MORNING DEVOTIONS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 142, 17 June 1937, Page 10

MORNING DEVOTIONS

SYSTEM IN OTAGO SCHOOLS

(By Telegraph.)

(Special to the "Evening Post.")

DUNEDIN, This Day

"It is a pleasure to note that the system is working admirably both in city and country schools," said a member of the Otago Education Board yesterday in referring to the opening devotional exercises in schools.

Reports showed that 81 schools were now participating, the total number taking part being 7504—7305 pupils arid 199 teachers. The system was entirely voluntary on the part of committees, teachers, and pupils. It had been erroneously described as Bible instruction, but was purely a form of daily worship or opening devotional exercises.

Mr. Willis, and there would be evidence of the wilful destruction of realisable assets.

All the allegations of mismanagement, said Mr. Willis, had nothing to do with lack of finance, and were independent of slump conditions. Returns had been abnormally low, even when prices were reasonably good.

The suggestion was seriously made, said Mr. Willis, that the alleged indifference and mismanagement were deliberate; that much animosity was engendered during the litigation in which the defendants were deprived of substantial benefits under wills set aside by the Court; and that the defendants were determined that the plaintiff should not receive benefit from the estate.

Mr. Weston objected that this very serious charge against the defendants was not in the pleadings, to which his Honour replied that when evidence in support of it was given he would decide whether it was admissible or not. The hearing is proceeding.