SALUTING THE FLAG.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11872, 25 January 1902, Page 6

SALUTING THE FLAG.

THE DISMISSAL OF MR. J. B. MURRAY.' ■' . t FURTHER LETTERS TO THE EDUCATION BOARD. The dismissal of the headmaster of the Kirikiri public school (Mr. J. B. Murray) for refusing .to instruct the scholars in hoisting and saluting the fla&, was again before the Board of Education at yesterday's meeting, when two letters, one from Mr. Murray, tho other from Mr. Chas. Quinn, who was chiefly responsible for the petition from residents of Kirikiri urging the Board to regain the services of the headmaster, wero received and laid on the table.

It was suggested by some of the members that the letters should bo dealt with, but as they had only baen received that day it was decided by tho majority that owrng to the great length of tlio communications consideration should bo deferred till next ordinary meeting, tho object being to allow of tho members becoming thoroughly acquainted with the contents of the letters in the meantime. • '

Tho letter from Mr. Murray (dated January 23), after traversing at length and denying tho accuracy of certain of the utterances of some members of tho Board at tho meetings hold on December 11 and January 15 with rogard to his (tho master's) attitude, went on to say:—"l have not yet stated whether I am a disloyal subject, a Fenian, a rebel, or not. A twentyconvicted street-prowler would not bo condemned on the twenty-first charge without dear proof. Am I to bo denied what is nover refused a veteran criminal of guilt before condemnation ' I liavo not (stated whether I am a pro-Boer or an antiBoer. Those who make so much of loyalty ought not to be guilty of ouo of tho greatest acts of disloyalty, in interfering with a person expressing an honest opinion without fear as a member of a community of freemen. Liberty to express our opinions is a privilege won by generations of struggles and sacrifice. We must guard it jealously as a most sacred right against the encroachments of those in authority, who sire at times liable to an access of powor intoxication. I soon • must leave the services of the Board, and it is outside of all bounds of fairness to fling wordy missiles at me which may seriously interfere with my getting the humblest kind of employment." Mr. Quinn, in the course of his letter (also dated January 23), denied the statement made by the chairman of the Board (Mr. L. J. Bagnall) that Mr. Murray refused to march the children past the flag, and went on to give his version of the affair as follows: —"Mr. Murray did not refuse. He told me that , the little children could not keep step with the bigger ones, nor time to tho music of a band that was playing, and on that account wished to have the smaller children left out. He had drawn up the children in order for the hoisting ceremony, and in overy way gave what help he c'ould and refused only to take part in tho saluting of the flag." Continuing, Mr. Quinn said ho considered the Board had been misled by a clique in the district, and concluded by again urging, on behalf of himself and co-petitioners, that the decision against Mr. Murray bo cancelled and that he be allowed to remain in his position as headmaster of the school.