HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 548, 1 July 1909, Page 3

HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

(moil OCR SPECIAL RErOtttCß.)

A WELL-CONTESTED ELECTION. /' The Main i'etono Schoolroom was pneked to tho,doors Inst evening, when tho election of tho committee to manage tho affairs of the now West .Fotono School, took place! Great intorest hns been taken in tho olection, mniuly on acoount of tho faot that those who desire Soripturo roading in sohools had shown an intention of mukiiig their prescnco felt in connection with tho proceedings. Mr. D. M'Kenzie, chairman of the Main School Committee, occupied the ohair. The following wero nominated: Mesdames M'Craekett and Jansen, and Messrs, Snow, Elder, Harris, M'Craekett, Maynard, Hollis, Bnrridge, Liebezeit, G. Davis, / "Withington, Boynon, Colquhoun,, Finch, Lr Parrant. J. Cotton,' Wilson, W. G. D:v ; Evans, Hodgson, Marsden,, A. Coles, Shardlow, R, Matson, and J. Ct. Castle. The choirman explained whqre the boundary lino of the new district ran. A speaker: If anyone who resides butsido of the district votes, then the election is"illegal? •Mr. M'Kenzie; Yes. ■Questions incidental to such an election were discussed by the chairman.' The question of the refusal of the Board of Governors of the Wellington Girls' Collcgo to' admit scholarship girls from the primary schools to tho benefits 61 higher education at the college was first dealt with. .--... , Mr. J. \V. List, secretary of the I'etono School Committee,' read a letter from the Mount Cook School Committee on the matter, urging the Petone. Committee to protest, and' advising that they intended calling a meeting of delegates')to deal with- the question. . /Mr. M'Kenzie went into, the history of the free place system, and complained of the wrong done to the' poorer class of the community. ■A reply had.been-given that the board had no money, but lie pointed'out that the college 'had endowments of. 13,945 acres, the capital value being The;.college should not be allowed to be a class institution. ,' ■ • V" {In order 'to strengthen' the hands of: the movers in the matter; Mr. W. G. D. Evans moved, and Mr. W. Withiugton seconded; -the following motion, which was .carried unanimously:, ffThat this meeting of householders omphasises the necessity for allowing every ■scholar ;to reach the highest limits of education, and pledges itielf to support the two Petone committees /in endeavouring to bring this to pass." . • .During the interval, while the scrutineers and ballot .clerks were" engaged, songs,. etc., wore given by' Miss Davis and Messrs, Golfer-' nett, Rutherford, Wliftatley,' and, H. Ralph. //The committee" was'i chosen as " follows !-- Messrs. :L. Parrant, 83-votes: J. Cotton,' 76; si T. Maynard, 74; S:-Burridge, 67;, A. Marsden; 03; G. Davis, 54; .W. G. D. Evans, 50; J.-G. Castle, 48; M'Craekett, 43.' , ■ -.-■ ■ .-/Mr., Castle was elected-.ehairman, -and' Mr. Evans /secretary. / i-'V'.." The 'chairman' of the .I'etbne Committe'e- received the following letter 'from ,the secretary of the Education Board: "I am enclosing ;liere'with a packet of,letters,-which I shall be',glad if vou will hand/over to the chairman of tho West, Committee'.after the election.-" I.'wish to mention- that,', as- the 'board wishes to open : the -.school'-with tho.permanent staff, it is .very, desirable that the committee should meet without, any delay'. to .-consider the applications,".;. Mr. M'Kenzie 'handed the packet oyer to the now chairman. •/'V'//'.- : iV '■ The meeting* Closed with. a; vote of thank's to the chairman.