The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1905-12-22
CLEANLINESS
DEMANDED IN
OUR SCHOOLS
Supt. Babbitt Reports on Visit to
HaWaii--Generous Planters
.--Japanese Schools.

| Cleanliness and neatness in and about
all school buildings formed the topic OF
| some earnest conversation at a meeting
of the Commissioners of Public Instruc-
ton held yesterday afternoon. It came
up in connection with the Superinten-
dents report of his recent visit to the
| Babbitt, there are schoolhouses on that
island which are dilapidated beyond re-
demption, but tAere are others and
| teachers cottages as well which,
| though in goodly repair, are from SLOW
emily keeping most disreputable.
Without the Intervention of the
| teachers committee some changes of
assignment were made in the teaching
force. Several letters from teachers
| wanting transfers were placed On the
deliberation file, in some cases the ap-
plicant's quality of service and the
merits of the petition being freely dis
cnssed.
l. fT learned more of actual conditions
in those ten days than I could have
done in ten years voluminous corre-
spondence,'' Mr.. Babbitt said of his trip
to Hawaii.
Present were Superintendent w. H.
w. r. harrington, David K. Al ana C.
L. Wight, Commissioners, and DIR. G.
T. Rodgers, secretary.
ASSIGNMENTS.
Mrs. Mary Gum wrote for leave of
absence for the rest of the school year,
recommending Miss Cameron as her
substitute. Granted and Miss Cameron
appointed.
In view of the tacit resignation OF
Miss Julia Perry from Kawaiahao
school, Mr.. Babbitt suggested joining
the school to Pohukaina school, Of
which it is now a sort of two-ro on re-
ceiving station. Adopted.
Mrs. Frain desired to be transferred
from the Normal school, where the
WOEh HAS IIONeu ICY Olio AlCl 81 SAAS HA-'
1t was voted to transfer Miss Adeline
Franco from Waipahu to Kawaiahao,
Mrs Frain from the Normal to Pohu-
kama, Miss Nj. a. Newnes to kau-
luweIa and Miss Gait to Waipahu.
Principal Wood had suggested a re-
cent arrival from the mainland for the |
vacancy in the Normal but Mr.. Babbitti
thought teachers here for some time |
should have first chances. He would |
recommend giving Miss Monsarrat two |
rooms in the Normal, with Miss Bos-
we'll under her in Mrs. Frain's place |
The principal was agreeable to -flS
plan. Adopted.
Miss Eleanor KoeIling wrote for a
transfer from Honouliuli. Miss Rich
ardson asked by letter for appointment
to Lahaina in place of Miss Newn2s,
q position she formerly held. The lat
ter application was held in allegiance
until Inspector Wells comes to town.
The superintendent with great plea
sure reported that the Puunene school
was at last open. 1t was opened on
December 19. Mr.. Rosecrans had been
down and gone away to his duties sat
sfed.
RRESPONDENCE.
Principal Mcdonald of Lahainaluna
lad written to the superintendent, the
etter arriving just before Mr.. Bah
1itt's departure for Hilo. He asked for
cave to give the school three weeks
or the Christmas vacation. This
would enable the Kona boys to catch
he steamer on the 18th. An answer
vas hurriedly sent, granting the re-
quest. Approved.
A resident of South Kona wrote ask
ng if it was in accordance with the
aw that dyed in the wool Mormons
should be employed as teachers in the
public schools. He referred to Hooke-
ia and Napoopoo schools.
superintendent Babbitt read a reply
lie had sent. which was approved, say
ng:
I'm the latter part of Your letter,
-ou state that If you will kindly an {
wer this communication I will be will {
ne to make myself more explicit, if 1t ,
s desirous'
I'm reply to this, I would respect
ulIy ask you if you will be more ex- !
licit. I would like to know in what j
,av the said teachers are obnoxious
Are they, in their school work. teach q
1g anv of the tenets of the Mormon
eligion? Are they personally objec- c
Ionable. or is the objection to them I
ased on the fact that they are, in rell- [
ion. Mormons?'
In long letter telling Of his work
nd fifteen years experience, Charles
wain of Laupahoehoe school applied