WAIORONGOMAI SCHOOLHOUSE.

Te Aroha News, Volume II, Issue 60, 26 July 1884, Page 2

WAIORONGOMAI SCHOOLHOUSE.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, — I am not surprised to find that the report of the School Committee's resolutions concerning the use of the a 1 we building far religious and other purposes, has filled the residents of YVaiorongomai with astonishment and just indignation. The action of the Committee is unique, and perhaps this is why the opinion obtains that the only condition provided by law is that the room si ia 11 be left as found. But to say nothing of law, we will try to analyse the Committee's action. Although the youthful school-master of the above locality has most persistently insisted Upon the removal of the organ used by the Band of Hope and by the various religious bodies, it does not appear to have occurred to the Committee that Mr Purdie's letter might be taken as another sign of officiousness, or that his statements might not be quite consistent with truth — his statements are accepted as tiie veritable delivery of the Vatican, ami all else concerned are ignoiel us unworthy of a hearing since Mr Purdie has spoken. But though the Committee may have fallen beneath the spell of a wizard's wand, there are those in the district who have learned to place their o>\n estimate on Air Purdie, and his statements. What in that gentleman's opinion may l>e " definite and satisfactory arrangements" may be something very different from what would be legunlel as such i.y all reasonable and modest men. In the opinion of smuo people at least " definite" and sufficient .UTan^emeiits have been made by the Wesley an body. Mr Lovell has carefully attended to the room after e\ery service, and it might be thought that Mr Lovell is as capable of fixing up and sweeping the room as any child can be whom the fastidious youhg teacher may appoint. But the Committee's method of satisfying Mr Purdie is marvellous. At one stroke the Young Men's Mulnal Improvement Association and the Band of Hope are handicapped. The friends of the latter struggling as they are to overcome difficulties, and to give to the young a very important part of a good education, are now weighted with an additional charge of five shillings for every meeting, while in consideration of the fat livings of the clergy the religious bodies must pay two shillings and sixpence for every service, and the same sum for the privilege of a singing practice. I presume that a rehearsal for the projected concert would also entail another two and sixpence. In view of the prompt manner in which the Committee s 'tried these matters to Mr Purdie's satisfaction, it would be impettinent to insinuate that an account should be periodically rendered showing income and expenditure. To say nothing of practices, rehearsals, and other meetings which may take place, there will be, from religious service", debating class, and Band of Hope, an income of £20 during the year, in addition to the regular allowance for daily cleaning, but I fe«ir my audacity would amount to insolence if I should ask whether the Committee required Mr Purdie to furnish a statement. But the most astounding part of the Committee's incomprehensible resolutions is that which provides, "the fee in every instance to be paid to the teuehet" on delivery oi the key of the

building." This suggested to my mind lhe picture, so well known, of a negro" holding to his oar a watch, underneath \sbich is printed in large type the suggestive words, "No tick, nmsa." This certainly is a wise expedient in there days of bankruptcy, and quite in accord with the" ready-money system you s-o* vigo.ously advocated a few weeks since. But ifre cannot suppose that the Corns mi (tee offered such an indignity to the various religious bodies intentionally, an- 1 I assume that the officials of thd various churches will not be prepnred to accept such humiliation. There is such i a thing as Christian dignity, and I hope that our Christian institutions will be preserved from such dishonour. — I airj &c, A Lovkr of Fair Play.