EDUCATION AT THE BIG BUSH.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 118, 23 May 1868, Page 5

EDUCATION AT THE BIG BUSH.

' public MEETING. A Public Meeting -was held in the Schooroom. Big Bush, on Monday evening last, the 18th instant, in reference to certain matters connected with the Schools; Mr. James Greig in the chair. The Chairman said ho was pleased do see so many present. .Notice was given after service last evening, that a public meeting would take place at 7 p.tn., to consider matters connected with the Day School, Sunday School, and the Church, and ho should now call upon Mr. Cave to address them.

Mr. Cave said he was happy to see so many present; it showed they took a lively interest in the affairs mentioned by the Chairman. He would first speak of the day school; during the last few days, he had conversed with some about the Government retaining the services of the schoolmasters, and from what he had heard he thought some of the schools would not be closed, but nothing was decided yet. Ho hoped shortly to be able to toll them that the Bush school would remain open. (Hear, hear.) The Bush friends knew the position of the Government, therefore if they valued the education of their children, it was their duty to do all in their power to assist the Government and the Education Committee. [Several Voices ; We will rather than the school should be shut up.] He had been amongst them nearly two years, and had always taken a great interest in all matters connected with the welfare of the parents, as well ns the children, living in peace and good will with all, and he was pleased to say he never had a complaint, or disagreeable word with any of them. (Hear, hear ) Within the last fortnight, he had received from Mr. Inspector Williams a copy of a letter signed “ E. Stratford,” which he would read to the meeting, and comment upon it. [Letter read.] ' (Cries of shame, shame.),.. He said Mr. Stratford never intended he should have a copy of it, for when told by the Inspector that I had received it, he (Mr. S.) expressed his surprise, and said he never intended that, but he wished the Inspector to call upon him, and he would quietly give him a long explanation. Now, gentlemen, you see Mr. Stratford’s intention, it was to act the part of an assassin ! (Great excitement and groans.) All I ask, gentlemen, is fair play. Mr. Charles Lucas next addressed* the meeting, and said he had every opportunity in his youth to got a good education, bat he neglected it, and having done so, he, as a father, felt very anxious about the education of his children. . His son Charles had been some months with Mr. Cave, and he felt great pleasure in stating that he had done well; his boy was a good age, mid felt the want of education. Mr. Cave had not gone through the “rigmarole” some masters would have done, but put him to work at once in arithmetic, and other things that would bo useful to him ; I am only sorry I cannot spare him regular. We farmers, if we have a useful boy, are often obliged to keep him home. to help to save the expense of paying a man, so that if a child is at school one month, and stops away a fortnight, or flays in between, we cannot expect our children to make the same progress as if there altogether. (Hear, hear.) Gentlemen, I am satisfied with what my boy has learnt during the short period he has been at the Bush School. [Several Voices : “So are we,”] . Now with regard to Mr. Stratford’s letter. Who’s Stratford ? Why is he not here ? He knows there is a public meeting to-night, for he said to one now present, that he would not come unless it was advertised. Every person knows him to bp a meddlingsdisagreeable man.;XobUlmck twelve months ago—fcfie'ahhiversary of your Sabbath School. What did he do on that occasion,? Why—wrote a letter to the News, signed “ Peeping Tom,” on purpose to set the Blenheim and Bush friends at variance. He says he is not satisfied with his boy during the last three months; ! don’t wonder .at this. The Schoolmaster’s tell tale, • the-W Government Register ” says he has only been 20 days at school during the last four months. But my friends, let me call your attention to the first part of his letter. - He says—“ I and my neighbours.” Now all his ! neighbours are here to-night—both in the Bush and plains. Now let us speak for ourselves. If the Schoolmaster shirked his duty,; I would be o.ne of the first, to get him. kicked out, but let us give--him fair* play. He (Mr. Sr) is not satisfied with maligning Mr. Cave’s public character, 'hut) hik/wife' also. I need not say one(wordin, her,..favour; you know, her. to. be an; amiable woman. (Hear, hear, so she is.) Look hack two years,- —What was the state of things theft ? ; Look this evening at your beautiful school);; look at your children, your Sabbath School, 1 your Uhurch,,and)(ask,yourselveswhether

the master has not done all that he could for our welfare. Mr.; Alexander Cameron and others followed in the same strain.

