CORRESPONDENCE.

Motueka Star, Volume I, Issue 20, 18 October 1901, Page 3

CORRESPONDENCE.

*£.* Opinions expressed under this heading art those of Correspcndents; not ours. Letters relating to public matters, free of personal abuse, mill be published utith pleasure.

TO THE EDITOR Sir : The season is fast approaching when insect life is in full activity, coming forth from cocoon and cell ; I would mention, particularly, the bronze and 'green beetle, whose larvae annually do so much damage to our grass pastures, to say nothing of the mischief of the beetle to plant life and fruit. No we have scarcely a natural enemy to them, or else they would not increase so fast, so I begin to think that we will have to go abroad for a cure. In reading Natural History, one is struck with the number of spielers that prey on such insects as moths and beetles. If one reads the description given by Capt. Hutton in the Journal of the Asiatic Society, of Bengal, it will be notified that he describes the Galeodes Voras as being very active and voracious, devouring moths and large beetles. It is nowbecoming necessary for our naturalists to study some of these natural antidotes to some of our many pests, and so work out their own cure in a systematic manner. I will* be glad if needful, to throw more light on this matter later on. I am etc., Henry Rumbold. To The Editor. Sir: My attention has been called to a letter by " A Parent,'' inserted in your recent issue. It is hard to sav which gives me the greater surprise, the letter itself; or the publication thereof. It being a direct attack upon the discipline of the school, it necessarily is, intentionally or otherwise, an attack upon myself, professionally. 1 must therefore ask your readers to note that no parent has forwarded me anv such complaints as are embodied in " A Parent's " letter, consequently I have nothing to investigate; and nothing to remedy. They will therefore see how unfair such an attack is To " A Parent " let me say that such attempts to be-little teachers, in the ej r es of scholars and ths public, only make the teacher's work the move arduous. I do not propose to discuss in print, the questions referred to ; but respectfully invite " A Parent," or any parent to meet me, and talk over questions affecting their children's welfare. 1 can promise them a sympathetic ear, anel they will finel, in me, one who takes a keen interest in the welfare of all children.. Trustihg therefore that I will receive the courtesy elite to my position, if not to myself. I am etc., Herbert* Langford, Headmaster. ["Parent's" letter, as Mr Langford is aware, was published in the Star, and a footnote added. The letter referred, principally, to a complaint sent in to the Committee by the mother of a scholar, which letter was forwarded direct to the teacher, by the Chairman, for explanation. Possibly it was an oversight the communications did not pass through the Headmaster's hands, but that does not alter the fact of a complaint having been lodged.—Ed. M.S. |