A DIVIDED BOARD.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 828, 28 May 1910, Page 10

A DIVIDED BOARD.

APPOINTING AN INSPECTOR.

A LIVELY DISCUSSION.

A lively discussion arose at tlio meeting of tlio Auckland Education Board on Wednesday over tho appointment of a chief inspector to succeed Mr. D. Pctrio, retired.

Tho chairman (Mr. 0. J. Parr) said ten applications had been received i'or the position, and as tho appointment was die most important ono tho board had to confer, ho moved that it bo made in open meeting. Tho motion was seconded, and carried unanimously. Tho chairman then, moved that Mr. E. K. Mulgan, M.A., classified as Al, inspector to the North Canterbury Education Board, and for eight years an inspector under the Auckland Board, bo appointed to tho position. Mr. Mulgan, ho said, was an acknowledged educationist, who understood the syllabus from A to Z, and was unrivalled as au inspector. Mr. H. J. Greenslade thought tho number of applicants should first bo reduced to three or four, and ho moved in. that direction. As it was it looked as though tho appointment was cut ana dried. Tho chairman asked Mr. Greensladeif ho did not want to ■-keep tho voting opon. Mr. Greenslade hotly retorted that ho was being placed in s false position, and would not allow it. He was quite prepared to vote openly in tho matter. In the past they had always reduced the number of applicants to three <y four, and in cases like this if a man came second on the list it was always a recommendation for him in applying for a position elsewhere. He strongly objected to tho way tho appointment was being thrust on them. Mr. G. J. Garland supported open voting, and said the public had' a right to know tho votes.

Mr. J. D. M'Kenzie: They will know so far as I am concerned. Mr. A. 11. Harris: The same with mo. Mr. Garland: I think it is about timo wo had things more in the open, and camo out from behind the hedge. Mr. Greenslade: I camo hero to-day to vote for Mr. Mnlgan, and I told Mi. Parr so, but I certainly shall not vote for hiin now the way things are being done The chairman': I repudiate the statement that Mr. Greenslade over told mo lie was going to vote for Mr. Mulgan. Mr. G. Edgecumbo hoped Mr. Greenslade would not let' anything that had happened influence him against Mr. Mulgan, as that would be unjust. Mr. M'Kenzie moved the appointment of Mr. E. C. Purdie, a former inspector and member of tho board He was disappointed at the small number of applicants for the position, and when he made inquiries he was told that the reason for it was that tho thing was cut and dried. It was hinted that the chairman had promised the position to somebody. ' Tho chairman.: That is absolutely false.

Mr. M'Kenzie: I accept that. , Sir. Edgecumbo: We all know that such remarks are mado for an express purpose. They are said to annoy you and to annoy,me, and if anyone tells me that the thing is cut and dried, I say "It's all right. I have heard that said before." Mr. M'Kenzie declared that Mr. Mulgan _ was very fortunate in having a special pleader such as the chairman, and ho was sorry he could not do as well in favour of his man. .The chairraiiii g Ybu can do it pretty well. :'■■•- Mr. Harris objected to the chairman's action. The board in adopting tho motion did so unwittingly, but it had to abide by it now. The chairman: Do you complain of the resolution to have the voting open? Mr. Harris: Yes. Tho chairman: It was quite ' frank, wasn't it? Mr. Harris replied in the affirmative and said he would vote for Mr. Purdie in preference to Mr. Mnlgan because tho former was a strong man, and the teachers wanted someone who could lead them.

The chairman explained that his reason i'or adopting this method of making the appointment was because ou Saturday morning in Queen-Street he heard rumours that certain members of the Board had pledged themselves to certain applicants. Mr.. Greenslade: That's the first I have heard of it. Mr. M'Kcnzie: I can say the same. • Mr. Farmer: A childish rumour. Mr. Parr: I am glad to hear it. If there is to be any log-rolling ]et it be done in the open. I have presided for two years over this hoard, and I tell you that. I am, going to carry out a clean hat. I don't regret now having had the discussion in open board. Mr. Greenslade: I protest against your statement about a clean bat. Mr. M'Kenzie: Do you mean to say that other bats are unclean? Mr. Harris: I also object to the statement about tho clean bat. . The chairhian went on to say that ho had been informed by three headmasters in the city on Saturday that it was reported that five members of the board had pledged themselves to the appointment of a certain applicant. Mr. Edgecumbe said he had heard the nimour Mr. Parr referred to at Waiuku last week. _ ; Mr. Greenslade repudiated any suggestion that' anyone had approached him in the matter. Further consideration of the matr ter was postponed for a fortnight.