THE LIVINGSTONE SCHOOL COMMITTEE V. D. FARQUHARSON.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 973, 2 June 1879, Page 2

THE LIVINGSTONE SCHOOL COMMITTEE V. D. FARQUHARSON.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE OAMARU MAIL. Sir, —The attention of the School Committee having been drawn to certain statements touching their proceedings, contained in a letter signed "D. Farquliarson," which appeared in your issue of the 27th inst., lam instructed by them to reply thereto, as the statements referred to are very incorrect, and calculated, if not refuted, to give a wrong impression. Mr. Farquliarson asserts that " the Committee have been unable up to date to secure the consent of any person to act with them in the place of one of the majority who voted for their late action." The probable reason for this is that, in their desire to deal with all matters under their control with moderation, they put themselves to inconvenience to obtain the consent of some known at least to be friendly to Farquliarson, and they were, as he asserts, unable to gain such consent, though four were asked, besides one of his clique, whom the Committee elected subject to his consent, and who declined to act. This, in the opinion of the Committee, proves that no one can be found on the Maerewhenua willing to put himself to any trouble to defend his conduct ; in fact, even his friends disapprove of his action. No sooner did the Committee seek outside the circle of his known friends than three persons intimated to them their willingness to act, if elected, to fill the vacancy. These facts speak for themselves, and need no comment. The seat is now filled. The next sentence is so very obscure and void of sense that I confess my inability to understand it ; but as I have to deal with the first clause, I will leave the other portion to someone more skilled in obsolete lore. He refers to a member who has resigned as being " the chief cause of their (I suppose he mean's the Committee's) summoning me." The following, as gleaned from the minute book, is the true state of the case: "At the statutory meeting by which the Committee were elected (Mr. Farquliarson being present.) the following motion was carried unanimously, ' That this meeting distinctly desire the incoming Committee to put the compulsory clauses of the Education Act in force.' " The compulsory'clauses were adopted at the first meeting of the Committee with the same unanimity, six members being present. Indeed, every subsequent step taken by the Committee, up to their suit in Court, was approved of by every individual member, except in the case of the proposition to lay a complaint against Mr. F. when one member proposed an amendment " That the Committee, or part of them, before taking action as proposed, wait on them (the parents of the children not attending school) and endeavor to induce them to send their children." This, after three notices had been served oil Mr. Farquliarson, extending over a period of over six weeks without eliciting any reply, will prepare you to learn that the amendment lapsed for want of a seconder. This, I may say in passing, is the only instance during the Committee's term of office when an amendment has been proposed, so unanimous have they always been. This brings ire to his next assertion, "It is well known that there were three for peaceable measures and four for the means adopted." This my previous statements show to be utterly untrue. The inference to be drawn therefrom is that the whole reflecting part of the community is concentrated in the four " wiselings." I would like to know the meaning of this word, if you can oblige mo who occupy the seats" of the Committee. I submit, Mr. Editor, supposing that by " wiselings " is meant persons of intelligence, the Livingstone School Committee may fairly be complimented on having at its meetings so large a proportion of wisdom, such a commodity evidently being rare in some people. I have little more to say of '' the Committee's mildness and inoffensiveness." I leave your readers of the preceding facts to judge. Mr. Farquliarson defies them (the Committee) to do more than thev have done, as his name, in the eyes of all those who aro aware of the motive that prompted their action, is as unsullied as before. This is admitted. It is not easy to make soot any blacker. I forward herewith a copy of a resolution passed at a meeting of Committee held on the 29th instant after hearing Mr. Farquharson's letter read, which is as follows :—" That this Committee wish it to be distinctly understood that Mr. Farquharson's statement in the letter just read referring to Mr, Gilbert, the late member of Committee, is entirely false, and contrary to fact." It was further resolved that a copy of the resolution be forwarded to the Oamaru Mail for publication. I retain the original, signed by all the members present, for future reference, if required. I may, in conclusion, state that the foregoing remarks can all be substantiated by the oral evidence of the Committee, and by documentary evidence in their possession.—l am. &c. Chas. F. Roberts, Hon. Secretary, Livingstone School Committee. May 31, 1879.