ELECTION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 11952, 29 April 1902, Page 6

ELECTION OF SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

The annual meetings of householders for the election of school committees for the management of the schools within the Auckland education district were held last night. The following are reports of the meetings held in the city and suburbs: — , CITY. The meeting of City householders was held in St. James' Hall. About 70 householders attended. Mr. Arthur Rosser was called to the chair. The chairman of the committee (Mr. John McLeod) read the annual report (which has already been published) and the balance-sheet, which showed the total receipts for the year to have been £705 19s 9d, including £62 14s lid carried forward from last year, 1 and after meeting the committee's expenses the year closed with a balance of £72 4s lid. The report and balance-sheet were adopted without discussion. The following candidates for seats on the committee had been nominated prior to the meeting:—A. H. Chapped, Philip Crowe, Robert Fmdlav, P. M. Mackay, John -McLeod, E. H. Montgomery, John Preston. Win. Sherson, Carl VVestphal, John Gordon. The following additional nominations were made : —E. Healey, James Aggers, and Edward Heigh way. There was thus 13 candidates for the nine seats. The ballot was then proceeded with, Messrs. Strong, Wilson, C. Chappell, and Newburn being appointed scrutineers. The result of the election was announced as follows: —John MeLeod, 69; A. H. Chappell, 60; P. M. Mackay, 60; W. Sherson, 60; Philip Crowe, 57: Robert Findlay, 54; Carl Westphal, 54 ; John Preston, 50; E. H. Montgomery, 36. Unsuccessful: John Gordon, 34; E. Healey, 25; James Aggers, 16; E. Heighway, 16. While the votes were being counted it was resolved, en the motion of Mr. Gordon, " That the incoming committee be authorised to forward to the Education Board that portion of the committee's report recommending that the examinations should take place just before Christmas, and that the sixth standard pupils from all schools should be examined at one time in one place, using one set of papers." The new committee met after the householders' meeting, Mr. John MeLeod was unanimously elected chairman and Mi. P. Crowe treasurer.

NEWTON. The annual meeting of householders in the Newton Schools Committee district was held in St. George's Hall, Newton. Mr. J. W. Shackelford presided. The annual report, which has already been published, was adopted. Mr. Shackelford referred to the closing of one of the schools under tho jurisdiction of the committee on account of scarlet fever, and suggested it would be a good thing in the future if all schools were fumigated and disinfected every Christmas holidays. On the motion of the Rev. E. C. Budd, tho meeting passed a vote congratulating the headmasters and teaching staffs of the Newton schools on tho excellent results of their work during the past year. An election for nine committeemen resulted in the return of tho following:—J. M. White, 44; D. R. Talbot, 43: G. Baildon, 43; R. James, 42: G. J. Garland, 41: J. O. B.awden, 40; J. D. Gow, 40: J. Peak, 39; C. 11. Bottrill, 31. The only other candidate nominated was W. S. Smith, who received 30 votes. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. G. Knight for his long and valuable services on the committee. At a meeting of the committee, held subsequently, Mr. G. .T. Garland was fleeted chairman, Mr. J. M. White treasurer, and Mr. J. M. French secretary, PONSONBY. The annual meeting of householders in the Ponaonby schools district was held in the Ponsonby Hall last night, there being a large attendance, a keen interest being taken in the proceedings. Mr. D. B. McDonald was voted tcs the chair. The annual report of the outgoing school committee, a summary of which has been published, was taken as read. The following 15 gentlemen were nominated for the nine vacancies on the new committee: —Messrs. W. J. Rees. A. S. Russell, .1. 11. Gregory, .1. Gittos, G. Rainev, C. .1. Parr, W. Taylor, A. N. Sneddon, H. N. Bagnall, J. W. Stewart, D. J. Wright, W. .1. Morgan, 8. H. Davenport, W. J. Courtney, and ,J. Paterson. The following eight gentlemen wero selected as scrutineers: Messrs. J. Stichbnry, M. Casey, R. Ballantvne T. Burnard, C. S. Shepherd, A. J. iturrldall. M. Fairs, and J. Newel 1. The voting was then proceeded with, and resulted as follows: — Messrs. W. ,7. Rees, 103: A. S. Russell, £5; .1. 11. Gregory, 72; .1. W. Stewart, 72; W. Taylor 71: .1. dittos, 69; C. J. Parr, 67; D. .1. Wright, 67; G. Rainey, 66; A N. Sneddon, 58; 11. N. Bagnall, 55; S. H. Davenport, 52: .1. Paterson, 24; W. .1. Morgan, 23: and W. J. Courtney, 22. The first nine wero declared duly elected. On the motion of Mr. W. .1. Kees a vote of thanks to the chairman (Mr. D. B. McDonald) and the scrutineers was carried by acclamation. At a meeting of the new committee held subsequently Mr. W. J. Been was elected chairman.

