“BROKEN IN HEALTH.”

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5156, 25 July 1927, Page 2

“BROKEN IN HEALTH.”

SCHOOLMASTER’S POSITION.

PETITION TO PARLIAMENT.

Claiming that by reason of illness contracted while teaching at Niue, Cook Islands, he- has been permanently invalided and will be unable? to carry out the duties of his profession or do any work, Alexander M. Cowan, late schoolmaster, of Kurneu, Auckland, is petitioning Parliament t?hat an allowance of a lump sum or a pension be granted him “for the remainder of his days-.” The petition was presented to the House by the Prime Minister.

In 1914 s , petitioner states, he was appointed assistant teacher and technical instructor at Tufukia School, Niue, and on arrival there had to take charge in the absence of thehead teacher on furlough. Petitioner carried on for some months before relief arrived, and as assistant teacher until the end of 1918, when he returned to New Zealand on furlough. He had to return later to Niue, and owing to the absence of a head teacher had much extra duty to perform, the strain causing a serious atta.ck of rheumatic fever. He was invalided to New Zealand, and after five months,’ illness returned to Niue, where he had again to carry on double duty. He had another attack of rheumatic fever, but caried on until he was finally relieved in July, 1922, when he returned to New Zealand completely broken down in health. Since then he has been seriously ill. for two long periods with rheumatic fever and pleurisy. Petitioner adds that he is in humble circumstances' and is in receipt of no pension, superannuation, or other allowance, and has received no payment on account of the permanent disability incurred by him at Niue.