Eketahuna School Committee.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume X, Issue 3324, 2 October 1889, Page 2

Eketahuna School Committee.

Serious Charge against a teacher-

The usual monthly meeting of tho Eketahuna School Committee was held on Monday evening in tho schoolroom. Present:—Messrs Alox Anderson ('chairman), M. Noilson, T. Bayliss, Selby, Syverson and Parsons,

The minutes of last ordinary meeting, also ot a special meeting which had been called to consider the conduct of tho master, Mr Penney were read, The minutes stated that at the special meeting certain charges, were brought against the master, viz,, being drunk and fighting with Mr McCardle. A letter was read from Mr McCardle denying the statement, and-asking the namo of informant that he might proceed against that person for slander,

Mr Bayliss stated ho was not at liberty to give tho informant's name, hut Mr E. Morriss, of Newman, was prepared to substantiate the charge of drunkenness,

It was decided to adjourn the matter until tho 30th,that Mr Jbrriss might attend. The minutes of both meetings wero confirmed as read,

The Chairman informed the meeting he had not yet heard the result of tho examination,

The Chairivan said ho had sont Mr Jones a letter informing him of the resolution of the Committee re drain,

Mr Parsons said steps should ho taken to abate tho nuisance. Ho considered the stench injurious to the health of tho children, as tho prevailing winds would too the poisoned air m through tho windows,

Tho Chairman said the matter had better be leit over until tho attendance of Mr Penney, that they might ascertain if steps had been taken by Mr Jones,

Mr Penney came in just then, and iii reply to the Chairman said no steps had been taken. Mr Parsons then moved that -a committee, Messrs Anderson, Selby, gnd Nejlsoti be appointed to act in the matter, Carried,

The Chairman said he had a? yet received no plans for alterations to closets from Mr Bright, but thought they ought to abate their own before complaining of outside iraisanoes. Mr fenny stated that Mr Bright

liad inspected the premises and suggested another closet,' The Chairman said lie had received a letter from Mr W, B. Campin, of' Carterton, pointing out advantages of'"Thom's patent earth closets," and offering to furnish an estimato ot cost if the Committee would let him know requirements. Mr Anderson suggested that he should writo for approximate cost of three. Agreed to. Mr Lee's report was read by the Chairman, stating thai he had found Mr Williams to be an efficient teacher but uncertificated; that the school appeared to be working well, and tho head teacher diligent. _ A letter from Mr A. Dorset, authorising the erection cf two single instead of one doublo chimney at tho teacher's residence, was read.

Mr Anderson said the chimneys would have to stand over till lator in the season. .

No other correspondence. Tho master's monthly report was then read. Average attendance for the month was 78; highest attendance, 97. Miss Thomas (tho newly appoiutod teachor)had commenoed duties on the 3rd inst, and had her room in good working order. On the 27th inst the examination was held, with good results. Some of tho gates, fencos, swings, etc, were out of repair and needed attention, The school also needed a fow articles of stationery. Tho Chairman said the committee had better authoriso him to get these things attended to, Carried, One account of 17s 6d for cleaning school was passed for payment, The business of the adjourned special meeting was then entered upon—viz, chargos against the master. The Chairman asked if Mr Morriss was in waiting, and Mr Pennoy said ho was. Mr Morriss called in.

The Chairman said: Mr Baylies informed the committee last Friday week that you had seen Mr Penney at the Newman Hall concert tiie worse ior liquor, You will now please to mate a statement.

Mr Morriss said it was certainly with feelings of regret that he was called upon tomakoa charge against Mr Penney. On tho night of the concert and dance hold in the hall at Eketahuna ho had seen Mr Penney at the concert, and wns aware he hi gone out and come in again, Happening to go into the back place where his wife was for tea aud refreshment, he noticed Mr Penney in front of the fire with his elbows on his knees and his head m hands, apparently asloop. Anyhow, ho was snoring. Remarked to his wife, "Hullo, what have we got Lero"? His wife said, "Ho can.t stand." On waking up he asked his wife for tea, and was in such a state he couldn't hold the cup. Ho should say it was hetweeu 2 and 8 o'clock in the morning when Mr Butcher came in and said "I'll tako him homo." Ho said to Mr Penney "come home," and Mr Penney staggered out after him, and what became of him after that he did not know. The concert was over about half-past 10 or 11,

Chairman-: Hid you take notice of Mr Penney during the concert? Morris: Yes, thought Mr Pomiey had had drink before ho sang. Chairman: What time was it you found Mr Penney before the fire ?

Mr Morriss: About 12 or 1. Must have been quite 1 o'clock. Chairman: You say ho was snoring. Might ho not possibly havo been sleepy and just, taking a nap ? Mr Morriss; I'm not so blind as that. Mr Penney was intoxicated 1

Chairman: You arc quite jatisficd on that point? Mr Morriss: Perfectly satisfied. Chairman: Did Mr Penney remain sitting all tho time ?

