LE BON'S BAY SCHOOL COMMITTEE

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 2, Issue 105, 20 July 1877, Page 2

LE BON'S BAY SCHOOL COMMITTEE

(to the editor of the akarqa mail.) Sir, —I was hoping that when Messrs. Leonardo, Aid ridge, Recce, and myself had retired from the above Committee, that we should have heard no more from our opponents. I find, however, in your issue of this morning, that they cannot allow us to retire without giving a parting fling at myself, as Chairman, which I cannot allow to pass unnoticed. As I have now retired from the Committee, I would ask you to allow me briefly to state my reason for resigning. When I accepted the position as Chairman over two years ago, it was at the urgent request of the members. I found the Committee in difficulties in reference to erecting the school building; not one of the members knew how matters, stood. The mjnute boj>k was kept in sue h a disgraceful state that I could get no information from it. I promised to remain in office untiHhe school buildings were erected, and the school put in working order. At the end of my first term of office, I wished to resign, but was again unanimously re-elected Chairman. _ After we got over the building difficulties, it was found that the school was not making th

progress we could wish, and on our endeavouring to obtain a more suitable master, certain members of the Committee roused up the v feelf ngs of those interested in the late master, and particularly those who had caused us so much trouble in the school building, and your readers well know the number of slanderous letters that appeared in your columns 'against the Committee, but they steadily kept on their course, and we have now, I believe, a suitable master, and the school in working order. The remaining part of the old Committee, finding we could not work withthe new members, resolved to retire. It is with great pleasure I state, thafrdurihg the whole time I was in office, previous to the last election, we never had an unpleasant remark in Committee. I always had their unanimous support, but since the new members came in, it was found that ■we could not have a quiet meeting. We might have remained in office—my casting vote would always secure for tis a majority of votes, but rather put up with the annoyance and abuse,-we retired. Twice have I written out my resignation, and at the meeting last Saturday, when I placed it on the table, three of the other members sent in theirs, and at once left the room. Mr. Leonardo's vote of thanks was not heard, as one of the present members spoke out of order. There are only half the number of members left; they have had no meeting, and yet they are having the business conducted amicably.— Yonrs, &c, W. BARNETT, Late Chairman. July 16th, 1877. [This letter must close the correspondence.—Ed. A.M.]

TO THE EDITOR OP THE AKAROA MAIL. Sir,—ln answer to a letter, signed " Fairplay," as regards the decision in the case Watkins v. Adams, two judgments were given, the first on the 6th May, " case dismissed, with costs, the sum of £3 3s. ■would be allowed Mr. Williams, and £5 5s travelling expenses." On the fol]owing day, Mr. Williams asked the Bench to repeat the nature of their verdict, as was under the impression they had dismissed the case, the verdict must have been a nonsuit, or a verdict for plaintiff or defendant, with costs. The Bench replied that the judgment was for defendant, with costs. Is it usual for Magistrates to give two decisions in the same case, one at night, and another in the morning. As regards the perjury case before the higher court, when Mr. Aylmer was in the box, the Judge asked him to give the grounds for his decision in the civil case, Watkins v. Adams, who replied ; " our chief reason ■was, that the goods had been supplied clandestinely to Mrs Adams. She had a private arrangement with the storekeeper, unknown to Mr. Adams, and a private bill was kept." Now, Sir, Mr. Watkin's letter of the 10th instant, which appeared in your journal, clearly proves that no private bill was kept. The Judge made no remark about a good judgment. "Fairplay" acknowledges the Magistrate did not #et much sympathy from the Judge, but I consider he got more than he deserved, — I am. &c, HONESTY. [The higher Court having disposed of this painful case, the subject should now be allowed to rest, and therefore this letter must close the correspondence, the case naviag ceased to possess any further interest.—Ed. A. M.]