Cambridge East.

Waikato Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1804, 29 January 1884, Page 2

Cambridge East.

[BY TKIiKGRUMI.— OWN BEPOUTER.] Cv\\\\\\\w,¥,, MoTvAatf At the school committee meeting tonight, the Public Hall was ciowded to the door, theie being over 300 present. About half-an-hour before the meeting commenced a crowd gathered in front of the hall, when the election of the committee .seemed the all-.xbsoi bing topic. Indeed, no event for ye,u b pa-'l b.is .so uni vei sally seized the mind of the public of thib district as that of the school committee election to-night. Candidatcs worked biiskly until the last minute, and heie and there little knots of "free and independents " might be seen gathered round candidates, hearing their views. Mr J. P. Campbell was unanimously voted to the chair, and the proceedings commenced without any noise or disorder. On opening the meeting, the chairman briefly stated the order of business. Mr Hosking, chairman of the committee, read the annual report, which was of little importance. It stated that a new teacher's* residence had been erected at a cost of £600, and also icferied to the lecomniendation recently made by the committee regarding the remodelling of the teachiug staff, and stated that the Education Board had thought it advisable to defer discussion in the matter until after the annual election. Mr Bright then proceeded to nominate the following candidates? — Hosking, Hewitt, Houghton, Sargent, Wells, Johnson and G. E. Smith, and in doing so made an e\ idently popular address. Mr Alford seconded the nomination. Mr Williams nominated Messrs Forrest, Hughes. Nixon, Thompson, and Oapt. Soutter seconded. Mr Harrison then nominated Messrs McFarlane. Davitt, Sharkey, Johnson, Burgoyne, Ripley and Riley, but there was no seconder, and consequently the motion fell through. A number of the candidates then addressed the meeting, submitting their views, and pledging themselves to certain courses. Mr Wells occupied the floor a considerable time. There were loud cries for Mr Hewitt, but he did not respond. The following was the result of the election : — Thompson, 202 ; Wells, 159 ; Hewitt, 135 ; Hosking, 132; Houghton, 102; Hughes, 91 ; Forrest, 89 ; Sargent, 85 ; Smith,' 81 ; Nixon, 7G : Johnson, 59. The first seven were declared, eleotecl.

Tne most amusing incident, indeed, the only one of the evening, was Mr HatriaonV nomination, which was made in jest. During the delivery of the names the audience were convulsed with laughter. A more orderly meeting could not Have been expected ; indeed, it was disappointingly so. A number of sweepstakes were got up on the event. Mr Hewitt started a warm favourite. Mr Clark was disqualified at the la-Jt moment, being a non-resident. The result of the poll was received with prolonged cheers, it evidently affording great satisfaction.