That Schoolhouse Meeting.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XX, Issue 2019, 19 January 1887, Page 2

That Schoolhouse Meeting.

To the Editor of the Standard.

Sin, —When I wrote a few lines last week criticising the action ot the Chairman of the late meeting at the Greytown school house, I pointed out in a fair way that Mr Udy, sen., allowed the speakers too much latitudesuffering them to speak just when they pleased. Thus time was lost, and when a show of hands was called for and taken the chairman did not decide upon it. When I opened Monday's Standard to read the news I found a letter signed by Mr Udy, sen., and though I laughed heartily to find that his dander was up, I was sorry for the sake of Greytown that I had been the means of drawing out the Mayor to make himself look so foolish. The angry spirit shown surprised me. Because 1 chose to criticise his action as chairman of a public meeting I am called “ a cur ” and " a dastardly follow." Mr Udy—l beg pardon—Your Worship the Mayor, I will speak. Remember “ Hard words break no bones ” and I am not to be sat upon even by such a high and mighty potentate as the Mayor ol Greytown. Again I say your action at the meeting gave pain to your best friends and I, for one, consider that yon are very much to blame for the unsatisfactory way in which the meeting broke up. Because I complained of one and another being on their legs to speak several times, you reply “If it was wrong for people to be on their lees would you have them to be on their heads ?” Sc profound a question I would rather not try to answer. 1 will not insinuate that you was “ off your head ” when you wrote the letter, but I may express a hope that at the next meeting of the Council if you are again asked to rise upon your feet when addressing the members, you will not, in an angry spirit, stand npon your bead. I am, <ftc., Fair Play.

To the Editor of the Standard. Sir,— l notice that the chairman ol tb e Greytown school committee is the scape goa 4 of the whole of the committee for the action taken respecting the bead master. This is not right, and if I may use tbe words of Mr Udy, sen., towards one of your correspondents, I would say they are a lot of “curs.” But as this is not gentlemanly I will be satisfied with saying that as tbe whole committee had a finger in the pie they should get a little of tbe odinm of the affair. Mr Cotter acted as Chairman, and as such it was for him to take the leading part. Now he gets abused all over the place—is called an ass for bis pains, and I am inclined to think that some of the corn-* mittee are laughing in tbeir sleeves at the turn things have taken. Mr Cotter had an unpleasant duty to peiform at the meeting he said it was an unpleasant one.—and he did it in a frank way. In a very tame way the committee backed him up. But where were those who were to give evidence as to tbe unfitness of the bead master lor teaching the higher standards ? That there were several persons who spoke against the master is true —but why did they not speak ont and second the chairman that night. Let the Chairman alone, I say , and give the others a taste of public opinion and I wonder how they will like it. 1 am, &e , X.X X. To the Editor of the Standard. There was a Mayor who took the chair At a meeting in this Borough, Tbe people came to see the same, But, all present were not thorough. Many spoke (quite “ a pig in a poke,”) ’Bout head master and his teaching,

Gave short result—made parents sulk And say, “ he’d better go a preaching.” After discussion—and some fussing The chair put question to the vote, Count hands—uproar—division called for The meeting thought it “ all a joke,” Then what dy’e think—rushed into print Teacher, Mayor and Cotter, To prove and strive “ bow many beans mak five,” And this made matters hotter. Let parents pause, nor lay the cause Of bad results in Standard passing To teachers share, when all the scare Is scholar’s want of brains (no laughing] Sib,— Tbo’ few people know it, You see I’m a Toet, And think it just the time, To give you a scrawl And aid in the brawl Going on in this Boro’ of mine. 1 am, &0., Fiddle De Dee.