appointment at this E meeting, for the Clerk to the Committee (Mr T. B. < Tordoff) had given it as his opinion, and he agreed with that opinion., that the sanction of the Educa- tion Committee could be given either before or i after the appointment was made. In the present instance the sanction was given before, and was quite valid. He hoped, however, that the managers would not take advantage of this one vote, I but let the matter go back to the Com- mittee to have the general principle definitely j decided. He did not think it would be any I advantage to St. Helen's School to have one teacher appointed at the advanced salary, unless the salary of the other teachers was put up in equal proportion. At the next meeting of the i Education Committee he intended moving that the teachers of this school be recognised on the same basis, so far as salary was concerned, as those of the other provided school in the town. Unless this concession was granted, it would be of no advantage passing the proposed resolution that evening. There was a good deal of feeling amongst the Committee and in the town on this question, and in the interests of the school, and the education of the children, it was essential that this matter should be definitely settled as soon as possible. He had every confidence that, if referred back, it would be fairly dealt with by the Committee. Mr Jose enquired whether there were any more applications for the vacant post ? The Chairman replied that there was another application, but there was a mistake in her qualifications. Mr Jose seconded Mr Hughes' proposition, and agreed it would be wise to refer the matter back to the Committee in order to have the question finally settled. If there had been a mistake in the voting of the Committee, it would be better, he thought, if the managers did not take advantage of it, but endeavour to work as amicably and as harmoniously as possible with the Education Com- mittee. Mr McCann said St. Helen's School was in need of this teacher, and he did not think any good result would accrue from further delay in making the appointment. The managers bad had authority from the Committee to make the appointment, although he was of opinion that they had power to make the appointment without such authority. He believed the Education Committee had made up their minds not to treat the children of St. Helen's School as part of the town, nor their parents as ratepayers, nor to deal with the school according to the provisions of the Act. They were thankful to Mr Hughes and Mr Jose for the part they had taken in the matter, but he would move as an amendment that the managers proceed to fill the vacancy, and that Miss Cowley be appointed. Mr Hayes seconded. For the amendment, Messrs McCann, Hayes, and Morretti voted against, Messrs Hughes and Jose, The Chairman, who did not vote, declared the amendment carried. LEVELLING UP THE SALARIES. Mr Hughes then moved" That applioation be made to the Education Committee to place St. Helen's Roman Catholic School on the same basis, as far as the salaries of the teachers are concerned, as the provided schools in this district, the teachers in St. Helen's School to start at the minimum." I It was time, Mr Hughes said, that this matter was Wwij* iw uwiwCl. A met;uiii-g o £ uliw Committee would be held on Friday, when he hoped it would be finally disposed of. Whilst he wished to see the Act carried out. he wished also to be loyal to the majority of the Committee, but he thought it would be t.o the detriment of education in the town if this agitation was allowed to continue much longer. According to a return which had been prepared by the Clerk, he found that if the salaries of the teachers of St. Helen's School were increased as proposed it would mean an additional J6120 per year, or a gross increase of from de549 to £669. If the application of the governors was favourably received by the Education Committee on Friday, as he hoped it would be, it would mean the settlement of the matter once and for all. The Chairman said Mr Jose had already taken this matter in hand at the Education Committee, and suggested that it might be well to leave it to that gentleman to see it carried through. Mr Jose considered the notice of motion ought to have been given before the question was con- sidered by the managers. However it would be discussed by the Education Committee on Friday, when the confirmation of the appointment came before them. The Chairman The appointment has now been definitely settled, for the authority of the Committee was given beforehand. Mr McCann remarked that tremendous pressure had been brought to bear upon certain members of the Education Committee not to vote for any increase of salary to the teachers of St. Helen's School, and he was convinced that some of the members would not vote for it. There was no seconder to Mr Hughes' motion forthcoming, and a general conversation followed The Chairman asked could not a petition from the teachers for an increase of salary be laid before the Committee at their next meeting ? Mr Jose said the whole matter would come before the Committee on Friday, but he did not think that the application should come from the managers. Mr Hughes was of opinion that it was the duty of the managers to make the application, for unless they asked they could scarcely expect to receive. He was convinced that the school could not con- tinue to be conducted efficiently without additional aid. It was, he thought, very necessary that they should make application to the Committee, for he understood that a motion would be submitted at that meeting to the effect that no portion of the rates should be applied towards St. Helen's School. The Chairman Mr Jose has already promised to mpport the principle of placing the Roman Catholic School on the same level as the other schools. Mr Hughes I have been appointed one of the governors of this school, and I feel strongly as to the principle that it should be recognised on the same basis as the other provided schools, but unless we make application to the Committee how can ive hope to obtain the concession ? After some further discussion, Mr Jose seconded Mr Hughes' motion. The Chairman said he did not think that the teachers would be prepared to accept the minimum. Mr Hughes They must certainly begin at the Minimum. The Chairman In the case of Mr Wood, that ft-ill mean a loss of L40 a year to him, as he has )een at the school four years, and would be en- titled to £10 a year increase. Mr Hughes You must remember that if the application is granted it will mean an increase of :rom JB100 to jE140 a year to Mr Wood, and this vould be the first time for this school to be re- garded as a town school. Mr Hughes' motion was then agreed to unani- nously, and the Committee discussed certain natters in private.

