CORRESPONDENCE.

Poverty Bay Standard, 4 September 1875, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE.

Our columns are open for free discussion; but we do not hold ourselves responsiblefor the opinions of our Correspondents. :o: . TO THE EDITOR. Sin, —No doubt you have noticed the report of Mr. Gill on the Native Schools in this district, and also that portion particularly having reference to the Tologa Bay school. What do you think of a man, paid by Government, calling here on a Sunday, and not thinking it worth bis while to wait till Monday to inspect the scholars, was contented to see the school-room, and reported accordingly ? Nice, don’t you think? “I was much pleased at the order and cleanliness of the school.” What did the Government send Mr. Gill here for? Was it to report on the progress of the scholars, or to see that the school-room floor was clean? Does it not seem strange, sir, that Mr. Gill did not wait until Monday ? Or might he not have said in his report that, “ owing to some cause or other 1 was prevented from inspecting the scholars, but was much pleased at the order and cleanliness of the school-room ?” Certainly more fair, you will admit. However, it is a consolation to have the opinion of two such men as Archdeacon Williams, and Mr. O’Sullivan. The former said “ I had cause to be gratified at the results achievedand the latter, “ evidently the greatest:, pains had been taken with children to bring them to present perfection.” If a man works hard for a whole twelvemonth, in anticipation of a Government inspection, and really does make progress, I should think it hard to have his scholars passed over, and be commended for cleanliness of the school-room only 1 There is no encouragement held out to school teachers who really work hard and take pride in their school. To you, sir, I leave this matter, for you have always defended the weak, and if you think it is worth while to say anything, please do so, in defence of a very worthy public servant.—Yours, &c., Janus.