The Waipa Post. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, JULY 16, 1915. AUCKLAND EDUCATION BOARD.

Waipa Post, Volume IX, Issue 432, 16 July 1915, Page 2

The Waipa Post. PUBLISHED EVERY TUESDAY AND FRIDAY FRIDAY, JULY 16, 1915. AUCKLAND EDUCATION BOARD.

THIS district, forming part of the Western Ward of the Auckland education district, is soon about to secure fresh representation on the Auckland Education Board. In the election now in progress, and under the provisions of the legislation of last year, the voting is conducted by members of the school committees, who, by virtue of the fact that they are elected by the public, act for the public in the setting up of the district administrative Board. It is' a lamentable fact, however, that very little seems to be known, even by many of -the committeemen, let alone the public, of the constitution of these education boards, or of the extent of the education districts, or of the district divisions or wards. The district is divided into rural areas and urban areas, each of which have distinct representation. The rural area is divided into three wards, each of

which is entitled to scud two representatives, and in the case of this district, we form a port of the western division. This west ward comprises that large area extending from Auckland South to and including Awakino, Waitomo, and Ohura counties, together with West Taupo and Kaitieke, and includes Raglan county and the schools of Hamilton district. Roughly speaking, that takes in the districts along the Main Trunk railway from Otahuhu to Raurimu. Present representation is through men who reside in or near to Auckland city, and consequently we can safely assume that the southern area of the ward is not receiving that measure of consideration which local representation would assure. For the election now in progress two candidates are in the field, Mr Barribal, a Waiuku resident, and Mr James Boddie, a well-known public man throughout the King Country. Mr Barribal, who has for some time been associated with the Auckland Board, is little known here, and he knows little of the changing district surroundings, and because of this is ill-fitted to forward the just claims of this district for greater educational facilities. On the other hand, Mr Boddie has served a long and faithful apprenticeship in the interests of Waikato and King Country. His knowledge of the district, its needs past, present, and future — justify his claim for election. Just now, in particular, this end of the district must have direct and personal representation in view of the attempt that is being made to cut off the Counties of Waitomo, Ohura, and Awakino, and attach them to the more remote Taranaki education district. The combined committees representing the Hamilton and Frankton schools have already interested themselves, and the following appeal has been issued by them toother committees:— J' That this meeting of the combined school committees of Hamilton East, Hamilton West, and Frankton heartily support the candidature of Mr James Boddie, of Te Kuiti, for the vacant seat on the West Ward of the Auckland Education Board, and pledge itself to do all possible for his return." We hope all members of the several committees in this district will take a live interest in this election. The voting papers have now gone out to,the chairmen of the respective committees, and we urge every committeeman to see that his vote is registered. While on the subject of district representation on the Auckland Education Board, we cannot let the occasion pass without expressing the district appreciation of all that Mr W. Auld has done to represent many pressing needs to the proper authorities. Mr Auld represents the eastern ward but apparently does not confine his interest and energies to within the set boundaries of his particular division. Jt is seldom, if ever,, during the last year or so, that the men who should acquaint themselves of local conditions, have visited this locality, and had it not been for Mr Auld's interest we are afraid that this district would have fared very much worse. /