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Marlborough Daily Times, Volume II, Issue 168, 29 October 1880, Page 2

Ouu refined contemporary, having mado a most unwarranted attack on the Inspector of Schools, and having been taken to task for it in onr columns in the interest of every right thinking person, whines like a

schoolboy, “ Please .Sir 1 did not do if." There, however, are his written article and his correspondent's letter, which speak for themselves and prove unmistakeably that he is guilty of the very mean offence imputed to him. Being conscious that he has done wrong in this matter by making unfounded charges against a gentleman of Mr Hodgson’s high character and standing it would have been more manly to have confessed the error than to attempt to deny it, and the wretched jeremiad of a subleader in his issue of Wednesday will convince nobody. He speaks of the “ intentions ”of the writer of a certain letter. How can lie possibly know what the intentions of the writer were unless lie either wrote or inspired it? Mr .Samuel Johnson, we observe, has written to say he did not write the letter, and we are bound to believe him. » lie admits, however, it “ contains expressions used occasionally by himself.” Whoever wrote it ought to bo heartily ashamed of himself. The reflections cast upon the Inspector have aroused a feeling of general indignation, and their authors, were he or they publicly known, would he justly held in universal execration. The broad statement has been made in effect that the Inspector of Schools can be “squared” by a teacher, who knows how to do it. Were this statement true, Mr Hodgson would be unworthy to hold his olliee. It is, however, well-known that he is one of the most impartial and discriminating men that ever hold a public position in the Colony, and one eminently fitted for a post requiring the high qualities which an Inspector of Schools should possess. Fortunately he is not likely to suffer in character from the anonymous attacks of these miserable scribblers, but it speaks well for the community that their utterances have aroused very general condemnation.