School Committee.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1715, 22 May 1886, Page 3

School Committee.

At the special meeting held last night, there were present — Messrs A. Stewart (chairman), A. Ferguson,- G. F. Hawkins, G. Woodroofe, T. R. Walton, and C. Hosking. . The Chairman explained that, the object of the meeting was> to consider a 'letter received from Central Board re ' Bey. Mr Wright's protest against validity of the late election of committee, and, read the following together with Mr. Wright's protest— :l9th May, 1886. Sib,; — I am directed by 1 - the ExecutiveCommittee of the Board, to forward you copy of a protect lodged apainst the election of ,ths P^almerston North School Committee, and -to ask"you to forward m time for the next meeting of th» Hoard on the 25th inst., any remarks you may wish to make m respect to the lame. — A. A. Brown, Secretary to the Board. Before proceeding to consider the letter, Mr Ferguson wished io know if notice of to night's meeting had been •ent tp the: Bey.- Mr Wright. Chairman :' No, he declined io act, he resigned. ' Mr Ferguson : The acting secretary . informed me that Mr Wright had not resigned. • ' ■•••-. - . . • Mr Hawkins explained that there was np. positive : resignation, • but that every-, {bing that took place: was down m the minutes. ■ (Minutes read.) • ' . Mr Fergufcbn thought that if he was a member 6f Committee he was entitled to receive notice; if riot, then his place shouldb* filled; ■ . * The Chairman : As to the letter from the Board, he considered that Mr Wright had made certain assertions with regard, to certain people's right to vote. It was, for him to prove and substantiate sauie,. and questioned whether it was of any use the committee dealing m the matter. Mr Ferguson thought enquiries should be made by the committee of the parties complained of. The Chairman : Mr- Wright's proper course was to have objected on the night of the election. • •Mr Hawkins presumed the Board wanted some statement by the Committee as to what did take place, so as to consider whether there wero sufficient grounds for them to investigate further. The Board, m fact, wished for some history of the facts. The Chairman : As to the part of Mr 1 Wright's protest re servants aad visitors and voting papers being distributed indiscriminately to all and sundry, this I distinctly deny for oi my own knowledge, three persons did not receive voting papers and two persons did not vote. Mr Woodroffe blamed Mr Wright fer not objecting at the time. The Chairman remarked that Mr Snelson's remarks re scrutineer! were unfair. Mr Walton— lf we could see any motive at all, or any. "bdhefit -arising from */ new election, the pio'.est might be unlerstood. . , Mr;Hoskings stated Mr Wright had no right to make assertions which he could hot prove. As to "his son,' one of the parties complained of, if he had been asked he could have proved his age to the Satisfaction of the Bey Mr Wrischt. Mr Walton thought the Committee should make a decided objection to the last paragraph of the protest as to a "number of others voting which he had not the means at present of statin**" and "as to servants and visitors." Mr Wright could not prove same. His assertions were too much like indiarubber. The Chairman, to prove that the Rev Mr Wright's assertions and statements could have little weight would just point out how much he was to be depended on m entering up minutes. As to the resolution according a vote of thanks to Mr Leary, it appeared m the minutes as follows : — '♦ Mr Snelson proposed and Mr Stewart seconded vote of thanks to Mr Leary ; whereas it was he (the Chairman) who proposed and Mr Hawkins who seconded the resolution. A man making a mistake like that could not be relied on. Mr Ferguson thought it very easy for j the wrong names to be taken down m mistake. • ..,.■' . ■ . . Mr Walton proposed— That the Chair- ) man be instructed to write to the Board and state all particulars m connection with-the.Rev .-A. i^Mi -Wright's protest re alleged illegality of lute elections, and also that a member of the committee be appointed as delegate to proceed to Wangiiiui and attend the meeting of the Board »nd give any information the Board may require^ / . Mr Woodroofe wished' to know who was going to pay expenses if the Rev Mr Wright failed to substantiate his protest. The Chairman offered to bear expense himself if appointed delegate. Mr Ferguson would second resolution, if amended by adding that the Chairman of; Committee be appointed delegate. SMr Hawkins 1 suggested lhat another name should be 4dded m order to avoid the imputation: that, the Chairman would make a biased, representation. . ■Mr Fergusop not- beine willing to attend, being- 1 satisfied the Chairman would represent uiatters m- aright light, the resolution was put and carried.