A NELSON COMPLAINT

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 187, 27 April 1918, Page 8

A NELSON COMPLAINT

GEHMAN-IiOIhY MUSIC TEACHER EMPLOYED. Sir,—l nm prompted to ask you to pub* lisli fhe annexed correspondence becausa our brave boys wi the battlefields de-. maud our utmost consideration and sup-' port—beta use we cannot afford to pander to the enemy, in view of the daily,' record;! of his uevilry, and because tho) matter concerns so many cf your loyal; British readers. ' ■ You will observe, Sir, that the Go'ver-. nors of Kelson College have ignored my; request lor permission for boarders to' be taught music by any British teacher they may prefer, and desire to pay for this extra subject (a privilege the day scholars have always enjoyed), instead; of being compelled to patronise and employ a German or his assistants, and pay • the' Nelson School of Music (Herr Lem-! mer, Principal) direct, as at present. The; Governors' reply to my letter is attached. If, all the loyal British parents ccn- : cerned object, and an important class of thTsyllabus of a public school is abau-, doned in consequence, according to the. Governors' decision, Jlerr Lemnier must, still bo retained and paid his full salary • by the said lova! British parents, in., consideration of Heir Lemmer's pres-; Would such a state of things be tol- ' crated in anv oilier city, town or commuiiity, outside the Kingdom ot Runs, at suchatimoasthis^an^^^ Stanley- Downs,, Nelson. [Enclosures.! March 14, 1918. To tho Governors of Nelson College. Gentlemen-Some time ago 1 applied to the Principal of the Girls' College (Nelson) for permission for my daughter to take music lessons from Mr. 1 ait but was informed that boarders were not atlowed to be taught music by any other teacher than llerr Lemnier or his assistants. , This, of course, means that my only option is to remove my daughter from tne college or neglect an important part of tho girl's educate. The writer objects on principle to be compelled to contribute to the luxurious upkeep o£ 1 here follow some strong references to Herr Lemnier'and Germans generally |. This is not a personal matter, me writer does not, know Herr Lemnier personally, but A * Britisll «V? en J m f emphatically protests against his daughter being compelled to learn music or "ngina under Herr Lemmer or any other G This 1 protest you will of course understand applies to the bi-weekly singing lessons at the Girls' Co lege as well as to her extra music. I thereforejapeefc. fully request that you will kindly instruct the Principal to excuse my daughter from attending the singing lessons conducted by Herr Lemnier The writer further protests aganst any born German enjoying such a lmiatne position in any public school oi other British institution, wnilst.. u' boy* at he front are giving their live.. fo u. fWiting German devils, and frusta that vou, as British gentlemen, wi Ino longer compel parents.to patron- &» when this-is so repugnant to their (Copy of Reply.) Nelson College, kelson. H.Z., College Office, April 2, 1918. H. G. Berryman, Esq., Stanley Downs, Kohatu. Dear Sir,—l am directed to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of March U, which was submitted to .he meeting held on Wednesday last, and in repl> to inform you that, as tho Latlv Principal has been instruct:sa to exempt your daughter from the singing class.-I am, etc. (Signed) K. GATLM, Secretary. fWe haw made inquiries into the statements made by our correspondent »d find that Herr Lemmer is a natnraiisea at tlie wof IB .v M "- mi "Tl ed , °" , / 0| ,i»« to .;.* «<" Z?'!Zn