BOARD SUES ITS MEMBERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LII, Issue 156, 30 June 1914, Page 8

BOARD SUES ITS MEMBERS.

QUESTION OF EXPENSES.

[BY TELEORAPTI.—VRFSS ASSOCIATION.] New Pi.YMorni, Monday. A decision was given by the magistrate to-day in the rase in which the Taranaki Education Board sued two of its members for an amount surcharged by the Audit Department in connection with tho expenses of a member who attended a conference in Wellington to join in a protest against proposed educational legislation, and who visited the Minister at the Mine time. Tho plaintiff board hold that the visit was not authorised, and therefore not an official visit.

Tlio magistral held that it was not part of tho duly of a nombcr of the board, nor of education boards, to hold or attend a conference to protest against proposed educational legislation. They were merely concerned with the administration of education under the existing laws. The powers of a member were co-extensive with those of a board. Thorn still remained the visit to the Minister, for which expenses had been paid. It had been contended that Morton had not been appointed to make that visit, and could not claim expenses. Although Morion's report dealt with the visit, the resolution confirming tho chairman's action was silent on the point. The voucher certainly referred to it, but it was not suggested that members ever saw it, and ho could not consider what they would have done if it had been shown to them. Tho chairman could not himself make tho appointment, and tho board did not by resolution confirm it.

Judgmont was given for the plaintiff, leave to appeal being granted.