SEDDON MEMORIAL COLLEGE

Marlborough Express, Volume LX, Issue 230, 29 September 1926, Page 4

SEDDON MEMORIAL COLLEGE

SBRIOUSi ALLEIG ATION S . INVESTTGATIONS BY ROYAL COMMISSION.

[Press Association.]

AUCKLAND, Sept. 29. The inquiry into the serious allegations in connection with the Seddon Memorial College was continued yesterday^ Evidence was give-n by Mr G. Laing, formerly engineering instructor of the Coilege. Mr Leary, for Mr Paris. Director of tlie C'ollege, proceeded to attack witness's allegation that Mr Park p_ut oertain of hisi friends into positions in the College. He questioned Mr Laing at some length upon his knowledge of the procedure i n making appointments, which he said consisted in calling for applications, by advertisement, review of them by tlie Board of Managers, the appointment of a committee which obtained a recommendation fiom the Director and made the ehoice, which had to be reviewed by the Board and ihe Education Departmen t before an appointment coiild bcj made. The witnessi said tliat tlie procedure might be as stated, but be was convinced tbat the Direetor's recommendation was the decidiug factor. In the course of an examination 011 a charge of unfair disci'imination against certain instrnctors, oounsel procluced an un favorable report by the lat© Director of the College, Mr George Qeorge upon the work of Mr Allen. The witness remarked that Mr George himself had been dismissed, or at least he had resigned under piessure. Mr Leary; "He was in about tlie sanie position as -yoursolf " Witness: "Yes."' Mr Leary: "Are you awarc tbat Mr George disposed of Mr Allen from the head of the engineering dop a rtmen t F " The witness said that about the tinie of Mr Park's appointment as Diiector he heard predictions that mstructors would bo brought up from Wanganui to the College, and that Mr Park wo ild proceed to turn the College int-o a high school. The eross-examination was continued at length;. In reply to a question Mr Laing" denied he was bv nature fond of trouble and eoritention. Mr Leary: "I® it not a fact tbat in the engineering shop you usecl to take a cleligllt in ftebti ngj apprenlice® td ffghf in order to see the fuu?" Mr Laing: "I did nothing of the sort." Ihe inquiry was adjourned until to-day, when it is expeoted that Mr Allen will be called. Arrangements have been made for a number of mernbers of the Cbllege staff to give evidence.