THE INQUIRY ON THE 9th.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6000, 9 February 1881, Page 6

THE INQUIRY ON THE 9th.

TO THE EDITOR. ' Sir, —I think that we can see the same vice in the government of the provincial Grammar School that you once brought forcibly before us in the ease of the Howestreet Industrial School. A lady complained of certain faults in that institution. The Board told her she must bring specific charges, and must substantiate them before a judicial body. She felt herself snubbed, and laid her statement before the public. An inquiry by a Government officer was demanded, and the result was in accordance with her views. In that case, however, I believe that the Board did make some private inquiries. A parent complains to two of the governors of the Grammar School of certain matters that he thought needed reform. He is asked to give a short memo, of the several matters to -which he referred. After -waiting some weeks he learns that the memo, was of do iise, as it had no signature. He supplies the name. Suddenly, after a delay of seven months, and. ■when the edge of memory is dull, he is summoned to attend a meeting on the 9th, to give evidence. The lesson that we parents learn from these facts is that it is useless, for us to complain to the governors on any matter, as they will do nothing more than demand specific charges, hold a Court, and expose the complainant. This, I submit, is not the course that would be adopted in any other establishment. A man of business hears that things are not right at home. He goes, quietly watches, and, if he sees that there is a prlma facie case, calls upon the inculpated party to explain, supplying then, of course, specific charges and a fair Court. Would he rest quiet for seven months, doing nothing, and then only act when pressure is brought to bear upon him? We hear of no private inquiries, no examination of timetables. The unfortunate complainant must bear the ■whole burden. When even an attempt is made in the Board to go into the question of those discrepant time-tables the attempt was defeated. The present inquiry cannot give satisfaction or restore confidence. It must be conducted in the same way as that in the case of the Howe-street Industrial School.—l am, &c, A Parent. [This is an inaccurate representation of the position. Dr. Purchas made no attempt to push the investigation of his charges, on the contrary, he tacitly acquiesced in their being held over. There is no tittle of evidence that the Board desires to expose the complainant, it only requires him to produce the proofs of the truth of what he asserts. It is no part of the duty of the Boai-cl to spy out the truth or otherwise of the assertions. It was not its duty to substitute itself for Dr. Purchas as prosecutor. It is true that the Board should not have delayed as it has done the investigation of the charges.—Ed.] __.j