1*63
A.M. Thomson Esq.
Sir,
Yen Secretary to the
Queen's College
Governing Body of Queen's College
9 August 1897
Sir,
I received yesterday from Revt.T.V. Cobbold a letter stating that he, Revd T.V. Pearce and Mr A. V. Brewin had been appointed by the Governing Body to conduct the next Annual Examination of Queen's College.1 No official intimation of this appointment has yet reached me.2 I have however, the honour to forward a protest against the appointment of the Inspector of Schools to be an Examiner of the College.
The Governing Body is doubtless unaware that the Secretary of State on its appointment distinctly stated that the Inspector (not Dr. Hirth personally) was for the future to have nothing to do with Queen's College.
The appointment of the Governing Body was in a further despatch from the Secretary of State, explained as intended to raise the status of Queen's College, which in connexion with the several Government Schools, can only be understood in setting it apart from the smaller Government Schools, and grant it de facto subject to examination by the Inspector.
It is also not a matter for small regard, that the present occupier of the post of Inspector of Schools is considerably junior, in age, in service and in academic position.
These points I submit in the abstract, without any personal reference to Mr Brewin, with whom I am on the friendliest terms.
If the Governing Body is unable to see its way to rescind the appointment of the Inspector of Schools to be Examiner of the College, I have the honour to beg that they will submit my protest for the consideration of His Excellency the Governor.
In the event of His Excellency's supporting the appointment, I would further beg that he would be graciously pleased to forward my protest to Downing Street, as I shall not be in the colony to address a despatch to him on the subject, since I leave Japan on the 11th Instant.
I have the honour to be,
Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
Geot. Nathan Wright
Head Master
COPY.
Sir,
ENCLOSURE
Recd 23 Aug 97
126
With reference to Dr. Wright's memorial to the Secretary of State dated the 10th ultimo, I have the honour by direction of the Governing Body to state that Mr. Brewin was not appointed officially as Inspector of Schools to examine Queen's College and that therefore the matter does not appear to be affected by the Secretary of State's decision referred to by the Head Master.
The Governing Body see no reason why his protest should prevail, especially when the great difficulty of obtaining examiners in this Colony is borne in mind.
(Sd.) A. M. Thomson,
Honorary Secretary.
The Honourable
The Colonial Secretary.
3rd September, 1897.
1 from originally OCR'd as frän
2 me originally OCR'd as thi.