THE STILLWATER SCHOOL ELECTION.

Greymouth Evening Star, 22 May 1906, Page 1

THE STILLWATER SCHOOL ELECTION.

THE DUGGANS AND THE SHANNAHANS. (To the Editor.) Sir,—l am somewhat surprised afc the Education Board declaring the election of the committee, at Stillwater null and void. "iNow, Mr Editor, 1 will give you some information, and tlic public can judge mo, not Mr Slinniialian and Co. and a few of the Education Board. At the meeting of the householders I read the advertisement from the Board, and I asked them to appoint a chairman for the meeting. Mr \V. Shannahan got up and said that they wanted a report from the commit lee first. I told them thai there would be no report read or any other business until they appointed a chairman. He commenced to perform—lie knew this, that and the other; lie had been on committees ;he knew everything, and I knew nothing. Now, Mr Editor, lie proposed Mr Mallock, Mr Harper and Mi Gilbert to read the committee's report. J told them it was a chairman we wanted. Ho told me he would like to get a look at the books to see whose writing was ill them. I told him lie would not get n look at. (hem. He performed again; ho demanded this, that and the other—as a mailer of fact, he was the only one who knew the Education Act well. Now for (ho chairman. He says I was never appointed. Mr W. Shannahan proposed Sir Mallock, Mr Harper, Mr Gilbert, and four or five more to be chairman, and they all declined. I was proposed by Air llooney and seconded, and there was great applause. L read the committee's report, inspector's report, balance-sheet and also the balance sheet of the annual picnic. I was asked about the Committee's liabilities, and ] told them there was only üboul live months' salary to the caretaker. There was a motion moved of a hearty vole of thanks to the laio committee. I then asked

tlieni for nominations for committeemen. lUr AV. Shannalian got up again and said 1 was not chairman — he was going to put somebody there. |[i. proposed .Messrs Mullock, Harper, Gilbert, Dixon, Head, ami tin' Lord only knows who ho didn't propose, and they all declined. I was proposed again on two or throe occasions, but I declined to put it to the meeting. 1 told Mr AV. Shannalian that Ik*could propose fill to-morrow afternoon and I wmld still ho chairman. To get on with the business, Mr 1?. Hesli ado a speech and 1 then put the motion to the meeting. It was moved by Mrs Finby, seconded by Mr Ilcslin "that Mr Duggan bo chairman." The motion was carried unanimously. Now for Ihe nomination „f candidates. There were 13 nominated, and two scrutineers appointed (Messrs Johnstone and Mulhns). Now for (be ballot papers. I explained the ballot. They could vote for 1,2, 3,4, 5,6, but not more than 7, and not the one man twice. Mr Shaniuilian got up again. Ho knew they could vote for more. I gave out the ballot papers, and Mr Mulhns, one of the scrutineers, gave a few out. As for Miss Crowley, I maintain her vote is legal; Mr Glen I firmly believe was 21 years of age; and Mr Gilbert I Imyo seen at tho Twelve Mile, and the Shannahans proposed him io read the committee's report, chairman on two occasions, and for tho committee, sc you can seo they had a dark horse and they rung him in. Now for yoiuif Manners; Mr AV. Shannaban says ] offered him n ballot paper—l did no thing of the sort. T just said "How Ion" have you been here, my lad/ tuuf Mr Head said he did not want i

paper. Now, Mr Editor, cnii you I point out whore there is anything illegal as far as T am concerned. Section 100 of the Education Act says at each annual meeting a ■ ohoiimmn shall be- chosen and the committed shall give a report till the 31st of March preceding. Now I require a ruling from the Board as to who is entitled to vote. As for Miss Crowley influencing tho voters, Miss Crowley asked • Mrs Ouggan if she wanted a pencil, and she said she had her pajjor finished. Mr W. Sliannahan performed again—she had no right to be thoro. I had to toll him again she had as much right there as ho had. Even when the votes were being counted he was chirruping like a tui. Now, Mr Editor, there were 47 voting papers given out, and the highest was 29 and .the lowest 14 voles. I think the public will let me down light. I don't think they will listen to the little fairy tales Mr AV. Sliannahan can spin liko the funny old men on the 1 Education "Board. Kindly publish this letter and you will oblige.— Yours, etc., FRANCIS DUGGAN, Chairman Stillwater School Committee.