THE THAMES SCHOOL.

Thames Guardian and Mining Record, Volume I, Issue 68, 27 December 1871, Page 3

THE THAMES SCHOOL.

To thu Editor Of tile TIIAMES GUARDIAN. Dear Sir, — I was glad to see by your report of the breaking-up day of the Thames School what Mr Robertson had said as to the establishment of that school. I believe it was built by subscription—the land (freehold) was generously given b}' Mr Robert Graham. At the commencement of the Thames Goldfield the Want of a public school was much felt—it was was a known fact that hundreds of children w'ere unable to avail themselves of any education. I was one of the subscribers to the building fund, and was prompted to do so knowing the truth of the statements advanced, and how very desirable

[it was that education should be supplied ; to the youth of those who were unable to pay for it, a matter which has been much . neglected on other diggings. The understanding was that a certain number (to be fixed by the Co.umittee) of pupils should be admitted free, on a basis similar to those schools in the old country, founded by King Edward the Ist. I would therefore suggest that those who take an interest in following up the original intention should meet together and arrange the number of foundation pupils, and other matters, for the public good. I have often wished to be informed what quid \]V'o quo the founders have ? Hoping you will lend your assistance to make the Thames School still more useful to the poorer classes.—l am, &c., Edward Henry Power, .T.P. Thames, December 21, 1871. O To the Editor of the Tn.YMKS Guardi an. Sir, — Some days since I was charged with neglecting to supply the Manukau Battery with quartz according to agreement (verbal) with Mr Craig, the mining manager of the Whan Goldmining Company. I beg to observe that the statements made in Mr Craig’s letter are not correct in any respect. It was stated that for three days, not three trucks per day had been sent to the battery. The returns of the line show as follows : December 12, 8 trucks December 13, 8 trucks December 14, 0 trucks December 15, 5 trucks December 10, 5 trucks December 18, G trucks December lb, 0 trucks December 20, 15 trucks December 21, 1) trucks 71 trucks in 9 days. Which will keep the battery going. I do not wish to make any remarks on the complaint, hut simply to set myself right with the public.—l am, &c., A. Unthank.

To the Edior Of TIIK THAMES GUAItUIAX

Sir.—ln reference to a letter which appears in your issue of the 23rd instant, signed il 0. M. Creagh, pr. C. 0’IIalloran,” I may say that I distinctly deny the assertion contained therein, regarding myself, and if any such clause as referred to had been inserted in my deed, I would not have signed it. The facts of the case are as follows :—About four months ago, I asked Mr Burgess to negotiate a lease of the allotment, which I have held under miner’s right for the last four years, and his instructions were to offer Mr , Creagh £4 per year for the allotment containing 754 feet by a depth of IGS feet, the rent to commence from the Ist of January, 1871, and a lease to be granted for 18 years from that date, no back rent to be paid prior to the above date, and I distinctly told him that if Mr Creagh would not accept these terms, I would pay nothing, as I considered I had a prior 1 right to Mr Creagh. He, however, failed 1 in the negotiation, and reported the same i to me. If he offered Mr Creagh any other 1 terms than the foregoing, or if he offered ' a right-of-way through my allotment to ’ induce Mr Creagh to let it to me at a low j rental, lie must have done so without * my authority or consent, and for his own ( accommodation, as there are very few 1 besides Mr Burgess who would be accor. -

modated by a right-of-way through my ground. Subsequently I saw Mr Creagh, and arranged for the allotment for the rent before mentioned, and on exactly the same terms as I had authorised Dir Burgess to offer without any reference to a right-of-way, and both Messrs Creagh and OTlalloran seemed very glad to have the matter settled, as they’ had received no rent from me previously, and were not likely* to receive any unless they came to my terms, and .1 did not hesitate to tell Mr Creagh as much. So much for that matter. Now, as regards the right-of-way from Tommy’s Lane to Karaka lload pr Diary-street, I consider that the residents of Tommy’s Lane have a perfect right to demand that the Board should open the right of way. The ground has been granted by the holders of allotments, and money has been subscribed by the residents, and I fail to see any* reason why so necessary an accommodation should be wihheld from a considerable section of the ratepayers to gratify the spleen or consult the convenience of any one man, even though that man should be tho Chairman of the Kamvaeranga Highway Board. It may be that members of the Board arc men of big minds, and would scorn to undertake so small a work, or that they' are chary of the funds at their disposal in case that sufficient moneA' would not be loft for tea and coffee (?) — beer and whiskey—for the refreshment of members after their arduous duties. I am fully convinced that some of the members arc totally ignorant of the geography of the road in question, otherwise they never would have made the statements which they* have. Apologising for taking up so much of your valuable space, I am, &c., Pautick Nolan. Tommy's Lane. December 2Gth. 1871.