WAS HE DISMISSED?

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 10, 30 May 1914, Page 3

WAS HE DISMISSED?

STRANGE ACTION BY BOARD OF GOVERNORS. By Telegraph—Press Association. Christehurch, May 20. The resignation of Mr li. A. Belcher, headmaster of Christ's College, has caused a great deal of talk in the city. A parent writes to the Lyttelton Times as follows:—"I have been informed that the Board of Governors took advantage of Mr Belcher's temporary absence last week, to write him a letter amounting to practically summarily dismissal. lie returned to Chrisitc'him'ii on Sunday morning to find cm his t:\lile a letter requiring him to surrender his position on Wednesday or Thursday, and offering him a sum of money as compensation. Now, what the parents I of Christ's College boys want to knew iis what is the nature of the headmaster's offence that prompts the Board of Governors to sever his connection in this pei.'emptoory nnd li'fl'-llumdl manner without affording him a chance of being (brought face to face with his detractors, or being given an opportunity of justifying himself?

.PARENTS' OPINION. ''The impression is rife amongst us that the headmaster is being sacrificed to gratify the wishes of a section which has been for months past threatening to get rid of him: (1) Because ho has been working both the stall' and the pupils too hard; (2) because lie h:is been giving the bovs too much drill and too much home work; (3) because he. has insisted on attendance at chapel twioe on Sunday■ (4) because lu; ha* instituted and insisted oil the rules of bounds. It will be interesting to learn whether it was accident, or design, that proinipfitl His Lord-hip Bii-leoi .lu"iii:s after writing or authorising the writing of the letter of dismissal, to leave Christehurch for a week or ten days, nnd thus effectually prevent the headmaster from obtaining an interview : lid explanation.

A FAITHFUL SERVANT. "In conclusion, I should like tu say that ni.ll>•, of the parents with whom I have discussed this subject are of opinion Hint the progress of our hoys bct-n virything that could lie desired, while the results of the matriculation and other examinations speak for themselves. We feel that infinite credit is due to )!i Belcher for the high degree of efficiency to which he has brought flic whole school during the comparatively short period in which he has held control, and hope tlint Mho Board of Governors will take us into their confidence or give reasons for their refusal to do so; and also for their :<eiuingly un-British and tin-Christian treatment of a faithful servant." Christehurch. M a .,

At the School Committee n'lcefimt of the governing body of Christ's College, held this evenjng, a letter was received from the headmaster. .Mr K. A. Belcher, tendering his resignation, a:ul requesting that it should take effect as soon as possible.

in accepting the resignation, as from May 2(11 hj, the committee desires to state, on behalf of the governing body, that there is not the slightest reflection on the headmaster's character, for which it entertains the highest regard.