PARNELL. The annual meeting of Parnell householders was held in the schoolroom last overling, when there was a very fair attendance present. Mr. N. W. Pollard 5 was voted to the chair. The annual report on school work, as already published, was adopted, also the account-), showing receipts £118 18s Bd, end expenditure £114 14s Bd. leaving a credit balance of 4s. It was decided to recommend the Education Board to provide for cookery instruction classes at the public! schools, for the benefit of the elder girls. The Rev. Hugh Kelly introduced the question of Bible-reading in schools, and, on his motion, seconded by Mr. Mitchell, it was decided to urge the Government to take a plebiscite of the people of New Zealand on Bible-reading in public schools, and if it is found that the people are in favour, to take immediate steps to L -ive effect, to their wishes. Others spoke in favour of Bible-reading in schools, among the number Canon MaeMurray, who strongly emphasised the necessity for a basis and guide for the moral conduct of the children. Mr. W. Thomas and the chairman spoke in opposition to Biblereading in schools. The following is the result of the ballot for the committee, for which 11 nominations were received for the nine vacancies:—Canon Mac Murray. 47~; W. C. Speight, 41; the Rev. Hugh Kelly, 40; N. AV. Pollard, 36; W. 11. 0. Johnston, 33; John Earl, 33; J. Petford, 31; R. G. Edgcumbe, 30: H. Knight, 29; Francis Fitt, 24; J. Jickell, 14. The firstnamed nine were declared elected, and at a subsequent meeting the Rov. Hugh Kelly was re-elected chairman.

GRAFTON. The annual meeting of householders of the Grafton school district was held in the school. A largo number of householders attended. Mr. Michaels was voted to the chair. A motion was carried in favour of a central class in some one school for the teaching of a seventh standard. The following were appointed members of the new committee: — Messrs. J. Burton, J. Robinson, C. Laver, J. W. Howson, J. McDougnll, A. Atkin, Coles, J. White, and P. Hitchcock. Mr. Burton was elected chairman.

NEWMARKET. The annual meeting of householders was held last evening in the Newmarket schoolhouse, Mr. W. Whyman presiding. About 20 persons were present. The annual report, read by Mr. H. M. Jcrvis, stated that the finances of the school were not too flourishing, and the hon. secretary had written to the Board for a sum to liquidate all outstanding accounts, so that if the Board acquiesced the committee would start, with a clean sheet. The receipts for the year were £54 15s 6d. and payments £42 Os 9d; credit at bank March 31, £12 13s lid; outstanding liabilities, £26 7s 6d, of which £5 12s 6d would be refunded by the Board. It was pleasing to note that the attendance at the school had been satisfactory with the roll of 270, and attendance averaging 235.4. The necessity of regular attendance of the pupils was strongly urged on the parents. The drainage and sanitary condition of the school and grounds had had duo attention, and it was satisfactory to note the small percentage of sickness among the pupils for the year. On the motion of Mr. H. Brooks, seconded by Mr. Henry, the report was adopted. The election of a committee for the ensuing year resulted as follows: —Messrs. J. M. Laxon (chairman), James Cahill (secretary), A. Seccombe, John McColl, H. G. Lumsdon, J no. Gaston, A. Anderson, James Hendry and Jamas Harris.

. DEVONPORT. The meet-in? of Devonport householders was held in the school. Mr. 0. Mays prosided. The report and balance-sheet, as already published, were adopted. The following gentlemen were nominated as members of the committee for the ensuing year: — Messrs. P. 11. Mason, E. Bartlev, Gould, Mays, Buddie, S. 0. Maoky, Wilkinson, Baulf, .Tones, Croshor. Renshow, the Revs. R. Ferguson and Eykin. The following were elected:— P. H. Mason, E. Hartley. J. B. Gould, 0. Mays, J. F. Buddie, S. C. Maoky, W. Wilkinson, 11. J. Baulf, and the Rev. It. Ferguson. The Rev. R. Ferguson, during the counting of the votes, spoke as to the advisability of taking a plebiscite of the people of New Zealand, and petitioning the. Government on the need for introducing tho reading of the Bible hi pchools, and put forward a motion to that effect. Mr. Hannan seconded. Tho motion was opposed by Mr. Graham. Mr. Baulf supported, and the motion was carried.