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The next day the following two letters appeared in the Weston Mercury:-
THE SCHOOL BOARD QUESTION - R.J. Hessay Wilkinson Rector of Christon, writes as follows, his letter bearing date September 22nd:-
I am thankful to be able to report to the ratepayers of Loxton and Christon who value decency and morality, that the Christon children were this day withdrawn from the school, where these first essentials of education are at a discount. Whether they will consent to be robbed at the bidding of any man, for the propagation of the most pernicious principles as a matter for themselves to determine, and I trust and believe they will unanimously decide in the negative.
'An observer' writes:-
If the rector of Christon instead of abusing the parish of Loxton and casting serious reflections upon the steady and painstaking teacher of the school, were to use what little brains he has left in endeavouring to improve upon the senseless twaddle that is repeated Sabbath after Sabbath in the place of a gospel sermon at the parish church, it would certainly be more acceptable to the parishioners, more creditable to himself, more honest to the establishment, and perhaps would ultimately tend to elevate the people from such scenes as those witnessed at the late harvest festival.
The following week a letter under the pseudonym 'Veritas' of Barleycombe, Christon, (the residence of Mr. Charles Rawlinson Wainright, the Lord of the Manor of Christon), was published, defending the Reverend J.H. Wilkinson and his church services and in particular the Harvest Festival alluded to in the Weston Mercury. The writer ends:-
I have only one remark more to make, which is that 'an observer,' must not be expected to libel with impunity a person because he happens to hate him.
Printed below the previous letter is one from the Rev. J. Hessay Wilkinson. He accuses the School Board of unprincipled and illegal management. He defended the Harvest Festival, and said that it was very successful and well patronised and the decorations were good. However, at the evening service, he remarked:-
The harmony of the occasion was unbroken except by some outsiders, who had to be warned more than once and left vowing vengeance against us. I can have no doubt that your correspondent was one of these intruders, and that he has chosen this unworthy means of exhibiting his malignant and unchristian spirit.
The Rev. J.H. Wilkinson added a postscript to his letter:-
The independent members of the Loxton and Christon School Board have received this day, for the first time, legal notice that a legal meeting, in accordance with the provisions of the Act of Parliament is to be held on Saturday next. This is tantamount to all acknowledgement on the part of the Board, that all proceedings since its formation have been irregular and illegal. Ratepayers of Christon and Loxton, whose property has been unscrupulously appropriated for the benefit of a miserable clique take note of this !
Nothing was reported about the School Board in 1885 but there was an unfortunate accident in Loxton when the wife of Mr Henry Dibble, of Court Farm was killed. She was being driven in her horse and trap across a hayfield when the horse shook off his halter and bolted. Mrs. Dibble was thrown from the vehicle and a wheel passed over her head. Despite almost immediate medical attention from the local doctor, who happened to be passing, she never regained consciousness, and died the same evening. There was great sadness because Mr. and Mrs. Dibble were most highly respected in Loxton. Mr. Henry Dibble was a member of the School Board.
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