BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2929, 4 May 1910, Page 17

BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

REVIVED INTEREST IN WELLINGTON. (From Our Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, April 26. There has been a slight revival in interest in the Bible-in-sfchools question here, aind the matter was discussed at several meetings last evening. At the Clyde quay meeting the I Bible-in-schools party had organised. • Then* ca,rds " had been circulated urgiing the friends of the cause to roll up and vote for a " ticket," which they.did, with the result that only two of the old committee were elected. The treasurer, who had served for 18 years, was rejected. So were others who had served for Hike terms. Of the nine candidates put forward by the Bible-in-scbools party seven were elected. During the discussion the head master (Mr W. T. Grundy) said he would be only too pleased to welcome to the school any worker in the cause of religion so far as the law allowed, but be was not prepared to allow anyone to come into the school and give religious instruction. Thirty-tw"o years ago he was- a denominational master in Birmingham, and he was quite well aware of the condition of the school in which he taught. "'. am perfectly certain," he added, " that the moral condition of the children of tho Clyde Quay School will compare favourably T7ith the moral condition pf those of other schools. When you are prepared to amend the existing act I will be prepared to carry out any condition which maybe imposed. If you wish it I will be prepared to resign, but at present 1 am not prepared to allow my staff to give any religious instruction. If it is to be £*iven it must be given by those outside." The Te Aro School Committee, in it* report to the householders, stated that it had recommended to the Education Board tnat between 9 and 9.50 o'clock on one day in each week the Bible should be read in the schools, but the board replied that it could not see its -way to adopt the recommendation. An amendment amounting to censure on the committee was moved, but was withdrawn. At the other meetings the question was not in evidence. THAMES, April 26. The Nelson system of Bible in schools was mentioned at local meetings of householders. No definite action was taken except that one committee decided to further consider the matter. NAPIER, April 26. At the annual meeting of the Pari Ahuriri householders a motion to permit Bible reading in that school was rejected by a very large majority.