Mr Morriss: I did not seo him get up till he wont out.

Chairman: Till ha went away with Mr Butcher. You state he I could not stand. How then did ho nalkaway? Mr Morriss: My wife said he could not stand.

chairman: Any raombor of the Committee like to ask Mr Morris questions ? No, Would Mr Penney? Yes,

Mr Penney to Mr Morriss: Are you aware tint I left a sick bed to attend your concert and obligo you by singing ? Mr Morriss; I know nothing about your sickness, Mr Pennoy: You say I satin the chair by tho fire all night. Did you hear anybody say I had a cold ? Mr Morriss: I heard them say you had drink, Mr Penney; Don't you think it at all likely a mau might want sleep with a bad cold at that hour ?

Mr Morriss: You should have boon homo and in bed.

Mr Penney: Suro you didn't hear I had a bad cold?

Mr Morriss: All I heard was you smelt strong of drink, Mr Ponney: Were you influenced to bring this charge from other motives ? Mr Morriss: No,

Mr Penney: Would you like a dose of dysentery medicine? (producing bottle,) Mr Morriss: Havn'tgot dysontry, Should adviso castor oil, not drink for it.

Mr Penney: Is this why you keep children from school ? Mr Morriss: Yes, and because children have told mo tho master went out in school hours to get drink, and came in with it smelling strong, Mr Pennoy: It's an unfounded lie I Are you surelhat'j why you kept children away ?

Mr Morris i Yes, on that account. Mr Pennoy: Sure you did not want them for tho garden?

Mr Morriss said he had brought up ten children and not of them knew what drink was, and novor should if ho could help it. Mr Ponnoy: Is thore no other' motive for this attack? Mr Morriss: No. . I

Mr Penney: Were you not angrj' about tho pound I sent you in mistake? Mr Morriss. You'did not send me a pound. The Chairman here called on Mr Penney to confino himself to the charge, Messrs Parsons and Selby both considered Mr Penney should be heard, as he might be able to prove malice. Tho Chairman said he wished the matter thoroughly sifted out, nii.l if he stopped till five in the morning it should be so'. Mr Penney: (Continued crossexamination.) Did you see me go out? Mr Morriss: Yes, after the concert. Mr Penny; Aro you prepared to saylwas'nthome before eight? Mr Morris: No. Quite sure it was after two. ' : Mr Penney; Are you prepared to

swear I'm drinking in school hours ? I Air Morri6S: No, only hearsay. I Mr Penney said he'had nothing 1 :»oro to ask Mr Morriss, and received permission to call others. Ho called Mr Hodges Mr Pomiey:' Did you know I was sick on tho night of the concert ? Mr Hodges: Yes, I was thero at conceit but not at the dance. If you will allow me I will make a statement of what I know. Mr Penney came to me frequently, in fact every fow minutes, complaining of sickness.

I am confident he had had no drink up till half-past ten, .1 have been teetotal nil my life, and would have detected drink in a minute.

Mr Penney, in answer to' the Chairman, said ho had no questiij|-!j to ask, but would call Mr Butcher!^'

Mr Butcher, called, said his namo had been used pretty freely in tlt<^ : affair, He did not go with Mr Penney to the concert. Met him afterwards at half-past ten. Told him ho was a very foolish man to como out with such a cold. After a little conversation about his health ho said "come and have a drink," and advised n drop of something hot, telling him (Mr Penney) ho would catch his death of cold. Ho thought, in fact was positive, Mr Penney had a " rum hot." They then went back to the Hall. He did not dance.

Went into tho hack place ho should say just before twelve. Saw Mr Penney before the fireside as described by lMr Morriss, Mr Morriss made some remark to him and Penney and he went homo

together to the door of his hotel. Seeing no lights Mr Penney had romarked, " If you can't get in come ttndslayatmy house."

The Chairman: What time did you say ? Mr Butcher: Half past one or a quarter to two. Mr Penney walked home. Ho did "not «%j/er. Must eay lie was sobor. The Chairman: On your honor, as a gentleman, Mr Butcher, did Mr Penney have only ono rum or more ?" Mr Bntcher: Woll, ho had another in an hour or so,

Mr Penney asked if Mr Butcher was sure it was not twenty to three o'clock. Mr Butcher: Wouldn't swear to it. Mr Morriss here said: On your honor, as a mail, Mr Butcher,"you stated that Mr Penny was not drunk. If on your oath would you swear that lie was not intoxicated ? Mr Butcher: Yes I would.

Mr Morriss (indignantly): Then, sir, you would swear a /•» Mr Butcher: Don't bo insulting, fi sir. T

Mr H. Aulin was then called by Mr Penney. Ho stated ho' was at tho concert and dance. Did not speak to Mr Penney during thoconcer but afterwards. Saw him dancing about eleven. Also saw him about twelve. Saw nothing wrong with him. Felt suro he was sober. Walked home two or threo chains behind Mr Butcher and Mr Penny to Parsons' hotel. Knew them by hearing them speak. Mr Ponnoy asked if he was suro it was not later than twelve. Mr Aulin said ho could not he certain. Do left before the dauce was over.

