WOOLSTON HOUSEHOLDERS.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18107, 24 June 1924, Page 8

WOOLSTON HOUSEHOLDERS.

+ A WARM MEETING,

COMMITTEE CRITICISED. The Woolstou householders held a meeting at the Woolston School last night to receive the report of the deputation which waited on the Education Board on Friday with reference to the recently-elected committee. The decision of the Board was that, while admitting there had been an irregularity in the election, it should stand. Mr D. Eowse, chairman of the School Committee, said he would leave it to the meeting to appoint a chairman. It was suggested that Mr Eowse take the chair. Mr Eowse: I decline. A voice: I should think so, too.

Mr C. E. Baldwin, who led, the deputation which waited on the Board, was appointed to the chair. "A vote of thanks was passed to the School Committee for allowing the school to be used for the purpose of the present meeting. Protesting that someone more fluent of tongue than himself should make the report, Mr J. H. Tinuns was prevailed on to tell what happened at the Board meeting. "We had a real good time there," he said, "and we really enjoved ourselves." The result was practically nil, but the Board ga/., them to understand that the householders' meeting was not carried out in accordance with the rules. Mrs Eoberts then gave her version of the proceedings. "The Board had their own opinion,'' she said, "as to what they were going to say before we got there. They cracked a few jokes, and I could see right from the' jump that we were going to be sat on. We were quite prepared for what we got." The lights went out for a few minutes at this stage, and the chairman led a community sing. Mr G. T. Oweii and other members of the deputation also made reports. Tho chairman said he considered it quite wrong to carry out the suggestion of the Board that the deputation should get a legal opinion on the question at issue. "We are not wealthy enough to do it," he said. "Personally, lam not.". Proceeding, he said that he did not believe the letter of resignations signed by five members of the School Committee had been scut to the Education Board. Mr Baldwin said that business of the deputation had been fairly reported, 'The Press" in particular giving a good report." He suggested that the meeting should call on those members of th-i committee who signed the paper of resignation, and did not see that was sent to the Board, for a report as to their action. "I am going to read out their names," he said, "and ask them why they signed this paper and did not see that it went ' through." He then read the names as follows: Mrs Eobinson, and Messrs' W. E. Makin, S. Goudie, S. Johns, and H. Cox.

Mrs Eobinson: I do not know why it did not go through. That is all I can say. Asked if she knew why the letter did not reach the Board, Mrs Eobinson said that she had no idea where the letter got to ofter she had signed it. Mr Cox said that he had signed tho paper, and afterwards accepted a posi tion on the committee.

The chairman: Did you have any in fluence brought to bear on you? Mr Cox: NoJ. I have my own mind on these matters.

Mr Goudie: I am one of those who signed it, and if this householders' meeting wish that I should, go off the committee they can tell me so, and I will go. That is the end of % the committee so far as I am concerned. I am ready to resign any old time. I have had enough of it. Mrs Eobinson: So will I. I am just about full up of it. It has made me ill, this business. , Mr Timms moved that the committee be asked to take into favourable consideration the question of the dismissal of the caretaker.

The motion was carried unanimously. Mr Eowse said that if the caretaker would come before the committee and withdraw something, it was possible ho would be taken back. There was no blemish on him. If lie did so, the position would be reconsidered. Mr Rowse added that he could not Bay anything more on the subject, as he would not divulge what took place in committee, i

Mr G. T. Owen moved: "That this meeting has no confidence in a section of the committee owing to the fact that they signed a resignation paper which was not forwarded to its proper source by some person or persons unknown to us."

This was seconded by Mr Karse and carried, with four dissentients.' A motion was subsequently carried in favour of the Act being altered so as to allow the addition of nominations for School Committees at meetings of householders besides those previously nominated.

The chairman said in conclusion that he hoped the Education Board would close the leaks in the Act whereby the present position had arisen.