INQUIRY ON SCHOOL INSPECTOR.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1404, 2 April 1912, Page 4

INQUIRY ON SCHOOL INSPECTOR.

« AN ECHO OF THE STAGPOOI.E CASE. (By. Telegraph.—Press Areociation.) Feilding, April 1. The Wanganui Education Board held an iii([uiry to-day into (lie allegation made in a letter by Thomas Slagpoole to the Minister for JJducation, that the orgnnis-ing-inspector of school work, Mr. David Stewart, had illlreated pupils at Kairanga. Stoney Creek, Ruahine, Awaliuri, and Kangiwahia Schools. The headteachers of all those schools gave evidence, after Sir. Pirani, chairman of the board, had assured them that the board ilc-iml the fullest investigation, and would take care that no teacher who gave evidence against the inspector would be prejudiced by what was said. Frank statements were made by all (he teachers,' but the faults found by all of them were only those of forming hasty judgments of the capabilities of pupils; giving manual exerei.-i's 100 energetically; touching pupils' teeth with his finger to show how ,lo articulate clearly; anil in olio case using Ihe handle of a table knife for this purpose. Several instances of roughness or impatience with dilatory pupils were given. hi every instance the teachers testified to the high esteem in which they held the inspector, and said that the faults were due to a desire to get through too much work in the time at his disposal. The chairiimn of (lie board slated that a number of teachers had volunteered evidence in Mr. Stewart's favour, but he did not consider it necessary to call them.

Mr. .Stewart made a short speech in defence of his actions, ami admitted that he might have been impatient owing to a desire to get through the work miickly. The hoard will consider its decision later on.