Original Correspondence.

Dunstan Times, Issue 279, 30 August 1867, Page 3

Original Correspondence.

We do not identify ourselves with the opinions expressed by our correspondents.) i * THE ALEXANDRA SCHOOL. (to the editor of the duxstan times.) Sir, —I have read a letter in a recent issue of your paper, signed " Aberdeen Granite " and mosr. heartily concur in the views of the writer. " Fair play is a jewel" and let every man he put on trial before being condemned. I have heard many ask, what are the charges against the schoolmaster, that is all the talk and dm the school moves on as usual, and why any change, well then the tale is easily told. In the month of May last, some members of a self constituted committee went round with a petition, but only got their own wives and twenty others as silly as themselves to sign it. The prayer of the petition was, that the schoolmaster should be dismissed, because the children did not appear to improve under his tuition, and because they were punished 'disgracefully. The committee of course concurred, and requested the Educational board to grant them powers of dismissal; the powers were granted, and the schoolmaster got his walking ticket,

without any cliarge being stated, or any investigation made, although he requested such. Granite and Co. thought the Fun had gone too for, and got up a counter memorial "•expressing entire confidence in Mr Cameron, as a highly competent and successful instructor of youth, and praying the committee to prevent his removal." The committee as expected, did not concur in the views of the memorialists, although the memorial was signed by two hundred and two residents and heads of families, it has since been sent to the Educational Board and we wait the Uesalt. By aiming at too much ve may accomplish nothing except his own defeat, had the committee kept nearer the truth, and stated that the teacher was too highly ■qualified for this small school, and that it was a loss to the country to have such abilities waste! in the wilderness of Manuberikia, then his few'enemies might have gained their object, and got him removed. The report issued by the Educational Board shows that Mr Cameron has attained the highest degrees of all the fifty eight teachers in the Province of Otago, and the progress made by the sclwol is too well known to need comment, and I engage to produce scholars of nine or ten years of age, out of that school, who shall possess superior attainments to the ma ligners of the master ; here we are with a few persons not fit for the infant class, passing judgment on the proficiency of the schoolmaster, few, except professionals can instruct the shoemaker, tailor, baker, or carpenter how to do his work, but every cobbler, tinker, and tailor, rind every old wife, suppose themselves capable of instructing the schoolmaster. I would not have troubled you with this letter, had I not seen from your Cromwell correspondence, that our late school troubles were bearing fruit in oth er quarters, and I know that you at Clyde are siler.t, it is because you are what I would wish others to be possessed of, good sound common sense, I am <S c. Common Senst,. Manuherikia, 13th Aug, 18G7.