TE ORANGA HOME.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13829, 15 February 1909, Page 3

TE ORANGA HOME.

MINISTERIAL EXPLANATION. Per Press Association. CHRISTCHURCH, Feb. 13. The Hon. G. Fowlds, Minister for Education, -was seen to-day by a pivss representative, and' was asked if ho would make a statement regarding the alleged summary dismissal of Miss Ada Harrison from licr position as teacher at Te Oranga Home. "I have nothing to say," Mr Fowlds replied, "except that I have given the matter very full and very careful consideration, and I have taken the only course that seemed open to me in the best interests of the institution. I do not want to make any complaint against Miss Harrison's ability or work as a teacher, but what is required at Te Oranga is something more than a teacher. The institution is at all times and in any circumstances a most difficult one to manage successfully, and the utmost confidence and harmony amongst all the members of the staff is an absolute necessity if satisfactory results are to he attained, it has been made clear to Miss Harrison that it was nothing iu connection with her work as a teacher that necessitated the action being taken." '• Then as to the allegations that Miss Harrison was summarily dismissed," said the reporter. "Miss Harrison got three months salary in lieu rtf notice," Mr Fowlds replied,

" and that is the only way that you can deal with anybody in an institution of that kind. It would simply be intolerable to have anyone under notice, in contact with the inmates for three months. There was no other \\»av thinkable of making the change." '• What- is the explanation of the statement that the education' of the girls is restricted to tlr; fourth standard ?" " I don't know what is meant by that," said the .Minister. "The manager (Mrs Branting) tells me that she has never interfered, and books were supplied and are there in the school now for the fifth and sixth standards, both readers and arithmetic. These books were supplied on Miss Harrison's requisition. It must be borne in mind that the great bulk of the girls have passed the fourth standard before they entered the home, that

quite a number of them have passed tne lifui ana sixth stanciurus, ana mat some i daresay have passed tnrough secondary schools, therefore it is noli iui teaching purposes zilat the school exists; it exists as a part oi the reformatory process.'' Asked if the Department had interfered in the matter, the Minister said that if the Department did interfere it was Miss Harrison's duty to obey the instructions' issued by the Department. The reporter asked lor an explanation of the allegations made that M iss Harrison had been refused access to her private 'papers which were at the homo, and had, been instructed to call at an address in town for the salary duo to her. "As far as I understand the matter " Mr Fowlds replied, "those statements are based on a message sent to Miss Harrison to the effect that if she called on one of the official visitors she would receive her salary. This waa considered as being more convenient to Miss Harrison than to ask her to call at the home. Of course relations were strained, and on Miss Harrison making equiry regarding the matters, the manager informed Miss Harrison that she had better conduct all correspondence through the department." "Do you think Miss Harrison has been dealt with justly?"—"l consider that she has lieen dealt instly with," replied the Minister " Hf- snff>eir»it reason been given by the Department for dispensing with her services?"— "Yes T think so," Mr, Fowlds replied.