Manawata Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. FRIDAY, MAY 14, 1886. THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE INVESTIOATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1708, 14 May 1886, Page 2

Manawata Standard (PUBLISHED DAILY.) The Oldest Daily Newspaper on the West Coast. FRIDAY, MAY 14, 1886. THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE INVESTIOATION.

We are inclined to the opinion that the householder who appealed against the election of the School Cnmmittee,would cheerfully give half his year's stipend that he had never meddled m the matter. He was advised by several, before he took the step he did, that he would regret it. Public opinion is dead against him, because it is freely admitted that no possible good can result from the action taken, the only effect of which must be to intensify existingidifferences of opinion, and widen a breach which a little tact, conciliation, and forbearance might have completely healed. The appellant may desire to pose as a martyr to principle and duty and all that, but it is strange that no one will regard the matter m that light. The almost universal opinion seems to be that the householder who has placed himself m communication with the Education Board has acted very indiscreetly, and has succeeded m stirring up an amount of bitter feeling that we think will take a long time to allay. There is also a strong impression abroad that the attempt made to upset the election is not entirely disinterested, so far as the one dissatis- ( fied householder is concerned. J We regret exceedingly that better counsels did not prevail. A deepseated feeling of personal antagonism has been engendered, and the result cannot be otherwise than prejudicial both now and hereafter. Were the appellant a layman, we should feel it incumbent onus to refer to his action m much stronger terms. We consider his conduct quite indefensible, and canno treconcile his action with superior intellectual development, or a desire to promote peace and harmony, to further the interests of education generally, or to advance the wellbeing of the community. The result so far has been rather humiliating. It may be most clearly expressed thus : —

Humpty dumpty sat on a wall, Humpty dumpty had a great fall ; And all the King's horses and all the King's men Couldn't put humpty dumpty together again. ' Mr Baker, one ot the deputation, appeared to fully realise the position Jresterday as one not exactly calcuated to enhance the dignity of the Board. With the merits of the matter at issue, m detail, we do not consider we should be justified m dealing at present, as the question has yet to be discussed by the Board. There is no doubt, however, that the whole course pursued by the appellant is viewed with dissatisfaction by the community at large, as being not altogether free from personal bias, and being also characterized by a reprehensible lack of courtesy towards the other members of the Committee, which body hps been studiously, systematically, and most deliberately iguored m the action taken. We can assure the appellant that however sincere may be his motives, the manner m which he has acted throughout, has caused him to suffer immensely m public estimation, as he appears to have gone out of his way to arbitrarily attain certain ends, apparently quite regardless of any c feelings of consideration, justice, or courtesy towards those whose status he appears to ignore, and whom personally he treats with disdain, and at times a scant civility which; cannot fail to provoke antagonism.* The w.hole position is greatly 'to be deplored, as hostile feelings have been needlessly excited by a course that,; m our opinion, no special pleading; or alleged consideration of a^ principle involved can at all justify. And the end is not yet. Daily the j breach becomes wider and wider, and the chances of ultimate mutual and restoration of harmony more and more remote.

luding to the proposal m detail on th present occasion, but will do so at an early subsequent opportunity. Many people are midwr the impression (says tho Napier Telegraph) that the I present Parliament expires on the termination of the ensuing session, and that there will be a general election next year. A reference to the Triennial Parliaments Act, 1879, will show that. this is an erroneous idea. Section 3 says, " Every future House of Representatives shall, unless the General Assembly be sooner dissolved, continue for a period of three ye»r3, to be computed from the day fixed for the return of the writs issued for choosing such H6u«e and no longer." Now' thr present House was elected m July, 1884, and the new Parliament was opened on August 7of that year. It follows then that there will be auother session m 1887' before Parliament dissolves by effluxion of time. Again, m 1887 the Representation Act, 1881, expires, and before a general election a fresh distribution of s'wts and a new Representation Act can b» based on the late census.