THE NEW EDUCATION ACT. A PLEA FOR FAIR-PLAY. To the Editor 01 the "BARRY DOCK NEWS." SIB,-It seems that an attempt at persecution by some of the members of the Protestant Party is being made at Barry and this is all the more to be regretted as it is done under the cloak of religion and liberty. An attempt I must say, but my sense of the fair-play of the people of this town makes me feel sure that this policy will not long survive. Britons are by nature opposed to the policy of persecution for religious belief, and Protestants and Roman Catholics have in this country, in theory at least, long disclaimed such a policy. For thirty-two years we Catholics have been 3-otnpelled to pxy rates to teach a form of religion n the Board Schools which did not satisfy us, as ive believe in a dogmatic Faith and at the same time we had to put our hands into our pockets to support our own Schools, where our children are taught the faith of their fathers. We did not enjoy paying rates towards the Undenominational Schools. We thought the law which imposed them a one-sided law yet, as loyal 3itiz.ens, we paid our r ..tea. and obeyed in letter and in spirit the law i?" the land which imposed them. And now, when the sense of justice of the British people has at length given us a little fair- play in the matter of religious education, and has allowed u; a share in the rates, we find some of the Protestant Nonconformists violating the law of the land in acting contrary to the letter and the 3pirit of the Act of Parliament in trying to crush 3ur Catholic Schools, and to take away from us thai measure of religious liberty and fair-play which the law of the land has given us. And what are their reasons for doing this ? They ire briefly as follows 11 The Government had no authority from the country to introduce the Education Bill." Our friends have short memories. [n our own Division it was made a prominent subject at the last election, as most of us remem- ber, unless it is convenient for us not to remem- ber, as it seems to be for some. And if any body of men choose to defy an Act of Parliament merely because they thought the Government had no direct mandate to pass it, it is evident to all that Parliamentary government would thus become impossible. But the point on which our opponents have laid most stress is that the Act enjoins the principle that those who pay the money should have the control." Before the passing of the Act our schools were subject to no popular control," although partly supported by public money, New one-third of our managing body is nominated by a District Council and our managing body will not be able to spend any public money without the consent of the Educational Authority, a popularly-elected body. Thus, by the Act itself, the public control over our schools is considerably increased. Another point with our opponents is that they cannot pay for "doctrines which they believe to be false to be taught in our Catholic Schools." To this I must answer that they do not contribute a penny-piece towards teaching our Catholic children the faith of their fathers. What is the total expense of our Catholic teaching ? How much less would the expense be if the hour for religious instruction was omitted from cur time-table ? In the great majority of oases the expense is nil. But there is another side to this besides what Catholics will have to pay in rates, thev also buy their own land, build their own schools, and they contribute the use of their school-buildings and play-grounds to the State free of charge ° This as every one can see, far out-weighs the cost of the religious instruction. It is sad indeed to see those who are always talking of being persecuted themselves, attempting a persecuting policy towards the only Catholic School in the district. It is quite right, in their view of '• Freedom," that the religion of the undenominational schools should be charged on the rates, but quite iniquitous that the Catholic Schools should have the same fairplay. Many Nonconformists say it is quite right to teach just the quantity of the religion they approve in public schools, and wrong to teach any other quantity or quality". How any fair-thinking man can conceive such "a false idea of Christian fairplay, I win Jeave the people of Barry to judge. ONE OF THE MANAGERS OF ST, 1 SCIiGO-u.