RETIREMENT OF TEACHER

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23789, 7 November 1942, Page 4

RETIREMENT OF TEACHER

MINISTER’S REPLY TO BOARD

“I am unable to understand how the board or anyone else could suppose that any slur has been cast on Mr Bowring or any injustice done to him by thd course of events,” stated the Minister of Education (the Hon. H. G. R. Mason), in a letter received by the Christchurch Technical College Board of Governors last evening. In August the board wrote to the Minister, inquiring why the department had declined the request made by Mr T. B. Bowring, former head of the college’s building trades department, to continue as a relieving teacher, after his retirement on superannuation had been accepted. The board asked for reconsideration of the matter.

The Minister said Mr Bbwring, a teacher of full retiring age, of his own free .will, and to obtain as he supposed the greatest monetary return from his contributions to the Teachers’ Superannuation Fund, tendered his resignation to the board. The board accepted it and proceeded to appoint" his successor, who was approved by the department. Mr Bowring’s offer "to continue his services as a full-time teacher until such time as he could be relieved,” was agreed to by the department. The Minister added that Mr Bowring’s services to technical education were greatly valued, and his services as a relieving teacher would be thankfully accepted. “I would like to say a lot about this, but I feel it would be futile,” said Mr J. E. Jones. He criticised the delay in replying to the board’s letter. “I would like to see Mr Bowring in the position, but he is not.”

The principal (Dr. D. E. Hansen) reported that Mr Bowring had recently been ill. and a motion of sympathy was carried by the board.