"OFFICIAL VISITS".

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2189, 30 June 1914, Page 7

"OFFICIAL VISITS".

EDUCATION BOARD MEMBERS' EXPENSES. IBj Toloirraali.—Press Association.) New Plymouth, June 29. The Magistrate to-day gave his reserved decision in a case heard last week, in which the Taranaki Education Board sued its members for tho amouut surcharged by the Audit Department, in respect of certain expenses in connection with official visits. In dealing with the definition of "official visits," lie remarked that the meaning varied with tho subject matter. In default of legal definition, ho took that of Webster, "in connection with office or trust.'' Then the question arose: Did Mr. Morton's visit como' within the bounds of this definition? He held that it was not part of tho duty of a member of the board, nor of the education hoards, to hold or - attond at the conference to protest against proposed educational legislation. They were merely concerned -with tho administration of education under oxisting laws. Tho powors of a member were co-exten-sivo with' thoso of tho hoard.

There still remained the visit to tho •Minister, for which' expenses'-had'hcen paid. It had been contended that Mr. Morton had not been appointed to make that visit, and could not claim expenses. Although Mr. Morton's report dealt with the visit, tho resolution confirming tho chairman's action was silent on the point. The voucher certainly referred to it, hut it was not suggested that the members ever saw it, and lie could not consider what they would have done if it had been shown to them. The chairman could not liiniself make the appointment, and the hoard did not by resolution confirm it. Judgment was given for tho plaintiff, with leave to appeal.