PUBLIC OPINION.

Patea Mail, 5 July 1882, Page 3

PUBLIC OPINION.

Contributions, Letters, Inquiries and Answees thereto, are invited on Farming. Commerce, Politics, and matters of interest to the Patea district. Names of writers need not be Printed. .

MANUTAHI SCHOOL AFFAIRS.

In your paper of the 30th ultimo, I noticed “ Manutahi Notes ” sighed by “Observer,” His remarks are either intended to mislead the public.or he desires to see bis name in print. The facts are as follows Imthe Manutahi School District we have 17 householders, representing 40 children of school age. Two petitions have been sent to the Education Board asking for a certificated male teacher. They were both signed by 8 parents, presenting 26 children ; the other 5 parents, representing 6 children, remain neutrals : but the other 4 parents, representing 8, children, desire to have a certificated female teacher. “Observer” is one of the four who seem to think the school here ought always to remain as an infant school, while the eldest children are forced to travel to distant schools. It is a great pity that the parents of 26 children will not agree‘with “ Qbserver ” and his other three friends. “Observer” in his notes insinuates that the members of committee who the petition endeavored to obstruct the business at the last meeting. It was just the reverse, as they all voted in favor of proceeding with the business, while “ Observer ” voted for adjourning the meeting.. It was i-eally too bad of the householders to state their wishes (to the Board) by petition, thereby spoiling “ Observer’s ” little game. If “ Observer ” would read Mr Bridge’s remarks on school examinations, as reported in your issue of the 30th ultimo, it may give him some information.

Fairplay,