LIVINGSTONE.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 976, 5 June 1879, Page 2

LIVINGSTONE.

(j>\gOH OUR. OWN GOEBHSEO^rpENT,) Livingstone, May 31. The adjourned meeting of the School Committee was heid on Thursday, 29tli inst. Present —Mr. Botting, in the chair, and Messrs. Roberts, Kermode, Frater, and M'Quade. Messrs. Farquhavson and Cook intruded themselves upon the Committee's deliberations, a course unprecedented in the history of the township. After the transaction of some unimportant business, the Chairman drew the attention of these gentlemen to th'e fact that the meeting was not open to the outside public, and that he would have to dissolve the meeting unless they saw fit to retire. Mr. Farquliarson stated he had a right to be there, and iljst t]ie public press had brought him, and ho charged Seore : tary with- having called his letter 'an excuse. He then went on to say in his characteristic manner, and addressing the Committee, " I have bested you once and I'll best you again and turning po the teacher (who was present, by 'request, to offer some explanations), he delivered himself, oi. s.ome scurrilous language, and said, "I hav,e takeii L 3 10s out of your pocket, and I'll take .L2O out of yqur pocket'every yeap you are her§. ! ' After considerable disturbance, ir» which the Chairman and Committee were

defied, the unwelcome visitors withdrew. When respectable citizens are openly threatened in thi3 manner it is time we had a resident constable. The business of" the Committeo was then proceeded with, when several accounts were passed for payment, also a resolution as follows,' " That this Committee wish it to be distinctly understood that the statements made in a letter signed ' D. Farquharson,' and impeaching an ex-member of Committee, are entirely false and adverse to fact." The above was indorsed by the signature of every member present, and ordered to be published, together with a confutation of certain remarks upon the want of unanimity in the Committee, which, on reference to the minutes, was shown to be a fabrication also. It was likewise shown that the delay in appointing a member to fill the vacant seat was owing to an attempt on the part of the Committee to elect some one favorable to Mr. Farquharson. No less than four of those nominated refused to stand, and so far from the Committeo having-a difficulty in getting the vacant seat occupied, four qualified householders have expressed their willingness to act, Mr. Bailey was duly elected, and with a vote of thanks to tho Chairman the proceedings closed.