On the whole I am rather for leaving Mr. Halford where he is. As to the other points, I agree with the Secretary.—[Book M. page 134.] 29th August, 1837.
Furruckabad School. I would not give up the school; and, in order to give our experiment there a fair chance of success I would authorize the Local Committee to procure, if they can, another school-house. But I cannot consent to send an assistant to a school where there are only 34 pupils. As to salary to Dr. Tytler it is out of the question. But we may send him books as Mr. Sutherland suggests.—[Book M. page 157.] 17th October, 1837.
Dr. Login’s proposal to assist some schools in the Deccan.—I fear not. The schools, two of them at least, for I cannot make out the name of the third station, are out of the Company’s territories. It also appears that religious instruction is imparted: and whatever disposition we may feel to assist such efforts in our individual capacity, we cannot have any thing to do with them as agents for the Government.—[Book L. page 14.] 15th April, 1836.
Patna School expends money without sanction.—I do not think the explanation quite satisfactory. But as the Local Committee meant well,—as they have a good right to our confidence; as it would be inexpedient to discourage them, placed as they are in perhaps the most discouraging situation in Bengal,—and as there is little chance that the error will be committed again, I would not pass any censure on what has been done.—[Book L. page 50.] 5th August, 1836.
Promotion of Second Masters.—We must be on our guard against allowing second Masters to step as a matter of course into the situations of first Masters on vacancies. There is the more danger of this because the second Master, unless there is some strong objection to him, will generally be able to induce the Local Committee to recommend him from good nature. I would refer the question to the Sub-Committee for the choice of School-masters, who must know more than I do about Mr. Fowles. All that I know is that, last year, he was not thought qualified for one of the higher Masterships. He is not very likely to have improved himself much more, and Patna is a peculiarly delicate and important situation.—[Book K. page 97.] 30th October, 1836.
Chittagong School.—I would gladly pay a school-master at Chittagong. But it appears that we shall have also to build a school-house: and I doubt whether our finances are in a condition at this moment to support this additional expense. I would therefore answer Mr. Dampier as Mr. Sutherland proposes.
