TE ORANGA HOME.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14447, 13 February 1909, Page 10

TE ORANGA HOME.

A TEACHER DISMISSED,

(Pek United Press Association.)

CHRISTCHimCH, February 12. A sequel to tho To Oranga Home inquiry has boon provided by the dismissal of Miss Ada Harrison, a teacher employed at tho institution. At the inquiry Miss Harrison criticised the management of the matron (Mis Brantuig), in several important respects. She prefaced her evidence, by asking whether she would endanger her position by appearing before the Commissioner. "I am teacher here, and I want to remain." she raid. "Is it tho method in the department to dismiss an officer without letting her know the complaint made against her?" She was reassured by the Commissioner, and gave her evidence. Now she has been dismissed from her .position under circumstances which seem to suggest a connection with what occurred at the inquiry. Miss Harrison has been dismissed summanly, being given three months' salary in lieu of notice. No suggestion has been made that her work- has been in any way unsatisfactory. When sho received notice of her dismissal she wrote to tho Education Department asking why she. had been put out of her position, and in what respect her services had been unsatisfactory. She received in reply a letter from' the Undersecretary of the department, still makiV no complaint against her work, but statins; that in the interests of the institution and inmates if was not desirable to retain an officer who was out of sympathy with the matron. Tho letter stated in 'effect that the teacher had been dismissed becauso she could not agree with the matron on points of policy,

(Fro?j Our Own Cohresfokdkxt.) 01-IRISTCITURCrT, February 12. The nature of the difference of opinion that, has existed between Miss Harrison and Mrs Branting was indicated when, at the inquiry, Miss Harrison said the matron was out of sympathy with the school-work of tho 'institution. "The matron." she said, "would like to shorten the work of the girls in school. She does not think school-work as important as 1 do." Miss Harrison had previously .stated that she objected t» being required to keep the girl* down lo a Fourth Standard level in the matter of education. It is understood that Miss Harrison is taking steps to secure the full consideration of her case. The matter is likely to be taken up by the Teachers' Institute, of which organisation she is a member.

NEED FOR INQUIRY EMPHASISED. (Pep. United Press Association - .) CHRISTCHURCH, February 12. Regarding the summary dismissal of Miss Harrison, a gentleman interested in Hie work of the home told a Star reporter that he considered the Education Department had made "another remarkable error of judgment" on an important, point of administration. " The department must," ho said, "either justify its action by suggesting that- the teacher's work was unsatisfactory, or else confess that the woman had been summarilv dismissed, and in a measure disgraced because she disagreed with the matron on points of administration. Will the Minister assure the public that Miss Harrison was not dismissed on the recommendation of Mrs Braiding (the matron), and will he state that the difference of opinion between Miss Harrison and Mrs Branting was not on the question of whether the scanty two hours a dav allowed for the education of the girls should be further curtailed ?" It is alleged that the teacher was denied access to records that were her own property, and had to communicate with the diT-wrtment in the matter. When some money became due to her she received a curt instruction to call for it at a certain house in the city, as though it was desirable that she should not again enter the walls of the institution.

"The Minister of Education has stated that the management, was vindicated by Iho report of the inquiry." saiil a gentleman who has been iiroiniiient in connection with the matter at various times. " The public disagrees with him. Wo will put aside the flogging and tree-felling, because lliere is reason to believe that reform has been effected in those directions. Does anybody.contend for one moment, however, that girls whose crying need is moral upliftnient and character development should be allowed only two hours' education a day. and then kunt down to a Fourth Standard level? 'That is the position of. affairs as disclosed at the inquiry. Now, the officer who had the courage to protest has been dismissed from the service. The Minister will have to explain to the public."