§ MR. SERJEANT SIMONasked the Vice President of the Council of Education, Why, in the "case of disputes as to the election of school boards," they have hitherto declined to exercise the powers given to them by the thirty third section of the Elementary Education Act; and, whether the Education Department has laid down any and what rule in the matter?
§ MR. W. E. FORSTER, in reply, said, that the section referred to gave power to the Education Department to inquire into the matter; but they had not hitherto used the power, as they thought that they had not got the machinery which appeared to be necessary for satisfactorily trying these election disputes, and anyone having a right to complain might proceed by a writ of quo warranto. The Department would act in that way as a general rule, though they would exercise the power given them in some cases, in which, with the consent of all parties, it might be convenient to do so in order to prevent a resort to another tribunal.