THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LIX, Issue 6870, 7 March 1883, Page 6

THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

TO TUB KDITOa. Sin,—As a member of our School Com* mitteo at the time of Mr Farr'e election to a seat on the Board, I would make known that we supported him under the impression that ho would uphold oar education system as a purely secular one. It it, therefore, with disappointment that I see he is trying to intro* dace Bibio-reading during school hours. < I hare always been, and still am, of opinion that if Bible-reading advocates arereaUyin earnest they can give children all needful in* * traction tinder the present Act. The unhappy fact is that, with a few bright exceptions, ministers, as a body, make the worst of the Act, instead of pulling with it. In this Borough, children of all denominations, including Boman Catholics, attend the Government schools, and are thus being brought up together as a happy family, free from sectarian strife. 1 trust, therefore, that Mr Farr will let well alone, and not try to sow what would prove to be the seed* of discord. Let us hope that his asking for farther time means that second thoughts havo come to the rescue, and that the motion will be abandoned.

I would take the opportunity of pointing out a defect that exist* in the election of new members to the Board. It is that Com* dittoes in country district* are, M a rule, wholly unacquainted with candidates and ihelr views, since no addresses are issued, aor any other means taken of making them known. Consequently, m in onr ease, Committee* not only fail to get their vi»w* repre* seated, hat sometimes even get misrepresented on the Board. Our difficulties do net ead even with Mr Farr, for at the late election we voted for Messrs Cunningham, Webb, and Lee—all of whom were returned —and here again the Committee had nothing before them as to the views of these gentlemen, so that although in this ease the Bibleread ine question was also the main consideration in nominating, the Committee m»y again find themselves mistaken when the question comes before the Board —I am, &e., W. H. HENNING. Akaros, March 5.