EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS AT MOA FLAT.

Tuapeka Times, Volume III, Issue 181, 27 July 1871, Page 7

EDUCATIONAL AFFAIRS AT MOA FLAT.

(To the Editor.)

Sir, — Knowing that anything bearing upon so important a matter as. our educational system will be certain to receive your earnest attention, I offer no apology for requesting space for a few comments* on the management, past and present, of* the Moa Flat side school. And first, let me disclaim any personal animosity, or any desire to impute motives to those whose well meaning efforts have unfortunately resulted in failure. It shall rather be my endeavour to fix the blame on the really culpable parties — I meau the Education Board and their very officious secretary, who, by permitting the provisions of the Education Ordinance to be treated with contempt, have induced school committees in many cases to involve themselves in difficulties from which there appears little chance of extrication.

But to confine myself to the Mua Plat side school. The whole of our difficulties may be .traced to the disregard of a certain section of the Ordinance by the appointment of an uncertificated teacher. I have nothing to say against the gentleman .referred to, who, by' a voluntary resignation, saved the committee considerable •• difficulty., ; Nor s.hall I refer to ■the agitation^ on his -.behalf, on 'piirely^-'senti mental i grounds, which 'even those most concerned must by this time have seen sufficient cause to isg're^ . Suffice it to say, that' the present committee went into office at the beginning of < the year . with a clear field < before them, and with every prospect of increasing the efficiency and utility of the school. Their first appointment of a teacher met- with general approval, the gentleman elected being thoroughly qualified for .the onerous .duties of the office. Unfortunately, .they suffered private :fHendshipvto-intei:fer,e with their public duti s, and permitted the teacher tb;' J leave them without giving the statutory three" "months- notice. Had they enforced- the. str-ict observation of .the'.faw, tit vv6,uid have been impossible for, the- teacher io . have secured the ■situation for which he relinquished the Moa "Mat school; Their next appointment"was: most 'unfortunate, although made' on the r streiigtK of Mr. Hislop's warm , recommendations. Probably that' public spirited gentleman was blinded in. .this* case by' the partiality .of a* fond relation. Possibly he may have thought himself justified in pracj fcisuiga Httle Tiepotism at the expense of . an up-country school committee. l The'' unfortunate teacher appointed under such equivocal circumstances, wasinjudioiousendugh to interfere with lol'al squabbles, and, as a consequence, became' unpopular ,with all, even with ttidse : who had fbundhim .a convenient *to6L The committee stultified themselves/ by joining" the ranks *of his

enemies, arid finally, with a sublime disregard of law and justice, dismissed him at a moment's notice, at the same time making charges which, although vague in language, are only capable of one construction, and which, as far. as I can learn, are utterly unfounded. The result, as a matter of course, is that the committee are in a nice dilemma. The teacher very properly intends .vindicating his rights, and the committee have a pleasant choice between making themselves ridiculous by undoing all they have done, or of becoming defendants in a law suit. Even supposing they accept the former alternative, they have rendered themselves individually liable to a prosecution for libel. Altogether they are in a pitiable plight, or rather their plight would be pitiable had they not, to a great extent, brought it on themselves. No one doubts their good intentions, but you see the pavement of a certain place unmentionable is generally believed to be composed of this kind of material. Perhaps now they are humbled, they will not be averse to listen to a little good advice, which I proceed to administer.

Ist. Let them compromise matters with the present teacher at any cost — above all, let them avoid the publicity of a trial.

2nd. Let them, at once resign, and use their utmost influence to have a committee of the full numerical strength permitted by the Ordinance elected, which shall represent impartially the whole district, and not be continel to one particular bank of the river.

3rd. In making any further appointment, let them eschew all unqualified teachers, and only appoint a duly certificated master. Their own experience of twelve months ago might lead them to this conclusion ; but it is so long ago they might have forgotten.

4th. Let them shun, as a certain gentleman shuns holy water, Mr. Hislop and all his connections.

With the earnest hope that they may accept these hints in the cordial spirit they are offered, I beg to remain, &c, JohiV Clears [ght. Moa Flat, July 17, 1871.