Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 1903. School Committees.

Manawatu Herald, 18 April 1903, Page 2

Manawatu Herald. SATURDAY, APRIL 18, 1903. School Committees.

In a week’s time the householders will hold the annual meeting for electing a school committee. This most important duty, for such it is, has been unduly neglected in the past, greatly owing to the objection - manner of holding such election, and from the stunted powers grudgingly accorded to the committees by the Wanganui Education Board. Viewed broadly, there is no body in the district which has more responsible duties placed upon it as a school committee has, upon whom the success of the school and the advancement of the scholars rest. Such a body should be entitled to election in a more formal and deliberate manner than the Act now prescribes, as only those who attend the householders’ meeting vote, and they go there, unless there is a private and prearranged scheme to bo carried, wholly in the dark as to who will be proposed as a committee. We are aware that a committee can be nominated a week in advance, but as these persons have to be elected at the householder’s meeting, when it is within the power of that meeting to nominate quite another set of candidates, the preliminary nominasion is a farce. A good school is not only a credit to the district but one of much moment to the children attending it, and a more equitable way of securing the votes of the householders is badly needed to that now in force. We also need a committee that will keep a jealous eye upon the proceedings of the Education Board and insist upon having the few rights which a committee has* but is yearly losing. The Board is elected In as unsatisfactory a manner as the committees are, and become inflated with their own importance out of all proportion to their usefulness, until they fondly believe the committees are not needed and the Board alone should rule. Householders differing with them should see to a thoroughly strong committee being elected at the annual meeting.