Education Board Election,

Otago Witness, Issue 2086, 15 February 1894, Page 21

Education Board Election,

TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — It is pleasing to note the interest which is now being exhibited in the matter of the selection of gentlemen to represent us on the Otago Education Board. In time past, residence in the country, or relation to some one of importance, has been sufficient to enable a man, often otherwise utterly unfit for the position, to find a seat at tbe table cf that very important body. It is not my intention, however, to point out specifically the failings of any members who may now sit, or may have sat at that table, but rather to draw attention to the merits of candidates now before us First we have Mr Fraer, who is the recognised leader of the " official party," as Mr Ramsay designates them in a recent letter. Now, what has Mr Fraer ever done for education ? Has he shown an ability to keep pace with the intellectual march of the times, or recognised the demand for reform in the management of educational affairs in Otago which has become bo pro-

nounced amongst the thinkers both in town and country ? Has he not rather been inclined to raise the cry town vej'sus country, and attempt to create on tho Otago Education Board a party ostensibly a country party, but virtually a party to ba at the beck and call of the board's officers P Did he not on the occasion of the Albany street exposures most decidedly oppose any attempt to curtail the power of the secretary, and thereby prove his official bias ? Let country committees remember this, and reward him by returning him to the quietude of private life Mr Borrie has followed Mr Fraer implicitly and faithfully, and when that is said, all is said that need be. The Hon. John Macgregor needs no eulogy, and it goes without saying that he will secure one of the votes in almost every school in Otago, a reward he richly deserves for the interest he has taken in education for many years. Mr Mark Cohen appears to be next favourite, and it seems very probable that he will secure next place to Mr Macgregor, and be a good second too ; country committees know good men. Mr J. F. M. Fraaer would be a great acquisition to the board, and will be a factor in this election, or I am much mistaken. He has come out on a platform, and that platform is a popular. Of Mr Finlaysou — well, he is not well enough known, and we need not discuss his chances ; nor yet those of Mr Crawford Anderson. Both may be very good men, and no doubt are. To sum up, it seems to me that lovers of fair play, independence, and reform cannot do better than work for the return of Macgregor, Fraser, and Cohen, the progressive candidates. — I am, &c, Sixth Standabd. Inch Valley, February 12.