WESTPORT SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1092, 25 July 1873, Page 2

WESTPORT SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

In pursuance of a notice published by the Prdvincial Secretary, a meeting of householders was held in the Courthouse on Wednesday last for the purpose of electing six persons as a local School Committee. The attendance was small. The Rev. A. C. Soutar was called to the chair, and, as one of the late Committee, explained the reasons for that body resigning office. After some discussion Mr R. Whyte was first proposed as member of the new Committee. Mr Whyte said he should positively decline taking office until assured of some better arrangements existing between the Local and Central Boards than had lately prevailed. Mr Munro asked if the new Committee would receive a statement of accounts from their predecessors, and the correspondence lately passing between the two Boards. The chairman explained that it bad not been thought necessary to prepare any statement of accounts, inasmuch as the six individuals who formed the late Committee accepted the responsibility of all debts accruing up to the time of their giving up office. The amount was something like £23, which they would have to pay out of their own pockets if the Central Board still refused to act justly towards them. He might state that he had received a letter from Mr Hodgson, the Inspector, and from the tenor of such letter he had reason to suppose that the Central Board would reconsider its recent decision. Tn any case the new Committee would enter office free from all trammels. Mr Whyte said under such circumstances he saw no reason why the old Committee should not again take office. The chairman said each member of the old Committee had resolved not to again accept office until the Central Board paid the money now withheld. Mr Munro suggested that six members of a new' Committee should be nominated and elected. Their names would be then in due course gazetted, and if they declined to take office the Superintendent would have power to nominate six other persons, who might possibly be induced to act. A discussion ensued, arid it was pointed out that the Superintendent, in strict accordance with the Ordinance, should have nominated six persons, instead of permitting the present meeting to be convened. The first meeting for the election of a Committee having lapsed by reason of non-attendance of house. holders.

Ultimately the following nominations were made and duly seconded : Messrs E. Whyte and Munro, present at the meeting, and Frederick M'Farlane, Field, Boche and Fleming, who Were riot in attendance. The chairman was depute'd t6 communicate the election toithe Provincial Secretary. The usual vote' of thanks to the chairman terminated proceedings.