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A Compendium of Official Documents Relative to Native Affairs in the South Island. Volume Two.

No. 27. — Copy of a letter from the Secretary of the Church Missionary Society, to the Right Hon. Earl Grey

No. 27.
Copy of a letter from the Secretary of the Church Missionary Society, to the Right Hon. Earl Grey.

Church Missionary House, July 16th. 1851.

My Lord,—

The despatch from Governor Grey, dated Wellington, New Zealand, 29th of January, 1851, which you have done us the honour of transmitting for the information of the Church Missionary Society, respecting educational grants in New Zealand, has first directed the attention of the Committee to an "Education Ordinance" passed in the Legislative Council, 7th of October, 1847.

It appears from the Governor's despatch, that he regards all the schools of the Church Missionary Society which hare received Government grants, to be placed by virtue of this Ordinance under the superintendence and management of the Bishop of New Zealand, who shall have the power of appointing and removing the teachers of such schools at his pleasure.

The Committee direct me respectfully to state to your Lordship, that the schools in question are already under the superintendence and management of ordained Missionaries of the Society, and therefore, the Committee cannot consent to their being brought under the provisions of the Ordinance.

The Committee have no objection to any system of inspection which the Governor may establish, or to submit any points of difference which may arise to the decision of the Bishop, or to place their Mission schools under such superintendence as is exercised by Bishops at Home; but the provisions of "The Education Ordinance" go far beyond these limits, and are inconsistent with the principles upon which the operations of the Society are conducted.

The Committee observe that the Schedule to the "The Education Ordinance" places the Wesleyan schools under the "Superintendant of the Wesleyan Mission," and other schools under "the head or Minister of any other religions body."

The Committee trust, therefore, that the schools of the Church Missionary Society which receive Government grants, may be still continued under the superintendence and management of the Missionaries of the Society.

I have, &c.,

H. Straith,
Secretary Church Missionary Society.

Right Hon. Earl Grey, &c., &c., &c.