SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13412, 9 May 1912, Page 4 (Supplement)

SCHOOL COMMITTEE ELECTIONS.

NELSON.

(From -The Colonist," April 23.)

Thore was a large meeting of householders at the Provincial Hall last night. His Worship the Mayor (Mr. T. A. H. Field) was voted to tho chair.

The cji;iirn:;;n. called on the secretary (Mr. Seibj) to read the- report and statement of accounts, wiiere were adapted.

Air. F. G. Gibbs said as l-egards the holidays the teachers were not responsibk; for thorn. Holidays was not a teachers' question, but one for the parents. Ho 'referred uj a letter which had appeared in print on Friday night, which lie devuifcti ;i cowardly and contemptible attack on a teacher, and such a letter shouiu not have appeared under a norn de plume, tie denied somo of the statements in that letter.

Mr. A. Wimsett, in reply to Mr. Gibbs, contended children should not be given sums to do. in which they .had not been instructed.

Mr. Ingram said the workers were in favour of hop-picking holidays. Thoy considered the question financially, also as a means of recruiting the health of the children. The industry enabled the parents to provide winter clothing for tho children.

The Rev. J. EL MacKenzie pointed out that prosecutions for non-attendance oi scholars had taken place for years. The committee had to see the law carried out, and they had acted in the best interests of the children. If a majority of the parents desired to have hop-pick-ing holidays, let it be so, but he did not think they did. A long spell from school work ho considered was best for tho scholars, who afterwards came quite freshened ur> to their duties.

Mr. A. T.~ Maginnity said the holiday question was easy of solution. The parents, if they wanted hop-picking holidays given, should approach the committee, who would make a recommendation to the Education Board on the matter. There need be no friction or illfeeling. The Committee . had carried out their functions in the best interests of education. He said parents need not be put to much cost for school books. Ho thought an arrangement might bo made for an interchange of reading books between the difFerent educational districts.

Mr. Lock thought it was not clearly put to the children and parents what books they could obtain free.

My. Gibbs pointed out that he had made application for some school books last November, and he had not got them yet.

Mr. Worley said he had informed his scholars repeatedly what books they could be supplied with .free. Out of sixty-six boys only two boys applied for free books. The reason doubtless was that the books the parents bought the boys could take home, but tho books supplied free of cost had to remain at school, and could not be taken home. He also complained of books not coming to hand.

Mr. Boyes agreed with Mr. Maginnity as regards the hop-picking holidays. He said tho winter holidays could be done away with, and the summer holidays curtailed, and so provided for. the hop-picking holidays. . ' •

The chairman said he lifcWl to see criticisms in tho newspapers, and he did not object to a norn de plume. It was far better that the people should take an interest in public affairs

Mr. Gibbs said what he objected to was an attack on a lady teacher undo]1 a norn de plume.

The chairman called for nominations for the Committee, when nine new candidates were proposed, and these, with the six nominated last week, went to the ballot, namely, Messrs. A. Karsten, E. Snvarv. W. \ir'tv\ A. Wimsett, F. Liley, H. Wilkins J. >isW H. Watsmi. 10 .' Grovo, W. MeOoiichie, J. N. Easdalo, E. E. Boyes, the Revs. J. H. Mackenzie and J. 1\ Komptliorne, and B. L. Thomas.

Messrs. Heath and Condell were elected n.s scrutineers.

Mr. Worley moved, and Mr. W. J. ALbfr.itt that it bo a reou<\st tn tho incoming committee tn tzke> a referendum of the parents regarding the hon-pickini; holidays.

The motion was carried by 44 ayes to 27 noes.

In reply to a question, tlw Rev. J. H. MacKonzie said tho recent nrosocuiions oi' parents wcro tako:i on a dead level, and there was no respecting of persons. The ballot was started, when tho chairman asked the candidates—yes or no, were they in favour of hop-picking holidays ? The Roy. J. 11. MacKenzie strongly protested. The "'whole business was illegal, and h© would appeal to tho Education Board. . The scrutineers having returned, the chairman said the result of the ballot was— E. E. Boyes 84 J. N. Easdale 73 E. Savage 71 B. L. Thomas 71 A. Karsten 66 A. Wimsett 61 E. Grove 60 W. McConchie 59 R. Watson 54 H. Wilkins 54 The names of Messrs. Watson and Wilkins were put in a hat, and the chairman drew tho name of Mr. R. Watson. He declared the nine elected. Votes of thanks were given to the retiring Committee, to the scrutineers, and to the chairman. The new Committee met immediately, when Mr. E. E. Boyos was elected as! chairman, and Mr.' Selby as secretary and treasurer.