THE STAGPOOLE APPEAL

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 222, 18 March 1912, Page 7

THE STAGPOOLE APPEAL

DISALLOWED WITH HEAVY COSTS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Palmerstou N., Saturday. The hearing of the Stagpoole appeal case was continued to-day before Mr. Kerr, S.M., and Messrs. R. McNab and Broad. Ellen Catherine Molloy, Stagpoole's assistant, continuing her evidence, said Stagpoole had made accusations against Roman Catholics and insinuations against priests. Her attention had been drawn to the matter first by hearing Stagpoole use the words, "Roman Catholics." She listened, ; and heard 'him say that "'in Roman Catholic countries they have very savage customs. They treat women like slaves, and men in these countries do not do any work, but leave it for the women to do." He enlarged on that, and during the day also said that they harnessed women in carts and made them go along the roads. Next day the children were writing a composition on that lesson, and witness heard one child ask, "What are the countries in which women are treated as slaves?" Stagpoole replied, "In Roman Catlmlic countries." He also made refer* cnee to the Irish. She inferred that he was speaking "at" her. He referred t* the Irish as a very ignorant race of people. Mr. Pirani: He didn't know history evidently. To Mr. Ivcrr: Witness was convinced that Stagpoole knew the subject to be distasteful to her.

Continuing, she stated that the boys' jeered when Stagpoole read a report regarding her work. Stagpoole did not punish them for doing so. Palmerston N., Last Night. Two assistants under Stagpoole 'at Sboney Crek school, where he was last stationed, deposed to the unpunctuality and want of discipline at that school. Mr. W. H. Guthrie, M.P., member of the Education Board, gave evidence as j to the reports' committee of the board ■ coming to its decisiop to recommend Mr. Stagpoole's dismissal. He and Mr. P. O'Dea were the members of the committee present, the Chairman (Mr. Pirani) j taking no part in the decision and ]yir. O'Dea being present at the meeting. Mr. I Guthrie, as an old teacher, said the' board's method of promotion was absolutely fair - and just, and the ( rumours J rife as to the contrary had no founda- L tion in fact. ' . I Mr. David Stewart, Organising Inspector, gave a complete denial to all the charges formulated and sent to the Minister of Education by Mr. Stagpoole,-"! and. also given by him in sworn evidence during the present case. Mr, StewartJ{ denied each charge separately and stated that he and Mr. Stagpoole were onj friendly terms throughout the visit, and j when witness left Mr. Stagpoole said,J "If you return in three months you will . see a big change in the school." j A little girl, Iris Priest, a pupil at the school, also gave evidence that Mr. Stewart had not ill-treated any of the. children and had only inserted chalk in the children's open mouths in order ib' make them articulate properly. At the evening sitting Inspector Stewart was subjected to a cross-exam-ination by Mr. R. D. Stewart, and in one or two cases he slightly qualified his complete denial of the charges., j This concluded the evidence, and at' 10.30 p.m. the court delivered judgment; as follows: "That the decision of the Wanganui Education Board in dismissing the appellant was. reasonable, having due regard to the efficient conduct of the board's affairs." The appeal was therefore dismissed, with costs against the Institute amounting to £207 fls 4d. The court recommended that Mr. Stagpoole be granted three ninths' leave of absence on full pay from the date of the decision, in which Mr. Pirani said lie was sure the board would concur. •