A Struggle for the Chair.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 260, 8 May 1896, Page 2

A Struggle for the Chair.

EXTRAORDINARY PROCEEDINGS AT AN EDUCATION BOARD. A curious complication has arisen in connection with the annual election of chairman of the Auckland Board, and extraordinary scenes have resulted. The trouble first arose at the annual meeting of the Board last month. The retiring chairman, Mr R. Udy, did not seek re-election, and two candidates (Messrs Tuke and Muir) were nominated for the office. In the election which followed, the candidates each received 4 votes, and as there was no possibility of any change in the ballot, and as the ninth member of the Board was away in England, Mr Udy, acting on legal advice, retained the Chairmanship until some change took place in the casting of the votes. This course did not please Mr Muir's supporters, and a motion opposing it resulted in another tie, but the Chairman gave his casting vote in favor of his (Mr Udy) retaining the position. It was decided to obtain legal advice from Sir Robert Stout on the matter, and so things remained as they were until the next meeting of the Board, which was held yesterday. Judging from the report supplied by the Press Association, matters then became even more mixed. Mr Udy happened to be first at the meeting, and took the chair, but the quartette opposed to him objected strongly, and moved that Mr Muir take the chair. This was supported by Mr Muir's following, and, despite the protest of the Chairman that there was already somebody in the chair, Mr Muir's party declared their man elected, and he took a chair along* side the Acting Chairman. A scene of extraordinary confusion followed, members working themselves into a state of excitement — one threatening to go for the police. The business was proceeded with under difficulties, both chairman attempting to run the meeting and explain their position at the same time. One chairman ultimately .declared the meeting adjourned, while the other ordered Sir Robert Stout's legal opinion — which was that Mr Udy was legally in possession of the chair — to be read. The Board then adjourned for lunch. On resuming Mr Muir stole a march on the opposing faction by being early on the- scene and securing the chair usually occupied by the chairman. Mr Udy took the added chair next to it, and the remainder of the business was proceeded wfth, the motion being put to the meeting by both chairmen. More wiljl be heard of the. matter.