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EtelE

Eeplying your 832/93, intimating the appointment of Mr. James Meffen instead of Mr. John Trott, I have to inform you that Mr Trott denies being a non-resident, and, as the Committee are of the same opinion as Mr. Trott, I am instructed to ask you to be good enough to state on what grounds Mr. Trott is declared a non-resident by the Board. Enclosed herewith please find circular duly signed and filled up. It refers to religious instruction after or before school-hours. I remain, &c, The Secretary, Board of Education, Auckland. Thomas Fisher, Chairman.

Sir, — Fairburn, Mangonui, sth September, 1893. I am instructed by the Committee to request your Board to appoint a male teacher to the Fairburn's Eoad School in place of the present female teacher. The Committee have offered her an opportunity to resign, which she declines to take advantage of. The Committee trust it will be unnecessary to enter into any detail to obtain from the Board compliance with their request, as it is quite hopeless to get on here without a change, and such detail must afterwards appear to the Board regrettable, and is likely to give rise to much trouble. I remain, &c, The Secretary, Board of Education, Auckland. Thomas Fisher, Chairman.

Sir,— Fairburn Eoad, 27th September, 1893. Sorry you have not seen fit to reply to my letters—one three weeks ago, the other four weeks. The Committee are still awaiting your reply. Yours, etc., The Secretary, Education Board, Auckland. Thomas Fisher, Chairman.

Sir, — Board of Education, Auckland, 29th September, 1893. I am directed to inform you that your letter, dated the sth September, asking for the removal of the teacher, was laid before the Board at its meeting on the 26th instant, and that consideration thereof was deferred. I have, &c, Vincent E. Eice, Secretary. The Chairman of the District School Committee, Fairburn's Eoad.

Extract from Letter from Chairman of Fairburn's Eoad School Committee, dated the 11th October, 1893, to Secretary, Education Board, Auckland. " Enclosed also is a petition from householders (and their wives) of the Fairburn's School District, expressing confidence in the present School Committee. "Mr Christensen claims that the Committee does not represent the school-children. Let us see :Mr Carl Christensen, 4 children; Mr. Thomas Whitehead, 4 children, Mr. Thomas Coulter, 4 children; Mr Thomas Shearman, 2 children total, 14 children. Mr Gardner, 4 children, Mr May, 4 children ; Mr Fisher, 2 children, Mr McKay, 1 child; Mr. Eodgers, 4 children; Mr Watson, 4 children total, 19 children. " This shows that the majority of the children of the district is with the Committee. The children of Messrs. Eodgers and Watson do not now attend school, but would do so if we had a change of teacher " Thomas Fisher, Chairman."

Sik,— Board of Education, Auckland, 16th October, 1893. Eeferring to my letter dated the 29th ultimo, I am directed to ask the Committee to be good enough to specify the reasons why they desire a change of teacher I have, &c, Vincent E. Eice, Secretary. The Chairman of the District School Committee, Fairburn's Eoad.

(Private and Confidential.) Sic, — Fairburn, Mangonui, 16th October, 1893. In reply your 1709/93 to hand, containing statements of Messrs. Carl Christensen and T Whitehead, as follows — "J. Meffen and W Eodgers are not qualified to be members of the Committee, as neither of them reside within the school district, nor send children to the school " —you request me to report fully to the Board. I trust the Board will have patience with me while I try to do so. In the past I have tried to be frank and exact in my statements, and I can assure you, whatever you have been told to the contrary that this Committee deserves your confidence, and their action in every particular is such as, if better known to the Board, would gain their entire and most hearty approval. I have on more than one occasion proved to the Board that Mr Carl Christensen's statements were not only grossly false, but they were slanders assiduously conveyed to the Board in order to create a prejudice against the Committee. That he still continues in this course, and with some success, is only what I anticipated in a previous letter The complaints "above referred to are unfounded. They are the reverse of the truth, and Messrs. Carl Christensen and T Whitehead know it as well as I do, and I have examined the whole particulars of the case. Mr. Carl Christensen made the same charge against Mr. Eodgers before, and I denied the truth of the charge on that occasion. lam now asked by the Board to report again. I report now that Captain Eodgers is in the district, and add my opinion for what it is worth that Carl Christensen should have been compelled to show he is not in the district before taking action on the same charge a second time. Captain Eodgers is not only resident in the district, but he informs me he has four children of school-age, and that he has already acquainted yoar Board that he cannot consent to send innocent children to- a school in the management of which persons of doubtful .character