EDUCATIONAL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 10366, 15 June 1901, Page 1

EDUCATIONAL.

TEACHEBS' BOARD OF APPEAL.

The appeal case of ' Miss 1 Davis, .teacher of the Kapuni School, who was dismissed some two month* ago by the Education Board, -commenced yesterLday morning. The Court was formed 6f. Mr.-Kenny, S.M.. Rev T..8. Mac.lean (representing the Teachers' Institute), an,d Mr. Rutherford, of Palmeri ston North' (representing the' Education Board: ' '

Mr T. Gill, M.A., headmaster of the Newton School, Wellington,' appeared on behalf bf the Teachers' Institute to conduct the case of Miss Davis, and Mr G. S. Bridge represented,- the Board. There was a large attendance' of teachers.

According to the procedure of the Court, 88 laid down in the Act, the appellant (Mr -Gill) had to state his case first, and then call his witnesses, 1:0 further statement being allowed him. Then the defendant followed with l.is statement and his witnesses, each. B : de being allowed to cross-examine the other's witnesses. The reasons given in the written statement. of the Jioard for the dismissal of JK«s Davjs were— (ll alleged disrespectful .behaviour ..towards membors of, the jEducatipn Board and the School. Committee : ■ (2) such behaviour towards her. pupil .teachers .in the presence of 'the scholars as undermined their.contaol; (3) .absence from her school ■ within , school hours. ...It ,camo« out in evidence that tlnpe Courts, of Inquiry had been held by the Education Board into the conduct of Miss Davis, the first conducted by Messrs Bridge and Bobbins, the second by -Messrs Robbing and Adams/ and the third by Mr Bobbins alone. Miss Davis, in her evidence, denied the charges, and Mr Mudford, a former member .of the School Committee, supported'her statements. Evidence wns also given by several lady teachers who hnd formerly been under. Miss Davis, which went to show that she had always treated them respectfully, and had at all times supported' their anthority. Miss Ward (Miss Davis'-lady-help) gave evidence respecting: . Miss Davis' absence from school to have tier, photograph taken, and asserted that on that occasion she was away for only twenty-five minutes. * Mr Bridge. 'in Kis opqning statement, traversed the Board's relations with* .Miss Davis, more particularly durine the - last two and^ a half years, and lodged all tho letters and written statemeftta made by, the chairman of the Committee and others respecting Miss Davit' conduct.- He himself, og a witness, gave evidence .respecting Miss Davis' .behaviour towards himself and Mr Robbins, who constituted the first Court of Inquiry. vMetsn Robbins, Adams, and Crowley gave evidence in support of th.c charges made by the Board, after which the Board adjourned until next morning.^