ST. LEONARDS SCHOOL.

Evening Star, Issue 8720, 12 January 1892, Page 2

ST. LEONARDS SCHOOL.

TO THB EDITOE. Sie, —To those acquainted with St. Leonards it is not a difficult matter to discover the identity of what may be called the anthor (not writer) of the letter signed "Truth" in the Stab of yesterday. I certainly agree with him in the main about the recent selection of mistress; but, as a majority of the Committee thought otherwise, the matter may be allowed to rest. The returns for September quarter'were fully up to the required number to secure two teachers. Since then the attendance has fallen off, principally through sickness and removals. At the time " Truth " speaks of there were at leaßt ten laid up with influenza, and I know of others kept at home lest they should Ske it; and in November the school was }Bed for a week on that account. Reoently the parents of at least sixteen children have left the district. This, in conjunction with siokneßS, is what has lowered the attendance, and not the few who go to other schools. Is it not a fact that numbers of children from Port, Sawyerß Bay, and Ravensbourne go to town sohools ? Why no mention of thiß? The inspectors and the Education Board Bhould be the best judges of whether we have value for the money. Sir, the whole trouble arises from an unreasoning animus against the master taken by one or two in the district. Twelve months ago one of them made himself the laughing stock of Dunedin by his ridiculous (not to use a stronger word) charges against Mr Johnston, and from which the latter was completely vindicated. If the individual in question would refrain from interfering in matters beyond his ken, and allow others more capable to manage the school, he would confer a benefit on the community. When the author of the letter signed " Truth " writes over his name I will do likewise.—l am, etc, St. Leonards, Dunedin, January 12.