STANDARD EXAMINATIONS IN CITY SCHOOLS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 210, 6 September 1893, Page 4

STANDARD EXAMINATIONS IN CITY SCHOOLS.

We shall watch with considerable curiosity tho outcome of tho inquiry instituted by resolution of the City Schools Committe 6 'asb night with reference to the per centage of failures in theßeresford-streetand Napier Streob Schools. There was a falsa ring about some of the protestations of indignation which makes one suspect that other influences than the reporbs of the inspector wero at work. Not very long ago tho attendanco at these schools had so fallen oft through tho measles epidomic that they woro closod by order of the Committee, without; consulting the Board of Education, and yob members express astonishraenb that there is a largo percentage of failuroa this year. In Dunedin, under similar circumstances, tbe Board of Education waived the ordinary examination. Ib should not be forgotten that eleven months ago changes were made in thosa schools to which several members of tho Commibtao were very hostile, and thab they manifested strong personal feeling on the occasion. Wo hope bhat last night's, discussion does nob indicate the nursing of old grudges ; but the extravagance of censure and the professions of astonishment, in view of the facts, is, undoubtedly, suspicious. Teacbera who have proved their competence year by year in actual practice do not suddenly produce unsatisfactory rosults without adequate cause. It is no doubb advisable that those causes ohould bo ascertained, and ao fnr as they are remediable they should bo rectified ; but the chairman overshot the mark very considerably and manifested a spirit in total antagonism to that rigid impartiality which should characterise a man who ia entering upon judicial functions, whon he indulged in remarks implying censure upon the teachers. Ib looks very much like pro-judging the case, and will influence, and properly influence, public acceptance of tho Committee's conclusions. To denounce as " nonsense" tho statomenb that the measlos epidemic would affect unfavourably tho standard results, is nob merely to ignore tho opinion of tho inspectors and other competent educational authorities, but is contrary to common sense and tho experience of parents who have children attending school. We shall probably understand tho real meaning of all this "sound and fury " later on.

Brett's Auckland Almanac is now in the press. Officers of commercial, trade, friendly, religious, masonic, literary, musical, aDd other societies, are invited to Fend in a list of officers, etc., for publication in the Directory. Captain Edwin telegraphed the following at 1 p.m.: —"North-oaat to north and west gale, with heavy rain, and glass further falL" Half-an-hour was wasted at the Police Court this morning, owing to the nonappearance of Justices. Finally, at eleven o'clock, Messrs F. L. Prime and F. G. Ewington woro secured to discharge the duties attached to their commission. Tho annual meeting of the Newton Cricket Club was held in tho Newton Congregation.il Sunday-school last evening, when Mr Wood, vice-president, was in the chair. The secretary read tho annual report, which showed that tho Club won 5, lost 5, and played 1 drawn game during the season. The balance-sheet showed the Club to bo in a good financial position, having a credit balance of £1 18s. Tho following gentlemon woro then olected officers for the ensuing year : —Captain, Mr Rowe (ro-elcctorl); treasurer, Mr Smith ; and secretary, Mr F. Diddams. Before tho meeting terminated a hearty vote of thanks was accorded tho outgoing officers for past services. The Lichfield township scored another euccesa on Friday evening last, when a plain and fancy dress ball took plaeo in the schoolroom, about 100 being present. There were a number of fancy costumes and tho effect was very pretty. Dancing commenced at) 8.30 p.m. and was continued until 5 a.m. Mr T. P. Turnbull mado an efficient M.C. The music, which was supplied by Messrs Fraser (violin) and Murphy (piccolo), was all that could be dosired. —(OWN CORKESrON'DENT.) The Karangahapo Ward (City Council) election is expected to be keenly contested 'between Messrs Eugstor and Garratt. Mr Eugator elsewhere announces that ho will address the ratepayers in the Wesley Hall, on Monday evening next. Tho usual monthly meeting of the Council of tho Auckland Acclimatisation Society was held yesterday attornoon in the Museum Buildings, when there were present Messrs Burtb (president), Bull, Masefield, Rus.-ell and Cheosoman (secretary). The financial statement, which showed the receipts to bo £3 ; payments, £65 2s 3d ; and balance in bank £114 4s oil, was read, and a communication was received from tho Wellington Society asking tho local institution to support a recommendation to the Government to prohibit tho salo of imported and native gamo within the colony for a year. It was agreed to reply expressing regret that tho Auckland Society could nob concur with tho recommendation. Letters wero read from tho Bay of Islands Pastoral'and Industrial Association and tho Whangarei Farmers' Club, asking the Society to offer a prize for hawks' heads at their forthcoming shows, and it was decided to grant £2 23 to each Society. It was resolved to recommend tha^t the peason for trout-fishing should open on November Ist and extend to tho 31st March. Tho curator at the Waimakariri hatchery reported that tho Society's stock of rainbow trout had yielded about about 8,000 ova. Many of these were imperfectly fertilised, but 4,500 healthy fry had been hatched and were doing well. Ten thousand brown trout ova had been obtained from Wellington, and about S,OOO healthy fry had been hatched. Attempts had been tnado to catch spawning liah in the Waimakariri River, but tho heavy rains had provented the traps from being worked. It agreed to reply to an ofl'er mado by tho London County Council to send six English white swans to any society in New Zealand which desired to introduce that bird, by stating that tho bird was already acclimatised in the Auckland district. Tho famous Lynch Family, bollringers, glassophonists and vocalists, who toured thia colony in 1887, aro about to pay us another visit, and are booked to leave Melbourno for the United States, via New Zealand, on the 12th September. Since thoir last campaign the Lynch Family have been extonsivo travellers all over the world and but recently returned to Australasia from a romjirkably successful career in the East. The company is a large one, including not only tho Lynch Family but also a number of English specialty artistes. The glasaophone is ono of tho great attractions, and will be something new to the music-loving patrons of the colony. The advance agents, Messrs Smith and Barnes, are due here shortly, when full particulars will bo announced.

