LE BON'S BAY.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 61, 16 February 1877, Page 3

LE BON'S BAY.

[communicated.]

On Monday evening a large meeting of ratepayers Avas held to enquire into the conduct of the Committee towards the master. Mr. W. Foster being called to the chair stated the purpose of the meeting, and produced a petition to the Board of Education signed by nearly all the ratepayers except the members of the School Committee. Having called on Mr. Hartstone to make a statement, that gentleman said, that at last public meeting Mr. Wni. Barnett had charged him with laying complaints against the master. He denied ever complaining to Mr. Barnett. Mr. G. Hall asked the Chairman if it was true that Mr. Barnett had sent a letter of dismissal to the master. Mr. Thompson read the letter to the great amusement of the meeting. Mr. Beens said that as there Avere not two members of Committee present, there Avas nothing left for the meeting but to pass a vote of confidence in the Committee. Could either of the two inform the meeting Avhat substantial reason the Committee had for dismissing the master ? Mr. Leonardo—Yes, because he applied for the Akaroa school, and if he had got it Aye should have been left without a master. Mr. Beens —Can you tell me Avhy the Chairman and other Committeemen are not present? Mr. Leonardo—The Chairman is aAvay on business. Can't tell about the others. We like Mr. Thompson very much—better than any man in the Baj T , and Aye are against him because he tried for Akaroa school. Mr. Barnett, senior, having entered the room, Mr. Elliott asked him—What is your objection to the master ? Mr. Barnett—Because he applied for another situation, and you are just a set of knoAv-nothings. We intend to giA T e it up and let you do as you like. Mr. Bailey—Can you tell us why you mean to give it up ? Mr. Barnett —Because we have had enough of it. The Chairman was glad to hear it, because the Barnett family had been the means of driving every teacher out of the Bay. Mr. Barnett.—You're a liar, appealing to Mr. Dalglish, who sided Avith the Chairman. Mr. B. then insisted that as Mr. Thompson had applied for Akaroa, the Committee had a right to look out for another master. Mr. Beans moved—"ThataA'ote of no confidence be passed in the Committee." Mr. Thomson thanked the ratepayers for their kindness in taking his part Avhile

absent, and thought this alone might, make the whole Committee ashamed of themselves. He continued: A man who wishes to injure his neipdibonr never faces him, but strives to stab him in the dark. And so with Mr. W. Barnett. No sooner am I away than he resumes operations, I say resumes, because his operations were begun months ago, and his action at the present time therefore has not taken me by surprise. Mr. B. had not the courage to face me before leaving, nor could he wait for my return. If he, previous to my leaving, told me his wishes, I should then have given them my bes*; consideration, but even had I agreed to his wishes, even that would not have satisfied him, nothing short of a summary dismissal will suit the unchristianlike disposition of Mr. W. B. As to the Inspector's report, I do not blame Mr. Restel in the least, though I have never been a favourite of his ; but had he known the whole truth his wonder would have been that matters were not worse than he found them. You are all aware of Mr. B's uncalled for. interference with me last year, after which I gave him and the children full swing, and the consequence has been an unfavourable report more especially as to the order in the school. Not only do I hold myself irresponsible, but I hold Mr. Win. B. and his committee to be obstacles in the way of progress in the school, and unless Mr B. and his Committee are set aside, matters will be no better, unless I take the reins in my own hand, put Mr. B. and his Committee at defiance, and work the school as it ought to be worked, assured that I will have the support of the ratepayers. After a vote of thanks to the Chairman, this meeting conducted on the Le Bon's Bay principle, with the usual personalities and accompaniments, separated.