NETHERTON SCHOOL ELECTION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 4975, 17 May 1926, Page 3

NETHERTON SCHOOL ELECTION.

[To the Editor.! Sir,— During my sojourn in Nether ton it has been my custom to attend the pictures every Monday night as a means of relaxation from hard toil, on the farm. On Monday, the 26th ultimo, while strolling towards- the picture-house I was, surprised to see about 20 or 30- meh standing on .the school bridge. Being of an inquisitive turn, I went towards them and mingled .with the crowd to learn the reason for this unusual occurrence. I non found that it was the annual election of ,the School Committee that had caused .the excitement. The majority of those present were, known to me. I- also knew that their sentiments or interests had nothing in common with the school or its'welfare. This knowledge caused me to forego the pictures: for one x night, so tha,t I might prove if my conjectures were right. During the time I spent amongst these electors on the bridge I did not hear any discussion as to the merits or demerits of the outgoing committee, nor was school business discussed in any way. It became apparent to me that these men knew who they were going to vote for, oi- against—all, had been arranged previously, ajid their duty lay in carrying out their instructions as faithful children. At length we filed into the schoolroom, and after the in uiil prelim'naries had been gone through and adopted, the chairman called for nominations. These came -in so fast that the secretary could not cope with their, names. A member of the old committee, nominated Mr Totter and '.Mr Adam (chairman a.nd secretary of the -old committee). A deathly silence fell on .the crowded room. A seconder cbuld not be found. After almost everyone in the room had been nominated and seconded the names were read out, when a householder (who apparently thought they had now no chance) asked why Mr Potter’s and Mr Adam’s names were not on the list. On being told .that there w.as no seconder, they were again nominated, and were seconded by about six or seven voices. The result of the' bajlot showed that Mr , Potter had been defeated, and that Mr Adam just managed to slip in, so this householders’ meeting was almost wholly successful, in the one and only purpose for which they came, “to oust the best servant the school had.”

Now, it is. quite plain that some powerful, influence, wag at work, a,nd that the voting .was done through personal feeling—a thing which is not only discreditable but dangerous in the election of a school compiittee. Many of the votes casjt against Mr Potter were cast by men who did not know him, or anything of his school work. He hats' been pn the committee for just over 12 years, and eight of these, he,had served as -chairman, and in losing Mr Potter .the school hRs lost 1 a man' tfc ripe experience and knowledge in school matters. He was exceedingly .popular with the school staff, and the school social functions,• including concerts, etc.,., which proved such great successes, were due to his knowledge ana manner 'in securing good artists and carrying these functhrough to a successful, conclusion. Many improvements hßve taken place during Mr Potter’s chairmanship, some of vital importance to .the school. These, emananted from his brain, and to him fell the wplrk and responsibility of seeing them carried out. It is, quite patent that the school was made a pawn in the game of personal ’’feeling during this election. and the ayerage person realises, or should realise, ,th?t? the siehool. is bound to suffer .when a. smajl clique of electors take it upon themselves to .act in the manner stated. Th© School Committee are the guardians of the school, and all children attending it, and .the parents of those children should make it a personal duty to see that only men with broad and intelligent minds are elected to fill that position. . . HOUSEHOLDER.