WEST SPREYDON SCHOOL

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21296, 16 October 1934, Page 16

WEST SPREYDON SCHOOL

$ FRICTION AMONG MEMBERS OF COMMITTEE DISCUSSION AT HOUSEHOLDERS' MEETING

Discontent among the members of the West Spreydon School Committee and among the householders in the committee's district culminated in an extraordinary general meeting of householders last evening, when the resignations of four members of the committee were discussed. All the resignations were accepted and new members were elected to the vacancies.

The discussion at times was very heated, with several people talking at once, and the chairman frequently had to call for order.

The meeting was opened by the chairman of the committee, Mr G. J. Birss, who said that according to a statement in the newspapers the resignations had followed certain of his actions. "The report was unauthorised," he said, "and we are here to-night to lix it up." Mr Birss took the chair.

The four members who had resigned then made allegations against the conduct of the chairman, as head of the committee, and the chairman replied with allegations against them. The four members were Messrs E. J. Good, J. Young, N. Knight, and N. Atkinson. Mr F. Grey's resignation was also received. He had been elected to the committee when he was not eligible. Replying to the chairman, Mr Good said the trouble was caused by the letting of the school, or part of the school. The chairman: Mr Good told the caretaker that a certain person could have the school on a Saturday afternoon, when the school was always used for music lessons. When it was found that the school was let a meeting was called, and Mr Good explained that he had received the application too late to consult the committee. That was a slur on the committee. Mr Good wants to be chairman, secretary, and everything. Mr Good replied that he had consulted the secretary of the Canterbury Education Board, who had told him that he was quite in order provided he brought his' action before the first ordinary meeting of the committee. "And you saw fit to call a special meeting before the ordinary meeting," he said to the chairman. The chairman began to explain that he had also seen the secretary of the Education Board, but his words were drowned^ "Unsuited to be Chairman" Mr Knight: Mr Birss is very unsuited to be chairman. When he went away from Christchurch recently he would not relinquish his power to the acting-chairman, Mr Atkinson. He wanted to hold the reins all the time. "Mr Knight told me I was quite right in calling the special meeting," the chairman declared, "and yet the next morning he and others walked round and resigned." Mr KnightT I don't want to call you names— Mr Birss: It was a put-up job. The chairman added that when he went away he told the committee to elect an acting-chairman; but the act-ing-chairman was only to run Ihc meetings of the committee. He declared that lie was present at every dance held by the committee. Mr Atkinson said his reason for resigning was that there was too much lighting and squabbling. A suggestion that an independent chairman should be appointed was then advanced, and was greeted with cries of "Be quiet!" and "Hear, hear!' ' Work of Committee j The discussion drifted to the conduct of the socials and dances held l by the committee, and the amount of ! work put into them by the various members. At the end, Mr Young said many persons did not realise the work that had to be done at the school. While recognising the work done by the chairman in the past, he had to say that he had not done his share this year. That was his reason for resigning. A motion to see whether Ihe householders had confidence in the chairman was moved, but the chairman ruled it out of order. Messrs E. English, C. Kttrick, 1... Johns, L. Ennis, G. Gilbert, and R. Wilkins were nominated for the vacancies, but. Mr Wilkins withdrew and the others were declared elected. The members who did not resign were Messrs Birss, A. Kirk, W. Small, and I. Manson (scretary). The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the retiring members. ' "3 tive action. At the same time, if the responsibility for Maori work is to be placed squarely on the shoulders of the province as a province, the formation of an "Aotearoa Church Board" and its co-ordination with the Board of Missions would be an immense step forward. So long as the separate dioceses accept their Maori work as part of their diocesan responsibilities, so long they will find it ditiicult to impress the South Island with an adequate sense of its responsibility in the matter. It is not for us to oiler advice to those who are faced with the actual problem, and who are so much better acquainted with its complexities than we are, but I think we may point out without impropriety the effect which the adoption of the statute would be expected to have upon the liberality of the three southern dioceses. "Meanwhile, we here should be asking ourselves whether we are doing all we can or ought to do for our Maori fellow-churchmen in Christchurch diocese. I confess that. I am not satisfied myself. Forming, as they do, small minorities in only a certain number of our parishes, where they are far outnumbered by Pakchas. they have so far as I know, no representation on our vestries and none on our Diocesan Synod. Would it not be possible to form a small council of leading Maori churchmen from our various pas with whom we might consult on the church life and interests of our faithful Maoris and on the winning back of those who have left our Communion? I believe that it is the lack of consideration for their national instincts and special characteristics which has led many of them to seek expression for those instincts and characteristics elsewhere. I would not for a moment belittle the admirable and devoted work which our parochial clergy have done or are doing among their Maori parishioners. What I desire to find is a way in which that work may win more whole-hearted response.

A Brighter Prospect "I venture to think that prospects are brighter than when we met last year, and the incidence of the depression less paralysing," said the Bishop in conclusion. "True, there are dark shadows on the world horizon, and the possible repercussions of the recent tragedy at Marseilles are hid from our eyes at present. God grant that evil results to the peace of the world may be averted. But if the pressure of economic and social conditions is less severe then it is our opportunity for going forward. I suggest that now is the time for us to plan advance all along the line. If the spirit is there the resources will be found. It is tempting to stop to take breath, to recover from our depression weariness, and to .consolidate our forces. But we must resist the temptation. In every parish, and in every department of our work we must plan advance m the sure confidence that the Captain of our Salvation has by His death and resurrection broken the power of the Prince of this world, and that the only fatal obstacle which can bar our path in following up His victory is our lack of faith. I give you as mv final message the words of God "to Moses, 'Speak unto' the children of Israel, that they go forward.'"