BOARD OF EDUCATION CHAIRMANSHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10131, 14 May 1896, Page 6

BOARD OF EDUCATION CHAIRMANSHIP.

MR. R. UDY TO RESIGN.

CONCILIATORY ATTITUDE ASSUMED

BY MEMBERS. Thk much vexed question of the chairman, ship of the Board of Education was again brought forward at yesterday's meeting of the Board prior to proceeding with the ordinary business, there being present; Messrs. Udy, Luke, Woodward, Lambe, Wright, Harris, and Muir. The members were in attendance at the Boardroom several minutes before the hour of 10.30, and when the appointed time arrived, Mr. Udy, instead of Beating himself in the chair, informed those present that be wished to make a statement before the business was proceeded with, said statement being a voluntary one, and one which he bad prepared without consulting his colleagues, Messrs. Luke and Woodward. He then proceeded as follows:— " Gentlemen,— BeJore proceeding with the business I desire to make a statement. The circumstances attending the conduct of thh Board's business at its last meeting are not such as can possibly conduce to the object of the Board's existence, viz., the discipline of the service and the best interests of our own schools. Nothing that has ever occurred during my long connection with the Board has given me so much pain as these occurrences—not because, let me say, of any personal inconvenience, but for possible harm to our work, and I do not doubt that the feeling of distress has been shared by every member. I desire to put an end to the present strained position, and that in a manner which I trust will be satisfactory to all. I therefore now state that at our next meeting I shall resign the chair; and further, I now give notice that I will then move that the Board proceed to elect a chairman, I give this notice in order that every member of the Board may know beforehand what is proposed. I need hardly say that I shall not be a candidate for the office. I now suggest that the business should bo gone on with, and I earnestly trust that every member of the Board will cooperate in discharging tbe large amount of arrears of work."

Mr. Which? thought it would be as well that the Board should discuss the question j of the chairmanship for a few minutes before entering upon the business of the day. At last week proceedings they had gone beyond the bounds of decency and dignity, a deplorable state of affair* that he sincerely hoped would not again take place, and certainly would not as far as he was concerned. It was a matter for regret that ■ anything of the kind had occurred. Air. Mum expressed himself pleased at the conciliatory manner in which Mr. Udy had made the statement ; in fact, if that gentleman had not mado the statement, he himself (Mr. Muir) had intended speaking in a similar strain in order to bring about an end of the difficulty. With the other members, ho was sorry the frasas of last week had occurred, and hoped that they would not have a repetition to-day. It was unseemly and unedifying that a public body in charge of the education of such a large number of children should act in such a manner. He would propose that the whole matter of the Chairmanship should be referred to the Judge in Chambers for his decision, the members not to appear as litigants, but merely submit the question and abide by his decision. The Board's solicitor, be thought, would be the proper person to draw up the statement. He had been advised that he was legally elected to the chair, and Mr. Ddv, on the other hand, had also been advised that be was the legal occupant. Perhaps it would bo just as well to act on Mr. Wright's suggestion and adjourn the meeting until eleven o'clock for the purposo of discussing the position of affairs in a conciliatory and amicable spirit for a few minutes.

Mr. Udy suggested thab the business on the order paper left over from last meeting, and to which there had been no additions, should be completed. He would then feel that the Board had done their work and duty to tho public, and his duty as Chairman would then be done with.

Mr. Lambk also expressed pleasure at the conciliatory attitude assumed by members, and was gratified to find that no further business had been added to the order paper. He was in tou&ii with tho suggestion thrown out by Mr. Wright, as the discussion might briug about some satisfactory solution of the difficulty, and prevent any repetition of last woek's scene. Mr. Udy's statement had come as a surprise. The Board then adjourned until eleven o'clock, and when they returned to business Mr. Muir was absent.

Mr. Lambe asked Mr. Udy if he had stated his intention of resigning the chair ? and on that gentleman replying in the affirmative, he moved : " That in view of the absence of Mr. Moir (the chairman) Mr. Udy be elected to preside over this meeting." Mr. Wright seconded the motion, which was supported by Mr. Harris. Mr. Udv said ho could not accept the proposition, and Mr. Woodward, in support, said Mr. Udy was the chairman of the Board.

Mr. Udy then took the chair, and called upon the secretary to read the minutes of the previous meeting, on the completion of which Mr. Waioirr pointed out that certain omissions had been made in the minute book, and proceeded to read a protest against the omissions as follows:—" We, I the undersigned members of th« Auckland j Board of Education, having challenged the accuracy of the minutes, in so far that certain proceedings transacted at the meet-' ing of the Board on Slli May, 1896, have been omitted to be entered in the Board's minute book although ordered to be entered by a majority of the Board present, hereby enter our protest, in order that such business shall be entered in the Board's minute book. The business referred to is as follows :—At a meeting of the Board of Education, held in the Board room on Wednesday, 6th day of May, 1896, at 10,30 a.m., thoro wero present Messrs. Luke, Lambe, Harris, Muir, Woodward, Wright, and Udy. It was moved by Mr. Harris, and seconded by Mr. Wright, that Mr. Muir preside over this meeting. Mr. Muir then called for nominations for the position of chairman of the Board. Mr. Wright moved, and Mr. Harris seconded, that Mr. Muir be appointed chairman of the Board. This was put to the meeting and carried unanimously. Mr. Udy do. clinod to vacate tho chair, when Mr. Muir took his place at the head of the table and carried on the business of the Board.— Signod : Jambs Mom (Chairman). A. R. Harris, W. Lambe, J. Hv. Wright. On it being agreed that the protest be entered on the Board's minutes, tho minutes ; wore then confirmed.

Mr. Woodward thought the protest ridiculous and contrary to the opinions of Sir Robert Stout, Mr. Hesketh, and Mr. Thoo. Cooper. It was as good as saying that these gentlemen were wrong. After a short discussion, the business was proceeded with and concluded. Mr. Rice (the secretary) then asked to be allowed to take the decision of tho Board on a letter whioh had been handed to him when they resumed business at eleven o'clock. He did nob wish to be placed in a false position. The letter was then read as follows:-"Auckland, May 13. The Secretary Board of Education, Auckland. Sir,—l will be unable to attend the meeting of the Board to-day, but will call ab the office to-morrow to transact any business that may require ray attention,— etc., James Muir, Chairman of Board." Mr. Rice then asked what course he was to adopb under the circumstances ? Mr. Luke then moved, "That Mr. Muir be informed that Mr. Udy has nob resigned r the office of chairman."

Mr. Harris moved as an amendment, "That Mr. Muir be instructed thab when hi* services should be required he be consulted by tho secretary," in the meantime he would be satisfied to soe the secretary draw up the order paper and prepare the business for tho next meeting.

The amendment was then pub to bhe meeting and lost, and the original motion was carried.

The Board then adjourned until Wednesday next at 10.30 a.m.