HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2312, 20 November 1914, Page 7

HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

9 . (From Our' Own Correspondent.) A meeting of the Petone Distriot High School Committee was held last evening', there being present Messrs. M'Renzie (chairman); Kirk. Lockwood, Anderson, Wright, and Taylor. The chairman intimated that the Returning Officer for tho district (Mr. F. London} had requested the use of the main school on election day, and had been granted permission. This action of the chairman was endorsed by the committee. Regarding a request by the Gear Company s Employees' Picnic Committee, that the school should be closed on November 25, in order that tho children might attend their picnic, the chairman stated that the headmaster (Mr. W. Foster) had expressed the opinion that the closing of the school would not interfere with the examination. The Picnic Committee had, offered to convey children under seven years of age free, and scholars over that age for 6d., and any profits thus secured wotild bo handed over to the Belgian Relief Fund. It was agreed that the school should be closed for the event. Permission was granted the Rev. Stevenson to place an organ in the infants' classroom, for the benefit of Siunday School scholars.

-The Education Board intimated that a special allowance of 7d. per capita, during the September quarter had been made and forwarded t'he amount of£ss Is. 9d. It was decided to expend £10 on library hooks, and £10 on school stationery, the selection of which was left in the hands of the chairman; the headmaster, and Mr. F. Lockwood. The Lower Hutt branch of tho Bible-in-Schools League has decided to ask each candidate, at every place where a political meeting is held, the following qiK'sl/sn: "Are you in fa»«ur of the Referendum Bill as submitted by the' Hon. James Allen last session?" The answers are to be published wherever possible. The League secretary has written to Mr. Samuel, Reform candidate, on the matter, requesting a reply m writing. For tho purpose of setting up a branch of the New Zealand Moderate League, a meeting waß held at St. Augustine's Hall, Petone, last evening, the Mayor (Mr. J. W. M'Ewan) presiding over an attendance of about 30. Mr. W. Perry outlined the objects of tho League, which were briefly to safeguard the interests of the general public affected in all matters relating to the licensing laws, to resist the imposition of National Prohibition, on the ground that temperance and not prohibition is tho true objsctive in a civilised country ; that interference by Government, in matters of choice is inimical to freedom ; that a number of industries would be destroyed, and unemployment oreated. The League further desired to secure the recording of a large section of electors who hitherto had not exercised the franchise owing to lack of organisation, and would insist upon the proper conduct of all licensed houses. At the conclusion of the address several questions were a6kcd and answered, and a local committee, consisting of Messrs. A. Coles, F. G. Reid, and R. H. Cunliffe was appointed to further' the objects of the League.