GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY ?

Gisborne Standard and Cook County Gazette, Volume II, Issue 180, 9 August 1888, Page 2

GUILTY OR NOT GUILTY ?

It is clear that things are not working as satisfactory as could be wished in connection with the Patutahi School. A short time ago, in giving a report of the proceedings of the Hawke’s Bay Education Board, we published a deci, sion that had been arrived at with regard to Mr MacLintoch, master of the Patutahi School. The matter occurred to us then as being very strange, as we had not heard the slightest murmur or hint of anything of the kind, and as the affair appeared so serious we quite anticipated that there was more yet to come. We must confess that we are at a loss how to approach the subject ; because if the Committee acted as they did without feeling there was some justification for it, then they have certainly taken a most reprehensible—indeed, a criminating, course, for which they have rendered themselves liable to serious consequences. And looking at it from this point it is evident that the dissehting members did not take the stand that was necessary—in a serious matter like this they would have acted more to the point had they resigned, by way of protest, and thus left the householders to decide. The motion, we are informed, was carried by a majority of one—For: Messrs Douglas, McClive, Scragg and J. Hills ; against: Messrs Ferguson, Ritchie, and Atkins. It is most unfortunate that anything of the kind should have occurred, because in a place like Patutahi close attention should be paid to the education question. The children are under many disadvantages which in no circumstances occur in town, and it behoves the country people to make the best use of the privileges they can command, so that their children may not be hopelessly handicapped in the great struggle which is before them. For these reasons we Should very much like to see an amicable settlement arrived at, and if the whole trouble is a result of misunderstandings, it would be much better were there to be a general hand-shake. But as we must take the facts before us it seems plain that the Committee—or the majority of it—are much to blame, and therefore deserving of the condemnation pronounced by the public meeting. After that meeting those Committeemen have but one course (unless they admit that they were altogether wrong), that is to resign. When we come to consider the high reputations held by all the gentlemen concerned, we cannot believe that their action was, as stated, the result of malice, or that they had any other object in view than the promotion of the school’s welfare. But views sometimes widely differ on the most important questions, and indiscretion appears in this case to have led to the most unpleasant developments.