“WILFUL DISOBEDIENCE”

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 211, 20 August 1934, Page 6

“WILFUL DISOBEDIENCE”

School Principal Suspended

REFLECTIONS ON 80/XRD

(By Telegraph—Press Association.) ASHBURTON, Aug. 20.

“That the principal (Mr R. J. Thompson) be suspended for a period of one month for wilful disobedience of the orders of the board and of the chairman, the suspension to cease If within that period he inserts in the Press a letter approved by the board,” was a motion carried by the Technical High School Board at a special meeting on Saturday evening.

The action arose in connection with the question of amalgamation of the High and Technical Schools. The charges against the principal were: That while matters were still under the consideration ot the boards concerned he wrote letters to a newspaper dealing with the matters raised at a conference between the Ashburton High School Board and the Ashburton Technical High School Board, that the letters contained expressions that wer» distinct reflections on the members of the Technical High School Board.

Mr. Thompson declined the board's request that lie insert a letter to the

effect that he did not have any intention of casting reflection on the mem bets of the board. He maintained that as principal he coul dtake such action as he thought fit to -combat the amalgamation. Mr. Thompson made complaints against the chairman. Mr A. L. Jones, which the board dismissed as not substantiated.