THE OAMARU BOROUGH'S CHARGE FOR WATER TO THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XVIII, Issue 21, 19 September 1890, Page 19

THE OAMARU BOROUGH'S CHARGE FOR WATER TO THE CATHOLIC SCHOOL.

(To the Editor of the North Otago Times.) Sib,— l read in your issue of the 12th inst., a report ot a meeting o£ the Borough Council, and I am delighted with the Council s extreme liberality when dealing with the application for water to the Roman Catholic boys' school ; but when I take into consideration the fact that the other three primary schools (the North, South, and Middle schools) get the water free, the conncil's liberality disappears, and iustice takes its place. While the three schools namsd get the water free, the Koman Catholic school will have to pay £5 per annum for the water. But does not the Conncil tell ub the Girls' High School is charged £5 per annum for the water ? Sir, is it not refreshing to hear our city fathers talking to the Roman Catholic body about secondary edncation when that body has not got even the semblance of justice dealt out to them for primary education? But let us suppose, for the sake of argument, that that the other three schools had to pay for the water, which I maintain they have not. Even so, I ask should not the Roman Catholics be entitled to a little consideration, when it is considered that they build their own schools and pay for the education of their children out of their own private purse, and perhaps deny themselves some of the necessaries of life to do bo. That alone is a proof of their well-grounded conscientious scruples, and their undying zeal for the faith they Ijold.Unto them I say all honour and glory. Sir.-Lookmg to the fact that the Roman Catholics constitute one-seventh of our population, it is just that one-seventh of the taxpayers, and one-seventh of the children of the Colony should contribute in this proportm to the support of our public echocls while practically excluded from benefiting by them ; and, as I have said already, not from «* ll B ht **J opinions, but from deep religious convictions which in spite of what may be said or done, tbey will never surrender in this genera ion^or the generations to come. To them it is a matter of the deepest consideration and moment that in teaching their chi dren the three M a. they shall also teach them a knowledge of *« "^ *" *J*S? and fore-fathers were brought up in, and to which they attach i such reverend importance. To them, I say, all honour and credit t .you I ask our borough councillors, especially the new blood in the Council, If they are eoine to fan tbe flame of discontent by adding to the ce hh a ee d yy y a be e av g y°bu g rden of injustice ,be Roman Catholic body lie under by charging them £5 per annum for toe drop of water their children drink in scbool hours, while the other primary ■ohools {***«""*» free ? I ask the Mayor and councillors to re-consider their decision and «how that they are capable of dealing out e™^* J^f all, irrespective of creed or nationality. Again I ask the Council, will they reconsider this matter ? Sir— l pause for a reply.

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