REPRESENTATION ON EDUCATION BOARD

Dominion, Volume 34, Issue 139, 8 March 1941, Page 7

REPRESENTATION ON EDUCATION BOARD

Wellington City Area

DISCUSSION BY SCHOOL COMMITTEES

The question of possible further city representation on the Wellington Education Board was discussed at a meeting in Clyde Quay School last night of members of school committees in the city area. The meeting was called by the Wellington School Committees and Educational Federation, and 60 members were present, representing 16 schools. The president of the federation, Mr. N. E. Dalmer, was in the chair.

Mr. Dalmer briefly explained that the Education Act provided for two education board members . for each 60.000 of population or part thereof. Last March the Government Statistician had given the population of the Wellington city area as 123,200, which would entitle the Wellington urban area to two further members, but the returning officer, Mr. W. I. Deavoll, secretary of the board, said in December that he was not moving in the matter. Mr. Dalmer read an opinion from the federation’s honorary solicitor, Mr. F. W. Ongley, supporting the view that the urban area was entitled to two more members as from March. 1940. .

Mr. T. K. Moody (Miramar South), a member of the board, referred to the opinion given by the board’s solicitors that the population figure to be taken should be based on the last census, which would leave the position as at present pending another census. That, he contended, was wrong. The only way to challenge the returning officer’s decision, be said, would be to apply for a writ of mandamus in the Supreme Court, at a cost of approximately- £2B. Mr. Moody moved that that action be taken, but an amendment by Mr. F. H. Porter (Kilbirnie) that the matter be deferred till a reply was received from the returning officer to a letter from the federation, was carried. The federation had asked the returning officer what he proposed to do in regard to the 1942 board elections, and if his reply is considered unsatisfactory, an approach will be made to the Minister of Education, Mr. Mason, with a view to having the position clarified.