SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 29 April 1922, Page 4

SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

FIRST ORDINARY MEETING.

The new school committee n.et in the school last evening, when there were present: Messrs T. riurrell (chair), C. H. Brough (secretary), Rev. Liversedge, C. J. Rowe, T. VV. Pettett- W. Hawkins, and G. H. Westwood. Mr. Hawkins said; "The first thing I 1 did on Tuesday morning was to hand j my _-esignatic.ii to the chairman, • and : also to express my reasons ior doing ■ so. The chairman quite agreed that the position was not satisfactory. I also interviewed Messrs Pettett, Brough, and Westwood, and I stated that the n_<n>s.t satisfactory solution was another election., and they expressed their .approval of this course. In my opinion .another election is desirable, which would result jn a committee being elected representative of the householders. It may he said that those wh> withdrew their nominations are the cause of no election taking place, hut I am not much concerned over that.. It is in the hands of this committee to giye the householders an opportunity to elect a committee, and I will ask you gentlemen, in coming to a decision on this question, to give a true expression of your own personal opinions, and at the same time consider the question as to whether you would hot feel more satisfied in the knowledge that you had the confidence A the householders. In conclusion, the attitude I have taken in this matter is entirely of my own choice, and which I believe is in the best interests of the school and householders." The chairman read the motion moved by Mr. Hawkins and seconded by Mr. Brough pro forma, which was as follows : "That, in view of the unsatisfactory circumstances under which this committee has been elected, that it is in the best interests of the Main School that we resign and that the Education Boarc. be asked to arrange for another election.'' Mr. Brough explaiiled that when Mr. Hawkins approached the committee and suggested resignation and a re-election the committee were at first inclined to view the proposition favourably, but later on, when they found that there was a party working with the express purpose of putting them out of action, they changed their opinion. Mr! Brough said that he would far sooner be defeated at the ballot than win in the way they had done. But whose fault was it that they had been elected in the manner they had? The old committee withdrew their names to deprive them of the right of a baiiol. The speaker considered that a further election could do no possible good. They had to remember that another committee would mean a committee appointed practically by the P.P.A., .which would refuse to carry out the resolution and antagonise Mr. Strack, and that was not in the interests of the Main School and the householders. The P.P. A. were working "eyes out" for a special election. The committee had asked certain good men ol his old committee to come and assist them, and the result was that they had been accused of attempting to "open the back door." The committee had been legitimately elected, and the only unsatisfactory thing was that the rest of the nominees had seen tit to throw in the towel. He wished to make it clear that he had not the slightest intention of withdrawing. j Mr. Liversedge then moved as an amendment: "That this committee is , satisfied that its election was in accordance with the requirements of . the I Education Act, but, recognising the unusual circumstances attending their election, they suggest that any dissatisfied section of the community should appeal to the Education Board and the ; committee will readily abide by any | decision it may make." | Mr. Liversedge said that if he had had any doubt about the legality of ; their election he certainly would not | have allowed his name to go forwrard. | It would have been withdrawn that j night. He had obtained legal advice i from the chairman of the Education \ Board, in his private capacity, and he J had assured the speaker that the comi mittee had been legally elected, and they- should forward their names and nominate persons for the vacancies. Mr. Pettett seconded the amendment, and said that, in view of the tactics of the old committee and other things, he was more firm in his conviction that they should retain office. Mr. Rowe said he w 7as prepared to stand on the committee. Mr. Westwood intimated that he had felt inclined to support Mr. Hawkins, but, after having heard Mr. Liversedge, . he felt in favour of supporting the amendment. The chairman said he had changed his attitude shortly after seeing Mr. Hawkins. He had offered himself for election for the children's welfare, and 'he had no axe to grind. He thought that the amendment put the thing in a nutshell. !*■ Mr. Hawkins said he was still of the same opinion, and said he was not I afraid to go to a poll, and thought they j should abide by a decision of the people. * If the amendment was carried he would withdraw, as he considered that it was no honour to sit on the committee. The amendment was carried as a motion, all members excepting Mr. Hawkins voting in its favour. i Mr. Hawkins then tendered his re- ; signation, which was accepted with regret. It was decided to deal with the , resolution passed at the householders' ; meeting at the first meeting of the full I committee. The meeting then went into co',nI mittee to consider nominations, and on resuming reported that the names of Messrs H. H. Clement, L. Rowson. and J. W. Harding were to be sent on to the Education Board. The committee proceeded to deal with matters affecting the carrying out of the improvements, and decided on a tour of inspection over the grounds in company with Mr. Strack. It was decided to arrange for the immediate installation of two gas rings and the removal of the meter. Messrs Pettett, Rowe, and Brough were elected a grounds committee. The fact that there were no fire extinguishers in the school provoked | a discussion on the establishment of a school fire brigade. Mr. Strack said that suitable boys were available, and offered every assistance. Mr. Pettett thought that it was a splendid idq,a, and he was prepared to assist in the finding of a certain amount of gear. It was decided that Messrs Strack and Pettett confer with a view to the formation of a school fire brigade.