Scene at a Conisborough Meeting

Abuse of the Chairman

Last night there was a discreditable scene at the monthly meeting of the Conisborough School Board. It arose over a report of a recent inquiry concerning the alleged friction between the head master and teaching staff in the Station Road Mixed Schools.

As the result of the inquiry it was recorded: “That the Board hereby expresses its entire confidence in Mr. Sellars and his management of the Station Road School, and that this resolution be communicated to him verbally, but that in future he be directed to post rules affecting teachers in the teachers’ room.”

Mr. Baker, who opposed this resolution, contended that it was not in accordance with the evidence, and that Mr. Sellars, the head master in question, had exercised tyranny towards a fatherless assistant mistress.

The discussion that followed was heated in the extreme. The Chairman denied that the inquiry had been rushed and the public bluffed, as emphatically stated by Mr. Baker.

This brought Mr. Baker to his feet, and, in a voice hoarse with passion, he shouted, “You prostitute your position as chairman of this Board for Radicalism, your so-called religion, and your shop.”

Later, Mr. Dickinson asked what was the good of listening to such a lunatic, who was only wasting the Board’s time with his ravings. Mr. Baker, he said, was not going to frighten him, whereupon Mr. Baker faced him and hurled out, “You blackguard.”

At this juncture Mr. Baker’s dog, which was lying under the table, set up such a prolonged howl that the stormy discussion was momentarily stopped. The Clerk in vain tried to restore harmony amongst the now highly excited members.

Mr. Baker pressed for the resolution to be rescinded, the Chairman pointing out he would have to give notice of motion. The Chairman further drew attention to the fact that of the eight teachers who had given evidence, six were in favour of Mr. Sellars.

Eventually the scene terminated by Mr. Baker giving notice of motion to rescind the resolution at the next meeting.