PATEA EDUCATION BOARD ELECTION.

Patea Mail, Volume 1, Issue 48, 25 September 1875, Page 2

PATEA EDUCATION BOARD ELECTION.

* —- THE NOMINATION.

Pursuant to an advertisement, a meeling of educational ratepayers of the Patea district was held at the Court House, Carlyle, for the purpose of nominating gentlemen to fill the two seats lately created by the Amended Education Ordinance. There were but fow f ratepayers present, and very little interest appeared to he manifested in the event, which may ho accounted for from the short notice afforded to the announcement. Punctually to the hour named, Major Turner informed the meeting that he had been appointed by His Honour the Deputy Superintendent to preside as Returning Officer, and after reading his appointment and the advertisement convening the meeting, called for nominations. Mr W. Williams proposed Mr Henry Williamson, who was seconded by Mr T. Delamore. Mr Tallin proposed Mr D. Coutts, and Mr Williams seconded the nomination. Mr Ivess said that it afforded him great pleasure in proposing Mr R. E. of Kakaramea, —a gentleman whom he felt confident would make a very excellent member of the Board, and from tlm broad and liberal breath of views womb :c: ’ gentleman was known to pcw - ■ v sure that his nomination w ml ; / mv:. the support of all classes. He was a gentleman that benefited by a system of cduca-

tion that was admired by all side;}, and its success envied by other parts of the colony. Ho (the speaker) referred to Nelson’s must admirable Education Act, and he felt confident from Mr Mcßae’s intimate knowledge with the working and provisions of that Act, Unit his election to the Board would be an acquisition, and trusted that the result of the poll would return him as a member.

Mr if. McCarthy bad much pleasure in seconding the nomination. Mr F. McGuire begged to propose Mr James Southby, and regretted that gentleman was unavoidably absent. He was certain that Mr Southby, if elected, would make a good member of the Board, as lie possessed interest in all parts of the district. Mr Fcnnoxa seconded the nomination. There being no other nomination, the Returning Officer called for a show of hands, with the following result ; R. E. Mcßae 13 I). Contts ... ... ... 9 H. Williamson ... ... 8 J. Southby ... ... ... 5 Mr McGuire demanded a poll on behalf of Mr Southby. Mr Coutts feared that ha could hardly do justice at that mooting to so important a question to parents as education, without a reasonable time to prepare himself. The means at the present time at the disposal of the Board wore very limited, but there was one important matter that the Board Wvndd shortly be called upon to deal with, viz., the Educational Reserves. If elected, lie would use his strenuous efforts to discourage district favouritism, as he considered, although the Board held its meetings iu Carlyle, the interests of the outlying districts were entitled to due consideration, and that the rates and other

sources of income should be evenly distributed in the erection of schools and schoolmasters’ residences throughout the district, and that the education of children residing at a distance should not be neglected. Mr 11. Williamson said that he had been requested by a number of settlers to allow himself to be nominated, and if elected he would serve each district impartially. He would like sec school houses erected while the Board was in funds, as as ho feared after a year or two the reserves of the Board would not ho in quiie so nourishing a condition. The Board would do well to take advantage of all the grants and rents likely to accrue from the various reserves, and proceed at once to lay the foundation for the education of the rising generation by building schoi laonses and appointing masters throughout the district. The peiiod for leasing the reserves would i o doubt claimlhe early consideration of the Board, and he was of opinion, after conversations held with a number of likely applicants, that the longer the reserves were leased for, the higher rents would he secured. The matter whould receive his due consideration if he was honoured with a scat on the Board, and as that body was already in operation, lie had no doubt, but that its administration would continue to conduce to l!ic genera! interest of the whole district.

Mr F. McCarthy—Will you keep tho schools free from religious teachings ? Mr Williamson —lf elected, I shall not disturb the. existing arrangements in connection with om- schools during my term of office.

Mr McUab endorsed Mr Williamson's views to a very great extent, and it returned, would help all schools without a flection for locality, and advocate the schools being coiiilucted on the secular principle. (Hear, hear.) Mr McGinnis con'd vonc’u for Mr Southby’s readiness to act impartially towards all districts, and in favour of leasing- the reserves to the very bust advantage. He possesses property at Kotomarao, Kakaramoa, Carlyle—in fact in all parts of the district, and all knew him as an honourable and straig'htforward gentleman. After a vote of thanks, moved by Mr McGuire, to the Heturuiiig Officer, the proceedings terminated.