THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2178, 30 April 1908, Page 1

THE BIBLE IN SCHOOLS.

A LIVELY MEETING.

ADVERSE VOTING IN AVELLINGTON. (Special to “Times.”) AVELLINGTON, April 29. At the school committee elections on Monday night, householders were against Bible reading in schools, and tho advocates of secular education won all along the line. Indeed, the advocates of Bible reading were utterly routed at somo of tho meetings, and feeling ran high at Mitchelltowu, a suburb. The meeting was particularly lively when Mr. Davies commenced (says tho “Times) to nominato persons as candidates for tho school committee. Mr T. Tarabacha. declared that he had been in the district for a number of years,-and said to the proposer, “I will have your gore before I have done with you.”

Mr Daviy, continued to give his nominations. Mr Tarabacha : You want to run the show, but not while I can move about. You can have a “go” at me if you like, but you do not frighten mo by looking at me li'ko that. Mr Davies: I.do not want to dispute with you over tho matter. Mr Tarabacha: AVoll, get out of it; we do not want you to rule the roost here.

The chairman: This is against the rule. Mr. Tarabacha: AA’e ask for a fair thing. • AA’e will act up to it. AA’e do not want to threaten.

The Chairman: I will act strictly in accordance with the Act.

Mr. Tarabacha (at the top of liis voice): Are there any more sky-pilots hero ? Matters then became- chaotic, and voices rose in angry dialogue. Threats of punches and the police floated about, and at last a voice was heard screaming, “Please address the chair.” Mr. Tarabacha: I will dress you before I have done with you. The meeting then drifted into a discussion on llible-reading in schools, and a speaker was proceeding to say ho had compared a few figures when Mr. Tarabacha called out, “Figures! AVc don’t want your figures.” The speaker, proceeding with his remarks, made reference to sectarianism or something which was not acceptable to a female'in.- the audience, and she also became angry. “You leave the Popo out of it altogether,’’frantically yelled Mrs Hayes. ‘‘You are mad; you nre absolutely mad.” Mr.. Tarabacha : AVc came here to elect a committee. AA T e did not come to argue about Christianity. A\ T e do not want to know anything about the churches. If you did not have a father or mother I had one, and she taught me enough to carry me on. I have forgotten more Christianity than you know. Don’t you touch the Catholic religion in any shape or form. Mrs. Hayes: Chuck him out; chuck him out. A voice: You are bringing sectarianism into it. The Chairman: AYe do not want to discuss the pros and cons of the Bible-in-schools at all. AA’c have had onough of it. (A 7 oices: Hear, hear.) The rumpus suddenly and the voting commenced. Mr. Tarabacha was still ruffled. lie sat on the corner of a desk and challenged Mr. Davies, who he considered had offended him, to go outside. The Chairman suggested that Mr. Tarabacha. should sing a song. Tho .voting showed the feeling of the meeting on the Bible-in-schools issue, all the old committee, who are strongly opposed to religious instruction, being re-elected.