The Minister for Education.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XI, Issue 3741, 20 February 1891, Page 2

The Minister for Education.

Severe CrlticUm

Dunedin, February 19

At the meeting of the Education Board today a letter was received from the Rev W. J. Habens, stating that the Minister of Education had heard that the Board was compelling the pupils to use VVhitcomb and Tombs' books against the wishes of the parents, and he was instructed to ask the Board to furnish-the Minister with a statement of its reasons for adopting this course. A rather lively discussion followed, Mr Dick suggesting that the Minister had received his information from the man in the street. Several members who resented the Minister's interfere ence were in favor of simply reoewiug the letter, others wishes to reply that the Minister had been misinformed,- M r G?«en. said, he was inclined to, tiring thai the juvenility of the gentleman, iu office was i;espon-

sible for the letter, aud he would not mind hinting that a man in the Minister's position should have thought before writing. He thought they should say they had no explanation to offer. The Chairman : "And if we had we would not give it." It was resolved to reply that the Minister had been misinformed as to the Board's action, and therefore no j explanation was necessary. *;" 2"' '"*