SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S ELECTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 July 1920, Page 6

SCHOOL COMMITTEE'S ELECTION.

WAS IT VALID? PROTEST FROM HOUSEHOLDERS. The question of the . validity of a recent election of a scliool committee at Rowan (Stratford County) was re- i ferred to the Taranaki Education Board yesterday, and proved a very debatable point. A petition was received by the Board from twenty-six householders (representing 4(1 "out of the*49 child>-»n #t the school), asking the Board sanction another householders' meeting to elect a committee, or, failing that, to adhere to the two commissioners previously appointed. v Messrs Hill, Maindonald, and Holland waited on the Board in support of the request. They stated that the usual householder!;' meeting set down for April 2(S was postponed on account of the death of the wife of a member of the committee. The chairman of the old committee (Mr. Hollard) communicated with the Board's secretary, asking if an election held on another date would be valid, and was informed that the election would be formal provided no householders in Rowan raised any objection. Consequently a meeting was held on May 3, at which twelve householders were present, and a committee was dulv selected.

The next move was made on June 7, which was the date set down by the Board for the election of committees in districts where no committees were previously elected. On this date, it was alleged, a meeting was held in the Rowan school (convened by a Mr. Willis I (secretary of the old committee, who was rejected at the election on May 3). At this latest meeting there were eight present, aiid a. committee, wifji Mr. Willis as secretary and Mr. Doyle as chairman, was appointed. The petitioners claimed that Mr. Willis' actions were, irregular, and that the committee elected on 7th June should not lie recognised. The committee was not representative of the householders. and the petitioners would be satisfied if another householders' meeting could he held, giving all in "the district an opportunity to attend, which was not the case on 7th June, as many were unaware of the meeting, and were also under the impression. that the committee already elected was legally in office. The acting-chairman of the Board pointed out to the deputation that the letter stating that the May meeting would be in order, made the reservation of providing that no objections were lodged bv any other householders, Tn reply to a member of the deputation he stated that objections had been lodged. Considerable discussion ensued on various noints raised by the deputation. The Board members, while realising the peculiar position and sympathising with the petitioners, expressed doubt as to whether any alteration could be made, as the second committee was appointed in accordance with the regulations. Subsequently .Messrs 'P. .T. White and Trimble were delegated by the Board to inquire into the wfyole position.