THE CHAIRMAN OF LOCAL COMMITTEE IN EXPLANATION RE CLOSING the KUMARA SCHOOL.

Kumara Times, Issue 2067, 14 April 1883, Page 2

THE CHAIRMAN OF LOCAL COMMITTEE IN EXPLANATION RE CLOSING the KUMARA SCHOOL.

[TO THE EDITOR.] Sir—The following letter which I forwarded to the Board of Education speaks for itself:— Memorandum for Board of Education. Sir and Gentlemen—ln justice to myself and the Board, I consider it necessary that some explanation should be given relative to the closing of the Kumara School last week. The teachers who received notice informed me that they received notice that their services would be no longer required after the Ist April. The head teacher was informed likewise. This, together with the knowledge that the new regulations came into force on that date, caused me not to ask to see the notices for myself. This error and unpleasantness would all have been obviated if the Board had had the courtesy to send the notices through the proper channel, viz., the Kumara Committee, or at all events have notified what had been done in that respect. Perhaps the Ist of April being All Fool's Day had something to do with it; at all events it must be admitted it has been a case of fool all round, and the fooling commenced with the Board. It is impossible to work the Kumara School satisfactorily with the staff proposed under the new Regulations. R. J. Seddon, Chairman School Committee. Kumara, April 12, 1883. Now any reasonable person would have considered the explanation satisfactory. Alas for the weakness of human nature ! It is useless to expect either sense, courtesy, or fair play from a body whose component parts are composed of such fragmentary specimens and imperfect parts of addle-headed backboneless men, the most brilliant and shining rara avis in this highly intelligent and most law-abiding body being our respected townsman G. Rudkin, Esq. Now the respect entertained for that gentleman "springs more from his largeness of heart and simplemindedness than from any sublime ability shewn as a public administrator, factor, or from any natural gift with which he is endowed superior to that of his fellows. Our whilom friend and the Westland Board of Education have for once distinguished themselves, for we find that Mr Rudkin moved—" That the Secretary be instructed to inform Mr Seddon that the Board strongly disapproved of the highly illegal action he saw fit to pursue.' —Seconded by Mr Perkins and carried. , ' Only just fancy law and order emanating from such a source ! It is amusing and instructive; still I am in a fog what is the illegal action connected with. Is it because I have stated that certain transactions as regard the book depot require prying into 1 Is it because I claim the seat on the Board which by trickery and arrant knavery I was deprived of, and that by the persons who " strongly disapprove of the highly illegal action," &c 1 The lecture emanates from persons who a few minutes before authorised the payment of moneys for services never authorised ; who have fleeced and halfstarved the teachers in the out-lying districts so that the Greymouth school should have every luxury. Persons who bought from their own chairman, who was trustee for his children, properties which were not required ; and who paid twice as much for them as they were worth, or would fetch in the market to-morrow ; persons who have tampered with voting papers. Where is the voting paper of the Nelson Creek Committee? It has been traced to the post office, and it has been traced to its destination ; yet only blank note paper was produced at the Board's meeting. For maladministration and downright shady transactions, I commend the majority who reign supreme in the Westland Education Board. And to the rising generation in this part of the world they should be, by all rightthinking persons, held up as a shocking example. Why did not Mr Rudkin bring the Chairman of the Board to task as to his illegal action in giving notices to our teachers withont the authority of the Board, and without having the courtesy even to send the same through the Committee? Now

Mr Perkins has got his reward, and is kicked out from being Chairman of the Board. As for Mr Rudkin, although a member of the Board, be conld not secure a seat in the Local Committee, being nearly last on the poll at the late election. To have revenge we find him voting to reduce the staff of the Kumara School. All through we find him acting the part he was elected by a Greymouth clique to act. It were more dignified for him to resign than to be an implement to be used as occasion arose. Seeing that his acting the unenviable part allotted may prove mischievous and detrimental to the education of the chidreu of Kumara, this mild castigation may bring him to a more serene frame of frieud. My actions in the cause of Education have been judicious, and have borne good fruit. My action in closing the Kumara School secured the object I had in view. To the Committee and to the public I hold myself responsible ; not to the like of Rudkin or Perkins. " Those who live in glass houses," &c. R. J. Seddon. April 13, 1883.