School Committee.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XII, Issue 1728, 8 June 1886, Page 2

School Committee.

The ordinary monthly meeting of the Palmerston School Committee was held last evening. Present— Messrs Stewart (ohairraan), Walton, Hawkins, Woodroofe, Hosking, Ferguson, and Wright. The minutes of last special meeting were read by Mr Wright and confirmed. The minutes of the first ordinary meeting since the election of the present committee were read. Mr Stewart mentioned that re the ballot capers mentioned m the minutes he had waited on Mr Watson and that gentleman had said that so far as he knew they had not beeii tampered with. They could only therefore take it for granted that such was the case, Mr Wright asked if it would be informal to aakt a motion at this juncture, and was informed m the affirmative. The Chairman stated that everything else referred to had been attended to as far as could be, but that the schools had had to suffer as the Board had held all matters over on account of Mr Wright's action m upsetting the election. The minutes were then confirmed. The minutes of the special meeting held on the day of the Board deputation enquiry were then read and confirmed. The Chairman then read the following letter addressed to the Board of Education. The Secretary Education Board, Wanganui. Dear Sir,— ln coniphance with your letter of the 17th May, I have the honor to forward you all particulars m connection with the late election of the School Committee held at Palmerston North on the 28th day of April, 1886. At that meeting a Chairman waß*J»p--pointetf bythe householdera to conduct the same. The election was conducted on the same principle as previous elections. At that meeting Mr Wright was proposed as a member of the new com* mittee and declared duly elected by ,the Chairman of the meeting. Mr Wright himself said nothing ahout the proceedings being illegal during the time the election was proceeding, after the Chairman had declared the members duly elected, and after the householders had left the schoolroom ; and when the new committee met to appoint a Chairman, Mr Wright acted as a member of Committee m taking part m the election of a Chairman, he himselt was proposed as Secretary and accepted that office and acteel as Secretary to the newly- elected: committee m taking down the minutesof meeting held for the election of Chairman, Secretary and Treasurer, and afterwards m sending out tha notices calling the monthly meeting and attending the same and. reading the minutes of the pievious meeting, arid waiting until the minutes were confirmed. H« then said he would- decline to act on the Committee, as he considered the election was illegal. When askedibyjthe Gpunmittee to assign his reasons he declined, and said he would do that to the Board of Education. The part of Mr Wright's protest referring to peVßons whom he says should not have voted. 1 have no remarks to make, as it lays with Mr Wright to prove whether his assertions are correct or not. The part where he says, a number of others." servants and visitors, took part m the election byjvoting. This part of his protest I. may say is not correct, as neither servants or visitors expressed an opinion on the election, neither did they take any part m the election by voting, or otherwise. He (again says the voting papers were distributed to all and sundry, and no test of qualification was applied. lii this partof his protest he is m error, as three persons m the room did not have voting, papers, and as there was no objection to anyone voting during the election no test of qualification was required to be applied. Mr Snelson, the Chairman of the meetins: of householders says scrutineers were appointed but did not do their duty. This also is an error on the Chairman's part, for the scrutineers were appointed by the meeting to count _ the votes" ahdsee "that none were informal and by virtue of their appointment they decared three votes informal I have the honor to be, Sir, your obedient servant. A. Stewart. Chairman, Palmerston North School Committee. The Chairman stated that he had attended the meeting of the Board, when they had decided to upset the election, without making any further inquiries. To his mind the affair was like hanging a man, and then trying him afterwards. Since the Board had upset the election aome of the statements made by Mr Wright had bnen proved to be incorrect. He would like the meeting to express an opinion as to his mode of action. Mr Hawkins remarked that he saw no objection to endorsing the action of their Chairman, and would be prepared to move that the Committee is satisfied with what has been done by the Chairman m the matter. ' A discussion here followed as to the correctness of moving any resolution on the letter read, as it was not endorsed by the Committee. : Mr Hawkins quite approved of its contents. There was nefhing m it ha considered, to be objected to by anyone. Mr Walton stated that formerly Mr Leary used to read his correspondence, with the Board from the press copy retained, and that its reception was'resolved upon. If required a proposition followed. Mr Hawkins then proposed, and Mr Woodroofe seconded, That the letter read by the Chairman addressed to the Secretary of the Education Board by dim, m compliance with the resolution of the Committee on the 21st of May, be approved by this Committee. Mr Ferguson presumed that by passing this resolution they would be virtually endorsing th« statements made m the letter. He could not do that, as statements had been made to the Board which he was not m a position to either dispute or endorse. For instance, the Board had been informed that a statement made by Mr Wright was nntrue, viz., re servants and visitors taking part m the election. He (the speaker) was not la a position to say either way. Mr Stewart said he knew quite as much about who voted at the meeting of householders as Mr Wright, and had an equal right to make such statements as the latter gentleman. Mr Ferguson said there is no proof of , the accuracy, of such statements. . Mr Walton expressed a wish that the Board had been as considerate as that. Mr Stewart said that as far as he knew he had all who voted, and knew whether they were entitled or not Mr Wright wished to move an amendment, equal to negativing the proposition before the meeting, and being informed to that effect, he withdrew his. proposition. The motion was then put — Messrs Walton, Hosking, Hawkins, Woodroofe, and Stewart voting for it, and Messrs i Ferguson and Wright against. The motion was declared carried. Mr Walton then proposed that suitabie lighting for the room and passage be provided on the night of the election. Mr Ferguson seconded the motion. Mr Woodroofe remarked that the question was as to who 'should provide the same. . Mr Hawkins said that as treasurer he would like to know where the funds were to come from. Mr Ferguson offered to ■ lend some lamps with wick and oil without charge. He bad no doubt others would assist m the same way. , The motion was theu pot and oarried. Mr Hawkins moved that the Chairman be empowered to appoint scrutineers for the election. Mr Ferguson said there might be twenty scrutineers appointed ;they had no right to appoint scrutineers for the \f hole of the candidates. | Mr Hawkins said that he* wished to have proper scrutineers appointed, m order that there should be oo errors made this time, i£ any had beta made before, Mr Ferguson said thsy bad nothing wMtvff to do f ufe miktof mofe

