The Schoolmaster and the Policeman.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1805, 10 March 1886, Page 2

The Schoolmaster and the Policeman.

For some weeks past the air has been filled with rumors of a very serious character concerning the master of the school at Belyidere, Mr J. M. Fraser/ 80 grave are the charges that the school committee resolved upon instituting an enquiry, and several persons gave in their names as witnesses ready to be examined. It has been stated by the Carterton paper that Constable Darby, of Carterton, is among those attempting to sheet home these accusations, but this is untrue so far as we can leant, and it is improbable that this officer will come forward uuless specially asked to do so. Whether Mr Fraser believed that the investigation against him was instituted in the first place through the influence of Mr Darby, we do not know ; but he has made several charges against the constable for alleged neglect of duty, and forwarded them to Inspector Shearman. It seems to be a case “ Schoolmaster v Policeman,” and we hope a full aud patient hearing will be accorded to both sides. The Carterton paper has been yelping at the police for some time, but of course no notice was taken of it coming from such a quarter. Mow that Mr Fraser has made charges of a specific character we have no doubt an investigation will be held.

The Belvidere School Committee met last evening to investigate the charges against the master. It has resulted in bis resigning, the committee allowing three mouths’ notice.