THE SCHOOL CASE.

Northern Advocate, 20 September 1910, Page 4

THE SCHOOL CASE.

ALLEGED DISTURBANCE,

At the Magistrate's Court this morning William Richardson (Mr Killen) was charged on the information o? William Masson (Mr Steadman) with having disturbed n public school at Maungatapere on june 15th.

The defendant was also charged with assaulting the plaintiff, at that time teacher of' the Maungatapere school.

The charge was laid under section 168 of the Education Act.

Mr Steadman explained that the < ; e----fendant was Chairman of the local school committee, and on the flay of the alleged offence went to the seizor and told the children to disregard asl'e teacher's orders in regard to being for** bidden to play in certain portions of the school grounds. The defendant, when remonstrated with, shook 'he plaintiff by the shoulder.

The plaintiff gave evidence that Mr Richardson and Mr Morrison came to the school on the day in question. They knocked at the door and as witness was busy he replied that he wo be disengaged during the play hour. He went out as soon as he could. Morrison said he had heard that the children had been forbidden to play in the school ground and witness replied that if anyone made that statement it was false and that the children had been allowed free scope with the exception of a tennis court. Richardson, in the presence of the children, shook him by the shoulder saying that it was he who made the statement. Richardson said he would insist on the boys being allowed to play over the whole grounds. A notice, which had been placed on the school door signed by Richardson without the knowledge and consent of witness informed the children that the whole of the grounds were thrown open to the children for recreation purposes. Since then a quantity of scoria had been placed on the grounds destroying the tennis court. No objection had been raised by the committee to' the court being placed where it was. To Mr Killen: Permission had be<m. given by the secretary of the committee to erect the tennis court before last Christmas. The court was *or the benefit of the upper standard girls. He was not in the habit of le3,ving the school during the hours f or instruction. The assault took place on June 6th and witness took immediate steps to secure j.istice by bringing the matter before the Teachers' Institute; the executive of which had unanimously consented to take the matter up. Witness and the pupils had assisted in the formation of the court. The grounds surrounding the school and residence comprised a number of acres. The ground had been cut up and one portion was set aside for the children to play in, another for the*teacher's residence, and another for horses. If the decision of the committee was a legal one with regard to the use of the grounds he did not claim the right to over-ride it. He i had no personal animus towards the defendant; but objected to him attempting to usurp witness's power and authority. A load of scoria was placed on the tennis court by a man who was asked if he had authority to spoil the court. The man replied that he had, but as he had nothing to stow in writing he was told to close up the hole in the fence which had been made to admit the cart with the scoria. His Worship said it seemed to him that there had been improper interference with the authority of the teacher, and said that as a proof of this they had the notice which had been nailed on the door by the chairman. The witness said that Mr Richardson had caused a disturbance by nailing a notice on the door of the school countermanding his orders. The notice was left on the door for a whole day and had interfered with the discipline of the school. Mr Richardson had also said that he would force witness to let the children play on the tennis court. This was said in the presence of some of the children who would probably have heard what was said. Geo. Morrison, who was prespnt when the alleged disturbance took place, said he went there with the chairman to inquire why the children had not been allowed to play on all parts of the ground. Witness Knew at that time that there had been some friction about the tennis court. When they called at the school Mr Richard, son knocked at the door and Mr Masson said he would be with them shortly and that he was teaching a class just then. He ?ame out later and Mr Richardson, after some conversation, placed his band on Massoijfc who immediately told him to keep his 4 hands off. Mr Richardson told Masson that he had not come as a friend, but to see justice done to the children. In consequence of witness' attitude Mr Steadman was given permission to treat the witness as hostile. Asked if scoria would improve the ground for football witness said that only fine stuff was put on. The court was the only part of the play ground suitable for football. (Left Sitting.)