Letter 1 Petition 1
Hillsborough
March 18th 1885
The Yackandandah School Board of Advice
Gentlemen
We the undersigned residants of "Hillsboro", do hereby petition to the
said "Board" to have the School Teacher o f "Hillsboro" (Mrs Anderson)
removed as we condered she in not a fit and proper person, to instruct
children, on account of the disgracefull state of the school in "dirt
& filth". and the children are not progressing in their learning as
they ought.
Signed:
J.A.Michell
Rebecca Knight
John Ralph
Arthur Clingin
Hance McGowan
Mary Paull
B H Stone
WB Mitchell
Jane Crawford
Letter 2 Petition 2
Hillsboro
April 14th 1885
The Minister of the "Education Department"
Sir
We the undersigned residents of "Hillsboro" do hereby petition to the
"Minister " of "Education" for the removal of "Mrs Anderson" the State
School Teacher (No 889) as we consider, she is not a fit & proper
person to instruct our children. As we have 30 children
under 15 years of age, we are entitled to a "Male"Tacher" and we wish
an inspector of Schools sent, when we will state our trouble more fully.
We are sir,
Yours obdt.
Thos Andw Michell
Rebecca Knight
Mary Paull
Hance McGowan
John Ralph
H.B.Stone
Arthur Clingin
WB Mitchell
Some notes have been added in pencil beside two of the names (possibly
by the inspector):
Hance McGowan - stepfather of Arthur Welshman
WB Mitchell - no children at school, youngest 21 years.
Letter 3
Emma Anderson - Rebuttal
Hillsborough 889
May 13th 1885
Henry Rix Esq
Sir
(Extract from letter)
But to return to Hillsborough Mr. W.B. Mitchell has another charge
against me or fancies he has, for, I usurp the place of two of his
daughters. (At least, they say so) although it is most unintentionally
done on my part - Certainly I do occupy the residence which belongs of
right (so they say), to Mrs A. Welshman and I am unfortunately a rival
singer to the single daughter Miss Minnie Mitchell. They are all
Salvationist I am not one, and when Mr Howe asked me to lead the
singing for him (as he objects to the Salvation tunes) I did so, little
thinking what a hornets nest I was bringing about my ears but; when
people are anxious to annoy, a very little serves as an excuse......It
looks a little like egotism praising myself so much but fortunately you
can so easily prove all I say, as no doublet Mr Howe is well known to
you. I must add, the Services are not held here but up in the
Presbyterian Church next to the Post Office.
Emma Anderson
Letter 4
Arthur Welshman – Application for Transfer
Quotation from letter dated 7th May, 1885 written by Mr Arthur Welshman
Head Teacher of Back Creek School, No 2025 to Mrs Emma Anderson (HT
889) and handed in to me by her as evidence.
H.Rix (inspector)
Mrs Anderson
Madam
During my recent frequent visits to Hillsborough I heard that you were
anxious for transfer and I have a similar desire. I now take the
liberty of offering to exchange schools with you. I would be glad
of an exchange in this neighbourhood as thereby I could, in the event
of being appointed where I had no desire to go, plead having recently
made a transfer. I have been here over 7 years and may
consequently expect a transfer and during that long period have not had
the slightest bother with any of the parents etc.
Yours respectfully
AC Welshman
Letter 5
Arthur Welshman – change of mind
Back Creek,
Yackandandah
10th August 1885
Hillsborough School no. 889
Sir,
I have the honor to request that my application for the postiion of
Head Teacher of the above named school may be withdrawn.
I have the honor to be
Sir
Your most obedient servant,
A.C.Welshman
Acknowledgements
I am indebted to Ronda Shambrook for supplying the above letters
Page last updated - 29 May
2006