THE TOKOMAIRIRO DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL SCANDAL.

Evening Star, Issue 7470, 14 March 1888, Page 3

THE TOKOMAIRIRO DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL SCANDAL.

TO THE EDITOR, Sir, —It was with f-elings of disgust that I read the decision of the Education Board regarding the confirmation of the extremely unjust appointment of Miss Ricba>ds to the position of fourth assistant in the Tokomairiro District High School, in preference to one duly qualified. A greater piece of injustice to the other candidates and the majority of parents in thin district, and anything more likely to militate against the success of the school, than tho action of those mainly responsible for this appointment, could not bo well conceived. Dr Brown, chairman of tho Education Board, has, in my opinion, shown excessive weakness in not exercising his deliberative vote, and, if need be, his casting vote also, one way or another; for the Board tacitly admitted having sent Miss Richards’s name under a misapprehension. What his motive was for not having done so is beyond my ken. The position we now stand in is that we have foisted upon us through collusion on the part of men who previously were never allowed an opportunity of showing their bias and nnfitness for a place of trust a young lady holding the lowest classification in teaching, viz,, partial E, and that obtained since the committee’s selection and without a single certificate as to fitness to teach music; while on the other hand we had within our reach a well-qualified teacher, possessing in classification full B and partial D, with high certificate as to competency to teach singing to the upper standards—precisely what was required. Had the majority of our local committee been true to the trust reposed in them by the householders in this district she would have received the appointment. Further comment is needless. Their own action will shortly be subjected to review by the true friends of the school.—l am. etc., Oliver Twist. Milton, March 13.