AN IRATE PARENT.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 30 July 1928, Page 11

AN IRATE PARENT.

SCHOOL TEACHER THREATENED. STRATFOND CASE BEFORE MAGISTRATE!. A case interesting to school teachers and parents was heard at the Stratford Court this morning before Mr R. W. Pate. S.M., when the school teacher of Kiore school charged a woman parent with disturbing the school and insulting and upbraiding her. Mr P. O’Dea, who appeared, instructed by the Teachers’ Institute, said it was, so far as he knew, the first ease of its kind in the district. The institute felt it must protect its teachers from insult. The defendant had tiled to force her way into the school and had shaken her fist in the teacher’s face. Th© defendant, who at first pleaded not guilty withdrew heir plea after the evidence.of the teacher had been given. Mr N. H. Moss, who appeared on her behalf asked that her name be suppressed. Mr 0 1 ’Dea said the Teachers Institute lid not press for a heavy penalty. They simply wanted it understood that parents could not come to the school and “blow up” the teacher. The Magistrate said that as the Teachers’ Institute did not press the matter he would impose a fine of £1 and costs £1 13, but ho wanted it understood that the school grounds and the persons of teachers were sacred from the attention of irate parents. If they had complaints, there was a constitutional ’ way of going about it — through the school committees and education boards.