THREAT RESENTED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 20915, 15 October 1942, Page 4

THREAT RESENTED

EDUCATION BOARD NORSEWOOD COMPLAINT Strong comment was made by the chairman of the Hawke’s, Bay . Education Board, Mr. G. A, Maddison, at a meeting of the board held in Gisborne last night in regard to a telegram received from Mr, H. Stratford, Norsewood. The Norsewood School Committee sent a vigorous protest at the curtailment of the school bus service, and asking that a deputation be received by the board at its next meeting. A telegrarri from Mr. Stratford read:— “If your board curtails Ngamoko service before Education Minister reviews my appeal I will undertake public enquiry through Dannevirke County Council as to disposal of Ngamoko school house.” Mr. A. S. Quigley urged that the board should receive the deputation to have the matter cleared up. Mr. Maddison: I will not tolerate this threat,, and I would suggest that Mr. Stratford should proceed with his inquiry. I would also like to know what the council has to do with it. His threat of an inquiry suggests that there lias been graft or something of the sort on the part of the board. The chairman added that the curtailment of the bus services were forced on the board because o’f the necessity to conserve petrol and rubber.

In reply to Mr. C. R. Sainsbury, the chairman said that the board had twice invited tenders, and the schoolhouse referred to was disposed of with the department’s approval. Mr. W. Cuthbertson said that a stigma was cast on the chairman, in the communication and he would not stand for it. The board agreed to receive the deputation at the November meeting ih Napier.