LOCAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

Marlborough Express, Volume III, Issue 99, 1 February 1868, Page 4

LOCAL EDUCATION COMMITTEE.

In accordance with advertisement, the annual meeting for the election of a Local Committee was held in the School-room, Blenheim, on Saturday last. The attendance was much larger than last year. The Rev. Mr. Butt was called to the chair. Mr. John T. Robinson proposed Mr. Collie, which was seconded by Mr. G. Tate. Mr. Johnson proposed Mr. Litchfield, which was seconded by Mr. Emerson. Mr. J. Eyles proposed Mr. John T. Robinson, who, in declining, proposed Dr. Horne, who he said had a number of children at tending the school, and would therefore be likely to feel an interest in their wellbeing and progress. He was moreover an intelligent man, in whom they might place confidence. He observed that the last committee had been much censured out of doors by persons who took no interest in the election, but were fond of faultfinding when it was over. Not one of the committee was present, and they deserved blame, for they took no interest in the matter evidently.. They had made no preparations for the meeting, having provided neither materials nor paper for the chair. Mr. Eyles seconded the motion. Mr. Hutcheson wished to know if Dr. Horne had been asked to stand. He said the duties resolved themselves into a small compass. He (Mr,: H.) had examined the school twice, and attended the examination. Mr. Kennedy had taken a little interesfelin the school, but Mr. Kitchen had not! attended that he was aware of. As for,the duties they were a something or nothing, and he would have pleasure in retiring. Mr. Russell proposed the re-election of Mr. Hutcheson. Mr. Kitchen (who had just entered the room) seconded the motion. Mr. Hutcheson suggested, that the same

course should be adopted as last year, and allow a member for the Bush ; he cautioned them against a disposition to grasp all, and proposed that Mr. John Kennedy be reelected for the Bush. Mr. John T. Robinson said he must repudiate the intention ascribed to them of attempting to grasp at all for this school, as certain members of the late committee had done.

Mr. Russell then proposed Mr. Henderson, who had taken an interest in the school, but he did not know whether he Would stand or not. Mr. Hutcheson seconded the motion.

The names were then put to the meeting, when the numbers were :—Litchfield, 9 ; Collie, 7 ; Henderson, 7 ; Horne, 6 ; the tie being between Messrs. Collie and Henderson, the Chairman gave a casting vote for Mi'. Henderson, whereupon a poll was demanded for Mr. Collie by Mr. John T. Robinson, and for Mi'. Hutcheson by Mr. Russell.

Mr. Collie expressed great unwillingness in coming forward, not having taken part in any public matter for the last two years, and education among others ; but he had come forward now at the request of his friends, and, if elected, would do his best to serve them.

A poll was then commenced, and the Chairman, as Returning Officer, received the votes of the householders until 4 p.m., when the numbers were declared to be as follows :—Litchfield, 60 ; Horne, 38 ; Hutcheson, 36 ; Collie, 35 • Henderson, 32, the three first being elected. A vote of thanks to the Chairman having been proposed and seconded, Mr. Henderson, in supporting it, said he had formerly been a member of the Board, and left it in disgust, because they could never do anything without referring to another body, and he trusted the new committee would endeavour to obtain some power and authority.

The Chairman agreedthatgreaterinterest ought to be taken in the subject than had been hitherto, and remarked that everyone was excluded from entering the school except the Local Committee. He hoped that a higher state of improvement would be attained during the next year j as for himself, he felt the door shut in his face.

Mr. Collie thanked the electors lor the support he had received, and compared the present system to the House of Lords, where everything done could be nullified by a superior power. He hoped the new Committee would push matters by calling upon the Inspector to make more frequent examinations.

The Chairman trusted the members of the Provincial Council, whom lie saw present, would endeavour to get the Act amended; its great fault was in making the Executive, which was a political body, the Central Board, and consequent controlling power. The Nelson Act did not do so, and he believed it worked well. The proceedings then ended. There was little excitement apparent during the afternoon, but as parties kept arriving, it was quite evident that some influence was at work. Rumour says that one person interested was busily canvassing, and that he lent his horse to electors for the purpose of getting to the poll easily and quickly, waiting their return to proceed to their neigh-, hours. Jr