HOUSEHOLDERS' MEETING

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2168, 9 July 1889, Page 2

HOUSEHOLDERS' MEETING

ASHBUBTON.

A special meeting of householders for the purpose of eleoting a Bqhool Committee for the ABhburton district, . was held at the Borough Sxjhool last night. There was a very large attendance. Mr Gideon Scott was eleoted, Chairman. The Secretary, Mr J. 0. Dunoan, read the notioe oalling the meeting for the pnrpQao of eleoting a Sohool Committee. He alao read an offioial description of the boundaries of the diatiriot, and the definition In the statute of the term householder. The Chairman then called for nominations. Mr D. Williamson suggested that it would be a graoeful aot to confirm the eleoiion of the last Committee, Mr Mose thought that to be consistent the Committee before the last should be re- elected, as the last was not properly eleoted, and never was the Committee. In answer to questions Mr Siloook explained that he had protested against the ruling of the Chairman at the last eleotion, and m reply to a letter from the Board had submitted the names of persons outside the diatriot who had voted. While speaking he would mention a gratuitous insult to himself aed the Board of Education whioh appeared m that evening's " Guardian." In his opinion Major Steward made a fool of himself the other night, and he (Mr Siloook) attached no more importance to the a_rtiqle m the "Guardian" than he did to his ruling. He intended to stand, and challenged the expression of the opinion of the meeting bb to his oonduot. ' ' ' •■:"..•. : ;

tysr ftjtogs said thtU it the Board upon the ip'se ditoiii of one member of the Committee upset the election without taking any cvi denoo, it showed that there was too good an understanding between the Board and that member, and that member should be left off the Committee.

Thirteen nominations were mad,e f Messrs 0. Braddell and W. B. Moss were elected scrutineers.

Mr Siloook. said ihat he held that Mr Kneen waa not eligible to be ft member of the Committee. Ho appealed to that gentleman to withdraw his nomination, end said that if Mr Kneen were elected, he {Mr Siloook) would take steps to upset the eleoiion. Mr Kaeen replied that he was porfeotly qualified to aot ; that he was not even hoadmaster of the school, but simply hcumtenens for three or four weeks* He wished to do his best for the ohildron though not their master, and further that, m the words of a oandidate at a previous election, his knowledge of BObool masters would be of assistance to the Committee iq cboQßiag- thl belt WW for, feari WMttnr,

The Chairman having explained seven points m the interpretation clause of (be Aoi the ballot was taken. 1 Mr A. Harrison, while the votes were being counted, pointed out the absurdity of tha | present method of oonduoling these elections, and urged the great need of reform m many points. The Chairman explained that an amending Bill was before Parliament, and had pissed the second reading. The election resulted as follows :— No of No of Voters Votes. W. H. Kneen _ •• 40 204 E.J.Paul «. ,„ 20 62 W..J. Siloook 22 60 W. Craighead .. „21 56 Gideon Soott ... ... 21 49 James Porter «. „ 11 49 R. S.Bean „. ... 18 46 G. P. Soott ♦. 21 45 J. H. Twentyman .. 19 84 J. Ranger » «■ 10 83 T. E. Kilworth .. ... 9 27 R.Elston.. +» _ 8 11 H. W.Barrett „ .. 8 9 A meeting of the committee was then held, when Mr W. J. Siiaook was eleoteS ohairmtn. Mr J, O. Duncan was re-appointsd seoreUrj on i the same conditions as before. Oorrespondenoe and the Inspector's report were read, and the Committee adjonrneoto i next Tuesday, Juy 9th.