RAGLAN. (FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)

Waikato Times, Volume VI, Issue 321, 4 June 1874, Page 2

RAGLAN. (FROM A CORRESPONDENT.)

Durino the last week a great dcvl of rain and hail have iullen, accompanied by thunder and lightning. Th# meeting re stenmer, the resolutions of which have already appeared in your columns, wns a great success, n >t\vithstanding the inclemency of the weather, and the Court-house was crowded tO PXPPBS. On Saturday last, a meeting of the householders was held at the School-house for the object of selecting a School Committee instead of the one illegally elected in January last, when seven were chosen. It was quite refreshing, and a new feature here, to observe the amount of interest displayed on this occasion — no less than eight gentlemen being nominated, out of whom Messrs Powell, G-alvan, Ghlmour, Hamilton, and Schnnckenberg were declared duly elected by the chairman, Mr Powell. There is an old saw about a ' new broom ; ' it is to. be hoped that the new committee will apply it to themselves, nnd work more harmoniously than has been the wont of their predecessor*, some of whoso proceedings remind me very much of Homer's poem BatrachomyomacMa, describing the fight of the frogs and mice. It will be well for the parents to remember that unity is strength and forego all foolish opposition to each other, as whilst they are hquabbling 1 they are apt to lose sight of the fact that their children are growing up in ignorance. There is as good materul in this district as in others, therefore why should it not advance in a like ratio with those adjoining? Echo answers why — because it is easier for a camel Jto jump through the- eye of a darning needle than for Eaglan to be of one mind. It will not be out of place here, especially as all the local Press aie discussing the new Education Act, to suggest to come of thof« journals, and to our Provincial Councillors in Parliament assembled, to advocate the insertion of a clause into the old Act to the eftect that all communications between local committees and the teachers shall be in writing, and vice versa. This would place the schoolmaster in a more independent position and enable him to do his duty impartially ; besides this, the inspector of schools, when enquiring into any dispute between school committee andjteacher will be in a position to decide at once as to which is in the wrong, having all the documents, etc., before him. This rule should be compulsory, and is absolutely requisite in small places where so many trade jealousies exist, which are on many occasions the latent causes of •ehoolmisters being summarily di-misaed. There will be no fear of the editor or Provincial Councillor who champions this being burnt in offigy.