, 1891-07-01

man IN a similar situation it might be the
case with every Policeman and other official
executing such q task. But it would seem,
that the charge is intended to 90 beyond that I
it would seem as if the messengers are charged
with going to labourers and creating in their
minds dissatisfaction and discomfort; and this
isa very serious charge and he would ask the
Committee on what ground they base such
charge? If by dissatisfaction be meant dis
pleasure by bringing information of the fines,
it might not be as bad but he feared the
charge meant more, and this was perfectly
unjust and uniustitiable. There has never
been any complaints in that respect before the
School Board. On one occasion there was some
complaint heard because the school messengers
received and brought summonses themselves
and handed them to the parties, and which Great
ed dissatisfaction with managers; but it was soon
remedled. But he did not believe any dissatis-
faction has ever been caused among the people
by these messengers. AS regards the pecuni.
airy position OF these messengers, it is SO that
oneln Chrlstlansted receives $40 monthly, one
in Frederiksted S. monthly, and those in the
country each $l6 monthly, with the obligation
to keep a horse. AS for putting that burtheu
on the Police, it must not be overlooked that
the Colonial Council is not an Executive Body;
and moreover the School Board would then
be helpless, as they could give no orders, and
the first consequence would be that the Police
masters would each ask for an additional
Policeman already now we hear complaints
Of the increased work caused by the Schools
on the Policeforce, and an increase of $50
pr. month for 2 Policemen would BIO more
than is now expended for the messengers:
hence there would be no saving. He could
not otherwise than look upon the Committees
proposal as not being q good proposal; ssa
means of economy it would be productive of
greater expenditure, and as far as tho work is
concerned, it would lead to the total abandon
ment of tho very spirit on which our school
organisation is materially founded. He for
his part would now most distinctly and strong.
ly protest against tho charges brought against
the Schoolmessengers, particularly the 3
employed in the country districts.
3rd Member for Fred eriksted's Country Dis.
trict (HeWitO The hon orable LIST Crownmem.
Der had many lengthy remarks ON this subject
but the whole summing up Of them was 10
shew that the Committee is in fault, but not
a word did we hear from the honorable Mem
Der in real proof of the usefulness of the
amount posted in the bill for these Messengers.
The expense had hut lately been put on the
budget but how were those duties executed
before those amounts were so entered ? He
did not think that the School Department is on
the whole so satisfactory and deserving of
general praise on the part of the Public. The
honorable Member had objected against the
School Messengers being irresponsible persons
but what do you call responsible persons ? Is
it because they pay a visit to the School
Inspector every Monday morning to have q
general conversation? That is no mark of
their usefulness. AS regards the point of their
having no authority, he must speak according
to the experience he has gained from 20 years
on estates, and that goes to show that no one
coming on an estate on any errand, except q
Policeman or q Gendarme or furnished with
forcible authority, gets anything but abuse
when coming into q negrO- village that tends
to no good, but creates disturbance and leads
to dissatisfaction. He has seen how these men
create dissatisfaction but the fact is there: it
can be proved how at times great dissatisfaction
and even riotous conduct has been caused by
those people and when he shall have heard
what their real duties are, he would enter into
details. The honorable list Crownmember had
made some strong remarks without his really
understanding the subject; but before he
(Hewitt) would say anything further, he would
like to hear something about the authority and
responsibility of those Messengers.
1st Crownmember (Qain) must acknowledge
that it would be hard to compete with the
knowledge of the last honorable Member.
The honorable Member spoke of the Monday