The following telegrams have passed between Mr Wesley Spragg and the Hon. Richard Seddon :—" At a meeting held ab Mount Albert on Friday the following resolution was carried witnoub a single dissentient, Government supportors voting for it: 'In thb opinion of this meeting, the Government Licensing Bill, while professedly a temperance measure, has really been shaped in the interest of the liquor traffic, and we protest against it as an infringomenb of Liboral principles, and as an attempt to thwart the direct popular control ot the drink traffic.—Wesley Spkagij." " In acknowledging the resolution of the public meeting at Mount Albert, I regret that moderate proposals of Government, which at the same time give great roforni, should not be properly appreciated.— R. J. Seddox." "On behalf of the Mount Albert meeting I express dissent re great reform andrepeat meeting's conviction that Liberal principles are violated, and people's will slighted by the Government Licensing Bill. —Wesley Spragg." An interesting paper chase took place yesterday afternoon among the junior assistants of Smith and Cauahey's. The hares were given eight minutes lead, starting from Cucksey's store, Mount Eden, and the courso taken covered betweon nine and ten miles, chiefly in the districts of Mount Eden and Threo Kings. Although the scene wa3 well laid, tho hounds were uuable to capture the hares, and after a good run of over two hours gave up the task. Such sport 9as these are the outcome of tho Shop Hours Bill, and wore one uniform day proclaimed, many such outings could be engaged in to the benelit of shop assistants. For the People's Popular Conccrfa at the City Hall this evening, a very fine programme is announced, the following artists having been engaged: — Misses Lizzie Warren, Jessie Glover, Clarico Brabazon, L. E. Webley, and Madame Laura Daw, who makes her re-appearance ; Messrs F. Carter, Horace Stebbing, and John Fuller, the popular tenor. The Protestant Alliance gave a concert in tho Foresters' Hall last night, in aid of the Friendly Societies' Hospital Fund. There waß a large audience. Mr E. Wilcocky presided. Miss Alice Rimmer was encored for her roudering of the song, "The Mountain Guide," and a similar compliment was paid Miss Butler for her singing of "The Bettor Land." Misg Warren was in capital voice. She Bang "Call Me Back " in her besc style, and was heartily applauded. Tho Auckland Liedertafel contributed two double quartettes, which wore much appreciated, and Mr Tait was recalled for his singing of tho song " Mary of Argyle." Herr Zimmormann's violin solo was inurli appreciated. Mrs Edmonds, Miss Olphet, and Messrs W. George, Hyland, Manders, Holloway and Stewart also contributed to the programme. Henry's string band played a couple of capital selections. Mr J. H. Philpott acted as director and accompanist. Pretty as are many of the New Zealand towns, Auckland is surpassod by none in the number of dainty little peeps and j varied views which her scenery allords in immediate proximity to the heart of the city. Some charming glimpses of her natural and acquired beauty are given in this week's "Graphic." They aro, a peep of the harbour from the cemetery bridge, a viow of Devon port with its many trees, and the North Head. The South is, of course, by no means forgotten, and a lovely picturo of the head of George Sound, occupies part of the fronb page. Thero aro various othor illustrations which, with excellent reading matter and colonial news, makes thi3 a specially good mail number. It will be advisable to procuro copies as early as possible, as the Auckland pictures are sure to sell tho paper quickly. Wg are asked by the management of the Misses Albu benefit concert, to take place in the City Hall to-morrow evening, to inform the public that it 13 quite impossible for (he ladiea to sing all the items requested of them by letters sent to them at the Grand Hotel, and that they will wait until nine o'clock thi3 evening and select from the majority. One