The Chairman then inquired if thcro was any person present or not present Mr Penney would liko to call. e Mr Penney: No. **% Tho Chairman: Then sir, perhaps *' you will give us a statement of what, occurred.

Mr Ponnoy then made the following statement. He said he -had seen a good deal of the world but nover beforo seen such narrow-mindedness,

Tho Chairman here asked Mr Penney to keep to the matter of tho charge. Mr Penney wont on as follows: Binco 9th ofAugust had been suffering from a severe cold complaint. He was nearly always troubled with a - kind of chronic dysentery. Did not think he would have been able to sing at Newman concert, as he had difficulty in singing at a concert a few nights previous. When ho arrived at the hall he found tho back place full, and obtained a chair from Malborg and sat boforo the firo with great coat and muffler on, Tho first Bong.lie attempted he got through all right, but broke down in tho second after the first verse. Sat by the fire till about 10.80. Went out, came in again and had a dance. Soon went back to tho room, as ho found perspiring and getting cool did not improve his cold. Felt drowsy and supposo slept till Mr Butcher round and asked him if he was going home. Went with Mr Butcher, and * musthavegothomesoonaftertwo. Ho know because he, Mr Pemiey, wound up his watcli soon after ho got homo, and it was then twenty to 8. Don't think he took more than two small rums hot on night in question, but took some laudanum before going out. This ended Mr Penney's statement.

The Chirmrn asked if anyono had any questions to" ask. Mr Pennoy; No questions, The Chairman proposed that they should go into committee, Mr Selby rose and said ho did not believe in doing those things in secret, Ho wonld bring forward an an amendment, That it be an open, meeting. The motion was lost. Mr Thomas Parsons rose and said! ho was not present at the concert, but if any of the committee present were there he should like to hear tbem speak, 'A Mr T. Bayliss said ho was • chairman ot tho concert. Mr Penney sang; twice or three times. In his lastsong he broke down. As Mr Penney /* went off the stage ho (Mr Bayliss) . i J apologised to the audience, observing; that Mr Pennoy was suffering from a cold, Ho'left the hall aboiit 10,80. Ho did not secjllr Penney afterwards. Did not smell drink on him, Knew nothing more about tho matter,

The Chairman then briefly ran over the charge of Mr Morriss, uad-also tho evidence of Mcsssrs Butcher, and Aulin.. He said tlicy considered -Mr Morriss a gentleman, and as such heihad stated Mr Penney was drunk. They also considered Messrs Hodges, Butcher and Aulin gentlemen, and they had stated that ho was sober. Tho-two statements wero very conflicting.

Mr Parsons said he would like to nslc did they (Messsrs Butcher and PenneyJ go back after Mr Aulin had seen them ? Both answered in tjgtf negative.

Mr Selby then addressed tho meeting. He said he admired Mr Morriss for the manly way ho had come fonvardto sustain the cliarge.and thought the thanks of the members were due to Mr Morriss. There were all sorts of slanderous talcu lining about, and he thought such a slate of tilings was disgraceful, Peoplo made statements they would not come forward and substantiate. Mr Morriss said he should like to y| sayjust a word. It was with feelings **\ of regret he brought forward the

charge. Was most happy to do Mr Penney a good turn at any time, but ho must toll them candidly ho was truly sorry Mr Peuney didn't keep hotter kbits, Ilchadbrougbtiipton children and ho couldn't let them como to school while such things vent on, If tbo matter went further ho (Morriss) could bring others, lady friends, to substantiate what ho had said, Pooplo were always saying tilings to him about tho master, rijbul w6uld not como forward when ?gffll!ed upon. He further said ho sympathised with Mr Peunoy. Didn't want to press tho charge, but tliought Mr Penney ought to leavo that "demon" alone. Mr J|onney in answer to tho ClmirjH| said ho had no 1 mora to say, that ho now bolieved Mr Morriss had brought forward tho clmrgo, conscientiously and from a aonas%f duty, but Mr Morris had been mistaken, Mr Parsons thon said that ho hail glistened patiently to both sides of Stho question, and ho considered the of ovidenco was in favor of Ponney. Mr Morriss lmd beon a teetotaller all bis life, and no doubt felt strongly on the subject, perhaps Mr Morriss was right, but at the samo timo he bolievod that half the teachers in the state scbools drank in moderation, and it did no harm. Ho would now rnovo" that tbo charge be not entertained." Mr Selby seconded tho motion. 4g£r Parsons asked the leave of his ssfmdor to altor the wording of tho motion to " not proven," as charges had been entertained but not proved. Tho resolution as amended was unanimously carried. Mr Anderson then addressed the master at some length, and said that ho hoped Mr Penney would act in the futuro in such a manner that there could bo uo possibility of these littlo tales flying about. Tho mooting then terminated.