A NEW COMMITTEE ELECTED.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXXII, Issue 91, 26 April 1898, Page 3

A NEW COMMITTEE ELECTED.

[By Our Own Reporter.] For. several weekß .past a good deal of interest, had been taken in the approaching election at Motupiko, but the alteration of thb 'School boundaries (by whioh several . resident- of the eastern side of tbe Motneka river were given the right to vote) altered the aspect ot matters, considerably. The „ party 'supporting the teacher thns obtained ' aVery. substantial majority, and to place . the certainly, of victory beyond donbt a number of miners' rights were taken out by those not possessed of the householder. . qualification. The opposing faction, represented by the retiring Committed, were alao /reported to be securing a number : of miners' rights, bnt the opinion was expressed by many that as tbey were in a • "minority they would not be represented at ■ the meeting. This surmise proved to be well-founded, and when the honr of meeting arrived Ibe fifty or more persons present, consisted solely of tbe adherents of the party wbo bave been deprived of tbe aweets of power during the past' year. Prior to the meeting tbey were gatbeied -in varions small groups ronnd about the 6choot, discussing in earnest and excited whispers the best means of furthering their chances of success in the event of the " other tide " patting in an appearance and showing fight. There was a good sprinkling of ladiea, by whom intense interest in the proceedings waa manifested. Shortly before eight o'clock all present assembled in the schoolroom, and punctually on the stroke of the appointed honr tbe business, whioh proved io be merely formal, commenced. member of the retiring Committee or their s;mpatk„ers turned np, and at a quaiter past iij.ht the ' meeting hfid terminated. ' Mr. fi. Messenger, having been voted to the chair, acknowledged the indebtedness of himself and several other householders to the energy of Mr Btouiell, senr., in the matter of the recent alteration of the school boundaries. Referring to the strife of the past and ita disastrous results (to wjiioh, be said', the attention ot the whole "colony had been directed), he expressed a hope that the coming year would see an end of all this unfortunate blokering. (Ap^laase.) The Chairman announced that the following nominations for -the office of Committeemen for tbe ensuing year bad been received :— Messrs W. F. Coleman, nominated by Fred. Mead ; W. Mead, nominoted by R. H. Coleman: Hubert Mead, nominated by F. J. Coleman; Bi H. Colaman, nominated by W. F. Coleman ; and A, E. Coleman, nominated by R. H. Coleman. These being the only candidates nominated, they were declared duly elected amidst applause and cheering. Votes of thanks to Mr Bromell, senior, and to the Chairman having been passed, three cheers were given for the teacher (Mr Evans) who was then hoisted shoulder high and carried out of the building, accompanied bythe singing of "For he's a jolly good fellow." . At a subsequent meeting of the newly, eleoted Committee, Mr R. H. Coleman -was elected Chairman, and Mr A. E. Coleman, secretary. The minute book and other committee property (inolnding ; the balance sheet ehowing a credit of £4) waa afterwards handed over to the committee by Mr W Gibbs, chairman of the retiring committee. Constables Bird and Enapp were in attendance, but their services were not required, the meeting being a vory quiet and orderly one.