Sir,—l am surprised at the one-sided statement in your paper last week of the meeting held here relative to the Grammar School, Surely your correspondent should have known and stated that just on fifty were present, in which all classes of the parish were represented. The gentleman who was to have presided at the last moment was unfortunately prevented from attending, as I stated, and proposed the adjournment of the meeting, which was seconded by Mr. A. C. Salisbury. The Vicar then said he should like to say a few words before this was done, and Mr. Macey replied, giving details of what had taken place at several of the governors meetings, and showing the unsuitableness of the pottery site for many reasons. He also added that he would not, as long as he represented the parish, treat the proceedings as Privy Council meetings, but when asked by his parishioners about this very old endowment would give them every information. All this and many other matters of interest your correspondent very carefully avoided entering upon. He must be well aware of the feeling that existed, and that the meeting was nearly unanimous in condemmng this site for the purpose of the school. The Vicar suggested the only thing to done was petition the Charity Commissioners, and I told him one had been prepared, and asked him sign it, upon which be left the loom. The petition was read and approved of, and is now receiving the signatures of most of the inhabitants and ratepayers of the parish. Anyone who may not have been waited upon will find it at my house for the ensuing few days. Should your correspondent or any of his friends be not satisfied as to the results of the meeting I shall be very pleased to have another called by advertisement or otherwise, which I trust he will attend and furnish you with an impartial report. As a native of the parish, and having attended the Old Grammar school over 45 years ago, and knowing the great loss inflicted on the parish, I have taken great interest in the matter. — Yours respectfully,
Netherbury, 30th May, THOMAS SHUGAR.