School Committee.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1699, 4 May 1886, Page 2

School Committee.

The first meeting of the above committee was held m the Central School* house last evening. Present — Messrs Stewart (chairman), Hawkins, Wright, Walton, Woodroofe, and Hosking. The minutes of the last meeting were read by the Secretary, Mr Wright, and duly confirmed. Mr Wright then informed the meeting that he was of opinion the •lection of the members of the committee was not legal, and he would therefore decline to sit until the matter. was gone into by the Board. He would ; leave the minute book iv the hands of those present. Iv reply to Mr Walton he would not assign any reason for his action. The Chairman remarked that all disputes should be referred to the Board.! Mr Wright stated it was his intention to lay the matter before the Board. The chairman stated that ai their secretary refused to assign any tangible reason for his procedure they would go on with the business. Mr Walton remarked that he wai sorry to hear that some persons had remained behind after the close of the householders' meeting to count the ballot papers which the scrutineers had by some means left behind thorn. He stated that it was reported that Mestrc Ferguson, Wright, and Watson; had been observed m the Schoolhouse long after the meeting had closed. It must have been then It .o'clock. The chairman remarked that it was a very mean action on the part of the persons referred to, jw tending to reflect on the trustworthiness of the scrutineers. A letter was read from the Secretary of the Education Board stating that a sum of £15 had been granted by the Board toward the erection of shelter sheds for the two schools, as applied for ; and that the question of another pupil teacher for Terrace End had been left m the hands of the. Inspector. Further that the second clock required for ■ same school would be purchased at soon ai possible. The following reports were read, TERRACE END SCHOOL. Average attendance for month, 145. Attendance increasing, and service of additional pupil teacher required. . . Annual examination took place on 19th, 20th, and 21st ult. Various requisites applied for, also sundry repairs, etc. Mr Woodroofe remarked m reference to the ballot papers that he was coming home the night on which the' meeting of the householders had been held, long after the meeting of tne new convnittee had taken place. When passing the schoolhouse he noticed that lights were burning m the building, and came across the road to the school thinking that they had been left burning by accident. However, on coining over, he heard voices and saw Messrs Wright, and Ferguson coming out and talking of the ballot papers. He concluded they had been examining them. It was after 10 o'clock. Ho heard. Mr Wateou'f voice and believed there were ,'also two other persons present. He considered it was a very wrong thing for any man to act as they bad done. One remark he heard passed was to the effect that it should be drawa rather . mild m the newspapers. He imagined one of the reporters must have been present. T . Mr Walton said that there were no grounds for illegality of election unless the ballot papers were wrong, as they had all accepted their election and ncled subsequently at the meeting when the offiicera for the year were elected. Mr Woodroofe thought the action of the persons referred to was rather a slur on the scrutineers. . Mr Hawking proposed that Mr Watson should be sent for and be requested to state what he knew about the affair. -Mr Woodroofe referred to the remarks of Mr Ferguson made at the meeting of householders about the meeting as being packed with bushtnon. He (the speaker) knew tor a fact that the meeting was packed with Presbyterians. Mr Walton stated that the same person had actually gone to Roman Catholics to secure their attendance at the meeting. Mr Stewart, at this juncture returned to the meeting and stated that Mr Watson was not at home. .-. It wan resolved on the motion of Mr Walton seconded by Mr Husking that the mover and the chairman be a deputation to wait on Mr Watson and request him to state what had become of the ballot .papers left m the Schoolhouse. The following accounts were passed for payment. :— R. Leary, 3/6 ; A. Fergusion, 6/- ; W. H. Smith 10/-. The chairman informed the meeting that it was most necessary that the partition m Miss Schofield's room should be constructed at once. If taken up to the wall plate it would be sufficient. The Board had refused to arrange anything towards the expense and he thought they ought to do the work themselves. It was stated that the committee would have over £20 capitation money coming to them for the month. ' The chairman thought they might do the work without calling tenders as the job was such a small oae. It was therefore resolved that the matter be left m the hands of the chairman with power to act expenditure not to exceed £5. . It was resolved to apply to 'the architect of the Board for plans for the shelter sheds required, estimate of cost to be stated at £40. The chairman was instructed to call for tenders as soon as plans were received. No other business was transacted and the meeting adjourned.