HARAPIPI SCHOOL

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2604, 21 March 1889, Page 3

HARAPIPI SCHOOL

TO TflK EDITOR. SlU.—As your llarapipi correspondent made uji of my name in liis letter of the ltlth ult in your paper, kindly grant me the usual courtesy of space for a few lilies in reply. 1 was one of those who put my name to the petition mentioned in yonr correspondent's letter, and should bo obliged if he would specify the uutruthful statements made therein. Most of the signatories have been in the district somewhere about twenty years, and their reputation for truthfulness is quite equal, it not superior to that of your correspondent. It is quite true, strictly speaking that the petitioners ate in a minority, but when I mention that they represent fourteen children or so out of a total attendance of about seventeen, it alters the case considerably. I think your correspondent would do well to follow his own maxim and keep near the truth when writing Press letters. The teacher's shortcomings, which he says were discovered after last examination, and by parents of children that did not pass, wore well canvassed in the district three yean ago ; in fact I was asked to sign a petition for his removal, and refused, being a lover of peace and quietness. With regard to my own boys, on account ot their irregular attendance I have not sought to have them put up for standards, and none of them were presented last examination, so that as far as I am concerned the signing of the petition did not result from disappointed hopes in connection with it. Having hold the views I now hold with reference to the teacher not only for three but for five years, I in my ignorance thought myself generous and forbearing in the extreme in refraining from interference so long, Of course, I cannot speak a» to thn motives which induced the others to sign the petition, but if they have the courage of their opinions, they will not bo spat upon with impunity by such men as your " Own Correspondent." for it is my opinion the petitioners did not go far enough. They should have said a few plain words to the committee. Those who aspire to be representative men on school committees and such local institutions should bear in mind that there are duties to be performed by them, and when they fail in the performance of those duties, they Bhould give place to better men. Had the chairman done his duty, and appointed two members of the committee to visit tlio school regularly, as is done in other districts to see that things were carried on in an efficient manner, this hubbub would never have occurred. The matter concerns the parents in the school district and T think your correspondent in rushing into print with assertions lie cannot verify, did the teacher (who may well cry "Save me j from my friends ") more harm than good. I should advise him for the future to stick to his usual topics, the weather, the crops, | and my furze fences. Ho will then bo at home.—l am, &c. W. 11. James.