Schoolmasters in Trouble.

Wairarapa Standard, Volume XIX, Issue 1834, 19 May 1886, Page 2

Schoolmasters in Trouble.

One or two schoolmasters have had a bad time of it lately. That distinguished public character, J. Merchant Fraser, eretwbile master of the Belvidere School, was sometime back brought to grievous tribulation by the local School Committee, which body investigated his character, and ultimately discharged him on the ground of immoral of conduct. The Education Board, on hearing the case brought before it, confirmed the discharge of Fraser, but gave him the opportunity of demanding further enquiry into his conduct. It is said that Fraser has demanded that this further enquiry should take place, but we

are rather sceptical on the subject, as nothing | further has been heard of the matter. Mean- ! time Fraser is perambulating the streets of Wellington aud breathing out threats of action for libel against all and sundry, who | have said or done anything to his discredit. Evidently Mr Fraser desires that the Law Courts should afford him the means of undergoing a moral whitewashing, We sincerely hope that Fraser will try the proposed experiment by appearing in the Supreme Court in the character of “ ap injured innocent.” In that case there wduld be some startling disclosures made when the evidence taken before the Belvidere School Committee, was given at length from the witness box before a judge and jury. There would possibly then bo afforded some remarkable details of “ the moral code and practices of a schoolmaster,” as given in his own confession. But we are inclined to think that these scandais will never see the light of day in a Court of Law. J. Marchant Fraser is wise in bis generation and in this matter will “let sleeping dogs lie,” and act on the maxim “ that discretion is the better part of valour,” as he so prudently did, when to escape the hobnailed boots of Buckeridge, he took refuge under the kitchen table, and thereby escaped a most exemplary and thorough kicking. But the contemplation of J. Marchant Fraser is not a pleasant thing, so we will turn the picture’s face to the wall, and let the subject rest. But there is yet another schoolmaster in hot water. This time it is Mr Richards, of the Lower Hutt School. The School Committee were dissatisfied with the alleged conduct of Mr Richards, and recommended his dismissal to the Education Board. The Board, however, thought the allegations against Mr Richards were not sustained and did not dismiss him. Then a new local School Committee was appointed, and a meeting of householders called, at which the proceedings were of a very exciting character, and two householders, Messrs Caverhill and Speedy, made specific charges against Mr Richards, with respe«b w ooutUMb iu iUm 3.' eerUiu fon ale school children. The meeting fully resolved to recommend the dismissal of Mr Richards. Mr Richards has in the meantime taken proceedings against Messrs Caverhill and Speedy for alleged libel. What the final outcome of the business will be remains to be seen.