BY-LAWS WANTED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 72, Issue 199, 22 August 1929, Page 6

BY-LAWS WANTED

EDUCATION BOARD PROCEDURE BUSINESS “IN CAMERA.” That the Wanganui Education Board in dealing with so much matter in committee is not following a wise course might be inferred from remarks made by Mr F. K. Hornblow at a meeting of the Board yesterday. “What rule is applied,” he asked, “with regard to the Board taking matters in committee?” He was of opinion that certain items which were listed on the agenda paper to be taken in camera should come before the full Board. He had noticed that the architect was asking for a rise in salary, then there were teachers salaries, and matters in connection with the Palmerston North Central School. These, he thought, should be discussed in open meeting.

The chairman (Mr W. A. Collins), said that they were just following the usual practice. If there was anything on the order paper which Mr Hornblow thought should not be discussed in committee he would draw attention to it. Mr Hornblow: I think there are some matters which should be discussed in open meeting. Mr Collins: Since I have been connected with the Board it has never been the policy to discuss the salaries in public. Can you give a reason why they should be? Mr Hornblow believed that the Board were trustees of public money and they expended a good deal of it. Open discusion would give a good idea of where that money was spent. He intended to move that the by-laws committee draft by-laws for the Board’s adoption. They had had a by-laws been a member of the Board they had been a member of tse Board they had not had a meeting for seven or eight years.

Mr Collins: Oh yes, they have. Continuing, Mr Hornblow said that the Wellington Board had adopted bylaws and he had repeatedly asked for them in Wanganui. If they had moved at the same time as Wellington they might have saved themselves some money in the printing. There were some things in th e administration of the Board that were not provided for and by-laws should be drafted They would ease the burden on the chairman considerably. Mr Aitken seconded and the motion was carried without a dissentient voice.