THE KAIAPOI BOROUGH SCHOOL.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1010, 20 September 1877, Page 3

THE KAIAPOI BOROUGH SCHOOL.

I i i I'j i\ fi i ii. i vx vy xwv v ■*-*■ v —• The Kaiapoi Borough School Committee have requested the “ Press” to publish the whole of the correspondence which took place between a Roman Catholic parent and the late chairman and committee, to which a telegram in Saturday’s issue alluded. The following are the copies:— [Copy.] Kaiapoi, 19th February, 1877. Dear Sir—l beg respectfully to call your attention to the teaching of Mr Eayuer, your chief schoolmaster, to which as a Catholic I must protest. The following is a sample, namely, that there ought to be no priests, that they never got married, but that they wear a ring, and say they are married to the Church, and that they entice young women not to got married, also that the Pope sells small pieces of paper called indulgences, and whoever bought the pieces of paper would have all their sins forgiven, and all they committed afterwards, and by this means was built St. Peter’s Church at Ptome. That the Catholics confess their sins to a priest when no one is in the room. That all the monks were turned out of their monasteries in Henry VIII.’s time, which did a deal of good, because they used to go round begging and did much harm. Such bosh as the foregoing I consider is not fit for the ears of young children of any denomination whatever, much less for Catholic children. This sort of cant, or whatever term you mny think proper to give it, has been going on for a long time, so that it’s time there should be something done in the matter, trusting that the school committee will give the matter due consideration. Should Mr JRayncr have nothing more enlightening to impart to those entrusted to his charge, I for one would be glad if he would be good enough to exclude my children during the time he is enlightening his pupils in these charitable lessons. I have the honor to he, dear sir, yours respectfully. (Signed) Michael E. G. Kerr, Esq., Chairman School Committee, Kaiapoi.

[Copy.] Kaiapoi, 18th March, 1877. Bear Sir,—With respect to Mr Lynskey’s Jotter, of which J have received a copy, 1 beg to say that he has no right to interfere with my teaching of History, Sacred or Profane. If you refer to 56th clause of the Education Ordinance. 1875, you will find it stated that “In all schools aided by tbe Superintendent the system of elementary education shall comprise * * * History, Sacred and Profane * * * provided that no child shall be compelled to he present at the teaching of History whose parents or guardians shall object thereto.” Mr Lynskey’s son does not receive lessons in Sacred History, and be can be excluded from those in Profane History whenever bo desires.

For the satisfaction of the committee, I add that they will find in Collier’s History —the History ordered to be used by the Board of Education —in pages 57, 1(50, 161, 166, those charitable lessons which, in the opinion of Mr Lynskey, are not fit for the ear’s of young children, i.c., children between the ages of 10 and 16.

The six articles of the Bloody Statute mentioned on page 166, are: —1, Transubstunti >tion; i, Communion in one kind; 3, The celibacy of the Clergy; 4, Private Masses; 6, Vows of Chastity; 6, Auricular Confession. I deny having said that they entice young women not to get married. Should the committee wish for any further information I slum be most happy to give it. I am, dear sir, yours truly, (Signed) Edwin Eayneb, Head Master. E. G. Kerr, Esq., Chairman School Committee. [Copy.J Kaiapoi, 19th March, 1877. Mr M. Lynskey: Sir, —I have the honor to acknowledge receipt of your letter dated Febimary 19th ult., drawing the attention of the Borough School Committee to what you consider certain errors in Mr Rayner’s teaching. Your letter was referred to Mr Kayner for explanation, copy of which I enclose. After carefully considering the matter, the committee arrived at the decision that Mr Rayner’s reply was satisfactory, but they resolved on cautioning him not to in any way interpret or explain items of history in a manner which might in any way tend to the belief that he was favoring any sect or denomination at the expense of another. The system of education in force in the province is strictly unsectarian, and any teacher connected with the school who in this respect departs from the regulations laid down in the Ordinance will be punished with instant dismissal. Yours very truly, (Signed) E. G. Kerb, Chairman Kaiapoi Borough School Committee. [Copy.] Kaiapoi, 9th April, 1877. E. G. Kerr, Esq., Chairman Kaiapoi School Committee. Sir, —I have the honor respectfully to acknowledge receipt of your letter of March 19th, in reply to that of mine of February 19th, complaining of Mr Rayner’s teaching. I beg to acknowledge the courtesy of your reply, but at the same time cannot conceive how the school committee can arrive at the decision they have done, namely, that Mr Rayner’s reply to my charges was considered satisfactory,_ without giving me an opportunity to substantiate them or otherwise, as one of the charges was denied. Also, I cannot conceive why Mr Rayner should have been cautioned when his reply was considered satisfactory and his teaching according to the Ordinance. Indeed, sir, I did not prefer the charges against Mr Kayner without due consideration, as I weighed well the result, viz., that I should ultimately have to withdraw my children from that school. 1 have, &c., (Signed) Michael Lynskey.