Miss M'Phee's Letter to the Committee.

Manawatu Herald, Volume II, Issue 91, 9 July 1880, Page 2

Miss M'Phee's Letter to the Committee.

Foxton, July 6, 1880. Mr Chairman, And Gentlemen of the •'omroittee, — (hnveth* honour to inform jau that Mr Thynne came to me one day in hid capacity of Chairman, affirming that the Committee had been asked to make certain iuventigstiona.regardiug the charges brought forward by Mr Hulke against Mr Foulis. I replied that I had nothing to do with the Infants, and would have nothing to say in the matter. Mr Hulke then explained that there wan a section of the Infants in my department ; and,though they were at the time referred to (Deer. 12th, '70) uuder the special care of Miss Nash, the P. T., still 1 had no doubt occasionally taught them. Mr i'hynne could see I was unwill ing to be drawn into the nffair, and then be nil but insisted I should sign an affidavit that the Infants were not examined by the Inspector. Now I thought this document was to be sent to the Hoard in Wangauui at once, but in reading over the evidence, I find uo reference made to it at all. I now demand of Mr Thynne what he haa done with it P You must bear in mind, gentlemen, that in speaking of the Infants, I had until Mr Hulke explained so clearly — always meant the young ones in the Infant room proper. But this new view, coupled with the faot that I had, however reluctantly, taken tt part in the proceedings, I very naturally turned the macter over in my mind more than if I had been permitted to take a neutral part, as I wished. The roßUlt was, that 1 at last remembered the faot that several children, who were not trained either in Standard I. or 11., were sent up to read and spell. I can reonll the names of some ; but, having no acoeas to the Registers, and forgetting whioh passed the Standards, I cannot now give all the namea. When I knew positively that Mr Foulis heard some pupil* whom Mr Hulke bad designated Infants, I at once wrote to him ; being then fully convinced that my affidavit would be produced at the meeting of the Board. It is a pity none of the teachers asked Mr Foulis to hear the olasset below Stan dard. I was just four months at Foxton at the time ; and if the pupils in that category are rather big for their age, I had nothing to do with that, as they were not my pupils. 1 remember distinctly that Mr Hulke and mydelf told Mr Foulis, we were only trying those ohildren, but did not expect them to pasa ; several pupils remember it, too. I understand the impression is abroad that I favour Mr Foulis, because he is a countryman. I protest against this, awholly untrue. The gentleman has never done me any favour, as anybody can Boe by reading his report; I have not heard from him siuce i^anuary Uat~and that waa ob official boai-

ness. I wish to act justly ; and had I not written to Mr Fonlis, after hiving Bi*ned the document for Mr Thynne, I should have acted unjustly to him and to my own conscience. I think, also, any right-minded person would ba apt to call me a coward, (seeing that Mr Hulke w^s assisted by most of the teachers in the district as was supposed) if after accusing a gentlora*u, an \ finding I wai in error on subsequent consideration, I should have failed to repair my mistake. I fear God more than man ; and it might b« better for all parties, if this were common among us. Trusting I have made myself clear to you, in this complicated affair, I have the honor to bet . Gentlemen,. .. __. .._..__ Four obedient servant, .Flora ll'Phbb