DIRTY LINEN.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14981, 29 April 1909, Page 2

DIRTY LINEN.

TO THE EDITOB. Sir —I have to thank Mr Howell for his candid admission that the Richmond scnolars were given the teachers garments to wash at the laundry class. He gives the impression, however, that there was only one isolated case. I his is not correct. The Richmond girls had the experience complained of oii6eve. ral occasions. Not only so, but the East Christchurch girls were siniilarlv treated. On the Friday before Good Friday, when there was no question of holidays, a " demonstration class' (to which the East Christchurch girls had been told to bring no articles tor laundry) was abandoned, and tho girls were employed in washing' the teacher's garments. I have also been informed that the West Christchurch girls had a similar experience. Of the Richmond and East Christchurch cs-.ss, however, I can speak positively, and Mr "Howell s explanation falls short of the facts. I will, merely add that I hold that"our primary schools, of which'as a nation we are justly proud, must not be allowed to fall to the level of charity schools. Only hv closely watching their management can we prevent abuses, such as I haveoomplamed of, creeping in. A writteu.protest to the Richmond school teachers evoked: the reply that they had nothing to do with it. I therefore proposed a motion of protest at tho householders' meeting, as I had a perfect right to do. I sincerely trust that what I have complained of was the result of the teacher being unacquainted with colonial ideas, and that there will be no repetition of it. • With regard to the remarks of Mr Hardy, M.P., chairman of the Education Board, I can quite understand he would have no objection to what I have felt it my duty to protest against. People of his superior type apparently consider that any treatment is good enough for those who are taught at the primary schools.—l am; etc., s G. W. RUSSELL,.

TO THE EDITOE. | Sir,—ln reference to a report head* ed "Dirty Linen and Its Public Washing,''" I was at the meeting when th« said dirty linen received its. publia washing, tfnd 1 must Bay that if the charge had not been of ed serious al nature, the whole affair would have been most amusing. Against the' charge itself I can say nothing till -its is proved. We give the instructress the benefit of the doubt. But agains* the member of Parliament's manne* of address I do object and strongly. A public servant of the Educational Department to be referred to as art "English importation", waa bad enough, hut it was adding injury to insult to finish with '/and I quite he*, lieve it." What was the member's meaning? • Is this not an Englisa colony, and mo6t of itg people English importations? What, then,' has the member of Parliament against ..he instructress being an "English importation" to say the sooner she "waa packed off Home the better," or some words to that effect? We are . all proud of England and its English importations, as well we may be. Would the member kindly explain bis meaning? Surely the great demonsfccition recently hel<f in the King Edward Barracks was proof enough of our feelings to England and English importations.. am, etc.. ' AN ENGLISHWOMAN-