AN INDIGNANT PEDAGOGUE. Mr Brabazon Replies to His Accusers. (From the " Auckland Star," June 7.)

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 54, 14 June 1884, Page 6

AN INDIGNANT PEDAGOGUE. Mr Brabazon Replies to His Accusers. (From the " Auckland Star," June 7.)

A rather singular epistle was forwarded by Mr Brabazon, of Nelson-street School, to the City Schools Committee, and was read at a meeting of that body held last evening. Its extreme length prevents uw giving it full publication, hence we are compelled to omit much which would prove of interest to many readers. Mr Brabazon opens by begging most respectfully to answer the decision of the Board on the 16th inst., and then goes on to say that "As Mr Carr, from his private reasons (which others shall p know at a future time when my fingers and lips are free to write and speak) thinks proper to tell the public through the press that I have been kept in my position for the last five years, I wish to remind that individual of my position in Auckland when my private school, which paid me about £6 10s a week, was handed over to the Board." He then goes on to explain that through want of accommodation in the old school " four yeais passed away, my salary getting no increase from want of space and numbers, thereby causing a pecuniary loss of £300, if not more." The writer then referred to the increase of attendance in the new school building, and urged that he deemed that a satisfactory answer to the insinuations that the school is or has been only half filled. Further on Mr Brabazon says : " The matter of excuses must be looked into, as 1 have now 400 written excuses for the last three weeks, making at that rate about 6,000 per year. This, of course, is brought about by the action of the Committee." Residents of Freeman's Bay will no doubt be delighted to peruse the next paragraph in this epistle. It is as follows :—" The Board will, I am sure, take into account that, in the opinion of the visiting teachers, we have the poorest and low est of the city schools, as we are in such close proximity to the Bay. We have now some children over ten years old, who came a few months ago, not knowing either to read, or, in some cases, their letters. What, in the name of justice or reason, can be done with those children in 250 attendances ; aye, or even tbo entire year ?" Corporal punishment is tho next subject treated upon. Mr Brabazon says : — " In reference to the girl Hicks, I ask — If justice wero intended, why did not Harman get the hand of the girl examined by any teacher or by the Chairman, or by any independent person, whom he could bring forward to support his charge? Why were not the teachers examinod as to the discipline of the school ? It is not too late even yet. Why was not the letter of Miss Bottrill L tho female assistant in the room where the children were punished, sent to tho Board, which would show that she, though present, saw nothing harsh or cruel, and, in many cases, less punishment than might be? How, then, can the words ' cruelly used ' and 'bandied about' be applied to my treatment of children? If 1 were to make it public that Mr Harman, a member of Committee, used language unfit for girls to hear in front of his own door, because they were looking into his shop, would the law hold me clear and guiltless? 1 trow not. Then why not tho same law apply in my case?" As to discipline, he wrote: — "The Inspector reported of this school three years ago, 'discipline gocd;"' in rogard to City East, the words, '"in headmaster's presence' were added." Subsequently he remarks, "T fear, sir, 'this matter' has been got wp to bring me down, and as I belong to no secret society of any kind, I cannot ask any man to speak for me, but must rely entirely on my own merits. I respectfully therefore ask the Board to reconsider its verdict, perhaps formed on insufficient evidence, and not to throw a slur on the unstained honour of one of its oldest servants. I have never left my business and been found drunk in a public-house, and been afterwards reinstated [a nasty jar for somebody !] I have never ' boozed ' and caroused with any man in any public-house and brought censure and disgrace upon myself. 1 have ne v er read newspapers in school, and neglected my official duties by so doing [more Gxposure for somebody]. I have never come late to school and thereby left business unattended to. I have never become bankrupt [another unfortunate hit hard] and failed to pay my creditors, though I have reared and educated ten children, and been the father of 13. I have always striven to set an example to my pupils and my children in word and deed. If you wish to part with my Jong-tried services, give me, as my health is breaking down from constant headaches, a compensation of 12 months pay, from Ist July next, and I will attend to my duties till you appoint a successor to take my place after the winter holidays." The Committee listened to this lengthy communication with varied feelings — surprise, awe, and irrepressible humour at times finding expression as the paper unfolded and disclosed things new and rather unexpected. The Committeo, however, did not appear to be favourably impressed with Mr Brabazon's affecting effusion, and passsd a resolution which appears elsewhere in the report of the general business transacted by the Committee, which was to the effect that Mr Brabazon should bo removed from Nelson-street School as speedily as possible, either by payment of salary in advance, or by removal to another school.

Maiden -hair Ferns in Rooms. — These are about the easiest ferns to grow in the house, but they are very sensitive to dust getting on the fronds while cleaning and dusting the room in which they are kept. They should either be put outside or covered up so as to keep the fronds from getting covered with the dust. Occasionally take the plants out into the garden and give them a good washing with the watering-pot, orfrequentapplications of a wet sponge with a light touch will be of great benefit. It is better to grow these plants in saucers. They will during the summer months want water at least every second day ; but the soil must not be kept in a oontinually wet or saturated state, or it wiU soon get sour, which is a very bad condition for promoting a free or healthy growth in the plants. Tlio plants will require re-potting into pots one size larger every spring. Berber has fallen into the hands of the Soudan rebels, after a brief but bloody struggle. A portion of the garrison went over to the side of the Mahdi, but the others who refused to lay down their arms were cut down remorselessly, in pursuance of the bloodthirsty tactics of the rebels. This disaster must tend to render the British defence of Souakim more difficult, and already we learn that arrangements are in progress for having the garrison at that place reinforced. All indications goto prove that the rebellion is still very active, even on the very ground where General Graham administered such a drubbing to Osman Digna; and if the Arab hordes continue their conquering career during the summer, the relief expedition whjoh is to be despatched to Khartoum in the autumn will meet with serious opposition to its advance. Berber is a place of i con3idetable importance, and being on the line of advance to, Khartoum, may bo stubbornly held by the. rebels,