THE GISBORNE TIMES PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, MAY 18, 1908. THE POWERS OF SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2193, 18 May 1908, Page 2

THE GISBORNE TIMES PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. MONDAY, MAY 18, 1908. THE POWERS OF SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

In view of the difficulty that lias arisen over the teaching of the Bible in local schools anti the difference that exists between the Hawke’s Bay Board of Education and the Mangapapa School Committee on the matter, it may be interesting to refer to a judgment delivered by the Court of Appeal oil the fourth of the present month. The facts connected with the decision are as follows:—The Wanganui School Committee, acting on the result of a so-called referendum of parents, decided to allow Bible instruction in the school during the hours •which the Education Board had fixed lor ordinary educational work. The Board refused to sanction the proposed arrangement ; whereupon the Committee sought an injunction to restrain the Board from their attitude of opposition. The question for the Courts to decide was whether Boards or Committees had the power of fixing the school hours. Mr. Justice Cooper heard the arguments advanced by counsel for the Committee in February, and was so thoroughly satisfied as to their invalidity that lie decided not to waste time in hearing the other side—proceeding immediately to deliver judgment. Nothing could bo more conclusive than (Mr. Justice Cooper’s decision. The whole point (observed bis 'Honor) turned upon tbe meaning of section 124 of the Education Act, defining the duties of (school Committees. Sub-section 2 provided that, subject to the control of the Board, the Committee should have the management of educational matters within the school district.

That, as far as the Act had al-

ways been understood by his Hon-

or [who previously in the hearing had stated that lie had been a member of a Board of (Education for twenty-live years] meant mat tlie' Boards of Education hud a controlling power in the administration of tho Act and management of schools, and that the Committee had certain powers cast- upon them by the statute, but that these powers were t.o be exercised subject to

the general supervision and control

of iho Board. After pointing out that no power was expressly given to Committees in the matter either of the curriculum or of the school hours, the learned Judge went on to observe that the AVangamii Committee sought to establisn a novel and extraordinary position—namely, that the responsible body, which had the supremo management of education in the district, should be subordinated to a body of inferior status, at the sweet will of tho latter. If tho plaintiff’s argument were to hold good, an Education Board might liass a regulation to carry out a certain curriculum, and the Committees (placed by the Act under the control of the .Board) might flatly refuse to have anything to do with it.

His Honor thought that all educational matters within the district should first be subject to the control of tile Board, and that the Board had, rightly or wrongly (and he thought quite rightly), exercised their discretion in refusing to sanction the regulations made by the Committee, ami that the Committee had wrongly refused to obey-regulations made lby the Board. The teacher was a servant of the Board, and -not of the Committee, and the suit for an injunction restraining tho tcaclier from obeying tho Education Board regulations was nob warranted.

The Wanganui Committee still persisted in their attitude and took the ease to the Court of Appeal, which has unanimously supported the judgment given three months ago by Mr, J list ice Coopor.

The following revenue was received at the Customs House last week: —Customs duties .9(334 8s Oil, beer duty ,C3O Bs, light dues £9 Gs Oil, Harbor Board revenue .CGI Is Del; total, £735 Bs.

During the past low days a sneak thief has boon making a trade of stealing bicycles that are left standing in the street for a low minutes. On Friday night one was taken from outside a house in Palmerston Road, and the matter has been reported to the police.

The proprietor of a boarding-house in Bright Street found on Saturday night that two men had helped themselves to a. night’s lodgings without informing him. As the men had entered the house Into at night, they were illegally on the premises, and wore given in charge of the police.

A spiritualistic lecturer, Mr Gordon Coleman, who is on a visit Gisborne, delivered an address in J ownley’s Hall last evening on “The Philosophy of Life,” from tbe spiritualists’ point of view. There was a good audience, and at the conclusion of the lecture the visitor gave a number of character readings from articles handed up.

