A REMARKABLE STATEMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 270, 11 November 1908, Page 5

A REMARKABLE STATEMENT.

THE ET.IECTT.ONS AND TTTF. SCHOOLS. EDUCATION BOARD'S . BISQUSSIOX. A nirious side-issue to the election , campaign was broupbt up liy Mr. ("1, J. ! Carland at t he meet ins of the Auckland Education Board to-day, after some rather extraordinary circumstances as a-Hrfred in connection with a country school teacher, had been dealt with. Mr. Carland remarked that there were ftnmo other things on in schools ■vhich the Board might not. approve of. "At Grey Lynn." he said. "I have hoen Informed that one of the. teachers asked, for a show of hands from the children whose parent- were, goinjf to vote lor Mr. So-and-So." The speaker said that when teachers aoked for this sort of i thing it was j;oin<; too far. Jjiist. week, at thp Newton West School, a ballot was held cm the. election of members. The chairman (Mr. ('. .1. Parr) said he dill not disapprove oi a ballot l«-in S held, Hp it pave the pupils some idea of what a ballot, moan!. Jle asked Mr. (garland i; lie knew that, tile incident in regardto the show of hands had taken place. .\[r. Oarlimd: I have been told so. The child of -Mr Murray, a. Cirey Lynn Borough councillor, came home and told him that it had happened. A Member: Was it with the cognisance of the headmaster? .Mr. Garland: No. I believe the beadmaster was not concerned in the affair. I understand it was one of the assiot-

ant?. Asked in what school the occurrence had been. Mr. Uarland replied that it had been the school at Kichmond. Mr. McKenzin: A No-license district. Mr. Harris-: It has been done before in regard tn No-lieojise polls. The. chairnuui said he ha.l no doubt that fcnachi-rs would t.?-kc rare that, they Hid not interfere in any improper manner with the children in regard tn this mattrr. He recognised, however, that Mr. Garland was acting for the best La drawing attention to the matter. Mr. Kdgecnnihe remarked that he Ait. not think there was any harm in. a baitot; as this leoald be insiractive. to I 'tile ■eaSdrsn.