Croquet Lawn Officially Opened, Education Board Debates Polling Use

A new croquet lawn has been officially opened, marking a significant addition to local recreational facilities. During the opening ceremony, Mrs. T. Fleming, president of the club, welcomed attendees and invited Mr. T.K. Sidey to perform the official opening. Sidey declared the lawns open and wished members many enjoyable hours of play. Following this, Mr. Fleming took up a mallet to roll the first ball, prompting a spirited rendition of “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow” from the assembled crowd.

Education Board Discusses Use of School Properties on Election Day

In a separate development, the Otago Education Board convened to address a communication from the Education Department regarding the use of school buildings for electoral purposes. The Department emphasized the necessity of utilizing school facilities as polling places, particularly in rural areas, to ensure the smooth running of the upcoming general election.

During the meeting, Chairman Mr. J. Wallace noted concerns raised about teachers, who are Government employees, being paid additionally to perform electoral duties. He suggested that teachers should be allowed to serve as poll clerks whenever schools are closed, while also granting headmasters the authority to assist when schools remain open. Following deliberation, the board agreed to allow teachers to participate as poll clerks in closed schools without a vote against the motion. Furthermore, a proposal was passed allowing town teachers to apply for similar roles, contingent upon arrangements made by headmasters to ensure their regular teaching responsibilities were met.

Economic Perspectives on Reparations Presented by Dr. Fisher

In an engaging lecture, Dr. Fisher, a professor of economics at Otago University, spoke about the complexities surrounding reparations. He criticized the notion of requiring an entire nation to allocate its resources indefinitely to pay tribute to another country. Dr. Fisher argued that it is unreasonable to demand reparations from Germany while simultaneously refusing to accept German goods as payment. His remarks sparked thoughtful discussion on the implications of such economic policies.

As local discussions continue to unfold, the community remains engaged with the developments surrounding both recreational and educational initiatives. The opening of the croquet lawn and the decisions made by the Education Board illustrate the active participation of community leaders in shaping local affairs.