AN ACTING CHAIRMAN

Southland Times, Issue 20669, 15 December 1928, Page 5

AN ACTING CHAIRMAN

EDUCATION BOARD EPISODE. MR A. W. JONES APPOINTED. The elevation of Mr P. de la Perrelle to Cabinet rank and the multifarious duties his office will entail caused Mr J. C. Thomson to suggest at yesterday’s meeting of the Education Board that an acting-chair-man be appointed. “As you are aware,” said Mr Thomson, “our chairman has been given Cabinet rank and without, wishing to anticipate matters I think it advisable that an acting-chair-man should be appointed. Mr Perrelle’s duties may keep him in Wellington for a considerable time and the work of the board must go on. The Invercargill ward has not had a chairman for many years and I think the office should be a rolling one. I am going to move that Mr A. W. Jones be appointed acting-chairman.” Mr Evans seconded the motion, stating that he also believed in the office being a rolling one. Mr Rice said that he considered the appointment should be deferred until the chairman was present. Should Mr Perrelle find it necessary to resign it was only fair that he should have a say in appointing his successor. Mr Rice moved as an amendment that the matter be held over until the chairman was present. Mr Smith said that he agreed with Mr Rice. Mr Johnson also supported Mr Rice’s suggestion that the matter be deferred. He moved a further amendment that Mr H. Smith be appointed chairman for the meeting. Mr Carswell said that he would support the motion. It was no slight on the chairman to appoint an acting-chairman. He would merely take Mr Perrelle’s place until his return. Mr Rice then withdrew his amendment in favour of Mr Johnson’s amendment that Mr Smith be appointed chairman for the meeting. For the amendment three members (Messrs Johnson, Rice and Smith voted) and for the motion four (Messrs Jones, Carswell, Thomson and Evans). Mr Jones therefore became acting-chair-man and took the vacant seat. Mr Jones, in returning thanks, said that he would do all he could in the interests of the board. He hoped he would justify the confidence reposed in him and asked for the cordial support of all members, whether they had voted for him or not. Mr Smith assured the chairman that all members were anxious to do all that they could for the board. He could count on the support of all.