appointment and they conld m no ships or form tie the hands of the householdbrs m that way. Mr Stewart said that as far %a he was concerned he should not care to act m the way suggested, as he: knew' ! very well they- bad no power to do, anything or the sort. He would:yot6;»kiftißt the motion if proposed. * v-Xix-x**'"'. Mr WaltoD said that every candidate could have separate scrutineers if ha wished. Mr Ferguson asked if scrutineers should be paid. Mr Wright said it belonged to the householders to appoint the ... *cruti : neers. "*"" ' "■" '' ■' "'■ Mr Wpodroofe ; said ifc^wgald save delay and confusion oti'tbe night of meeting if , they were appointed at once. •" ! - "■; '■■*■-# ' : - :: ->-.»,~;;'-.-.t; I ; y^^::^^:^^ Mr Hawkjns said he would however press hii;motiop/itnd would* like it recorded on- the minutes that he had dene so. He had an object m making the proposition. ?, '%-P'%%. :^,. ■ Thejttotion WtsviHipp^tto the meeting, arid was declared- lost! Mesfiri Hawkiuß, Walton, and ' Hooking for, and Messrs Woodroofe, Weight, Ferguson, and Stewart against, ' A discussion then followed as to the best' method to be adopted, regarding-; proper ballot papers. Mr Wright thought it would be- sufficieut to. have the voting papers" printed with only the words v School Committee Electiou," and the date; leaving it to the vwterß to fill m the names- "'"•'.:' ' ,f / Mr Hawkins said they must be printed with the names on. Many of the voters would not know bow to place the names, down out of a number of candidates nominated, and some who might wish to vote for seven members woald be likely to get confused. : Mr Wright said that there was no one going to vote for seven. Mr Hawkius asked him how did he knew. ■ ■ The following resolution was then Proposed by Mr Walton, seconded by Mr Hawkins, That arrangements be made to have suitable ballot papers printed, -to contain the names of tbe candidates u at the meeting of the householders on the 11th June. Such papers to be printed immediately after the nominatiou of candidates is closed, for the use of the electors. A^discussion then followed as to the qualification of voters. Mr Stewart stated, thai he had been informed by a member of the Education Board that no one dare prevent any person from voting at an. election. All that he could do would be to challenge him and then the voter might torn round and tell him to mind his own business. There was no power whatever given m the Act to disqualify. . Mr Hawkins said that any person could vote, and that if he were not allowed to do, he could bring a case against the person' so disqualifying him m the Supreme' Court; He had known cases where heavy damages had been given for permission to vote having been withheld. An appeal to the Board was the only remedy subsequent to the election taking place. ' . Mr Wright remarked that he considered there should be a penal clause m the Act-to deter those voting who had no qualification. ... ' Mr Walton said that most likely this clause would be most felt by the objectors. . ■ After discussion it was unanimously resolved' on the motion of Mr Ferguson, seconded by Mr Hosking that the chairman be empowered to make suitable preparations for the accommodation of the householders at the election, : The following accounts were then passed for payment :— Welch & Co., account receiyed marked nil; W. Park, £3 3s 2d ; F. W. Venn, £2 12r; Montague, £3 10s ; Mitchell, £3 7s 6d; Leigh, 4s; J P. Leary, 18a; Bejfkensha,w, .81 4s ; Daily Standard, 10s. No further business was transacted, and the meeting adi'ourned.