A TEST CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 239, 15 November 1909, Page 3

A TEST CASE.

-EDUCATION BOARD AND TEACHERS' TENURE. AN IMPORTANT JUDGMENT. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Wellington, November 13. A case of great importance and interest to education boards and public school teachers in New Zealand was decided by Judge Edwards in the Supreme Court today, when he delivered judgment in the test case New Zealand Educational Institute versus Marlborough Education Board. The defendant board in recent years has adopted a system of engaging its teachers from year to year and only on these terms. The action was brought by the Institute to ascertain if such system is in accordance with statutory legislation. It was contended on behalf of the defendant board that the matter was one of contract. Engagements expired by effluxion of time and not by dismissal as suggested. The court held that the system of the Marlborough board was a breach of the Education Act and beyond the power and authority of the board, on the grounds that by the system provisions as to appeal, consultation of committees upon termination of teachers' engagements, and superannuation scheme, which previsions are statutory rights conferred upon teachers and committees, are ignored and rendered void. If the system is effective it is inapplicable to teachers employed bj defendant board.