EXPLANATION ACCEPTED

Press, Volume LXXXII, Issue 24908, 22 June 1946, Page 8

EXPLANATION ACCEPTED

BOARD EXONERATES HEADMASTER PLEASANT POINT SCHOOL ELECTION

In a statement made yesterday by the Canterbury Education Board concerning complaints that the headmaster °f the Pleasant Point District High ochool had taken an unusually active part in the election of the school committee. the headmaster (Mr W. J. Bennett) was exonerated from all blame. The board issued the statement after a long discussion in committee when an explanation from Mr Bennett and letters from the school committee and a number of “responsible householders had been considered. Although it was decided not to make Mr Bennett’s letter public, reference to it was made in the board’s statement, which was as follows:

“In view of the headmaster’s explanation and information, letters and reports received from the school committee and from responsible householders. the board expresses the opinion: “First, that the complaints made that the headmaster had interviwed farmers at the saleyards with a view to influencing voters at the election of a school committee are not proven. “Second, that the board accepts the headmaster’s explanation regarding the issue of committee nomination papers, and considers that the result of the election reflects the opinion and wishes majority of the householders. Third, that the board confirms that the roll number in the secondary department during the present headmaster’s term of office has remained steady, the average being as follows: 1944, 41; 1945, 39; 1946, 42 (first term only). During the same period the primary department’s roll has risen from 200 to 255.”

The reference to the school’s roll number followed a statement made at the last meeting of the board by Mr S.. Smith that “the attendance at the District High School had gone down considerably” and that “more than 30 PUDils had been lost by the school.” When yesterday’s discussion resumed J™ °P en meeting. Mr .Smith said: When I said that the roll had decreased by 30. I was alluding to what had happened in- the last six or seven years, not during the term of office of the present headmaster. I realise that the attendance during Mr Bennett’s term has been stationary. The statement was not intended to allude to or to reflect upon the present headmaster.”