WAIKINO TRAGEDY .

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 83, 7 April 1924, Page 8

WAIKINO TRAGEDY .

THE SCHOOLMASTER'S CASE.

In November last'a man named Higigns. entered, the. State School at Waikihb; near Waihi,. fatally shot two children and.'wounded several -others; He also shot and severely wounded the headmaster, Mr^R. -Reid, 'who has ever since been under medical treatment, ;and has been unable to resume duty. The Minister of..Education,, the,-Hon.. C: :. J. Parr, brought the financial position involved in Mr.' Reid's case- before Cabinet, and it has: been decided that" as Mr. Reid's full recovery- from his wounds is not .'yet assured, he will, in the meantime, .be paid his full salary, £445 a year, and that all, medical and hospital expenses, _ cost of nursing and massage, and expenses' incurred in travelling '■ for treatment,-shall'also be paid by the Education Department s Should Mr. Reid be retired on superannuation as medically unfit, the Minsiter has been authorised to place before JParliament d 'pro-posal-for.a special permanent pension, in addition to : ,his superannuation: allowance. If this, proposal !is assented to by Parliament itwill mean-that-Mr Reid will continue in .receipt of his salary. . The'- .Government liopes.-,- that these provisions may be. deemed-a definite recognition of Mr. Reid's bravery and splendid devotion to duty under the most-frying circumstances. ■ . '• -. ..