The Manawatu Standard PUBLISHED DAILY.) Suivant la verite. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1883. EDUCATION BOARD CANDIDATES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 3, Issue 71, 28 February 1883, Page 2

Manawatu Standard PUBLISHED DAILY.) Suivant la verite. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1883. EDUCATION BOARD CANDIDATES.

Nominations for the Ohree ordinary arid' one extraordinary vacancies on the Education Board cloßed on Saturday last. The following gentlemen have been nominated. For the three ordin-. ary vaoancies :— >Messrs Gilbert Oarfson, James Greenwood, E. M. Menzies, Major Willis, Rev. John Ross, G. M. Snelson, and D. H. Macarthur. For the extraordinary vacancy : — Revi Mr Roots, and Rev. James Doull, and Mr Samuel Taplin. The four retiring members are Messrs Coutts and Notman (who do not offer themselves for re« election), arid Messrs Snelson and Ross who stand again. Many people will' regret to see two ministers of raligion candidates for the extraordinary vacancy. The Rev. J. Doull should ultimately succeed m his candidature j someday or other, if importunity and perseverance evor ohtain a reward m this, world. He is very ambitious of becoming a member of the Board, though we question gravely his fitiiess for the' coveted position. We think on general grounds it is undesirable that ministers of religion shonid become members ot the Board/ and we think that the result of experience, and precedent favour our contention.' Theltev. Mr Doull is, "no doubt, a well-meaning man ; ; but he is anything but liberal m his views, and his ideas are somewhat circumscribed m their scope. We seriously think the clerical bbdy niakeka grave mistake by seeking to ÜBurp positions on the Education Board. The public, as a rule, we have reason to believe, are adverse to the introduction of the clericdl ele« raent either into our legislature xir.go-i verning bodies. Mr Snelson will almost certainly be re elected, having brought to bear a discriminate and intelligent consistency of character, with ability and experience, which have not lacked due appreciation. For the remaining two seats, Mr Greenwood and Major Willis should receive considerable support, as the other candidates can prefer no specia' claims to the votes of the school committees, and m some respects the return of certain of their number would not be subject for congratulation. The Rev. Mr Ross, we see,- still clings to his seat with strange pertinacity.' "To our mind the ambition for education board power, which is so predominant a feature on the part of some clergymen, ib inexplicable. We sincerely trust the best men will be j returned, as much of the success of our educational system depends upon the -efficiency of its administration.