THE CASE OF MR. HARRISON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8888, 26 May 1892, Page 6

THE CASE OF MR. HARRISON.

HIS REINSTATEMENT RECGI M ENDED.

A special meetiif of the Auckland City Schools Committot was held last night, for the purpose of takiig into consideration the

resolutions passed it the last meeting of the Board of Educaion in reference to the charges brought aginst Mr. E. M. C.

Harrison, headmasbr of the Beresfordstreet) School; and of making some recommendation to he Board as to the desirability of his removal. The following gentlemen were pesentMessrs. Blades (chairman), Fairdl, Tudehope, Burns, Adams, Crowe, Pairs, and Sherson. Mr. Duncan was the only member of the committee not in attendance.

A deputation consisting of Messrs. W. McCullough, J. Martin, W. J. Dennis, and Cruickshank,came forward and presented the following petition, signed by '275 parents or guardians, representing (553 children attending the school : —" We the undersigned parents and guardians of the children of the Beresfordstreet School,having learned with satisfaction that the Board has exonerated Mr. Harrison fromthe charges brought against him, earnestly desire and request that he may at once be reinstated in his position as headmaster of the school in which ho has rendered such long and valuable services ; we do so with ihe fullest confidence in Mr. Harrison's integrity and unblemished character as a teajher and a gentleman." Mr. McCullough said that many of those who lad signed th 3 petition had known Mr. Harrison for some 14 or 15 years, and they felt it their duty to come forward on this occasion and express their sympathy with him in tho trying circumstances in which he had been placed. They hoped that the committee would favourably consider the prayer of the petition placed before them.

Mr. W. J. Dennis also spoke urging the reinstatement of Mr. Harrison. Two other petitions were also received. One was signed by 93 girls at present attending the school, in the IV., V., and VI. standards ; and the other by 88 boys in the same standards.

The committee then went into committee to consider tho whole matter, and after a lengthy discussion, arrived at the following resolution, which will bo forwarded to the Board of Education :—" 1. The Board having after full inquiry exonerated Mr. Harrison for any immoral motive ; but consider him guilty of indiscretion in adopting the system complained of without consulting the committee or the Board : tho committee are of opinion that the indiscretion with which he is charged does not justify his removal from the Beresford-street School. 2. The committee holding the above opinion, and having had presented to them a petition signed by 275 parents or guardians, representing 653 children attending the Beresford-street School, do recommend that Mr. Harrison be ordered 60 return to his duties at once."