FRASERTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 93, 29 April 1901, Page 3

FRASERTOWN SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

A LIVELY MEETING OF HOUSE HOLLEHS.

(By a Travelling Correspondent.)

The annual meeting of householders to elect a School Committee for the ensuing year was held in the schoolroom on Monday evening. There was a large attendance. the room being crowded, quite an unusual thing for meetings of this kind in Krasertown. and some of them had come a long way in order to east their votes. This state of affairs is accounted for by the fact that of late several squabbles have arisen in connection with school matters, the result being that the township is divided into two parties, who are known as the Ooslenitcs and Krugerites. who are very hitter with one another. During the past month or so a good deal of correspondence has been published in the Wuirou paper dealing with the subjects, and some of the letters have been of a very pointed and personal nature. This was brought to close last week, when the paper declined to publish any further letters on the matter, and from then till the meeting was held, whenever any of the rival factions met, there was generally a very warm argument, and on several occasions blows were narrowly averted, hi no general election over held in I'rasertowii were the populace so keen on recording their votes, canvassers having been out in all directions for some days prior to the meeting, and vehicles were sent by the respective parties to bring in their supporters, who began to arrive in large numbers about seven o'clock, giving the township quite a busy appearance; At 7.:ii) bv the school clock the play started, when .Mr S. Stacey proposed that Mr Parker take the chair. This was seconded in almost less time than it takes to write it. Mr Itavey jumped up and stated that it was only twenty-two minutes past seven, and that the meeting could not start before 7.M0. It maybe here stated that the two gentlemen mentioned are practically the leaders of the respective sides, the former of the (ioslenites and the latter of the •vrngerites. During the interval of eight minutes that elapsed before 7.U0 (the school clock time was not taken) several more supporters of both sides arrived, ami there were repeated calls of “ Time." , On time being up. Mr Parker was again proposed as chairman. Mr Duvcy objected to Mr Parker taking the clmir, on the ground that he did not live within the specified boundaries, Mr Parker asked for proof of this to he produced, whereupon Mr llullett brought forward a letter from the Education Hoard giving the boundaries of the district. On perusing these it appeared that Mr —-Parker is a little outside the boundary, and therefore could not net as chairman. About twenty minutes was spent in' wrangling over this matter, and then Mr Coupcr and Mr Hallett were nominated for the position. <>n a show of hands being taken, a good deal of amusement whs occasioned. A member of each side counted, and every time I they counted several times) they Jailed to agree as to the number of votes recorded for each candidate. At last another gentleman gave a little assistance, and this time Mr Coupcr was elected to the position. On Mr Coupcr taking the Chair, Mr S. Stacey asked if he would he in order in asking a question before the election of the new committee took place. The Chairman said it would he out of order, and therefore he could not allow it, whereupon .Mr Parker rose to his feet, and said he would ask whether he was in order or not if he had to ho thrown out for it. lie then proceeded amidst considerable uproar to ask what authority Mr Davev, Chairman of the Committee, had in writing to the Education Hoard asking them to appoint a master in place of the mistress at present in charge of the school without consulting the Committee. After an exchange of remarks of a very personal nature between Mr .Parker and Air Davev. the Chairman succeeded in restoring order. The report and balance-sheet were then read by Mr Hallett. It was proposed, seconded, and carried that the report and balance-sheet, as read, he adopted. The nomination of candidates was then

proceeded with. In |uv\ious vein’s the fc hits til ways been H dilliculty in getting snllieieiit candidates "* to stand. hut this time each party iiomiMilled n eommiUee of their own, fourteen being noniiniited ultogether. The following are the nominations with * the voting : —if. Hnllott 21, T. lligby 21, S. d. Bennett 21. T. J. Tanks 20, (I. Beekett 20. A. G. Smith 20, A. Forsyth 20, T. (Minim ill, S. (1. Stacey IN, d. lhivey .17, A. If. .1 ieckctl 17. A. Steed 17. W. C'ouper JO, (I. denkins 12: informal 2. The first seven were duly elected for the ensuing year, they consisting of live Krngerites (Messrs llallett, lOV.ley, lionnett, Tanks, and (1. .Beckett), and two (Josnelitos (.Messrs Smith and Forsyth). Messrs T. ldavey, \V. Grinsdale, and d. Scott acted as scrutineers.

A inerting of the Committee was held after the householders' meeting, at which Mr Hallctt was elected chairman and Mr T. \V. Tunics sorrolarv.

There appears be a good many irregularities in connection with the meeting, and there is some talk of trying to get it upset.