The Quarter-Money Impost.

Observer, Volume XI, Issue 648, 30 May 1891, Page 7

The Quarter-Money Impost.

An Opotiki correspondent has forwarded us a copy of a big folio circular, wrifctenjin ' jellygraph,' that has been issued by Mr 0. Cooper, teacher, to the parents of that district, appealing to them to keep on paying quartermoney, which he charges at the rate of threepence for preparatory class, sixpence for standards I. and 11., ninepence ior standard 111. and a shilling for standards IV. V. and VI. He adds :— ' The teacher has no desire to make any profit, nor mill he make any loss. 7 There is a noteworthy difference in language here. He ♦ will not ' make a loss, but he does not say that he will not make a profit. This may not 1 - be intentional, however, as Mr Cooper seems to write rather carelessly. For instance, his spelling is decidedly que^r in the concluding sentence of the circular, which reads thus : -

1 It is hoped that perents will see that there arrangements are for their own interest, saving them both trouble and expense.' This letter proves that the teachers in general are wedded to the existing system, and it favours the view that there are some fat pickings to be got out of the statioaery business. We trust the time is not far distant when the Board of Education will relieve the teachers of their trading branch, by providing school requisites, such as pens, ink, slates, slate-pencils, blotting-paper, &0., free of charge, leaving the children free to buy school books, exercise and copy books, &c. from the teachers at cost price— the teachers simply acting as agents for the School Committees in the matter.