The Daily News. MONDAY, APRIL 7, 1902. THE EDUCATION BOARD ELECTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXIV, Issue 68, 7 April 1902, Page 2

The Daily News. MONDAY, APRIL 7, 1902. THE EDUCATION BOARD ELECTION.

Air election is proceeding for the return of a memb'.r for tbe Taranaki Education Board to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr B. A. Hignett. For this vacancy no less than five candidates have been nominated, and the voting papers have to be in the hands of the secretary of tho Board not later than 5 p.m. on Wednesday, the 16th April. As at the last general election of members, each member of a committee gives his individual vote, and shall send it, with his own hand to the Returning Officer in an envelope supplied for the purpose. Each voting paper will contain th« names of tbe five candidates and will be sent to the chairman of each committee, who will distiibute thera to the members. In voting, members of committee's must be careful to strike out the names of not less than four, leaving only one name—the candidate they wish to vote for—not struck on*. The votirg paper must then be carefully signed by the member of tho coma&ittee voting and sent on as already stated. If more than one name is left uncancelled the paper will be informal, and the voter must be careful not to write anything on the paper other than filling up the blanks provided after striking out the four names. Last session, to ensure greater secrecy in the conduct; of these elections, an Act was passed compelling ths returning officer and any scrutineers appointed to make a declaration to perform the duties devolving upon them faithfully, and not to disclose anything regarding the election under a penalty of not exceeding £SO. As we have said there are five candidates »ominatod, and, taken in the order in which they appear on tho ballot-piper, th«y are Messrs J. J. Elwin (Warea), A. H. Halcombe (Urenui), A, Morton (Ingkwoori), Divid Maxwell (Toko), and J. W. Huwle (Kamata, near Inglewood). The first-named has, perhaps, had mors experience in educational matters than any of the candidates, i-fe was for a number of yeats headmaster of the Opunake school, and has since taken an active interest in school matters. He bases his claim also with considerable justness on the fact that the long stretch of country from Stony river to the boundary of Eiucational district containing some 12 to 15 schools is without a representative. His experience would, no doubt, be valuable to the Board. Under the circumstinces, we expect to I see Mr Elwin well supported. Of Mr j Halcome, of Urenui, noh so much is kuown, but he is [a young m«i of con- j aiderable ability, and no doubt mar.y will consider that the Waitara to Mokau district is entitled to tbe seit 6 i capably filled by Mr Hignett. Mr A. Morton, of Ing Wood, is so well known that we hardly need rafer to him. He has proved an excellent busin' sj man, his connection with tho Inglewoad Farmer*' Co-operative Store Company, the Dsiry Company, the Bacon CJjojparty, has baen very benefi i.il to those ir s'.itutions, and we expact to s=e him poll weK, not only at Inglewood, but wherever members of committee* are anxious to secure a member havirg every qualification for the position. Mr Maxwell's candidature is, no doubt, lai gely influenced by the agitation which has been going on for years to remove ths» Toko school.

Unless tho committees at tbe Stratford ei.d of tho district a blo r ;k vota we hardly expect, in the f«ce of the Toko district being so »bly representod by Mr W. L, Kennedy, tbat Mr Maxwell will secure tbe seat. Mr Sawlt/a chances also hre not good in tho face of Mr Morton'n candidature. Tbe number of candidd'cs, howaver, makes th«' election very open, ucd »a there is no burning question upon which they ara dividtd, tho election will pco-i I b.ibly ba ducided on tbe personal knowledge of tbe candidates po/sessfld by imombersof schtol ci mmitteosor outhe question cf locality.