THE BOARD WINS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1391, 18 March 1912, Page 7

THE BOARD WINS.

— :—a—; STAGPOOLE CASE CONCLUDED, COSTS OVER £WO. CBj Tolosraeli.'— Pre«a Ainoclatlell.l - ''.Palmerston N., March 16. The rhoaring. of the Stagpoolo appeal «aso - was continued to-day before llr. iKorr, 'ij.JI., and Messrs. M'2s'ab and Broad.' Miss Molloy, continuing her evidence, Kiid'.tMt Stagnoolo. had'.made accusations against Boman Catholics and insinuations' against, tho priests. Jlor attention bad' been drawn to tho niatlor first by hearing Stagpoolo use tho wordj "Koman .Catholic." She listened aud heard him say that "ia Roman Catholic countries they ' hayo very savage customs," they treat women like slaves, and tho men in these countries did not do any work, but loft it for women to do." Ho enlarged on that, and during the day also said they 'harnessed women in carts and madetheni go along tho roads. Next day tho. children wore writing a composition on that lesson, and witness heard one child nsk, "What were the countries in -which women, were .treated as slaves?" Stagpoole', replied, "In Eoman Catholic conntries.",' He , also,mado reference to tho Irish.- ■ Sho-'ihferrcd that ho was speaking '-'at" her> Ho referred to tho Irish ay a -Vary"ignorant, race of people. Jlir.». ! Pirani:"-Ho-dkln't ; know history evidently." , !"'■■•"•". ' '' " '''"' By his Worshio:-Witness was convinced that.Mr:-Stagpoole knew the subject to be distasteful to her. Continuing, slid stated that-.the boys jeered/when Stagpoole read a report regarding her work. Stagpoolo did not punish' them for doing so. Two:-assistants, who" served under Stagnoole'at<St6ney'Oree!cSchab];'wheroho:was last deposed to "'the" uhpunctuality attdcfrailtttf'discipline' at that -school. -Air. W/,Hi Guthrip, M.P., member of the Education"Bo'arit,'ghve evidenco as to tho'Reports Committee of the board coming to-its decision- (o recommend Stag- •■■'■ Hβ arid' Mr. P. O'Dea were the members of the committee present, the chairman (Mr. Firani) taking no part"rn"tho decision, and Mr. O'Dea boing present at the meeting. Mr. Guthrie, speaking "as an.dd feacher, s.'iid thai-the. board's method of promotion was 'afisolutely* fair "and . just, and tho rumours rife as-: to , tho contrary had no foundation in-fact. •• •.•■■ - Dav:id... Stewart,, organising' inspector, {ave a complete-denial to nil the charges, formulated, and. sont-to the .-Minister- for EdnHrtitm < "by' Stagpoole," arid also given by him in sworn evidence during , tho proient case; ''Stewart denied each charge separately, and stated that he and Stagpoolo. were on friendly terms throughout tho visit,",and ■when witness left,. Stag-pooie''-iaid:: "It , " you return ■in throe ironths/'you'.iHH see a big change in the schodk""" 1 "' '"""" ' A little girl, Iris Priest, n pupil at the scn'Ab'l. 1 also "gave evidence- Jhnt Steivart had not' ill-treated any of the cltild'en'"and had only inserted chalk in tho children's open' mouths in order to mako them articulate properlyi At tho'e'vening sitting Inspector Stewnrt wa,? subjected to' « cross-examination by Mr/'Ri'rD. , Stewart; and in ono or tn-o cases he slightly qualified his complete denials of charges.' This-concluded the evidence, and nt 10.30 p.m. the Court delivered judgment that thfl decision of .the Wnnganui Education Sbard in dismissing tho nopellant was reasonable, having duo regard to tho efficient conduct nf. the board's affairs. The apprai was. therefore dismissed with cosh against the institute amounting to w6207 9s. 4d: "■■"••■ " The Court recommenced that StagpooJe be-granted threo months' of absence on full'nay from date of decision, in which Mr. Pirani said he was sure the board would concur. '