Mr. Lucas proposed the following resolution,- seconded by the whole meeting,—

“That this meeting having heard with regret that Mr. E. Stratford had written a letter to the Government, maligning Mr. Cave’s public and private character without complaining to him, and professing friendship to him up to the time of his receiving a copy of it, that this meeting express their greatest indignation with Mr. Stratford’s conduct.” Carried unanimously.

The Chairman said he could speak for his children. It seemed to him the whole meeting thought the same. He quite agreed with the remarks that had fallen from the last speaker. It seemed to him that Mr. Stratford wished to stab Mr. Cave in the dark, that ho had not the spirit of a man; otherwise he certainly would have been here. He said that now was the time to show their appreciation of Mr. Cave’s services*. He had written out a document, which he trusted all would approve, and sign it at once. [The document is as follows, with the signatures attached . “to the board of education. “Gentlemen, —We, the undersigned inhabitants of the Big Bush and Plains, have much pleasure in certifying to the improvement in the moral and religious training of our children under their teacher, Mr. Cave; and we trust that should the Government be in a position to pay the masters, they will retain the services of Mr. Caveat the Bush.—(Signed) Alex. Herd, Alex. Cameron, George Woolley, Frank Parish, John Cameron, John Durable, Joshua Nichols, James Bisland, J 11. Fisher, J."'H.' C rclg, John Kennedy, James Andrews, W. Thomas, A. Woolley, C. Ohlsea, Joim Shepherd, Geo. Watson.] The Chairman said the next matter they had to consider was the Sabbath School. He should call upon Mr. Cave again. Mr. Cave stated the school had been open nearly two years. For some months he and Mrs. C. had above forty children, and having only a few books belonging to his own children, they got on the best way they could. The Revs. Messrs. Butt and Wallace assisted with some books, and a short time since the Rev. Mr. Lee had made the school a present of twelve Testaments, and one large and six small Hymn-books for the use of the Church, for which ho was sure the friends felt very thankful. He applied and got extra teachers from the Church and Woslcyans ; and as they came only 7 now and then, the Bush friends had responded to his call. At first he, like all new beginnings, had difficulties to contend with—the smallness of the old room, &c. — but they had reason to thank God and take courage, for during the last twelve months we had an average of 25 children and four teachers. He had one important matter to bring before them, and in doing so, he did not wish the public to be under the impression that lie wanted everything his own way, so ho should leave it for them to decide; he was willing to go with the majority. At a teachers’ meeting held on the 23rd March, it was suggested that the Sabbath School should be handed over to the Wesleyan*; two teachers for, two against it. He would leave the matter for them to decide.

Mr. Lucas, thought the Sabbath School should remain as it is. He said there were a number of Church people, Presbyterians, Wesleyans, and Independents here. The school had done well so far. If it belonged to any particular sect, it might cause a disagreeable feeling, and perhaps break up the school altogether.

After some remarks from several other gentlemen, it was unanimously agreed that the school be continued as before.

The Chairman said he was glad those present had come to the conclusion they had, respecting the Sabbath School. . Something was to he said now about Church matters; ho hoped Air, Cave did not feel tired, for he had to call upon him again. Mr. Cave said he never felt tired of doing a good thing. He always felt great pleasure in seeing a good congregation, and he felt sure the Ministers did;,they were very anxious to supply the Bush, but it was very discouraging to see a small attendance; he urged them to come. ; If they wanted more seats, he would soon find friends to assist- in getting them."- Religion was a good thing; it was a serious thing. Parents should set their children a good example ; he was glad to say the attendance had been very good during the-last two months, and he hoped ;it would h continue to increase. They required lamps -for the use of the Church, candles being-so expensive. He knew his' Bush friends : werel always ready to put their hands-in their pockets when anything, was rqqqjred, either ;foy tbe.Ckftrcffi ox ( ..a,ncj.. fee had every reaspn to hope that before this meeting, closed, the lamps would he provided for. He would not forget to mention the liberality of Mr. Robinson,, at j Blenheim ; he (Mr. R.) saw we. required Clamps, and promised to give one. (Applause.) I ; ,N:i

Mr. DtJJiELE said lie wouldgive his mite. A subscription then , commenced, and B2 Ids, was promised.

The Ghaimi an said Mr. Cave was a firstrate beggar, and it seemed to him that he had only to ask his Bush friends and re-ceive—-that a thing was no sooner said than done.

A vote of thanks to the Chairman then closed the meeting.