BOARD OF EDUCATION.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6829, 17 April 1890, Page 3

BOARD OF EDUCATION.

North Canterbury. THIS DAT. An ordinary meeting of the North Canterbury Board of Education was held at 2 p.m. to-day ; present — Messrs A. Saunders (Uhairinan), H.W. Peryrnan, J. Ruddenklau, Meredith, T. H. Anson, P. Weatenra, . T. S. Weston, and E. G. Wright. ELECTION OF MEMBER. The Chairman read the report of the election to fill the extraordinary vacancy caused by the resignation of Mr CunniDgham, stating that 117 voting papers had been received, besides two informal ones. The 117 votes were given aB follows:— John Joyce, 28; H. Allwright. 22; E P«. Good, 21 ; W. J. Steward, 19 ; Eev W* Pinlayson, 17; J. T. Smith, 10. Mr John Joyce was declared duly elected, and took his seat. ELECTION OF CHAIRMAN. The Board then proceeded to elect a Chairman for the ensuing year. MrT. S. Weston moved— "That Mr A. Saunders be elected Chairman for the ensuing year." Mr Saunders had during the past year filled the position -with credit, and showed that he was deeply interested in the work of education. Some time ago Mr Wright had suggested that the position of Chairman should go round among the members, and if so Mr Peryman, as the senior member, would become Chairman for 1890, but he wbb not sure that this view was a correct one. The Chairman must not only have a love of the work, but must have the ability to give the necessary amount of time. Both these qualifications Mr Saunders had. It might be said that the Chairman merely carried out the directions of the Board, but this was not quite correct. Though it was not right that the office Bbould be held in perpetuity, it was fitting that when a gentleman had filled the office with honour to himself and credit to the Board for a year, it was right that he should be aslred to take the office a second time. He would move — "That Mr Saunders be elected Chairman, and that Mr Peryman be requested to act as Deputy-Chair man. during the absence of the Chairman." Mr E. G. Wright regretted thai there had not been a consultation on tht matter before it came before the Board It had been, expected that Mr PerymaD

would have been Chairman thia^ year, and he (Mr Wright) certainly thought that, unless under very special circumstances, the Chairman should be changed every year. Mr Saunders had done his work exceedingly well j but he would have to go to Parliament for three months in the year. Mr Peryman was the oldest member of the Board and aB Chairman of the Buildings Committee, had done excellent work. It waß only by filling the office of Chairman that a member could get a proper idea of the working of the system. In urging Mr Peryman s claims he was not doing so from any disrespect to Mr Saundera. He moved, as an amendment — " That Mr Peryman elected Chairman for the ensuing year. Mr Außon thought that it was a pity that this matter had come on in open Board, as it would have been much better had it been settled before the meeting. Mr Westenra said he thought that the Board had affirmed the principle that the office of Chairman should be held for one year only. He fully recognised Mr Saunders' ability as Chairman, but would point out that he would be absent at Parliament for a part of the year, and that Mr Peryman, besides beiug the oldest member, had shown great ability in the office of Chairman of the Buildings Committee. He seconded the nomination of Sir Peryman. Mr Meredith said that he fully agreed that Mr Saunders had done good work as Chairman, but he thought that the office should go round, and that, moreover, if any member had to do the work of Chairman, he should have the houour of the office in its entirety, and not merely act as deputy. Mr Kuddenklau eaid that, on tbe whole, he was inclined to support the amendment, as he thought that the office should pass from one member to another every year, and that Mr Peryman had strong claims to the office. Mr Joyce felt in a very difficult position. He had come entirely tree from bias, and could wish that the matter could be deferred till next meeting. On the whole he thoughtthab it would be better to re-elect the retiringChairman,asitwasevidentthat the time was near when the friends of the present sjrStem would have to do all they could to defend it, especially in Parliament^ where Mr Saunders' services would be of great value. He knew the value of Mr Saunders' work in the past, and thought that the interests of the Board would be best served by retaining him as Chairman for another year. Mr Weston quite agreed with Mr Wright that it would have been desirable had a consultation been held on the subject, and he had endeavoured to see Mr Wright with that object. He quite agreed with what Mr Joyce had said as to the desirableness of ro-eiocting' Mr Saur.dere, but could assure Mr Jforynian that it was out of no want of respect to him thathe had supp or c 1 Mr Saunders. The Chairman, Mr Saunders, said that though it might have been desirable to have had a consultation on the subject, it could nob be expected that, under the circumstances, he could arrange for one. He did not seek re-election, and would ask Mr Weston to withdraw his nomination. Mr Weston said that he would do so, but with regret. The question "That Mr Peryman be elected Chairman " was then carried nein con. Mr Peryman thanked the members for his election, adding that the position had not been sought by him. He had a great respect for Mr Saunders, and fully appreciated his work. He had sat af; the feet" of a number of Chairmen of the Board, and hoped that he bad imbibed some of their wisdom. He fully recognised the ability and earnestness of all the members, and would almost like to reply to some of the charges which had been made against them. (Several members, " No.") He might say that he considered that he came to tbe Board aa the representative o£ the School Committees. He wouldi'endeavour to do his duty with due regard to the interests of all. It was decided that Mr Sauuders should preside for the remainder of tho present meeting. [Left sitting.]