SHADY DOINGS OF THE WELLINGTON EDUCATION BOARD.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume I, Issue 24, 11 October 1873, Page 13

SHADY DOINGS OF THE WELLINGTON EDUCATION BOARD.

An exchange from the province of Wellington calls attention to a provision in iha Ordinance, exempting children attending private schools from paying the capitation rate, on a certificate being produced from the teacher that the child had attended three months at school previous to July. It then asks, "What is the meaning, then, of the Board's attempting to collect the rate in defiance of this provision, or without distinguishing between those legally liable to pay, and those who are not. Of course (our contemporary remarks) ifc cannot be on the assumption that parents are ignorant of the provision. But nevertheless it is perfectly true that some have paid the fee in ignorance, and are entitled to have ifc returned." Commenting on this conduct, " Argus," in the Wanganui ' Herald,' unveils las mind in these terms :— " The miser ssid to his son, « Get money honestly if you can, but get money.' The Ed ucation Board iollow the same principle, and draw funds into their exchequer by means which, to say the least, are questionable. To serve a notice calling upon parents to pay 5s per head for all children not exceeding four, between the ages of five and fifteen, under a penalty of 403, without inserting a clause to the effect that outside education exempts from the tax, deserves the strongest reprobation. Under the JSgis of non-responsibility, the Board attempt that which would stamp sliady oa any ordinary business transaction."