THE WHATAWHATA SCHOOL.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1275, 31 August 1880, Page 3

THE WHATAWHATA SCHOOL.

. TO THE EDITOR. Sic, — Will you kindly insert the following in your valuable columns. Being" a member of the School Committee, I was present' at the meeting referred to in your issue of the 24th inst., headed " "Whatawhata School Matters," in which your correspondent states that within the list few weeks nearly every child attending the school has been shut out in the wet and cold. This statement is false, the occurrence only taking place once, and that not on a wet day. Lengthening the school hours was in accordance with the instructions of the Board ; and Mr Boler's attempt at dictating to the committee consisted in advising them to write to the Board stating their objections to the present hours of attendance, and aleo in asking them to make, some arrangements for cleaning- the closets. The majority of the committee decided that they had the power to alter the rules of the Board, and ordered the teacher to act contrary to the instructions of the inspector, which he refused- td do, stating that he could nob obey any instructions which clashed with those of the Board. I may state that the opposition only represent eight children out^of forty on the roll, and that Mr Boles djd define what was an explanation of; late attendance. The children who are almost invariably late live in the township, while those from a distance are invariably early. Children are, not considered late until quarter of an hour after school commences, and are then only detained in the cloak-room until the conclusion, of the lesson then going on. Throughput the meeting Mr Boler conducted himself in a gentlemanly manner under great provocation, and it would have been to the credit of some members of .the committee had they profited by his example. The 'majority of the inhabitants; of this nUce appreciate Mr Boler's kindness to the children, and his painstaking and, conscientious discbarge of his duties as a teacher. Former teaohers have gpne through the same tribulation from the efforts of a few wasps unfortunately settled here. It was known at the meeting that the teacher had not the right to reply in the public newspapers, and all juifcjttweLuprigbt people will sympathise with Mrßoler on £he occasion of such a coWardiy^'and. unprovoked attaok. — I Wbatawtala, August 25th,