AUCKLAND SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3352, 12 June 1918, Page 48

AUCKLAND SCHOOL COMMITTEE.

AN UPROARIOUS MEETING. (Fhou Oob Own Cou&zsyoTnves r.) AUCKLAND, June 6. Considerable uproar and confusion occurred at a meeting of city householders, held in the Town Hall last evening to elect a school committee, probably owing to the interest created by the election of two rival committees at householders' meetings held in April, which elections were subsequently declared void, and: a new election ordered. There was an attendance of upwards of 1030. Nine nominees were run on the Protestant "ticket," and what was regarded and freely spoken of as the introduction of sectarianism into tho election was apparently responsible for the unruly nature of the first part of tho meeting. There were obviously two factions in the hall, and many adherents of both were in a very excited state and continually interrupted the remarks of those who were endeavouring to preside over the meeting. Disorder first arose over the appointment of a chairman, and it continued until tho scrutineers commenced their examination of the ballot papers. With regard to tho voting itself, many people openly asserted that illegalities ■were taking place, and that some people were voting more than once. _ One young woman was challenged by another member of tho meeting that she had voted three times, but she stoutly denied the allegation. The voting papers were handed out to those who voted bv the Rev. A. A. Murray (who was appointed chairman) and bv Dr Reekie (who was appointed one of the scrutineers). Each person who wished to exercise a vote was required to go U P to the platform to receive a voting _ paper, which was handed over on application. Those who were on the Protestant "tioket" had their own ballot papers printed, and tho chairman of the retiring committee (Mr W Kane) also had: ballot papers printed; bnf these were not used. The result was that the nominees on the Protestant "ticket" were elected en bloo by very large majorities.