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to-morrow—no, it would just complete their spite against the parents, which has its origin altogether apart from school matters. The parents have, however, so far managed to keep their children at school, although the Committee have not hesitated a moment to go to the school before closing of it and act in the most tincourteous manner before the children, which might tend to spoil the discipline that has been the very best so far We all have the greatest respect for the teacher, and cannot afford to part with her because of an uninterested Committee with only three children on the school-roll. Our school has flourished, and the children have been brought on splendidly for the four years our school has existed, and while under control of the old Committee; in fact, the proof of that is the Inspector's reports—which, of course, may be seen at your office at any time. The Committee have started their last and worst move, to get the teacher removed—a thing they know would injure us more than anything else they could do. I therefore beg the Board, for the sake of my four children attending the school, and who are so successfully taught by her, to let her remain here to continue her duty as teacher. Trusting to the Board's favourable consideration in this important matter, I am, &c, The Secretary, Board of Education, Auckland. C. Chbistensen.
Dear Sir, — Fairburn, Mangonui, sth October, 1893. We, the undersigned householders of the Fairburn School District, respectfully request your Board to grant the request of the School Committee for a change of teacher for the Fairburn School. We desire to express our approval of the action of the Committee and our reprobation of the virulent and unjustifiable attacks laid on them by Mr Carl Christensen in the Press and other ways. Eobebt Bitchie, Householder Captain W Eodgers, Householder C. Nicolson, Householder. Mrs. E. Eodgers. George Mardell, Householder W A. Gardiner, Householder James Meffen, Householder. Mrs. Gardiner. Mrs. George Mardell. Thomas Fisher, Householder. Mrs. Aleck McKay Mrs. Fisher. Alexander McKay, Householder. Mrs. Meffen The Secretary, Board of Education, Auckland.
Gentlemen, — Fairburn Eoad, 18th October, 1893. I am informed that Carl Christensen has been writing to you stating I am not in the Fairburn Eoad School District. I beg to state lam within the boundary According to the map the creek runs round the section lam living on. I was the first settler on the road—in fact, before the road was made. It was I who wrote the petition, got it signed, and forwarded it for the school. I am a true-born British subject, and my wife likewise, and we are lawfully married, and have four children which I wish to send, to school, and I intend doing so as soon as there is a change in the teacher. I wrote some time back asking for a male teacher, when I stated I would not send them while Carl Christensen was Acting-Chairman of the Committee and Miss Wrigley was teacher Carl Christensen is an alien, and living with a Maori woman, by which he has a large family of eight or nine , and there has been great talking about them through the settlement since he has been Acting-Chairman. Last year there was no legal School Committee, there was no meeting at the time appointed by the Board, and he asked me several times to go in the Committee, but I told him I would not go on clandestinely for him or any one, but if I was duly elected by the householders I would do my duty Carl Christensen is a constant visitor every evening at Mrs. Whitehead's, where Miss Wrigley boards and lodges, and it gives room for people to talk. He cannot visit the school so often now, as he is out of office. I asked him the reason he was at the school so much while he was Chairman, and he made the excuse it was to see the roll was kept correct, as he had to sign the papers. Last summer, one Saturday afternoon, Miss Wrigley was riding past my house, and she could not get her horse past my slip-rails. I went out and led the horse along. I asked her where she was going, and she said for a ride, but she did not proceed more than 10 chains when she metCarl Christensen, when they returned back together; and lam surprised there is so much notice taken about his writing. It appears as though he wants to rule the district by making so much fuss about the demarcation of the district. I should think we have a right to get our children educated , but mine is being brought up in ignorance, with the exception of what I teach them at night, and there is no other school within the distance of six miles. There are several settlers residing beyond me, and some in the bush, but Carl Christensen makes out that they are all out of the district. When Mr Frost was residing on the road he was appointed by the Board to act as President , but now the householder, Mr. Trott, resides in the same house he makes out he is not in the district. I think it is quite sufficient for the Board to interfere, if there are any grounds for them to do so, and not for a person like Carl Christensen. It appears he wishes to oust the Committee so that he can do as he likes, and have several in that can find themselves jobs to keep them in employment when they cannot get other work to do. And, as he is not on the Committee, I think there ought not to be any notice taken of what he writes, but simply told to mind his own business. When the Inspector comes round, if we have notice when he will be here, we can call a meeting of householders, then he can see who is in the right, as I think it is quite time this nonsense is stopped. Yours, &c, The Board of Education. W. Bodgeks. P.S.—lf you write to me, please address "Captain W Eodgers, Mangonui."