[To VIZ EDITOR OP THH " SrzerkTOR. - 1
Sin,—In reference to your article of last week, may I point out that the proposal to exempt lads of twelve from attend- ance at the elementary day-schools, subject to certain conditions, was originally intended to apply only to those engaged in agricultural employment, and that this is made clear in the Bill for the House of Commons ? Work on the farm or in the stables during the winter months, when alone the continuation schools would be open, is over by four o'clock, thus allowing the lads ample time for rest before attending the school. At present they spend the long, dreary winter evenings in loafing, hanging about lane-ends, and getting into all sorts of mischief. It is just then that bad habits are formed, and the lads need to be protected against themselves. To compel them instead to receive attractive, useful, and practical instruction on two or three evenings a week would be no hardship.—I am, Sir, &c.,
JOHN C. MEDD.
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