ANNUAL SCHOOL ELECTIONS.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2137, 27 January 1880, Page 2

ANNUAL SCHOOL ELECTIONS.

TJMAUU. The annual meeting of householders for the election of a school comnritrec was held in the school-room last evening. About 30 persons were present, and Air B. B. AValcot was voted to the chair. Air Hammond (Secretary to the Board of Education) read the minutes of last meeting, and submitted the annual report and balance-sheet. It was pointed out that the annual report gave no reason why the last Committee had resigned, nor whether any steps had been taken to alter the Act so as to make arrangements for the election of a new Committee in the case of one resigning during the year. Capt. Sutter thought the old Committee should explain the matter.

Air Hammond considered both the Chairman of the School Committee and of the Sub-Committees should have been present. The Chairman said the former gentleman had been unable to attend through ill-liealth. Air Hammond said it was not fair to ask the Chairman of the Alanaging Committee to be present, as that Committee never came into contact with the school.

The liev. Mr Grillies said lie spoke with, reluctance, as a member of and Secretary to the Committee of last year, seeing that the representatives of the Board were absent. The Managing Committee as the representatives of the Board should have attended to explain matters to the householders. One object of the Committee’s resignation was to bring the Board and themselves face to face with the householders, and they expected a meeting of the latter would have been called at a time when the matters in dispute were fresh, and the Committee prepared to submit to a verdict of the householders. In the first place a difficulty had arisen through the reduction made by the Board in the allowance for incidental expenses. This the Committee had endeavored to meet and matters went on smoothly till the election of a second master brought them into collision with the Board. For what subsequently occurred he blamed the Board, contending that the Committee only resigned when they found the rights given them by the Act were invaded. He called attention to the way in which the Board had shelved the questions of erecting a side-school, and he challenged Mr Hammond's accuracy in reference to the financial transactions of the Committee.

Air Hammond replied explaining that the Board in re-advertising - for a second master had endeavored to meet the wishes of the Committee, and that by increasing the salary, they wore onaided to get a bettor class of candidates. Ho had no reason to believe that the two candidates selected by the Board in the iirst instance were not suitable He entered also into certain details ro the financial position of the Committee. Mr (fillies denied the accuracy of Mr Hammond’s statement.

Capt. Sutter said the meeting was a jury to Jiiul out who was right and who was wrong, and they ought to have had the accounts before them. The Managing Committee must have known the matter would crop up. He had always been strongly opposed to Boards of Education, and had used his utmost endeavors to prevent them being brought into existence. While there was no necessity for them, they only clashed with the Committees, and threw everything into disorder. The members of the Board were not eleeted fairly, a largo school like Timaru having no more voice in the matter than the smallest country one.

Mr Greenup suggested an adjournment till Wednesday next. Mr Hammond protested against this. Mr Bruce referred to the Act to shew that the Board in appointng a secondmaster and a Managing Committee had exceeded their powers. He was almost in favor of leaving the Board to go on as they liked. The Chairman said it was quite competent for the householders to refuse to elect a Committee.

Mr Cranger moved—“ That this meeting tender a vote of thanks to the late Committee for their services during six

months, and signify their approval of the Committee resigning owing to the action of the Board twards them.” Mr Greenup seconded the motion. Mr E. Jones moved as an amendment, and Mr Bruce seconded—“ That in the opinion of the householders present, the action taken by the Committee elected last year in tendering their resignations to the Board meets with their approval, and the absence of the members of the Board from. this meeting to offer an explanatory statement clesefvesltfe’severest condemnation, and that at snoopy, of this resolution he sent to the Board.’”’ 1 ' The original motion was eamcd.almo,st unanimously. ... . Captain Sutter then moved—“ That the Eev. Mr Gillies'receive the thanks of this meeting for acting as Secretary to the late Committee, and also for his action in regard to the Board of Education.” Mr J. Dillon seconded the resolution, which was carried without a dissentient voice. Mr Gillies returned thanks but.intimated that he should not offer himself for ic-clcction. In reply to a question Mr Hammond said the report of the last examination would shortly be in the hands of the Committee. . ; / Mr Eeilly moved and Mr Cowburu seconded—“ That after the statements made by Mr Gillies and Mr Hammond, this Meeting decline to elect a Committee.” : ; Mr Machin moved, au amendment, and Mr G ranger seconded—“ That this meeting now proceed to the election.of a Committee. Considerable discussion took place on the question, after which tfie amendment was carried.by 13 to 8, and the meeting proceeded to the election of a Committee. The Chairman on a ballot being taken declared the following elected 'as a Committee for the" ensuing year; — Messrs James Bruce, E. 13. Walcofc. J. Hall, J. Hamilton, Ti Machiffr’E. Jones and A. Hart. •' The report was not adopted, and the meeting terminated. Subsequently the Committee elected Mr E. B. Walcot Chairman, and resolved that their .meetings.should be held on the first Monday in each month. WABIATK. ) The annual meeting was held at the Wainuite school. Mr S. AY, Goldsmith presided. The report of the bufgping Committee was adopted. The following gentlemen were then elected -Messrs S. AY. Goldsmith-, B. Sinclair, Tlyrs. Evans, A. Sellars, A. .Fisher, Hayes. Afterwards ’ the Committee re-elected Mr S. AY. Goldsmith as their chairman and Mr Graham as secretary, audyresolved that their meetings he held on the second Tuesday in each month. TK.MUKA. Twelve householders attended the school-house. Mr'A. Wilson presided, and the following committee were elected : —Messrs A. Wilson, Ilarrnp, A. Bussell, K. F. Gniy, F. Hooper, Win. Storey, and E. Brown. The Committee elected Mr Wilson chairman. ' I WASIIDVKE. -i V The following were elected members: Messrs J. Goldie, TV. Stevenson, J. Gardener, G. H. AATldic, AY., Balfour, E. Dawe, and J. Mcß'etlr. A meeting of committee was afterwards bold, and Mr Balfour was elected chairman, the Chairman and Mr J. Gardener to sign clicques, and Mr AA r . Barr was appointed secretary. It is was decided that the Committee meetings be held on the first Monday of each mouth, at half-past seven in the evening. A letter was read from the Education Board, intimating that Mr Kirby’s engagement as master of this School will terminate on April 9. It was resolved to request the Board to take the necessary steps to fill up the vacancy.