A REPLY.

Gisborne Times, Volume VI, Issue 275, 29 November 1901, Page 2

A REPLY.

(To tho Editor of the Times,) Sik, —I notice in your Wednesday’s issue that Mr Hill stated at the last meeting of tho Education Board that I had said “ he and all the members of the Board could ‘go to blazes.’ ” I should be glad if you would kindly allow me, through tho medium of your columns, to give an absolute denial to that—and I may be considered as upon oath—as it is utterly false. I did not even tell Mr Hill to “go to blazes,” and why Mr Hill should say I conjoined the Board with him in that remark, I am at a loss to conceive, unless 110 wishes to ally the minds of the Board members antagonistically to me, oven as he has set his own mind. Mr Hill should have arrived hero on the 28th ult. at 1 p.m., but being detained at the “ Makauri enquiry ” did not turn up' till 2 p.m. He commenced his examination of the upper school at 8.60 a.m. on the

following day. I must truly say that ho introduced excitement, agitation, and annoyance. Mr Hill seemed to have a bee in his bonnet, and he literally upset the children. The children came to me one after another, and said “Mr Hill never examined us like this before, sir? ” I could see Mr Hill meant mischief, and I told him his examination was a foregone conclusion, and I ncvor go behind a man's back. I had no conversation with MiHill only before the children. Immediately he concluded his examination, somewhere near 6 p.m., he said, 11 1 have been '23 years an inspector, and I was never so insulted in all m,y life by a teacher telling me my examination was a foregone conclusion.” I replied, “ I repeat it with emphasis, and will report the day’s proceedings to the committee.” We shook hands, and said good-bye. Mr Hill weut into the lower school, and I put on my hat and walked out on the road, leaving Mr Hill following the bent of his inclinations in walking over the lawns. Now, whether the children have advanced or not under my tuition I leave the Committee and the parents to judge ; but at our next committee meeting f intend laying a written report before the members, together with papers past and present, being the work of children attending this school during the last two or three years: also result of an examination of this school—together with papers and questions —which was made Aprii ilth, 1901. 1 arrived here ten days prior.—l am, etc.,

W. A. Spuukell, Master Ormond School,