COUNTRY SCHOOL TROUBLE.

Auckland Star, Volume XLII, Issue 137, 10 June 1911, Page 8

COUNTRY SCHOOL TROUBLE.

TEACHER V. SCHOOL COMMITTEE. AN ACTION" FOR LIBEL. The action in which William Masson, a school teacher, claims from William Richardson, chairman of tbe Maunga'tapere School Committee, the sum of .£5Ol damages for alleged libel was continued at the Auckland Supreme Court, yesterday afternoon and to-day. In the course of further evidence Elsie May Horneman stated that the notice posted on tbe door of the school was commented upon by the head teacher, and held up to ridicule, attention being drawn to mis-spelled words and ignorance of the, writer. It was a common practice for the head teacher to compare the parents disparagingly before the pupils. Masson told witness that he wanted the tennis court for his wife. and the children were Dot allowed to use the court, not even to walk on it. Before the inquiry was opened by Inspector Cox, Masson said to her, when they were alone, in what appeared to be a threatening tone, "If you dare to say anything against mc 1 have sixteen charges in writing, and 1 will make it my duty to bring them before the inspector." Witness had the matter reported, and when the inquiry opened Inspector Cox said: "Well. Mr. Masson, these sixteen charges against Miss Horneman is a very serious matter." Masson instantly replied: "I deny having used the words," but in the course of the inquiry made, an explanation, admitting having used certain words. Though the headmaster denied at the inquiry that he was ever late, he often reached the school after it bad assembled, sometimes over hatf-an-hour late.

Cross-examined as to her ill-health resulting from insulting behaviour on the part of the head teacher, witness admitted that the morning prior to going on leave, of absence was the first occasion she could remember. She had not actually broken down in health, but the doctor said she whs excitable, and it was advisable she should go away. MISS HORNEMAN'S EVIDENCE. On the occasion of the insulting behaviour she had given the class instruction in geography, and had described clouds as "elevated mists." The bead teacher turned round, and in front of the class contradicted the statement. She did not know what explanation he gave, because, she promptly put on her hat and attended to other small duties. That afternoon, July 15, she did not go back to her duties, and got leave of absence. In regard to two girls being marked present and were absent, sbe thought the explanation was that the register was marked before the scjhool assembled in the afternoon, because the attendances was required to get the quarterly returns compiled early. The girls were present in the morning. ■ Mr. Reed: That is a "feasible explanation, and isn't it the case that registers are sometimes marked from the morning attendance?—l don't know.

It does not show falsification, but a mistake, and why didn't you make the explanation at either of" the two inquiries?—l was never asked. David Cockborn stated that he levelled the tennis court and asphalted it in March, 1910. Cross-examined, he said the levelling consisted of spreading scoria. If it had been stated that Masson and his wife were seen playing on the court in 1909' it must have been on grass, and not on asphalt. By consent, the evidence of T. H. Steadman. solicitor, called lor the plaintiff was taken to enable him to return to Whangarei. He appeared for Masson in the two cases heard at the Whangarei Court, and detailed the evidence given refuting the allegn.:;ous that plaintiff had sworn falsely. He also stated that Masson had a good reputation in the district, and heard nothing against him till the Court proceedings! George 6. B. Morrison, a. member of the Committee, who accompanied the chairman on- a visit to the school on •the occasion when an assault was alleged to have been committed, said Masson told him the visit yvas a breach of the regulations, and Court proceedings were likely to follow. Masson said: "I know you were led into it uhwittinglv, and if you give evidence against Richardson I will shelter you, and make it as lenient for you as I can.- Masson produced a written statement of wTlat purported to be the facts-of the i/ieident, and witness was asked to sfgn it as true and correct. He read * over, but not thinking it was true, refused to sign it. The cross-examination of the witness was deferred, because he was still weak from a recent illness, and the case was adjourned till 10.30 on Monday morning.