ELECTION RUMPUS

Grey River Argus, 18 September 1945, Page 4

ELECTION RUMPUS

TECHNICAL SCHOOL BOARD Chairmanship Candidates’ Even Votes ‘ THE EVENT “RE-RUN” Chaos prevailed for about half an hour at last evening’s annual meeting of the Greymouth Technical High School Board of Management during the election of a chairman. Nominations were called for the position of chairman, Messrs J. B. Kent, the then chairman, and F. L. Turley, being nominated. Each candidate received five votes. Neither candidate voted.

Mr Kent said that, as chairman of the meeting, he had a ’casting and a deliberative vote.

Mr Turley; maintained that the meeting was out of order, and that Mr Kent had ceased to be chairman when nominations were called.

At this stage several members of the Board began talking at the same time.

Mr W. M. Stewart (Principal of the School, and Secretary to the Board' asked if, as scrutiny olhcer, he had a casting vote. Cries of “No! No!” came from several members. It was then suggested that the two names should be put in a hat and one drawn out. Mr Kent reiterated that he ■ was chairman of the Board until a new chairman was elected.

Mr Turley maintained that Mr Kent was not chairman after the nominations had been called.

Two members then started to put the names in a hat. Mr Kent arose and said he would have to leave the meeting. When asked if he did not agree with the drawing of the names he replied: “Things have come to such a pass that one is suspicious about most things.” “It is a poor state of affairs when members of the Board cannot trust one another.” called out one memoer.

Mr Kent picked up his coat and hat and remarked that he had not come to quibble, but to act as chairman of the meeting. “I intended retiring anyway”, he said. This was greeted with laughter from some of the members. Upon being prevailed upon to remain, Mr Kent consented to do so. Mr Turley moved that Mr-Stewart be chairman for the elections. He said that he was of the opinion that Mr Stewart should not have a casting vote, but should know what he would do if the voting were even. Mr Stewart said that, if that were the case, he thought the meeting should keen the status quo. Mr N. Gillespie moved that Mr F. H. Denton be chairman for the elections, as, being a Board member, he would have a casting vote. Mr J. J. Haddock was nominated by another member. “Now we are back where we started from,” remarked one member. Mr F. Bird stated that the procedure was to nominate a chairman, between themselves. “There is no such thing as a casting vote.” he said. He suggested that the election should be treated as the first meeting of the Board would be handled.

“My personal opinion,” said Mr Stewart, “is that tossing a penny or drawing names from a hat is not the way to elect the chairman of an educational board.” If the Board decided to draw names from a hat, then he could not object. It was moved by Mr J. M. McNulty that, in the case of the voting for the chairman being even, a name should be drawn from a hat. This was carried by six votes to four.

After further free discussion, Mr Haddock said that a motion had been put to the meeting and carried by a majority. “Are we going to honour it?” he asked. Mr Stewart then declared the motion carried. Mr Stewart said that he -was unhappy about the meeting. He thought that they should ask the Education Department for a ruling. “It is the Board who rules, not the Education Department,” said Mr Turley. Mr Stewart, he said, was acting as chairman only for the purpose of calling nominations. The earlier part of the meeting was held as void, and Mr Stewart then called for nominations.

Messrs Kent and Turley were again nominated.

Mrs G. Blair was nominated by Mr Kent. Further discussion ensued as to whether voting should be by show of hands or secret ballot.

Mr Stewart, ruled that it should be by secret ballot. Press representatives were asked to act as scrutineers, and the voting resulted:—

Mr Kent 6 (elected). Mr Turley 5. Mrs Blair 1. The meeting then continued with the business before it.