EDUCATION.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4590, 6 December 1875, Page 2

EDUCATION.

;—'..»— TO Tnß EDITOE. OP THE NEW ZEALAND TIMES. Sir,—ln yorur issue of to-day, yon published a letter signed " A Catholic," from which I eitr&ct the following portion: -" Why should the Government build or support schools for the special benefit of the Catholic community? Why, because they had .offered to build and support such a school, and a promise creates a right; hence the Catholics claim for the fulfilment of the' promise, or for some compensation from the promising party, should they fail to keep their word." This is a bold assertion on the part of- "A Catholic" to make. "Will he produce his authority for it, so that the public may be assured of its truthfulness? If. by the word " Government" used above, we are to understand the Education Board, permit me to show how the matter really stands, by Quoting the following from a letter addressed by the secretary of the Board to the chairman' of the Rouian Catholic committee on educational matters, dated July 26,1875: —" lam instructed in the first place to refer to an expression in my letter of the 17th June, wherein I say that the proposed schoolhouse is to be built for the special benefit of the Roman Catholic community. This was ah unintentioned error on niy part, as all the schools are understood to be for the general benefit, and to be restricted to no particular religions denomination. What I ought to havo said was, that the proposed school was to be on exactly the same footing as the present schools in Hill-street and Boulcott-street. under the special agreement, dated 13th May, 1573, between the Board and the Roman Catholic community There are several other points in the letter of "A Catholic " which I should like to touch upon, but I fear your space will not permit.—l am; &c.. Observer. ~ December 4. ____^^™«