"PATERFAMILIAS."

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume VII, Issue 259, 31 October 1872, Page 2

"PATERFAMILIAS."

To the Editor op thhs Nelson Evening Mail, Sir, —Your correspondent under the f >regoing signature has, in a most cowardly manner, thrown out a iot of insinuat ons against a. body of citizens who, since the formation of this colony, haye obtained the confidence of the entire community, and they challenge the fullest enquiry into any of thfir actions which may be subjected to suspi ion. From the ambiguous expressions of "Paterfamilias" it may be inferred that he charges upon the Catholic schools some attempt at prosfJytism. I'can.only say that if he intended to prefer such a-charge, it is as falseas ba«e; and du-ing the twenty years I have had charge of the Cithnlic: school, I challenge the community to produce a single instance tending to that end in the remotest degree. If" Paterfamilias" Ihs any grievance to complain of, let him prefer his charge as publicly as he pleases (provided it is against the proper individuals), but uttering false insinuations agninst unoffending persons, and at the same ime sheltering himself under an anonymous signature, is cowardly iu the extreme. These insinuations of " Paterfamilias" are calculated to damage my position by creating doubts in the minds of parents who have entrusted their children to my care, and I therefore trust that if he has anything to say on this subject he wil speak plainly, and not deal in ambiguities. the book " Paterfamilias" enquires after, it ia a myth; and as to his quotation from the Home News, he can exercise his belief on the matter while I claim the same privilege—and I disbelieve it. But this is foreiea to the mbject, for were it established a fact, instead ■ fan assertion, it would no more reflect on the body professing that creed than the deeply deplored instances which have occurred amongst another body of Christians ia this town reflect upon them. I am, yours obedientlv, 0. A Richards.