THE COLLEGE GOVERNORS.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue XLVII, 9 April 1912, Page 6

THE COLLEGE GOVERNORS.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —I do not know if it is the custom of the Governors of Nelson College to obtain supplies for the institutions under their care in the manner indicated in Mr Allan's letter; but if it is so, then it is, in my opinion, high time that an alteration should be made, both in the interests of the institutions and in fairness to the tradespeople. It is usually recognised by well-conducted public bodies that the best course to pursue in such matters is (where possible) to invite tenders, and that in no case should an order be given involving the expenditure of a good sum of the people'.-; money without first obtaining estimates or quotations. There is no valid reason why tenders or estimates shoui('( not t-> cbta'inec'i \in ordinary cases; in fact, not to do so is wrong in principle, and savours of favouritism, which is most objectionable where- the administration of public money is concerned. All business people are entitled to consideration in matters of this kind, and it is to be hoped that in future the Governors will adopt the principle of tendering, especially where fairly large amounts are concerned, and in other cases endeavour to see that their patronage is fairly distributed among the business people. With your permission, Sir, I would like to refer to another matter, and that is in regard to the manner in which the Governors are selected. I hold that the present nominative system should be done away with, and the elective principle adopted. In voicing this opinion I do not wish to criticise the personnel or reflect on thegentlemen who at present occupy tlie position ; but as a principle I have contended tor years past that the "pitchfork" method of election should be abolished. It may not be generally known that the first Governors of the College held office for four years, then retired ; and then their successors were elected, the electoral body being that constituted under the provisions of "The Nelson Trust Funds Act, 1854." The voters were the owners and occupiers of land actually residing in the province ; every owner of land of the value of £IOO, or of the annual rental of £ls, had one vote; everv owner of land of the value of £SOO, or the rental value of £SO, two votes; and every owner of the value of £IOOO or upwards, three votes, which was the maximum ; every occupier of land paying a rental of £SO and upwards had two votes; but no person was allowed to record his vote in the dual capacity of occupier and owner. It will theiefore be seen that in those early (and what were considered Conservative) days the elective principle was approved of, yet in this very democratic age t."ie Governors are nominated. In my opinion the time has certainly arrived when the members of all public bodies should be elected by the people (College Governors included). Our Colleges are largely maintained by revenues from land endowments belonging to the people. These endowments comprise no less than about 1000 acres of land, some 300 of which are situated at Riwaka (and some of the finest land in the Dominion). Included in the endowments are 31A acres in the city of Nelson. The endowments are worth many thousands of pounds. In addition, the Government pays the institutions a very large sum for the tuition of "free place pupils." I have not the "exact figures by me ; but I feel i certain it would amount to at least £2OOO per annum. In view of the fact that so much of the revenue derived from the State, it is only right that the people should, have a voice in the selection of Governors; besides the present mode of ajjpointment is quite out of date in this enlightened and democratic age. I am, etc..

WILLIAM LOCK