THE TOKOMAIRIRO SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND THE EDUCATION BOARD.

Evening Star, Issue 3121, 19 February 1873, Page 3

THE TOKOMAIRIRO SCHOOL COMMITTEE AND THE EDUCATION BOARD.

At a special meeting of the Tokomairiro School Committee on Saturday evening, at which were present Messrs Cunniughame (in the chair), E. Campbell, R, Murray, T. M'Latchio, and J. L. Gillies, the resolution of the Education Board—-remitting to Mr J. P. Maitland, R.M., for enquiry the complaint of the Rev. Father Coleman that a boy, a Roman Catholic by religion, had been punished at the Tokomairiro school for refusing to attend during Bible lesson—was considered. It was intimated by the secretary to the Committee that he had not received any communication from the Board on the subject of the complaint. Mr Ro : s, the head master of the Grammar School, who was present by request, also stated that he had not received any official Communication on the subject. Ho mentioned, however, that when he was in town last, he happened to meet Mr Hislop on the street, when he informed him that such a charge had been made against him,but knowing there was no ground for it as far as he knew, he only laughed at it. Further it was said that on tho occasion complained of, Mr M‘lntyre had remonstrated with him for losing his temper. On his return home he asked Mr MTutyre, but he could not recollect of anything of the kind having happened. He certainly thought that it was rather a summary way of treatment to be handed over to the Resident Magistrate on an ex parte statement, although he might say that he held that gentleman in high respect,—All the members stated that.they had never heard of anything of the kind taking place as complained of, and having given expression to their views as to the unjustifiable manner in which the General Board had ignored the existence of the Local Board,whose peculiar functions, as laid down in the Education Act, are to look after the management and conduct of the school, the Committee unanimously adopted the following resolutions That this Committee express their regret at what they cannot consider other than a want of courtesy, if not intended aa an insult, on the part of the General Board of Education, in that it should have entertained a complaint against the school placed by law under the Committee’s management and direction, without first communicating the substance of the complaint to them, and further that the General Board should have, without reference to the local board, popularly elected, recommended that the Government should be requested to refer the matter to Mr Maitland, R.M., for enquiry, The Committee would respectfully that such treatment of a board is not calculated to promote that harmony of feeling and sympathy which it is desirable ought'to he mutually maintained between the two boards, That this Committee express'their entire ignorance, heretofore, of any report of anything of the kind such as that complained of having taken place, and that, on examination of the head master of the school, find that he has not received any : official intimation in regard to it either, and is totally at a loss to conceive how giioli a complaint could have arisen, Tlie Committee cannot help expressing that in this matter the head master of the school hasj a'so been treated with scant and trust that the Board will leviow ifs decision, and | relieve tjhe i»ftd bsaij wwtff

of the School from the false position in which they respectfully submit they feel themselves placed by the action of the Board. The Committee would remind the Board that they are bound to maintain the rights and duties of the position to which they have been elected by the iuhabitants of the district.”

In an article dealing with the whole subject, the Herald remarks It is satisfactory to find that Mr Foss denies any knowledge of the ground of complaint, and further that the assistant referred to by Father Coleman, has no recollection of anything of the kind, as stated, having occurred. It will be observed that in the published correspondence Father Coleman, in originally making the charge, expressed, grave doubts as to its truthfulness, yet, notwithstanding, Bishop Moran uses it in his Lenten Pastoral, as a case in point that he “knows,” to substantiate a gross attack upon our education system. If the General Board or Government expect to satisfy the whims and vagaries of Bishop Moran and Father Coleman, by insulting the public at large, they will find themselves utterly mistaken and disappointed, for the more these reverend gentlemen get, the stronger and more incessant will be their cry for still greater concessions. Like a spoiled pampered child, the more they are indulged beyond what is just and equal with others, the more unbearable and intolerant will they become. By all means-let justice be done, but we protest against injustice being done to others to gratify the Rev. Dr Moran or the Rev. Father Coleman. We say nothing against the scandal uttered in the letter,against his own people, but are strongly of opinion that his people are awakening to the absurdity of being controlled by those who would hinder them from receiving a secular education so necessary for their social advancement and welfare.