ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 85, 23 May 1843, Page 2

ORIGINAL CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor of the New Zealand Colonist,

Sir, —In the Colonist of last Friday, I observed what I suppose was meant for a Report of the proceedings of the Mechanics' Institute, during the last half-year. As in the Report, slanderous aspersions were directed against me as a teacher, &c., I trust that in common justice you will insert a few remarks in reply. By the admission.of the Sub-committee themselves, it is evident the number of pupils amounted to 90, and that after I left it, the number dwindled down to the average of 33, (and I ‘believe even less), “from various causes;" -which, however, the Sub-committee have not thought proper to particularize; while I am happy to inform them, as they appear so deeply interested in the cause of education, that at present the number attending my own school amount on an average to 70; altogether independent of the patronage or meddling interference of a Committee, who ought to have kept in mind the old adage, “ne sutor ultra crepidam.” It surely would have been time enough for the .Committee to complain when the parents did so. But this, as far as I know, has not been the case, as is manifest from their children still continuing under my care. As for the paltry assertion, that I solicited parents to remove their children from the Mechanics’ School to my own, and that they did so out of pity, I beg most distinctly and explicitly to deny it. Although, on the other hand, it. is well known, that Mr. Lyon and a would-be Rev., who seem to have assumed to themselves the whole management of the Mechanics’ Institute, did, by every means in their power, by coaxing, and even threatening, endeavour to bring back the children to their school after my resignation. As to the accusation brought against me, of “dogged sullenness," and “ gross insolence," with which the Committee charge me, I at once, and most unhesitatingly, deny that to be the case. When they visited me, I was engaged in the discharge of my duties, which, from regard to both parents and children, did not admit of such useless and impertinent interruptions, more especially as those who had subscribed most liberally towards the school, had never interfered with my method of tuition. I may also add, that at the first half-yearly meeting of Subscribers, more than one gentleman, from personal observation, spoke in the highest terms of the manner in which I conducted the School. Mr. Lyon also has occasionally visited me, but his inquiries, several times, respecting the Library and School, were so accompanied with oaths and despotic abuse, so unlike the behaviour of a sober-minded man, that I felt myself compelled to answer him in a manner different from what I should have done to one not under the influence of passionate excitement, from whatever cause it might arise. I have now done with the Mechanics’ Institute for reasons very obvioiis. Apart altogether from the personal abuse, to which I have been most undeservedly subjected, Col. Wakefield has made it the arena for party discussions, which had no connection with a Mechanics’ Institute. And Mr. Lyon, clothed at present with a little brief authority , has only to continue fostering the Institution with his patronage (?), in order to render it as insignificant as himself, and to lessen, considerably the number of Subscribers who have no great regard for hole-and-corner systems. As these remarks are .made in justice to my own character and usefulness as a teaclxer, I have no wish to enter into any farther controversy on the subject. I trust you will insert them as due to myself and my numerous friends, who have hitherto approved of the manner in which I have discharged my labors. I am, sir, your obedient servant, J. H. RULE. Wellington, May 22, 1843.