West Coast Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST l5, 1902 VOTING POWER OF SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

West Coast Times, Issue 12282, 15 August 1902, Page 2

West Coast Times. FRIDAY, AUGUST 15, 1902 VOTING POWER OF SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

The recent election of three members of the Westland Education Board has revived interest in the question of ihe granting of the franchise in connection with such elections to members of the committees of management of certain districts where tbe number of children in attendance at tbe respective schools is small. The committee of the Callaghan's district brought

the matter to a direct issue at last meeting of the Education Board and a brief notice of the consequent discussion appearing in this paper, has led on the pan ot our esteemed contemporary the 41 Grey mouth Star " to a mipapprehen gion of tbe action of the Board. We therefore desire to explain the position at greater length in justice to the Board and for the information of tbe publ'c We may state at once that tbe Board has not withdrawn tbe franchise from any committee. The Callaghan's com mittee baa at no time exercised the power of voting in tbe election of raembara of the Board aad on the other hand, owing to a defect in' tho Education Act, the Board has been unable to withdraw the franchise in protection of the larger echools from committees of districts, where the roll number of the schools .has fallen below what was considered sufficient; to warrant the maintenance of the full status as " school districts."

During the whole period of the existence of the present Westland Education Board and also before the division of tlio former district bearing tbe same title it has been the custom to apply to localifci es that possess small schools and have not been expressly constituted as " ecbool districts " under the Education Act tho term " outlying di3trhts," in quotation ro m Section 88. According to the regulation that was in force at the time of the last election of school committees the residents of such places were invited to elect a*' committee o£ management " o£ five or less, or, if preferred, to recommend one of their number to act as "correspondent," It was under these circumstances and -in accordance with the regulation referred to that tbe Callaghan's Committee and a number of others wei c elected. Duriug the year 1900 the whole question received the earnest consideration of the Board, and several districts were promoted ro the full status, thus increasing tbe number of "school districts" from fourteen to eighteen. Iv several cases, of which Callaghan'a was one,- action was deferred until t^ie residents could show that the attendance at the schools was such as to justify further additions to iho list. Tliis explanation clears the ground for argument on tho real issue. It is agreed by our contemporary and we feel sure, by the Committees concerned that tba Board has acted in the public interest and with caution rendered necessary by the detect in the Act referred to. If the franchise could be with drawn where schools are reduced below a reasonable number in attendance there would not then be the same necessity fcr regarding the* future effect of a favourable decision. Apparently the only ground for contention is the fact tbat the Bo.\rd has denned the boundaries of certain • localities when declaring them " outlying districts." The members of the Board in recent times' have followed the precedents established during a long period of year?, and it does not seem probable tl at the matter will be set atrest, until au authoritative judicial decision is obtained. On the oae hand tbe Beard has expressly used tbe designation inferring an absence of the status claimed, and on' the other hand by " defining tbe limits " of such districts has performed one of the acts required in (he constitution of " school districts.' The Board after consulting its ' legal advisor uas ruled that the latter objection does not vitiate the classification" adopted and the only course for those who object is to persuade tbe Board that it is advisable to incre:se the number oE school districts or to obtain direction from a Court of Liw tbat certain "outlying districts" have unwittingly been already duly constituted.

The latest addition to the telephone exchange is No 99, Supreme Court office. Special trams in connection with the Acclimatisation Society* concert to be bald at Kanieii to-night, will leave Hoki tika at 7.15, returning after the concert. '• Tae Boundry Commissioners have reported agreeing to Mr Guinne«s's request that the Westland electoral district as defined in 1896 remains ucdis turbed. Word was received yesterday from Captain Jainieson of the Jane Douglas now at Okarito, to the effect that the channel wasn't workable, but may improve with spring tides. The New Zealand Millers Association has this, week raised the price of pollard and bran to 110s and 120s respectively at !jhe ports of shipment. This said to be the highest price these Hues have rx itched for the last 25 years.

Mr ChasP. Powles, registrar of Victoria College, Wellington, has a notion elsewhere to intanding Bludeuto re October examinations.

Sir G. M. O Rorke is the •' Fa her of the House, " having been first elected in 1861. He has sat in 11 Parliaments. The Hon W. J. Steward and Mr J. W. Thompson tone next in seniority, having been elected to eight ParHamen's.

The present Borough Inspector Mr Thoe Green is evidently no respector of persons. He ha? laid about twenty informations for wandering cittlo which are get down for hearing the morning amongst whom are a Borough Councillor and a Guardian of the peace....

Mr R Cooper of the Railway Hotel received a wire last evening stating tbat his son, Lot Cooper, who went to South Africa, as one of the Seventh Contingent and who took part in the great fight at Bothasbero where he was wounded is returning by the ' Wainui, due at Grey-* mouth on Monday.

Some capital souvenirs of Coronation Day were obtained by Mr Tait in the shape of very excellent photograps of the principal decorations on that day 'and v!evs of different portions of the celobrationß. The Post Office decorated, Uouuty Council arch, Mr Fred Kiug's arch, Mr D. Macfarlane's residence and other y\6yn by Mr Tait are excel'ent mementos to keep of the great day Messrs A andT Burt of Dunudin and all ihe chief centres have an intercolonial reputation at one of the principal firms of engineers, ironmongers, brass founders &c, &s, in New Zealand. The firm make a speciality of dredging ani all mining plan*, water engines, and oil engines of ibe moat up to date kinds, all classes of Sanitary requisites etc. They also stock Englebart's oils, belting, Gilbert's wood *plit pulleys and many other special line*.

