WELLINGTON COLLEGE.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4413, 12 May 1875, Page 2

WELLINGTON COLLEGE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sm,—The writer of a letter, signed “School," which appeared in your Saturday’s issue, has, in my opinion taken a very unfair view of the practice adopted by . two of the masters, of giving evening tuition to scholars and charging fees. 1 fail to see that any grounds exist for supposing that a boy would be favored by his tutor. “ School ” perhaps does not know that the boys who attend the evening classes are in various rooms at the College, and in most instances are not in those presided over by their tutors. I have thought the matter carefully over, both before and after reading “ School’s ’’ letter, and I cannot find any objection to the system. My sons do not attend the evening classes, and hence they may be—l believe they are—at a disadvantage ; but it is one that might be removed by paying the fees alluded to—by engaging another tutor, or, in some degree, by myself, did I spend a couple of hours each evening in instructing them. The system has done good already, for certain boys who when they had to learn their own lessons unaided were idle, or perhaps could not understand their task, now hold their own with_ more industrious or intelligent students that previously beat them. Too much coaching may do harm by tending to prevent the acquirement of a quality highly prized in this .colony—self reliance; and probably the boy who studies diligently with only a little assistance will prove the sounder scholar, yet judicious tuition mast be beneficial. I do not address you to defend the masters. “School” has raised a question that will affect every boy in the rooms presided over by those masters who also act as tutors, and I desire to protest strongly against the goodteeling and respect which exists among the boys towards their teachers being weakened, or perhaps destroyed by such insinuations. If any tutor has touted on the “term reports” he deserves severe censure ; however, until that offence has been proved I shall take leave to doubt tha’t It has been committed. X think the masters referred to are entitled to give private tuition, and I hope the College authorities will not interfere. If they receive high salaries they, no doubt, thoroughly earn them, and the receipt of a large or moderate stipend ought not to prevent a men adding to it in so commendable a manner as assisting scholars with their studies, —I am, &0., ■Wellington, May 8, Pathh.