LITTLE RIVER SCHOOL.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 221, 23 February 1875, Page 3

LITTLE RIVER SCHOOL.

A meeting of the district school committee, Little River, was held at the house of Mr Robert Powrie on Saturday evening, the 20th instant. Present Messrs Robert Powrie (chairman), H. E. Tyson, Matthew Fitton, John Archer, Thomas Holt. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The following letter from the schoolmaster, Mr G. W. Westropp, was read : " Little River School, Feb. 20th, 1575. "The Hon. Secretary, Little River school committee. " Sir, —I have the honor to request you will be good enough to lay this letter before the school committee at their next meeting, and afterwards to forward it, or a copy of it, to the Board of Education for their consideration. " Gentlemen, —You are no doubt aware that the school has been closed for the last nine days, owing to my being imprisoned in Addington gaol, charged with having stolen a post-office letter. " Subsequent events have proved how utterly groundless this false charge has been; the Magistrate expressing himself that — ' He was quite satisfied that there was no evidence to connect me with the charge laid against me.' " Under these circumstances I hope you will excuse my non-attendance at school, and I feel sure you will express your feelings openly in the matter. "What I have suffered and what I now suffer can only be known to myself ; the dark shadow has passed, but the image still remains. As neighbours, countrymen, and above all as Christians, I call upon you to vindicate my character, and to let the public of Canterbury know that there are men in their midst who, though hating crime, will not suffer the innocent to be trampled on. " I have the honour to be, gentlemen, " Your obedient servant, (Signed) " George W. Westropp." Mr Powrie, the chairman, having retired, the following resolutions were unanimously passed, viz:— " That Mr H. E. Tyson be chairman pro tern. " That this meeting adjourn to the schoolroom. " That the receipt of Mr Westropp's letter be acknowledged, and that this committee excuse his non-attendance at the school, and Mr Westropp be informed that this committee has every confidence in him, and also that according to his request a copy of his letter, together with this resolution, be forwarded to the Board of Education.

" That the hon secretary be requested to give full publicity to the above letter and resolution."