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Typo: A Monthly Newspaper and Literary Review, Volume 5
[miscellaneous paragraphs]
In a letter to the Minister of Education the Taranaki Education Board says:— « The Board has considered the charges made in the leading article in the New Zealand Herald of February 7, against the education system of the colony, and find they are of that vague general character so often made by persons who have no practical acquaintance with the good work which is now being done in our public schools. » —The Auckland Branch of the Educational Institute passed a resolution expressing the opinion that the article misrepresents the results of the present system of education; that it can in no sense be said to set forth the true state of education in the Auckland district, and that it does not need the further consideration of the Minister. Another resolution was also passed to the effect that the Branch believed that if the recommendations of the Council of the Institute already brought under the notice of the Minister were given effect to, the system of education would be improved.
The member for Waipawa recently called for the production of certain correspondence between the proprietor of the Waipawa Mail and the late Colonial Secretary. The Parliamentary paper is not of sufficient consequence to warrant the sixteen shillings it cost to print it; but as the matter is not without interest to the Craft, we reprint the correspondence in full, commenting upon it in another column:—(1) [Telegram]. Henry Ellison to G. S. Cooper, Under-Secretary, Waipawa, 16th September, 1890. Impossible to print Waipawa roll in time if Skerrett allowed to make alterations after copy sent in. We sent proofs to him; he erased a dozen names, altering the numbers throughout. Prepared to substantiate my statement as to Skerrett's unfitness. William White good substitute. (2) Henry Ellison to G. S. Cooper, Under-Secretary. Waipawa Mail Office, Ruataniwha Road, Waipawa, 16th September, 1890. Sir—Referring to my telegram sent to day, I have to draw your attention to the urgent necessity for the Waipawa Mail office being promptly and regularly supplied with correct manuscript if we are expected to finish the printing of the rolls within contract time. Mr Skerrett handed into us the first few pages, extending to about No. 240; and, on the proofs being sent to him, he returned them with a large number of corrections, besides those required to bring the type in accord with the original manuscript. On my entering a protest, Mr Skerrett informed me that he would telegraph to the Colonial Secretary to cancel the contract, unless I agreed to make corrections from time to time as he required them. It is hardly necessary to point out that, without assurance of finality with regard to such alterations, it is impossible to fix a time within which the printing of the rolls can be completed. I have, therefore, to give you formal notice that I will not be responsible for any delay which may occur unless correct manuscript be promptly and regularly supplied. Moreover, I shall claim extra payment for the cost of making alterations of the character here described. I hold that, according to the contract, the Registrar should supply to the printer correct manuscript at first. I may draw your attention to the fact that, whilst the original manuscript is prepared by Mr Skerrett, the proof corrections are in the handwriting of Mr Samuel Johnson. The question suggests itself, ؟Why could not Mr Skerrett employ Mr Samuel Johnson in the first instance to prepare the manuscript, and thus save the trouble and expense of alterations? If Mr Skerrett's claim be admitted to make a hundred such alterations in the roll after he has handed it in to the printer, he would be equally entitled to make a thousand, and to make a second series of requisitions and corrections in like manner. I am prepared to prove, to the satisfaction of any officer of your department who may be commissioned to inquire into this matter, that Mr Skerrett has done his work in a very careless manner. (3) G. S. Cooper, Under-Secretary, to Henry Ellison. Wellington, 1st October, 1890. Sir,—I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your telegram and letter of the date quoted in the margin, 16th September, stating that you are being delayed in the printing of the Waipawa Electoral Roll by the irregularity, on the part of the Registrar of Electors, in the supply of manuscript, and by the corrections, other than typographical, made by that officer in the proof of the roll sent to him for revision. In reply, I am directed to inform you that, having made inquiries into the matter complained of by you, the Colonial Secretary sees no reason to interfere with Mr Skerrett in the performance of his duties as Registrar of Electors.