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Southland Times, Volume 2, Issue 98, 7 October 1863, Page 2

(To the. Editor of the Invercargill Times.) Sik,—l think I may say there has been more correspondence lately in the two local papers upon (ho subject of education than nny other subject of interest, except the Town Board and harbor matters; and yet all agreeing on one important point, if not more, namely, the unreasonableness of the land having to bear the whole burden, may I express a hope that this will meet the favorable consideration of the Council at the approaching meeting, and some such line ns that indicated in your article nion the subject, be adopted, namely, that the Government should pay the whole cost of the buildings, instead of half as nt present, leaving the teacher's salary to be raised by rate. This, I believe, has been found necessary in Ot'igo; and iew indeed, if any, will doubt its expediency here. There are actually districts in Milieu the sum. which could be raised by the maximum rate, ■would not pay the expense of necessary buildings and teacher's first year's salary—besides ii's beinpf a great hardship in so many cases, as it always must. Another point which I hope will receive attention is the exorbitant power, directly or indirectly, put into the hands of the Inspector of Schools, which, considering ihc class of men who sometimes fill I hose offices, must very seriously impede the harmonious working of the measure. For example, the qualification is made so very narrow, lliat any teacher, however experienced, must pass an examination nt the hands of the Inspector unless he have a certificate from some Government 6chool in England or Scotland; t.o that numbers of first-class men, with colonial certificates, or even higher certificates than those re quired, are virtually excluded, and their services therefore lost. It is well known that such men everywhere have a natural antipathy to undergo such an ordeal. It appears, indeed, on the face of it little more or less than a device to throw the importation and appointment of schoolmasters into the hands of the Government for the time being. In many other respects, ton, the Inspector's power of annoying the local Committees, if he feel inclined, is very considerable, he being also Secretary to the Central Education Committee. Uoggiug the favor of an insert iou for thi3, • I am, Sir. Yours, &c, As Inhabitant of Soimir.AND.