The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1896.

Auckland Star, Volume XXVII, Issue 155, 3 July 1896, Page 4

The Evening Star: WITH WHICH ARE INCORPORATED The Evening News, Morning News, and Echo.

FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1896.

for tSw cftQES that laafcs tashtax.es, Fer'lhf wantf tlist BteSs rini3tsnw, Ft-r lie futurs hi the tostnucs, And tha s*od tiiat "wo can Co.

Althouch the Minister of Education, in his annual report to Parliament the other day, made no new proposal with regard to our national system of education, the statistics submitted by him tbrow a good deal of light upon the present condition of the public schools. We have not, unfortunately, any reliable information showing the, numerical strength of the private schools of the colony, but the fact that the average number on the roils of the elementary public schools week by week last year was 130,942, and the strict average attendance was 106,622, proves that the educational wants oi our children are amply provided for. The figures relating to number of schools and average attendance also show that Education Boards are endeavouring to satisfy the needs of the most isolated settlements. The number of schools and the number of teachers are greater in proportion to the number of pupils than they were a year ago. Auckland still labours under exceptional difficulties in this respect, its schools, 312, exceeding by 98 the number of schools in Otago, which stands next on the list. The mean average for one school in Auckland was only 674, while in Wellington it was 102-4 • Hawke's Bay, 101.4 ; North Canterbury, 94-3; and Otago, 92 o. Provision for ihese smail schools in ihe matter of buildings and accommodation could only be made by savings effected in the cost oi the larger schools. That the Auckland Board has done so much affords a conclusive answer to the cry which is so unjustifiably raised from time to time that the country has been starved for the sake of the town. The truth lies in precisely the opposite direction. The bearing which the establishment of these small schools has upon teachers' salaries may be gathered from the following figures : —ln Auckland, which spends on salaries, there are (apart from pupil teachers) 194 teachers receiving less than ;£ioo a year; in Otago, which spends in salaries, ©nly 130 teachers receive less than a year. Between ;£ioo and the figures are : Auckland, 238; Otago, 212. Between and : Auckland, 36; Otago, 56. * Remark has been made from time to time upon the higher mean ages at which children ia Auckland pass the various standards, as compared with the averages in some Southern districts. There are no figures in the report by which we can discover how far this is due to irregularity in the attendance at country schools, but it is obvious that children living in sparsely settled districts where the roads in winter are almost impasssable, are necessarily absent from school throughout a great part of the winter months, and they are therefore unable to get through the standards so rapidly as children more favourably situated. To this cause rather than to any deficiency in quickness on the part of the pupils, or inefficieacy on the part of the teachers, we may (airly

attribute the disparity. And tbe conclusion brre indicated finds support in the returns, for a low average attendance is co-incident with a higfvaverage age' tor passing the standards. In Auckland, for example, the average attendance is 81 o and the average age at the Sixth Standard examinations i4yrs i4mons; in Taranaki, average attendance, 75 '8, age at Sixth Standard i4yrs 4moos; WaHgaaui, 768, aga at Sixth Standard i4yrs 2tnons; South Canterbury, average attendance 84*3, .age at Sixth Standard i^yrs ioruons; Otago, average attendance 85*9, age at Sixih Standard i4yrs imon.

All over the colony there is still a great exodus from the schools after passing the Fourth Standard, although the returns shovy an increasing tendency to keep children "longer at school. Twelve years ago the children below the class preparing for Third Standard were 62-9 of the total in attendance. Last year they formed only 50*4 per cent. The percentages in the Sixth Standard during the past five years were : — 1895, 6-27 ; 1894, 6*20 ; 1893, 6-09; 1892, 5-58; 1891, 5-34. Girls are on the average kept longer at school than boys, for while, taking the total roll numbers, they only stand in the proportion of 48-2 to 5 1 8, in the class above the Sixth Standard they number 5187 to 48.13. Another noteworthy (act, which may perhaps be attributed to the traditional love ot the Scotch for education, there are a larger number of children in the Sixth and Seventh Standards in Otago than in Auckland, the figures being 1,809 in Otago out of 21,15s roll numbers against 1,308 in Auckland out of 25,884 roll numbers.

It is comforting to find that our public schools are doing good work, for the heaviness of the cost is undeniable. The total expenditure of the various Education Boards last year was £451,100, of which ;£342,3 69 went in teachers' salaries and allowances and training, in incidental expenses of schools, and 25J la buildings. Large as the sum is, however, we believe that no money spent by the State gives a better return, or confers greater benefits upon the

country.

Owinp to the inclemency of the weather last evening it was feared for some time that there would not be a quorum of Councillors present at the City Council meeting:. However, shortly before coven o'clock a sufficient) number had arrived to form a bare quorum, ar.d the business proceeded. Towards the close, when the Mayor was giving an account of tba proceedings at the Municipal CoEforance, Cr. C. Hasketh loft the room. Cr. Cairns pointed oub thab there was no quorum present, and the proceedings had to terminate without a tanmo. from the City Engineer relative to csiico signs being exhibited by Queen-street tradesmen, and also metnos. from tho Superintendent of Eurkare tree* in Princesstreet, and Superintendent of Fire Brigades re clothing, being dealt with.

