THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume VII, Issue 2086, 4 September 1885, Page 2

THE SCHOOL DISTRICT.

Torn Ediioe,

Sib., —Permit in a to ask through your columns how it is that four pestilent fellows are so long permitted to work mischief unchecked? Their latest move in an endeavour to rob our children of their education, and some few ; thoughtless people are helping them. They want to divide Masterton into two sojiool districts, they say, but later I will slib'w their real motive. If they succeed in doing this, what will be the result ? At present our school stands higher tlian any other, in the Provincial District, in other wordu the working men of Masterton can give their children an education, without coat to themselves, that in other places would have'to be paid so dearly for as to b# out of reaoh of the poorer classes, .and these four are faying to take this opportunity from the working man, Instead of one good, strong eflicientschool under well-paid firatclass teachers, we have to accept two weal: schools, with secondor third rate teachers, and no high school. At present, a working man in Masterton desirous of giving his children an education beyond tho sixth standard, can do so by making n small quarterly payment, but these men are trying to destroy tlils chance—are trying to remove higher education from the reach of the poor man's child by destroying the. status of the school, No? do they deny this, or tpy to conceal it, for a few days ago, when taxed with this at a meeting of the Committee, Mr Hogg said "Poor men's children do not want so much education," and Mr Reese said " Yes, a smattering of learning is quit} enough for any poor man's child," Being without education themselves, each one having but the merest,smattering they are unable to appreciate its advantages, and have no right whatever on the Committee, nor would they betljerebut for thecumulative vote. Now, what is the reason of all this devils work J Simply this. Mr Hogg, for 8oii)o reason best known to himself, has taken a down on the Headmaster, and the only way in which he can vent his spite isbydojng injury to the school. If he can suoceed in breaking

up the school and reducing the attendances the salary will be lowered, and the Headmaster must either put up with that or.. -■, seek a new place. Utterly' regardless Jfc ,/ the injury done to the people, o&sdKS*' prospects in life of the children,-. llPreeks' only to gratify his feelings, and actually has * the assurance to put on a fair cloak, and ask- the people to help hiffl. The other three are - harmless , enough when left alone, but vicious when in the hands of such a leader. If the working men of Masterton-are willing to sacrifice th# education of their children to enable one man to have revenge, no more can be said, but if they' are not willing, let them uiiite in demanding that this A" quartette shall vacate the seats on > Committee to which they have themselves.

A Paeent,