CHARLESTON.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 856, 2 September 1871, Page 2

CHARLESTON.

EDUCATION MEETING-. (prom oue own corbespondent.) A meeting was held at the Public Institute, Charleston, on Wednesday evening last. At the commencement of the proceedings there was a large attendance in the room, but upon the nature of the meeting being properly determined upon, the greater portion of the people left the room, not more than thirty remaining. The Eev. Mr White moved, that in the absence of Mr Broad, who was unavoidably detained from being present, the Eev. Thomas Elavell take the chair.

The Chairman said : Gentlemen, I will begin, as I suppose I ought to begin, by reading the announcement of the meeting. (He then read the advertisement from the " Charleston Herald" of that morning calling a meeting of all Protestants interested in education to consider an educational scheme.) This gives the purpose of the meeting; it is for considering the best means of promoting a general education scheme. The subject is a very important one, every one has his own opinion upon it, and it i<s for the purpose of hearing those opinions that this meeting has been called. He thought it would be better to take for a starting point the Province of Nelson General Education Bill —that was the Act at present in force here; and if there were anv flaws in it, it was for them to speak of it, or if they were satisfied with it, to move that it be adopted. He then called upon his fellow convener to address the meeting. Ther Eev. Mr White said there was an additional argument why the Provincial Act should be considered. It was the opinion of the press that the Act was working and should not be interfered with. The Government intended to bring in a bill upon the basis of the one that was introduced last session. The Canterbury Government in drawing up an Education Bill introduced several clauses f-om the Nelson Provincial Education Act. He did not intend to occupy any lengtreued period in addressing them, but would wish to hear various opinions before any motions were put to the meeting. The Chairman said he wished some gentleman would express himself upon the subject, or state if he thought the present Provincial Act should remain in force. No resolutions had been prepared ; it was left for the meeting to make their own resolutions. He wished that some Protestant would address the meeting. Mr Shapter asked if he was to understand from the Chairman that no person would be heard but a Protestant P

The Chairman remarked that he had not said so, but he appealed to those present if they were Catholics to allow the same privilege to others as had been allowed to them. In honesty the meeting had been called as a meeting of Protestants. Mr Shapter said he had a right to be heard. As Mr Flavell had spoken of honesty he would read the first advertisement that appeared calling this meeting. (He then read the following advertisement: —" Public meeting. —Those interested in the question of education are requested to attend a meeting at the Public Library Kooms, on Wednesday next, August 30th, at 8 p.m., for the purpose of considering the best mode of promoting a general educational scheme throughout the colony.—(Signed) Thomas Flavell, Joseph White.") The meeting having been so called I, as a Catholic, felt it necessary to appear here. As it was the general opinion of the public that was asked, I had a right to appear and express myself upon the resolutions as they were to go forth as the opinions of the general public. Another reason for my appearing here was that I had been speaking to Mr Flavell, when I asked if it was to be a general meeting, and he replied that it was. I then said that I and other Catholics would attend. H > then said ho did not think that would bo what was intended. We

walked along as far as the Nile bridge and, when wo parted upon the other side of the bridge the last words that Mr Flavell said were that it was intended to be a general meeting. Mr White here remarked he had acted in good faith. From the first time Mr Flavell had spoken to him upon the subject he understood that it was to be a meeting of Protestants. Mr Shaptcr Slid I do not mean to pay that Mr White or Mr Flavell have not acted in good faith, I do not mean to impugn their good faith, but, I refer to the advertisement. If the Catholics had called a meeting in that form could they have excluded other denominations from attending it? As the Protestants are in the nrnority here, if this meeting had been allowed to go on, the resolutions passed would have gone forward as the opinions of a general meeting and of the majority of the district. I believe if it had not been for Riy conversation with Mr Flavell the advertisement would not have bet n changed. Mr Flavell said that when ho spoke to Mr Shapter he had never studied the matter. When he drew out the advertisement it was to be strictly Protestant. When Mr Shapter drew his attention to it, he placed him under a severe crossexamination, and he felt in the same state as a witness in the box undergoing a cross-examination. What ue 3d have the Catholics to attend tip's meeting ? They have already had a meeting of their own, and at their meeting one of their speakers went so far as to say that they could not accept of any other than a denominational system. After 8 peaking to Mr .shapter I saw Mr White and Mr Broad upon the subject. Mr White was in favour of allowing the advertisement to stand, but when I went to Mr Broad be said that there was not room where we intended to hold the meeting, and it was afterwards decided that it was to be a Protestant meeting. I confess at the time I was speaking to Mr Shapter I was in a fog; but there is no use in Catholics again expressing their ideas. I put it to you whether, in all honesty, this meeting should be addressed by anyone but a Protestant, and I now ask Mr Shapter is he a Protestant ? A long discussion ensued, which resulted in Mr Shapter and other Catholics withdrawing from the meeting.

Mr "White moved, and Mr Gillespie seconded, the following resolution : "That this meeting adjourn until Tuesday evening." Mr Donne moved as an amendment: —" That this meeting adjourn indefinitely."

Mr Liddell seconded the amend ment.

Tjpon the motion and the amendment being put to the meeting, the motion was declared carried, and the proceedings terminated.