THE REFOAM LEAGUE AND THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT.

Colonist, Volume XVII, Issue 1898, 8 April 1875, Page 3

THE REFOAM LEAGUE AND THE PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT.

9 ,Thb Befortn League having objected to the present mode of collecting the Education Rate, placed themielvea in communication . with the Government, and the following cor- » respondencehae taken place, viz.: 1 Williak Gibson to th» OwTßAii Board of p Education. , Gentlemen,—ln making the present demand upoa , you. I think it my duty to point out to you my ( reason for ao doing. I hare paid thirty shillings ! a year to the Educational Fund of this Province for the space of thirteen years, and hare had no difficulty . in the matter, or reason to complain till Monday, the 22nd February, 1875, when I received a summons for two years' rates. Having receipts for the Bame, I walked down to Mr Adams' office and showed them to his clerks, "he not boing present." Mr Moore told me I ought not to have been summoned, that I could leave the summons, and that I " should have no more trouble about it." I went about my business contented until Tuesday, 5 p.m., when Mr Helps gave me a subpoena to attend Court the next day at eleven o'clock.. I told him that I had been to Mr Adams' office and what transpired there. He said if they had not wanted my evidence they would not have sent it, and pointed to the last words, " fail not, at your peril." I therefore attended the Court at twelve o'clock. Mr Broad announced that the education cases would not be heard till two o'clock. I then left the Court and met with Mr Adams in the grounds. I asked why I had been called to attend Court, having showed my receipts. He then told me I had no business there—it was i mistake. I asked him to whom I should apply for compensation for loss of time. I had been called from my ordinary work by an order of the Court, and I ought not to suffer loss from their mistakes; but he gave me no satisfaction. I therefore went to Court at two o'clock, and when three or four cases had been disposed of my name was called by the Clerk of the Court. Mr Adams rose to withdraw the case, clearly showing that although I had done all I could to repair their error they had clone nothing to prevent my further annoyance and loss. I therefore submit to you; gentlemen, whether my claim upon you be not a just one.—l am youra respectfully, William Gibbon. March 2nd, 1875. Mr Gibson's Claim. Aelson, March 2,1875. Central Board of Education, . Feb. 24. Dr. to William Gibson. To loss of time by attendance, at Court at your request—one day, ... .... £0 10 O Reply to Fobeooing. Nelson, March 5, 1875* Mr Wm. Gibson, Nelson. Sir,—-The Central Board of Education has considered your letter of March 2, containing aa application for ten shillings to compensate you for loss of time in attendance at Court when summoned for an education rate, which you had already paid. I am directed to explain to you that the Board is in no respect liable on aooount of any injury thai you may have sustained, seeing that the person who sued for education rate is neither appointed by nor responsible to ths Board, and that the rate is not paid iv to the Board's account. The Board recommends you to make application to the Provincial Government.—l am, Sir, your obedient servant, ' W.C. Hodgson, SecretaryC.B.E. Mr Gibson to the Phovinoial Government. Nelson, March 22, 1875. .To the. Members of the Provincial Government. Gentlemen, —The enclosed correspondence betwixt the Central Board and myself will serve to slow my claim on the plaintiff in this case. I therefore send them to show that I in no way misrepresented tha case. I may further say that for the^r^ time I havethis evening heard from Mr Acton Adams, in theLeague's Boom, that he thinks I have some cause of , complaint.—Yours respectfully, '>..-■ , William Gibson Mr O'Conob to Mr Gibson. Provincial Secretary's Office, Nelson, April 1,1875. Memorandum to Mr Wm. Gibson. Your claim of 10s for attendance at the E.M.s Court has been allowed. You will receive the amount by calling at my office. Euo. J. O'Coxob, Provincial Seoretary* Mr W. G. R. Holland to the Pbovinoial, Exeouiivs. Nelson, March 23, 1875. To the Members of the Provincial Executive. Gentlemen,—l am requested by the Counoil of the Reform League to state to you my case re education rate, which the deputation could not do authoritatively, and which came before the Magistrate's Court on Wednesday last. I was summoned for 1871,. 1872, 1873, 1874, with the exception of 1873, (£1) all being for two pounds each year. It was specified in summons that if 1 paid it into Court it would be£7 8s Bd, including summons. Knowing that I did not owe the amount (holding receipts up to 1874) I felt it unjust. There was no alternative but to allow it to go into Court, the result of which was to burden me with oosts amounting to, one pound fourteen shillings, the sum due being only two pounds—one year's rate, and four children at 5s each. 1 may state that, being summoned for the large* amount, the summons was charged four or fiveshillings more than it should have done legitimately* —I beg to remain yours respectfully, William Gobdon Robinson Hgulakd, Hon. Member Radical Reform League-; Memo, kbom Mb Fuwt.. Mr Holland produoed no receipts in Court but onebeing 20a on account of rate levied 30th August 1873, nor did he ever show me any previously, and at the time the 20s was paid, Mrs Holland admitted that four children were going to Government school. W. FIiXTT.