A LIVELY INTERLUDE

Hokitika Guardian, 8 May 1924, Page 3

A LIVELY INTERLUDE

TEACHER AND COMMITTEE. MASTERTON, May 0. A discreditable scene took place at the householders' meeting in Carterton last night. In returning thanks for his re-election to the School Committee, Mr .1. W. Henderson said it was shameful the abuse members of the committee had been subjected to during tlie last two months from Mr W. C. Baskiville, a teacher. lie (the speaker) stood there to challenge -Mr Haskivillc to come forward and repeat the statements and also the language used. The language was such that would be used bv a “ low down bookie's clerk." If Air Baskiville thought lie was suffering from an injustice, why had he not applied for an official enquiry into all tlie i ireumstalices ? No, he was afraid of this.

Mr Baskiville: Wlial I have said has been said to your I'aee. I can’t say the same a 1 1< in t you and the others. The chairman (Air W. A. Kitchen) here asked Air Baskiville to withdraw. Mr Ihiskiville continued to speak, and the chairman slated that he would report him to the Edeuatioii Board for his conduct -

Alter further sallies, the chairman again asked Mr Baskiville to withdraw. Mr Baskiville: You call yourself a Christian Y You art' no more a Christian than a dog in the street. The chairman said he regretted very mill'll the circumstances that had led up 'o the trouble at the school. He had taken a straight course right through and had done what lie considered his duly. Mr Baskiville had admitled striking a child, and had he attended the first meeting of the committee wlu'ii requested matters might have been righted. Mr Baskiviß-j challenged the chairman regarding a statement lie had made to a prominent settler, but the chairman denied having said anything. .Mr Baskiville: You're a liar.

The chairman : " Keen quiet. I will report yon to the Education Hoard." Continuing, lie said he was out to do the fair thing, and it was not a practice of |>is to make false statements. The •oininittee had not been looking lor I rouble, and .Mr Haskivillc had brought ii i n himself.

AI tor :i further interlude between tin' • •hnirnmn :md Mr Itnskiville. the icrminnted, nmeli to tin* sntisJ:ulion of th<»M* present.