THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XI, Issue 1719, 28 May 1886, Page 2

THE SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTION.

fTO THE EDITOR £»AILY STANDARD.")

Sib. — I must confess my astonish- ; inent with the letter of Mr James Lin- ■ ton appearing m your last night's issue; It is not my intention to open the wound ior prolong the agony with reference to the late school elections, for, as far as I iain individually concerned, I am pleased that a new election has been decided upon. Honors are worthless, if hot fairly earned, or bravely fought for. I regret, however, that Mr Linton has chosen the eleventh hour, m which to igire his opinion on this matter. His jaccusations although based on, "If it be true," are nevertheless uncalled for and unjustifiable. To be brief, and to the point, the Committee did not refuse the use of the schoolroom, to the deputation, fnot of jfche Education Board) but pelf constituted, for the purpose of investigating the alleged charges of illegal voting, at the late election of our School Committee. Nothing can be simpler than the fact, that if the use of the schoolroom was not asked for, it .could not possibly be refused. Had it been asked for, no member of the Committee would have attempted to object. Possession, was, howevei, taken of one room during school hours, without permission, and it was afterwards admitted by the deputation, consisting of Mr Baker, that he hud no authority to be m possession, but was of opinion that every arrangement had been made for the reception of the deputation. This unpleasantness was simply the result of the underhand action of the Rev. A. M. Wright, m appointing a time and place without the sanction of the Committee. There was no lack ot respect, nor desire on the part of the Committee to insult the so-called deputation. But every facility would have been placed m tiieir way, to further the enquiry, and no "jinks," high or low, were resorted to, and no indiscreet or undignified behaviour can be attributed to the Committee. The Committee had no desire to suppress any doubtful action with refereuce to the election, neither were they aware, of any illegal-votin? having taken place, and up to the present moment they are m possession of no such in rormation, beyond the doubtful asser tion"of Bey. A. M . Wright, as time will show. The Eev. gentleman named was placed second on the poll, allowed himself to be re-elected Secretary , sat at the meeting, insulted the newly-elected Chairman, Mr Stewart, simply because he was placed m the position intended by Mr Wright for Mr Ferguson. The clique was thereby entirely broken up, and Mr Wright m desperation, adopted the very commendable and honorable course of appealing to his friends on the Education Board to assist him m upsetting the election. So far he has scored a point, but he has yet to learn, that, his assertions are groundless — I > will not use the stronger term, and we have yet to learn why the Board accepted the doubtful statement ot Mr Wright, as against the candid and independent assertions of the Chairman, Mr Stewart. What Mr Wright Btated before the Board, to bolster upliis case, [, for one, shall defy him to substantiate m my presence, or m the presence of the projected meeting of householders. I hope the report of the Board's proceedings will be published by you m cxtenso for the benefit of householders. lam quite as anxious as Mr Linton, to have the matter set at rest, and the Committee placed on a satisfactory footing. But let our actions be opeu and above Board. Mr Wright, I assert, has forfeited confidence, by his unprecednutcd action m this matter. The Education Board can certainly boast of one fair and independent member, viz., Mr Bridge, who considered tht evidence insufficieut basis to upset the election, and moved, " That a deputation t»e sentdowu to Pahnerston, and the Rev Mr Wright be called upon to prove his charge." So say all of us. But the Revds. Ross and Carson were opposed to this course. Comment is needless. Mr Bridge also considered, "That the executive had also exceeded their duty m sending Mr Baker as a deputation to Palmerston," and Mr Fry also considered that the executive had male a little mistake. This was a slap m the face for Mr Carson. And so it was aslnp m the face for the Palm«rston North School Committee ; to have their schoolroom occupied by n single-handed solrconstituted deputation, without having the courtesy to ask for permission. It is unfair to the Committee, that Mr Linton or others, on hearsay evidence, should charge them with any lack of courU-sy to the deputation, or having insulted the Board of Education. The Committee has been greatly misrepresented nil through the piece, by one vindictive member ; who has not substantiated one charge brought forward by him m support of his objection. But the individual m question may rest assured, that if he appears before (he next meeting of householders, he will be called upon to prove his assertions. He has smitten on the right ohesk, and his opportunity for reversing the operation awaits hit pleasure,— l am, etc., T, R. Wai/tow, M»y 87th t 188 Q. * f