We have received from Mr Walter Suckling of tbe " Central " photo stores Cashel Street, Christchurch. a litt'e manual of instruction on photography for beginners which will be of great advantage to those going in for the fascinating hit. It can be had for the modes i sum of 6d and gives very full information ito those taking up the camera for the first time. At the Central photo stores all | photographic requisites are stocked and those whose hobby is photography should send for a catalogue

To-mojrrow, the Hokitika Se onds will journey to Ross. The following players will represent Hokitika,— Backs, — Dowell, Lambert, Scapletou, Holmes, W Harding and Harvey. Foiwarls. — Harming, Hoffmanu, Houston, He veldt, Head, Howatt, Appleton, Moss and Henderson. The following are the Ross players : — Basks, — Holmes, Mason, Roberts, Min?han. Coo!c and Curne. Forwards, — Rev Newton, Th:e'e, M'Olel land, Jjne9, Sutherland (2), Muir, Gardiner, and Mason. Tha team will have by special coach at 11 a in, aud will be entertained by the Ross Club at a danca in the evening

The sale of work and entertainment to be held at the Town Hall on Wednesday aexi in aid ot Dr Barnardo's home for waifs and strays, is now buinq generally discussed, and evidently the benefit will be a great succcess. Interest is being specially aroused from the fact of tbe young ladies, who are promoting the entertainment, being so successful in tha sale of tickets, a large number having been disposed of. The sale of work, promises, also, to be a's popular as it is novel. Therfl will baa large number of articles to clear, and it has been decided to hold a gift auction at the close of the concert, when all utisold stock will be given away to the highest bidder.

These are tbe days of * progression in all arts aud sciences, and a notification in oar business columns to day shows that the building trade is not behindhand in the general advancement. The firm of which Mr Jamos W Jack, of Wellington is the head, advertise a number of special lines which it will be to the interest of builders and architects to make immediate enquiries ibout. '"Ruberoid" is one of these specialities used for roofing and covering buildings of all kinds "from a mansion to a miners hut" to quote the advertisement. "P &B" building pap»r is another which it is said can be used with great advantage. This material is made up in many forms to suit all re quirements, including cornices, ornamental ceiling centres, etc. Those intending to build should send to Messrs J W Jack Wellington, for samples and pamphlets.

A3 will be seen from an inset iv to day's issue, Messrs Nelson, Moate & Co, the original " Tea People ", as they, have been named, are still to tha fore in catering the best blendb of tea for lover; of the cheering cup. Tbe firm have aga ; n got into active operatiou in their new warehouse in Wellington,. after the burning of their packing, warehouse, which misfortune only caused them tempory inconvenience. Messrs Nelson, Moate & Co are an old established firm dealing in nothing but teas, and they were the first to introduce Ceylon and Pure Blended Teas. They have always maintained a high reputation by keeping faith with the public, being enabled to guarantee all packages labelled with their name, as only tbe very best blends. This has been possible through the agency of Mr Nelson, who is one of the most experienced men in bleiiding teas in tbe Aust'alasian Colonies.

If Your Children are subject to croups watch for the' first symptom of the diserse — hoarseness. If Chamberlain's Cough Remedy is given as soon as the child becomes hoarse, the attack' can be averted. Even after the croupy cough has appeared the attack can always be prevented by giving this remedy. It is al-'O invaluable fot colds and whooping cough. It always cures and cures quickly. J Cheney & Co, Wholesale, Agents sell it. The -'Handy Man's" a jolly fellow, Ba it war or be it peace ; And he's not tbe first to bellow Thafc all fighting ought to cease. Although his life's in danger ever, Against bad health he bhonld ensure ; To cure all colds is our endeavour • - - With tbe WOODS' GREAI PEPPERMIN URE.

An Exchange says: The telephone girl i* rarely credited with either suavity of manner or gentleness of voice. Nevertheless, bland young ladies are not an absolutely unknown quantity. The bride of a wealty American at present enjoying a European honeymoon, won the adoration of her busbacd by the sweetnes> of her voice as she followed her occupation at the exchange. The marriage was almost arranged before the parties most concerned sail one another. San Francisco was the scene of this modern romance, and history has it that ever since the gentle munnered '• bellogirl" became not only a happy but a distinguished bride, other female operators have cultivated a cbarm of conduct w!iich has sorely puzzled the unitiated public.

When the last mail left London the work of preparing the steamship Moraine; for her approaching voyage to the Ant: arctic regions was nearing completion. The expedition committee waa taking great pains and sparing no effort to ensure the safety of the ship, and with this object in view hid decided to build large waterballa-t tanks to increase the stabil* icy of the vessel when she has transhipped her stores to tbe Discovery or deposited them in the prearranged places in the event of the Discovery not being at the appointed rendezvous at the time con* tern plated. The work was being carried out by Messrs Green and Co., of Blackwall, and every care was being exercised to make the Morning everything that a tthip destined for her work aud expedition should be. '

HOWTO'STOP A COUCJLI. A simple but effective remedy is th > following : Breathiug through the nosiri's, inha'e a fall breath as slowly as ia possible without causing ' fatigue. Expel , the breath in tha satno manner and repeat the operation ten times. This will stop tbe coughing for about a qnarter of an bour. Take a dt se of (Jli. nV erlain's Cough Remedy dnriug this lull and the mediciue wi:l have :i butter opportunity to act and will speed ly (ffjuta complete cure. It always cures and cures quickly. — J Chesney ft Co, Wholesale! Agents, "ell it.