THE HIGH SCHOOL COMMISSION.

Evening Star, Issue 3261, 2 August 1873, Page 3

THE HIGH SCHOOL COMMISSION.

To the Editor. Sm, —I have read with attention and considerable interest the correspondence which has arisen out of the report of the High School Commission, and was much pleased with the letter signed “One for his nob,” in your last evening’s issue. Though, unlike Dr Bakewell, 1 am far from putting myself forward as an authority on the subject of classical education, still, having pas-ed through the ord - nary six or seven years’ curriculum in Latin and Greek at a Scotch High School and University, I consider myself as competent as the generality of the Otagan public to fo> m an opinion on the question at issue. I am personally entirely unacquainted both with Mr Sale and Mr Hawth rue, and may there fore be supposed to express as nearly as pos-

aible an unbiassed opinion, when I say that I am, in this matter, a thorough supporter of Mr Sale. But this, although the main question, is beside my present purpose, which is to say what I think of the action of Dr Bakewell, and his manner of discussing the question. On both these points 1 endorse thoroughly the remarks of * One for his nob,” and, a member of the medical profession, would assure him that it is not the custom of respectable members of tbe profession to append to letters on non-professional subjects the initials representing their qualifications ; any more than it is their practice to give their addresses in full, as, e.g., “Belgrave Chambers, Princes street.” To my mind, Dr Bakewell’s letters indicate (his education at the < -ity of London School, notwithstanding), a very considerable amount of ignorance of the subject, besides being replete with egotism and self-sufficiency. Take, for instance, the concluding sentence of one of his letters, which, if my memory serves me, was as follows “In conclusion, I may state that should Professor Sale’s system be adopted, I shall remove my boy from the school (the italics are mine). Think of this, Mr Editor, and weep ! What is to become of the High School in the dire event of the removal of Mr Bakewell’s boy ? Truly, Mr Fish’s resolutions were as nothing to this. In conclusion, lest it should be thought that this letter is dictated by professional jealousy, I may state that I am not in practice in Dunedin ; and although I do not choose at present to append my name, in order to show that I have no wish to conceal my identity, I enclose my card, which you have my full permission to hand to Dr Bakewell, should he request you to do so. —I ara, &c., Two fok his Heels, Dunedin, July 29.