SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTION AT AUCKLAND.

Colonist, Volume XLIX, Issue 11924, 2 May 1907, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTION AT AUCKLAND.

Auckland, May 1

A protest against the election ol Maoris as members of the Awanui School Committee was made to the 3oad of Education to-day by a number of householders, on the ground that the Maoris elected were neither householders nor residents in the district; that they had no children attending European schools, and had already voted for a Maori School Committee. Mr Clanditt, on behalf of the Europeans, attended the meeting, and said that the Maoris were taken to the meeting from gumiields outside tho sohools district by a person who took charge of the meeting, and ruled that the Maoris were entitled to vote. The result was that the Maoris were elected a Committee for the European schools, although they did not understand English. Tbe Europeans refused to vote at this meeting, but subsequently held a meeting and elected Europeans. It was decided that the election be declared void, and that another election take place. An objection was also taken to the East TamaKi election by residents on the ground of the decision pf tbe Chairman of the householders meeting that husbands and wives could riot both vote, and that ballot paper were given to persons who had no right to vote. Mr Harris, member of the Board and Chairman of the householders' meeting, said that he ruled tnat only one vote would bo allowed each householder unless thoy had children attending tna school, believing that to be the law. He did not refuse ballot papers to any man who was entitled to vote. It was resolved that a new election take place.