The following story is about a teacher who went from town to town setting up schools for a short time then leaving under a cloud of suspicion. First in Perth in 1892 then to Kalgoorlie and Coolgardie then on to Perth again then Bunbury with the same results. However Mr Murtagh was in no way perturbed and sued for his fees a large number of the parents who removed their children from his school for his ‘Disgusting Habits’. He also sued one father for slander for £7000 and received costs of 1 farthing (this is a quarter of a penny). He was to move to the Eastern States and then on to Tasmania. Who knows if the allegations were true but it seems he was never investigated by the education authorities.
MURTAGH’S PRIVATE SCHOOL – Coolgardie
Presbyterian Church, Coolgardie
‘Twelve months after the opening of the Presbyterian Church, a High School was opened in the church with six pupils, which was increased to sixty within three months.
Classes were under the personal supervision of Dr. J.J. Murtagh, a former Principal of Fremantle Academy. Later, when unpleasant allegations were made against him, he was followed to his home in Lindsay Street and subjected to a very hostile demonstration. One parent threatened to horsewhip him and another was taken into custody for assault.
T’Othersider newspaper suggested that Dr Murtagh clear out, adding: ‘No person with such an extraordinary notion of the pabulum suitable for the intellectual digestion of the young person is a safe preceptor for youth. Dr Murtagh took the advice and left town and the school closed down
From ‘The Sun’ 11th April 1909:- Dr.” Murtagh, the pedagogue who conducted a school in Collins street. Kalgoorlie, about a couple of years ago (A man whose name was connected with some serious charges at Coolgardie some ten or eleven years previously has reappeared in the limelight in Perth. It was only in the case of a summons issued by him to recover for tuition fees,but it is worth noting that the magistrate was moved to enquire ” How is it there are so many
disturbances with this man ?” and the opposing lawyer was allowed to remark: — ” He’s always in court, your worship. In Sydney he was just the same. Here in the Supreme Court he sued for slander, and obtained one farthing costs. Children are taken away on account of his disgusting habits.” The ” Sunday Times ” suggests that the Minister for Educations should satisfy himself whether Murtagh is a suitable person to have the control of children.
The West Australian 1909
Moya Sharp
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