MOA FLAT SCHOOL.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 153, 12 January 1871, Page 5

MOA FLAT SCHOOL.

(To the Editor)

Sir, — The correspondent who treated of shool affairs at Moa Flat, in your last issue, would hardly deserve an answer were he not one of that numerous body — chiefly recruited from the ranks of the illiterate and dull — who imagine having the last word a species of triumph.

I confess I was prepared to read in your columns a most scathing attack, and opened the paper with no slight trepidation, as the coterie from whom the letter emanated have been informing all and sundry, "that Rintoul was going to catch it hot in the next Tuapeka Times." If this -be their thunder, it is of a very playhouse order ; their lion roara as " softly as a nightingale ;" but although this production fell short of the sarcastic power I anticipated it would possess, it quite realised my expectations by its misstatements of facts and ingenious suppression of truth. The real point at issue

is whether an illegally-appointed committee or a large majority of householders are to have most control over school affairs ; whether a clique, neither distinguished for education nor abilities, is to be allowed to trample under foot the rights of a man too meek to retaliate. The prayer of the memorial adopted, not at a meeting of nine, but at an assemblage of a clear majority of parents residing within the district, was simply that in common fairness the matter should be left for settlement by the new committee, and not finally disposed of by a body appointed in defiance of the Ordinance. Fearful that the power accidentally put in their hands should be wrested from them, the three or four individuals who have distingnished themselves by their apposition to Mr. Smith, are endeavouring to rush matters with what success will be seen when the new committee comes into office.

Your correspondent's remarks about Mr. Smith's attainments are quite uncalled for, as any man possessed of the most rudimentary knowledge could do ample justice to the children at present attending the school. Mr. Smith possesses a great deal more than this, and has besides, in a rare degree, the tact and temper necessary for the management of youth. Judging by the recent examination, I am satisfied that no more satisfactory progress could be found in any other school in the province than distinguish the pupils in the Moa Flat one. Another point urged by your correspondent is, that I consented to act on the so-called committee. 1 certainly did so, and would do so again, feeling proud, as a man deeply interested in the spread of education, rather to assist even an informal lady than hold aloof altogether. Had I known the intentions of some of my colleagues, I would certainly have avoided the disgrace of belonging to a body, apparently devoted to the_ ignoble purpose of depriving an industrious and high-principled man of the means of gaining a livelihood. I shall add no more than the simple statement that so far as I am concerned, the correspondence ends here. My conduct throughout has been fair and above hoard, and I wish I could say as much for the other party. If they did not know of the public meeting, it was not my fault, as notices were posted in every prominent situation, and every effort used to communicate the intelligence. I am, &c,

Alexander Rintotjl. Moa Flat, Jan. 7, 1871.