“Fair’s Pictures” provided a very successful entertainment in the Ormond llall oil Friday evening, the building being crowded by a highly appreciative audience. The company leave in a few weeks for Fiji and the Pacific Islands, and will return to New Zealand Tn a few months’; time, opening in His Majesty’s Theatre, Gisborne.

Early yesterday morning a fire broke out in the house occupied by Air. Carmody, Inspector of Factories, in Aberdeen Road. The firo was first discovered by a young man named Laurie Hendry who was sleeping in the room of the liouso where tlie fire occurred, and lie rang the firebell. The fire brigade was at once called out. but before they arrived the flames had been extinguished.

The services held at the Salvation Army Citadel yesterday wero well attended. In the afternoon a number of prizes wore presented to each youthful soldier who had collected over 10s towards tho Self-Denial Fund, Brother Coleman presenting the books. Captain Adams, the assistant officer to Adjutant Dickens, has received instructions to farewell next Sunday, his destination at present being uncertain.

A young man named llarry Bridges, -who was recently employed at the “Tillies” Office, left the house where he was hoarding last AVednesday morning, and has not been heard of since. As lie left all his clothes and personal elfects behind him, and as far as is known had no reason to leave the town, his friends are anxious to learn his whereabouts. Tho matter has been reported to'the police. and enquiries are being made. Bridges is about 21 years of ago, dark with ruddy complexion, and about sft lOin in height.

On his recent visit to Taranaki Dr Pomare found that the reported out-; break of typhoid was a matter of, small importance. There was a single case at Punilio, which recovered under treatment. The patient was living in clean surroundings, and is believed to have contracted the disease while travelling. The general health of the natives in Taranaki is very good, much hotter than at any time since last winter.' Although there has been considerable blight in the poh to crops there is not likely to be any shortage of food this winter.

A moeting of tho .Gisborne Typographical Union was held oil Saturday evening in Townley’s Hall, Air. AA’! If. Porter (president) in the chair. Air. Cellars (president of the Christchurch Union) was also present. A letter was read from the Gisborne Trades and Labor Council asking the Union’s support, and it was decided to appoint Messrs Porter and 'Nasmith as delegates from the Union. Air. Rogers, who has left the district, tendered his resignation asji member of the committee, and Tit. L. A. Sbarland was appointed in bis stead.

The •‘-Labour Journal” for the month of April states that trade for the month lias been quite up to expectations, and compares favorably with the corresponding period of last year, and a sure indication of the prosperity of this district is t-lienum-ber of new buildings being erected both for business and residential purposes. The building trade lias been considerably hampered for some time past owing to a shortage of bricks. •It is reported -that a new and up-to-date brickworks lias been erected in the district, and should meet all requirements. In tho past, builders have been compelled to send their orders to Auckland and AVellington. There are no carpenters or bricklayers idle, but all firms are at present full-handed. The painting trade is busy, and all local men fully employed. Plumbers busy, mostly in connection with new buildings. Saddlers: Although no liamis are off, business lias been very quiet during the month. Sail, tent, and oilskin making: A r ery busy. Tailoring: Quiet, and one or two journeymen are working short time. All female operatives fully employed. Dressmaking, millinery, etc.: Busy, and all hands working full time. A number of firms worked overtime during the 'mouth. Engineering, foundry work, etc., continues busy, and has been so for some considerable time. AVlieehvrigkte, coach-painters, and blacksmiths: Busy, all hands fully employed, one firm working overtime 1 . Furniture trade: Busy in all branches, and all hands working full time. Unskilled labour: In regard t (J unskilled labour there , have been several applicants during the month, some of whom were married. Twenty men were sent to private' and co-op-erative works.

Among the many tilings (hat. from being considered luxuries, have become nearly indispensable in our daily lives, is tea. the Di-ice of which from the time when the first lot was imported from China,, lias steadily declined, until this week it’s Colorado teaspoons at 4d each (.)-doz 2s 2d post free) at Parnell’s Popular Saturday Safe,