duet has already been decided upon, " Hoar-Me, Norma." The annual entertainments of the Devonport District School, in which old and present pupils'take a part, aro always a great success, This evoninu the pretty fairy burlesque of Cinderella will be played, and as Mr Bengo, the headmaster, has taken great paios with tho preparation of the piece and the coaching of tho young people, an especial success is anticipated. We have been asked to state that a mistake occurred in last night's advertisement of the entertainment, the frono seat tickets boing 2s instead of 2a 6d. The proceeds are to be devoted to tho purchaso of new books for the school library. A most successful concert was given in the Sacred Heart Schoolroom, Poneonby, last evening, under the auspices of the Sun-day-school and in aid of its funds. The building was crowded with nn appreciative Budience, and amongst those present were the Revs. Dr. Egan, 0.5.8., Father Patterson (Palmerston North) and Father Gillan, the priest of tho Sacred Heart pariah. Mr W. E. Baxter, the organist of tho Church, was the musical director, and mush of the success oi tlio following programme was due to his admirable efforts :—Overture, "Silver Cross," orchestra; song, " Call Mo Back," Mr Hackott j song, "Remember Me No More,"' Miss Darby; flute solo, " Stephane Gavotte," Mr Ellyett; recitation, Mr Quinn ; song, " Dream Memories," Miss Barron ; sone, " Marguerita," Mr Ralph : gavotte, orchestra ; siong, "Novermore," Mr H. Darby ; instrumental quartette, " Corypheo," Miss Rita Tole, Messrs Mahony, Ellyetfc and Amodeo ; song, "A Vision," Miss Con way ; songs (."elected) were also contributed by Miss Barron and Messrs ilacketb and Darby. The various items wore excellently rendered and elicited a great doal of applause. At the interval in the programmo light refreshments were distributed. : At a meeting of the Athena?um Literary Society last evening a debate took place on tho question, " Which is tho More Beneficial, Reading or Observation?" In the absonce of the gentleman who was to have spoken in favour of reading, Mr A. Kiteori was put in the somewhat pecular position of having to take both sides. This, howover, ho cleverly did, first assuming the role of his opponent and showing tho adsrantago of reading, then arguingl, on his own account, that observation was of more benclit. Discussion followed, but no vote wr»3 taken on the question, it not being thought well to appear to put into opposition two things which i wero really helpmeet 3to one another. At the Beresford-streob Congregational Church last evoning, a competitive debate took place in connection with tho Auckland Literary Societies' Union Debate Tournament. The opposing Societios were St. John's Wosleyan and Bcresford-street Congregational, the Rev. C. H. Laws, and Messrs Horsley and Bartley arguing for the former, and Messrs Kekwick, W. J. Searlo, and McVeagh for the latter. The subject was, "Is it against tho interests of New Zealand to join in Australian Federation," St. John's taking tho affirmative and Beresford-street tho negative side of the question. Tho judges wero : For St. John's, Mr J. C. Dickenson ; for Bereeford-streot, Prof. Pond, and for tho Union, Mr Theo. Cooper. Mr W. 11. Lyon, acted as chairman. After an animated discussion, the judges unanimously declared Beresford-street; victorious. The result; of this debate loaves but two, out of the seventeen socioties that entered to compete for tho final round. These are tho Onohunga and Beresford-street Societies, and between these, a close finish is expected.

As notified by advertißern«Tr~"T column, Professor Theodorffi?.Hottl celebrated horse trainer inS*. ft grand expositions of liohL, ,&« t!» Friday and Saturday next t b **U 8 p.m. The ProfesLlVb^S hibitions of his skill throug&S J and everywhere has won «,«H The subject for treatment? wSSI^ the JJifjj The Royal Polytechnic and ».. continues to be well n »f» • H<4 figures are certainly fl^bW ' boon on exhibition here. tbal %