CORRESPONDENCE.

Motueka Star, Volume I, Issue 19, 15 October 1901, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

To The Editor,

SY : Had there been anything unfair or "inproper in my criticism of Mr Bate's actions in dealing with the "Harbpr questlor," his invectives might be justifieo. but taking into consideration the fact that be had been subjected to the san e critic'.-m by myself and others at a public meeting, held scn;e months ago in tlm institute, which 1 invited him to attend and he did not, and which iih tt'ng, and the sentiments given utterance to tl.eicat, was duly reported in the press, it is somewhat amusing to find that he can be drawn by a writer using a limited anonymity, after having had an opportunity to reply to remarks made at that meeting. Mr Bate has, up till now, maintained a discreet and characteristic silence: he has however attempted to justify his actions, though somewhat late, and I have complimented him for doing so, but it is evident he finds his position no longer tenable, and on the principle that if you have no case, abuse the other side, finally throws a stink pot and pleads that he doesn't know who has been hitting him. As a member of the Council, from whom he "puts things out of reach", I wrote repudiating any intention of that body to steal the foreshore, of which Mr Bate would now appear to be the vigilant guardfan, and while doing so put certain pertinent questions which he has utterly failed to satisfactorily answer,, and 1 laid on him some of the responsibility for the complications that have resulted owing to his having " left undone those things he should have done," as the representative of the riding. To that 1 appended the signature "Borough Councillor," but with no desire to hide my identity from Mr Bate; in fact, the matter has been an | open secret, and that the writer was known to him is apparent from his having repeated a portion of a conversation which he says took place between us. That Mr Bate was likely to smart on being taken to task, after having persistently ignored previous open criticism, somewhat surprised me, but it would appear that a sense of having made himself ridiculous as chairman of the Riwaka Road Board by inducing tirat body to forestall- an act of piracy by an appeal to the General Government (the possibility of which, from ail I can learn, existed only in the imaginative and fertile brain of the chairman)is alone responsible for the resentment he has shown to what he has termed my "interference." further, it would be difficult to find matter for- criticism regarding his public actions as a public man, unless it may be to give him kudos for the business-like acumen he has displayed in the allocation of certain Government grants, and to acknowledge that he has always readily, and without stint given his time in the performance of his public duties : in all other respects, it may be truly said, without prejudice, that his public actions have hitherto been colourless. As a private citizen, I esteem Mr Bate, although we may and have, fought on opposing sides in public matters and in all probability shall continue to do so. I have not the slightest intention of reflecting on him personally, and if he considers he can use his rapier to better advantage by the removal of the guazy visor of his opponent, it is now removed, and he can parry thrust, and feint as opportunity offers with W. J. Moffatt.

—o — To The Editor. Sir : As a mother I hope the Motueka school committee will thoroughly investigate the complaint against one of the teachers, made by a parent at

the last meeting, as torher conduct in preventing a child from leaving the school for a few moments. Such silly and ignorant actions, if persisted in, ■will cause serious trouble to tlie children. There are also one or two otherpoints that should be looked into, such, for instance as the language used towards the scholars when, poor things, they are not able to understand what the teacher says when trying to explain how- certain work cugtto be done. Instead of fc keepirig their tempers and bestowing a little attention on the pupils, they commence bullying them, which makes things -worse. I am etc., A Parent. [Our correspondent wall remember the . parents complaint was referred to the teacher for an explanation. Till a reply is received the teacher should not be prejudged.—Ed. M.S.]