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Taranaki Daily News, 19 December 1924, Page 6

An anomaly in the laws of New Zealand as they affect the rights of women was referred to in humorbus fashion by the Mayor .(Mr. F. E. Wilson) at the break-ing-up ceremony of the New Plymouth Girls’. High School last night. “Women,” said Mr. Wilsojn, “can become barristers and solicitors of our Supreme Court and there seems to be nothing to prevent becoming judges of the court, but our' very wise legislature has decreed that they cannot become justices of the peace.” It was laid down that to become a justice of the peace one must be of good repute, but laughter drowned the rest of Mr. Wilson’s remarks as those present grasped the obvious inference. Mr. Wilson also mentioned that in civic life a woman could be something a man could never be. She could be mayor and mayoress at one and the same time. The Assistant Director of Education (Dr. E. Marsden) conferred yesterday morning with representatives of the New Plymouth High Schools’ Board and Technical College Board regarding certain details qf the proposed amalgamation of the schools, and other matters relating to th« schools. He later conferred with representatives of the Taranaki Education Board regarding various matters, including the proposed establishment of a district high school at Opunake. The results of the conference will be embodied in recommendations to be made to the department by Dr. Marsden. With reference to the vacant position on the staff of the Boys’ High School, caused by\Jje < death of Mr. R. H. Rockel and the quent promotion of Mr. A. W. Diprose w an arrangement was mad e for a modification of the staff grading, and it is understood a D grade assistant will be advertised for at once.