EXCHANGES AT MEETING

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23747, 19 September 1942, Page 5

EXCHANGES AT MEETING

MEMBER’S COMPLAINT RESENTED v EDUCATION BOARD PROCEDURE “I don’t know if Mr Turley has come over here just to get his name in the paper, but I must say I .consider his remarks most improper and calculated to disturb the harmony of the board,” said Mr C. S. Thompson at the meeting of the Canterbury Education Board yesterday, when Mr F, L. Turley objected to Mr Thompson submitting a report on the progress of the school children's war effort. Mr Turley said the report should have gone to the board’s officials and been circulated to board members with the committee reports. On a former occasion Mr Thompson had submitted an “elaborate” report on school airraid shelters. That report apparently had gone back into Mr Thompson's pocket and members were left in the dark. Mr Thompson replied that both reports referred to were only interim reports. Full reports would be given to members on the completion of the business concerned. The chairman (Mr S. Smith) supported Mr Thompson in his procedure. There was an exchange of remarks between Mr Turley and Mr Thompson, sitting in adjacent seats at the board table, and then Mr Thompson made the remark quoted above. The chairman, however, ruled that the board proceed with the next business. Earlier in the meeting the board had rejected three motions, notice of which had been given by Mr Turley, dealing with the method of conducting board business and the payment of mileage allowance to members. He had also protested against the board passing a resolution congratulating the chairman of the )tago Education Board on occupying the chair for 25 years. Mr Turley said such long tenure of an office was to be condemned rather than praised, as it deprived other members of the opportunity of holding the position. He also objected to the board wasting time on business which did not concern it.

The motion of congratulation was passed with no other dissentient.