SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2517, 2 June 1909, Page 5

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

EXCITING CONTEST AT HAWEKA

[Per Press Association.]

lIAWERA, Juno 1. r J’hore was extraordinary excitement last night over the election of a School Committee for. Hawcra District High School. Originally party strife was evoked by the friends of Mr P. O’Dea circularising the district with a view to securing the return of school committees favorable to Mr O’Dea’s election as a member of the Wanganui Education Board. These circulars were denounced by Mr E. Dixon, a present member of the Board, as being a Roman Catholic movement on behalf of Mr O’Dea. Immediately a semisectarian fight began, and at the School Committee election three weeks ago Mi' O’Dea was elected. That election was upset on account of Mr O’Dca not having residential qualifications. Last night af fresh election was hold, and was preceded by unusually vigorous canvassing, the whole affair aproximating to an.electoral campaign, and far exceeding in interest any civic contest ever held in Hawera. Cabs were engaged by what may be called Mr O’Dea’s .and these, were carrying voters to the poll till midnight. The old committee was largely identified with the church and no-license party, and seven of the old committeemen were returned by a fairly substantial majority. The excitement lasted until nearly 2 o’clock in the morning.