THE EDUCATION BOARD.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4258, 12 November 1874, Page 3

THE EDUCATION BOARD.

Sm,—Observing in your issue of to-day a letter jdgned “ Amicus'’ (commenting on the Board of Education). I think it advisable for public information to direct attention to some-of the untruths which it contains. I extract the following:— “ Amicus" says—“ Very fow members take a real or active interest in education. Mr. Graham does the secretary's business at £3OO per annum : Mr. Brandon does the law business ; Mr. Hutchison does the printing ; Mr. Toomath did the office of itinerant inspector lor some time, and it appears when any other gentleman of the Board wishes to come to Wellington, or is compelled to come on private business, he calls at the Education office, asks politely is there to bo a meeting —perhaps two others are invited—and they there and then sit down to make laws for the poor teachers and ratepayers, laws that must from the hurry v/ith which they are considered be afterwards unworkable, as they have proved to be. But I have made a mistake." (Truly you have, "Amicus," not in the animus you display, but in what you state as facts,) A more common business of the meeting is to adjourn. 'Most likely, after the travelling expenses are settled—and who dares speak! Reporters from the papers are seldom present, for there are no fettled days of meeting, and I'havo your authority, and that of your evening contemporary for stating that you have been several times without any information as to the time, and oftencr still that when you do get notice, it is so short that you cannot make arrangements to send a reporter." If the remarks at the beginning of this extract mean anything, “ Amicus" would Insinuate that the gentlemen, whose names ho-gives, receive in some way or other payment for their services as members of the Board. Though they cannot by law ge£ paid, they do by a side wjikl. To this I give the fullest contradiction and challenge inquiry. * Not satisfied with this, "Amicus" goes on to Insinuate that any member of the Board who may choose to do so can come to town—though on his own private business—•'call at the education office- perhaps two others are invited—and they there and then sit down to make laws," Ac. Such gross calumny as this I have but seldom seen. To insinuate that any one could bo found base enough to stoop to such practices as these, shows a depth of depravity which, X trust, is very rare. The simple truth is, the members living in Wellington or near It could not help any country member so to act if they would. The times of meeting of the Board have for many months past been fixed for the first and third Mondays in each month. This is well known to every member of the Board, and to the public too. So that ahy one having business to do with the Board can do so, knowing the time when to come. “ Amicus " might. If lie loved the truth, have referred to the report of the Education Board for the twelve months ending 31st March, 1874, laid before the Provincial Council at its last sittings, and he would have seen the enormous sum of £44 s*. had been paid as “ member’s travelling expenses," and on enquiry ho would have found that this largo sum was lessened by such expenses as had been incurred by the itinerant inspector while engaged in doing certain work for the Board. “Amicus says, “There are no ’settled days of meeting," and appeals to you, in language quoted above, to bear him out as to your being uninformed as to the times of meeting, and so on. Now, Sir, I also appeal to you (and your evening contemporary), and respectfully ask you

whether you do not know the times when the Board meets, and whether you have _ not every opportunity to make yourself acquainted with all its doings, when it does meet '! ... If needs he, I purpose to take up the remaining assertions at another time. This letter is already too long. I have, Ac,, E. Toomatii. November 9.