DARGAVILLE CRISIS.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 19, 23 January 1929, Page 9

DARGAVILLE CRISIS.

SCHOOL COMMITTEE RESIGNS

«CANNOT CARRY ON."

COMMISSIONER APPOINTED.

Accepting the resignation of the Dargaville School Committee as a body, the Auckland Education Board to-day appointed Mrs. A. Gregory, a former committee member, to act as sole commissioner at Dargaville for the balance of the financial year.

"We absolutely refuse to act any further and we are forwarding all books and accounts," stated a letter from the committee. It added: "We are taking no action in securing tenders for cleaning for the new year and, in addition, sundry accounts of £54, details of which your board already has, are still owing."

"Evidently they cannot carry on, or will not," said Mr. Burns. There was little likelihood, he considered, of a new committee being appointed if an election were held at the present time. It was clear that more money had been spent by the committee than it had received; but no purpose would be served in making an inquiry as to where the blame lay.

In moving the appointment of Mrs. Gregory as sole commissioner, Mr. Burns said:—"lf the men cannot carry on we shall give the women a chance."

Mr. H. S. W. King: Will she start with a clean sheet as far as liabilities are concerned

Mr. Burns: Oh yes, but the board will be responsible for all further liabilities.

The Dargaville Borough Council inquired as to the position in regard to an account of £69 owing on account of work carried out in connection with tennis courts at the school.

It was decided to defer an inquiry into the financial position until the arrival of the books and accounts.