MANUTAHI SCHOOL AFFAIRS.

Patea Mail, 12 July 1882, Page 3

MANUTAHI SCHOOL AFFAIRS.

“ Fair play ” in y 7 our issue of the sth inst, asserts that I either want to mislead the public, or desire to see my name in print. He then gives us the vital statistics of the neighborhood (which he has a special talent for collecting), and conclusively proves that my remarks anent the obstruction and petitions were quite correct. He admits this. The cap evidently 7 fits him.. Now who is rnisleading the public &c ? Allow me to correct him in the number of petitions. There were three, and in order to keep them from getting mixed, I will call them petitions upon scholastic affairs. “Fair play ” has taken around so many 7, they have got beyond his enumeration. He further states that there are five neutrals. These five must have whinstane hearts to have withstood his eight months’ agitation, his persistent and eloquent appeals, petition, in hand, and then not part with the coveted autograph. This was scurvy treatment to receive, when you consider the waste of horse-flesh, and the quantity of shoe-leather that lias been expended over this patriotic affair. He next asserts that (f Observer ” is one of the four that prefer a female teacher. 11 Observer ” has no children attending the school, and never had ; and so far as he is personally 7 concerned, other than the desire for the general welfare of the district, the school could be closed for the next two years. In conclusion permit mo to offer “ Fair play ” some advice. When a teacher is appointed, take him by the hand and render every assistance to make things agreeable. After a fair trial, if a change is found desirable, and there is a real grievance, a fresh teacher can be appointed or the matter can be investigated by going through the proper form. It does not take 3 petitions, 8 months’ agitation, various deputations, and the ousting of a Committee, besides putting school affairs in a

slate of chaos, to effect this. It can bo done in an orderly, quiet, and gentlemanly manner, without hurting anyone’s’feelings. I look on this course as real fair play. Observer.