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Thames Star, Volume XV, Issue 4839, 12 July 1884, Page 2

(To the Editor of the Evening Star.)

Siß.'-^-Wifclt.yoar'pc^miaßion'i'l'aH'oold like•■■to make a few remarks on the platform quos* tion raited in the calumcs of'your oontempo* 1 aiy by "Vox Populi;" re the 1 New Zealand Education A.ct, whioh, he « pleased to de»« cribe as fr-e, secular, and cbmplasory," (hpw i the fi-et and last terms fit must remain a puzzle), but which might be more accurately I and alliteratively described as free frcebooting, and, it is to be hoped, fugitite. If we are to judge the present act by its oulcome-in our provincial district, what do we find in its favor?: A supreme board holding it proceedings in A.uckla-id, composed of bakers, cab-prop'ietorß, drapers, limbsl of the law, and a few rabid exponents of secret; societies;: but ■ without a eingle individual who - haa had tbo. opportunity ;of. bec6m''ng practi* : cakjly acquainted with;, the subject.; A secretary i " selected b/ ,'t he Board, :\ without experience B3 a teaoher, whose' penmanship it no credit to any; educational administration, and whose; mistakes have brought deserved cdiutn on the Board which continues to con* done his errors, An Inspector whose success a3 a teacher in Hobson street wai(tj put'it mildly) not encouraging,- who3a utterances, whether Verbal or .documentary, are totally wanting in the amenities and courtesies which might be cxpeotcd froma man in his position, and whose ; broohure prepared for the guidance of teaobers should afford "the means of forming; a judgment as j tp> ;his fitrieii or unfitries3 for the trust raposed in him. Yet to these men such as they are, the Board bar relegated its administrative functions—-ycare« ful reader of the Board's proceedings:for the last twelve months will. observe with what result. Of the compulsory clauses one must speak/with bated, breath. A precedent has been established by one of the London School Boards, whicfr to carry\ out * its particular fad has provided a meal for the poor.cbildren, who whilst compelled to attend the schoola, are - actually in a state of starvalioßj this generosity to thei indigent being, howerer, at4he cost of ratepayers of: the distrjet. IPFuI it be surprif> f ing if many who are not reallyrso badly off; should adopt the indigence ticket? Compare the proceedings of certein well paid offiotals of the Auckland Provincial CroTernmsdt who at a time when the distress, occasioned l by a recreation from oTerspfoulalion, combined .: with a stagnation in trade necc.isitattd the establishment of a soup kitchen for the relief destitute,—-hftd no compunction, or aense of * shame" "in procuring! ;:diaiinty-£dißhes r silver fipGons, and lunching sumptuously oat of the funds provided by charitable ditizens,and we sball not require, to Cloak eUewhert for «a answer. Spacai will not permit else I could easily show to^japy thoaghttuWimanthat the derided donomiaationarsysfem'bf Education, pro rata gave betfcori resn'tJ^atiless than half the erpease of ;lhe:pr.es.e'h&v.Tatt'n^e4i''V.bdtinv> ■ perfectly uhderßtobd;acti—3foura,&6;,;V ' v

AOABBHTTS.