TOO LOW.

TO THE EDITOR. ,

Sir,—l should like to draw your attention to the absurdly low house alkhvanc© made by the Education Board for a teacher at the'Linkwater school; in this case as there is no school residence, it really means board and lodging, and this intending applicants for the billet ought to know before applying. Ten pounds per annum, or a fraction under 4s per week! In small districts it is a little difficult to get accommodation, and parents for fear of not being able to have their children taught, put up with the inconvenience of taking into their house a stranger. Inconvenient in this way ; that what would suit a family by themselves they might not think good enough for boarders, especially highly educated ladies or gentlemen, which, of course, they always are. And if they have nice feelings, they, (and the teacher) would not like one privileged person having the best while others took whatever came; but if not, this would mean doubling the household expenses. One bedroom in a small house, perhaps the only one available for personal friends, is monopolised altogether. Unless ample allowance is made for board and lodging the position is awkward and unpleasant for both parties. Our Liberal Government allows 10s per head per week for its pensioners who "do" for themselves, and the question has been raised whether this is enough. Why then is 4s per week considered sufficient for a teacher at the Linkwater school? Ido not know whether the salary is considered sufficient to supplement this, but I think the Board should uphold the dignity of i the profession by allowing its assistants sufficient for their independence, apart from any charitable assistance given by. private householders. With the high rate of everything now 15s per week should be the very lowest allowance—and this might induce home respectable person of small means to take in, in an humble manner, a teacher as private boarder. FAIR PLAY. August 28th.