Our Dunedin Letter.

Clutha Leader, Volume XXIII, Issue 1165, 30 October 1896, Page 6

Our Dunedin Letter.

w [Pbom Our Own Correspondent.] The proceedings at the monthly meeting of the Education Board held last week were not very edifying. The conduct of some of the members was very much to be deprecated, as setting a very bad example to the rising generation. At times the language was of a very " sultry " character/ The first trouble was occasioned by Mr T. Mackenzie who spoke very disparagingly of the action of Mr Malcolm of Kelso in his intemperate advocacy of Prohibition. Mrs Officer of Kelso wrote to the board complaining of remarks made by Mr Malcolm in reference to her late husband. This gave Mr Mackenzie an opportunity of paying off old scores and he went " bald headed" for the dominie. Then a number of members had a say and Mr Malcolm's letter denying the charge was ordered to be sent to Mrs Officer. Then came the appointment of a clerk of works for which position there were forty-three applicants. Judging by the list since published by Mr J. F. Fraser in the Daily Times a large number nf them were very capable men. A committee consisting of Messrs Borne, M'Kerrow, and Macgregor was j appointed to reduce the list to twelve I names. This was done and the Board proceeded to make the appointment. After several votes were taken the selection lay between Messrs A. Reach, who formerly held the position, and A. Nichol of Andersons Bay. The voting was : For Mr Nichol— Messrs Cohen, Macsregor, Ramsay, and Gallaway ; for Mr Reach — Messrs Fraser, Clark, Borrie, and M'Kerrow (Mr T. Mackenzie was not present, having left for Christchurch). A tie resulting, the Chairman consulted Mr J. Somerville, the board's architect, and as the result of the interview gave his casting vote for Mr Nichol. Mr J. F. Fraser characterised the whole affair as disgraceful and a very warm discussion among certain members ensued. Mr Fraser has written a full explanation to the Daily Times and intends to traverse the selection at next meeting. Mr Allan, a settler from the Catlins district waited on the board relative to the establishment of two half time schools in the neighbourhood recently visited by Messrs Borrie and Clark, After discussion the request was granted. Mr T. Mackenzie thanked the board for their generous treatment in the matter. This occasioned some very strong and well deserved remarks from Mr Gallaway, who said the question was one of justice, not generosity, the board's duty was to attend to all districts' fairly and justly, and assist sparsely populated localities when necessary, and it was unnecessary to speak about the board being generous. The application of Mr Burley, of Balclutha, to be recognised as an instructor in carpentry was granted. Mr W. A. Ballantyne was appointed head teacher at Dunrobin, Mr A. Gow, Wairuna. A deputation from Albany street attended and asked that their new infant room now in course of erection should be made large, and gave reasons for such. The board, after consideration declined (since then the committee have had a special meeting, and the householders are convened together to take action). Mr A. M'Neill was the successful tenderer for three new schools in the Catlins district, Tuhakata L 244 10s, Purakuiti L 259 15s, Kahaika L 272. The city was quite busy the whole of last week when the brass bands' contest took place and created a large amount of

interest to all those musically inclined and numerous others. The first contest was on the Caledonian Ground where the quickstep competition took place for which -10.; bands entered and the playing cf all of them was" much appreciated by a large gathering. The Dunedin Navals scored first prize, Invercargill, second, and Kaikorai, third. The other competitions were held in the Garrison Hall, and there was some pretty music in the cornet, trombone, .bombardon 'and euphonium contests. The prizes seemed to have been pretty fairly distributed to players from the various bands. The chief attraction however, was the .contest for the cham-. pionship for which 12 bands entered and great interest was taken in the result, the Hall being crowded on each evening. Oamarn Garrison were the winners by 22 points from the Wellington Garrison who took second prize beating the Kaikorai who secured third place by five points. Mr A. 0. Begg duly commenced his election campaign on Friday evening when he had a very large assemblage in the Princess Theatre. He made a very able political speech, showing he had a comprehensive grasp of the leading subjects of the day. He was very strong in his condemnation of the Seddonian administration. He received a vote of confidence. Mr F. M. Lester commences his career in the City Hall on Tuesday evening. Mr A. H. Burton on Wednesday evening, and Mr W. Earnshaw promises us on Thursday night an oration on " Past and prospective Legislation. Waikouaiti is to be the happy hunting ground for six aspirants for political fame. : — Mr James Green, the present member, Mr E. J. Allen, mayor of Port Chalmers, 'Mr G. Clark, a settler at Hoopers Inlet, Mr A. Thomson, of Port Chalmers, Mr James M'lndoe, an ex-member of ancient days, and last though not least, my worthy and esteemed friend, Mr J. J. Ramsay of the Education Board and Central Otago. So you see Waikouaiti has both quantity and quality from which to select. After a week's encampment at Tahuna Park, the Otago Hns3ara were inspected by Colonel Fox on Friday afternoon, and he complemented them on the high state of efficiency maintained by the company at all times. It was the last visit; ho would pay them, and he was exceedingly pleased to be able to hand over such an efficient corps to the new commandant of the forces. In addition to our election orations we are to have a big one from the Rev. L. M. Xsitt, on Saturday evening in the Choral Hall. Mr J. D. Sievwright. the champion of the Liberty League is also to give several addresses this week in the suburbs, so we shall have pleuty of excitement. We are also to have the annual sitting of the Otago Presbyterian Synod, and no doubt their deliberations will as usual have something of an interesting nature to cause attention being drawn to their annual gathering.