A meeting of the Hokitika Local School Committee was held last evening, to consider the question of appointment of assistant teacher, for which there were four applica tions. Mr Dixoa, the head teacher, was present, on the invitation of the Chairman. After the applications had been considered, Mr Hudson moved, and it was carried unanimously, that the Board of Education be requested to invite fresh applications for a male or female assistant teacher for the Hokitika School, applicants not to be under twenty-one years os age, and to possess at least a class E. certificate, or a certificate of another colony of equivalent value; the Chairman to endeavor to make a temporary arrangement for obtaining a teacher qualified to take the sth standard, until a permanent appointment could be made. The Chairman, before the conclusion of the business, men tioned that the head teacher had suffered in health recently, from his late overwork, and as the weather had been so very bad during the first ten days of the present holidays, the children had no opportunity of enjoying themselves. Under all the circumstances it was desirable to extend the holidays for a week. On the motion of Mr Jack this was agreed to. The application received for the position of assistant teacher, were very re luctantly set aside by the committee, on account of the extreme youth of the appli. cants, and to their being unable, (not being of age) to obtain the necessary Class E certifioate. At first the committee thought of appointing two of the applicants as junior assistants, instead of one assistant teacher. One of the young ladies selected, however, declined to accept the position. In the present circumstances of the school it is essential that the assistant teacher appointed should be qualified to take charge of the fifth standard which, with the sixth, Mr Dixon has been instructing during the last month or more. The work has been too severe for him and his health has suffered in consequence.
