THE EDUCATIONAL RESERVES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 604, 29 April 1870, Page 2

THE EDUCATIONAL RESERVES.

TO THE EDITOR O* THE STAB. Sib, — I notice that a good deal is made out | of Mr Rolleston haying appointed a Steward of Educational Reserves at a salary of £200 a year, when the rent of the reserves was estimated at £400 a year only. I take it for granted that the following facts are established in connection with that appointment: — 1. Mr RoUeston did make such au appointment. 2. There was no necessity for a Steward of Educational Reserves. 3. If there was such necessity, 50 per cent, on the .revenue was a monstrous .salary to give. 4. The people's money has been spent, and is being spent, in paying a most disproportionate salary to an officer who is not required at all. But, sir, does it not strike you that there is another and a much more serious way of looking at this subject ? I think there is, and if you will allow me space in your paper— and let me tell you, though you may think I am flattering you, that your paper is read and prized by thousands in and about Christchuroh— l will give my reasons for thinking so. What were the educational reserves set aside for ? I take it they were set aside for the sole übg and benefit of the people, and for the purpose of aiding a very desirable and necessary object— the education of every child in the province, the poor especially. But what has Mr Rolleston done? Why. Sir, he has gone and given away half the revenues estimated to arieefrom these reserves —the revenue may be, and very likely wjll be,

less than £400 — to an officer who is not wanted at all. Sir, I will not say what I think of this conduct. The words I should use to characterise it are too strong, for it is calculated to excite the warmest indignation of every man in the province. I know, from sad experience, that there are hundreds, perhaps there are thousands, of children in Christchurch who never attend any school because their parents are too poor to pay the fees. And what I want to ask you— what I want every working man struggling with a large family to think of is this — would not the £200 a year which has been squandered on a steward of reserves have paid for a good teacher to superintend a large /ree school in Christchurch? Such a school is very much wanted. I cannot give my vote to the man who appointed the steward of educational reserves. Tour obedient servant, ■- ARTIZ AN.