The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1892. School Committees

Feilding Star, Volume XIII, Issue 96, 11 February 1892, Page 2

The Feilding Star. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1892. School Committees

As the time for the election of the above is now approaching and the method of procedure has been materially altered by the Act of last session, wo point out the course now to be adopted. W& ara indebted to the Post for the following ,cofldensation : — " In the first place, then, j we find a new definition of the term householder. This includes "(1) Every adult, male or female, who has for the period of three months ne#t before the day of election resided to any dweliinghouse within the school district as owner or tenant thereof; and (2) if not qualified under the previous subsection includes the father 1

wherever resident, or, if he be dead or absent from the colony, the guardian or other person, wherever resident, who has the actual custody of any child attending any State school situated within such district." Every householders is qualified to vote for the election of a School Committee, for any district, but only resident householder are open to election as members of the committee, and no paid servant of the Education Department, Education Board, or School Committee, can be elected. The election of committees is to take place at a meeting of householders on the fourth Monday in April. A committee is to consist of not less than five, nor more than nine members, the number depending on the average attendance at the school during the preceding year. Where this has not exceeded 25, the number of committee will be five, where it exceeds this up i to 200 the number will be seven, and | where the attendance has exceeded 200 the number will be nine. Three, four, or five respectively are to form a quorum. Nominations of candidates for election to Committees are to be in writing, so as to reach the Chairman of the Committee not later than 8 o'clock p.m. on the third Monday in April. A form is given for the nomination, which must be signed by the proposer and candidate. The Chairman is to post the Use of nominations on the school door as soon after the third Monday in April as possible. At the annual meeting a Chairman is to be elected, and the retiring Committee is to present a "full report" of its proceedings for the year ending 31st March preceding. This is rather a peculiar provision, as the Committee will only have been in office eleven I months up to the date named. Any nominated candidate may withdraw. After the report is presented the new election proceeds, the chairman having a deliberative as well as a casting vote. At the meeting any freßh candidates may be nominated, and opportunity for such fresh nominations, in addition to those made the week previous, is to be given. The whole list of candidates is then to be read out, and if the number is larger than the number required to be elected, a ballot is to be taken. If the number nominated is insufficient to form the Committee, the Board may fill up the vacancies. Where there are more than 100 children in a district, the Committee is to provide a ballot box and furnish ballot papers to the householders present who are qualified to vote, and without leaving the room the voter is to write the names of the candidates voted for, and hand back the paper to the chairman so folded that the contents cannot be seen, who is to lodge it in the ballot-box. If the meeting desires it the names of all candidates may appear on the voting paper, the voter striking out the names of those not voted for. No householder is to have more than one vote, and he may vote for any number of candidates not exceeding the number to be elected, but not more than one vote can be given to anyone candidate. In case of a tie between two candidates the Chairman has a casting vote. Any disputes arising out of the election are to be settled by the Education Board. Absence for three consecutive months from all meetings of the Committee, unless from sickness or other cause approved by the Committee, is to vacate a seat, or if a member ceases to reside in the district the seat is to become vacant. The school year is to end on 31st March.