SCHOOLMASTERS AND THEIR TROUBLES.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 3723, 22 November 1906, Page 3

SCHOOLMASTERS AND THEIR TROUBLES.

Drunken and Pugilistic Committeemen

Dunedin, Nov. 12

The troubles of a sole teacher in out-of-way places were ventilated at the Police Court to-day. William Ward, a member of the school committee, was charged with insulting George Albert Hansard, teacher at Otakou school, and with unlawfully and wilfully disturbing the school. Maori and European children attend this school. There had been a tangi which Ward attended. Next morning the teacher found him in the school under the influence of drink with his clothes disarranged. As Ward said he was present to ‘ ‘inspect the school” the teacher did not feel justified in ejecting him. He remained in the school all day, sitting in the master’s chair, making occasional remarks, refresing himself with whisky and smoking until he dropped off to sleep. Mr Widdowson S.M., said he thought it would have been better policy on Hansard’s part to have obtained assistance and put Ward out. He pointed out that no individual had a right to exercise the collective power of a committee. Defendant was not fit to be a member of a school committee. A fine of £2 and /46s 6d costs was imposed. Thomas Boyne, another committeeman, was similarly charged. One of Boyne’s children received instruction in the seventh standard, and was sent home because she would not work.

Boyne went to the school shortly after without a coat or hat and angrily demanded the reason for the girl being sent home, inviting the teacher to ' ‘ come outside for a few minutes.” Boyne forced his way in and said he was a'committeeman, whereupon the teacher told him to take a seat and be quiet. Boyne then told the children to go out and take their things, but as they did not he ordered lour or five of his own children to leave. He then caught the master by the sleeve and dlagged him to the door where he challenged him. The teacher refused to fight, but whispered to Boyne that he would do so after school hours. He then shut out Boyne who called him a pig. The Magistrate said he would take into consideration .that defendant went to the school excited and angry at his daughter being sent home, but the position of a teacher in such a school was intolerable. Defendant was fined £\ and 6s 6d costs.