'the Council Chamber at the Municipal Buildings »s ftb present undergoing repairs. During the night following the Council meoting Issb month* considerable parlion of tha plaster of fche roof gave way. On examination taking place it was found that repairs of a more extended character than Hfe first were apparent will be necessary. The work is now being1 carried oufe under the euperißiteadance of Mr Anrlersen, City Engineer. The meeting of the Council Use evening cook place in the room usually set Rp«rt for committees. A very pleasing ceremony took place yesterday at the Lands and Deeds Office, High-street, when Mr J. J. Burke, who has been promoted to a position in Hokitika, was presented with a souvenir in the shape of a handsome walking-stick. Mr Hughes, in making tho presentation on behalf of his fellow officials, epoke in very kindly end eulogistic terms of Mr Burke, wishing him every happiness and prosperity ia hia new position.

A patient) of the Avondale Asylum* named John George Carroll, died ab 7.30 this morning. He was admitted to the institution on October 27bh, 1835. Deceased was 46 yoare of age, and had no friends ia tha colony.

A slight collision occurred last night afc 10.30 o'clock juab above the bridge in Kyber Paas between an omnibus aad one 01 the Tramway Company's cars.

Tbo land of Burns and Scobt will be shown next Tuesday night by Mr John Fuller at the City Hall. Viewa of the most interesting towns, glene, waterfalls, and rivers, photographed anjl coloured most artistically and specially prepared for the limelight lantern, should prove interesting to everybody. A splendid programme has been prepared, appropriate songs will bo sung, and humorous duets, trios, and qunrtefctoß performed. Air VV. Musker. a baritone, will make his first appearance, and Mr Robin Hay, who has boon a short time under Mr Fuller's tuition, will reappear. The other artists include Misses T. A. Hargrave, Katie Filzpatrick, Hettie Fuller, Meesra Archdale Taylor and Albert Lucas.

A free denaon&fcratsion in shorthand (Pitman's system) will be given at the Technical School this evening by Mr J. H. Golwill, instructor. Free demonstrations in cookery will bo given on Wednesday evening and Thursday afternoon of next week. Students of the school are reminded that the i.ew term commences on Monday next, 6t,h insr., and the Secretary requests that names should be handed in and foes paid before that day, if possible.

The Newton Choristers paid a visit to the Coofley Home last evening for the purpose of giving a concert to enliven the ages inmates." Mr W. E. Baxter officiated »b conductor, and Miss Rowe played the pianoforte accompaniments. Mr Moss returned thanks before t the party started homewards. A '■.*" '■■'''."

Tbo nsoal gathering of the members of the Burns Club was held I»«b night io the Masonic Hall, Karangahape Road. Mr J. Henry presided. Pianoforta selections were played by Mrs Angus and Muster Taylor. Banjo and piccolo duets were contributed by Messrs Hodaon aud Dempsoy. The vocal soloists were: Mr Bruce, Miss Wilso», Mr J. Home, Mr Moacur, Mr C. Dunn, Mies Taylor and Mr J. Moncur. - A couple of dances were also given by Mias Arnold.

The musical competition in connectioa with the Ponsonby Bapbiab Sunday-school Industrial Exhibition «v»s held last evening in the church. Professor Lambert and .MpHorsley (organist of St. Joha'e Wesloy&n Charch) officiated as judges, and the awards ma Jo by them were as follows :— Piano solo—Class 1a : Olive Lovett, aged 12, " Blue Bolls of Scotland," 1; Adeline Cordes, aged 11, "Fairies Frolic, 2; Kthel eontct, a K «d 14, "Come Back to Erin," 3. Class 4: Annie ■Maxwell, aged 9, "The Frozen Nest," 1 : Ethel Richardeon, aged 6, " Swing Waltz," 2 ; Ruby Fear, aged 8, "Blue Bells of Scotland,. 6. Class 1b: Maude Weston, aged 16, "Tho Heath," 1. Violin solos—Class 2b :J. H. Bigelow, aged 17, "Swannee River, 1; F. Hucchiuson, aged 20, "Selections by Pleyel." 2. Vocal solos—Class 3: Cissy. Mann, aged 14, 1; Dora Jackson, aged 13, 2; Evie Robinson, aged 12, 3. Tha Prince Albert College Literary and Debating Society paid a friendly visit to the Pitt-street Wesleyan Literary Society last evening, providing a pleasant entertainment in tha form of renderings from the works of Shakespeare. The Rev. VV. J. Williams presided, and there was a very large attendance. The Shakespearean items and the variaus musical numbers were eoniribated by the following :—Muaes Mc&errow, McMaster, Rainforth, *Davies and Wheeler, Messrs Burton, Craddock, Beckett;. Walton, Peace, Wills, Woatherali, Jackson, Low, Miles, Ba'lard, A. L. Adams, uud F. Morley. Miss McMaster ployed the accompaniments to the musical selections. At the close, on the motion of Mr Shuckelford, seconded by Mr Prosser, a vote of thanka was accorded to the visitors for the excellent; entertainment.

The management of bhe Saturday night popular »ntert»inmentß ab the City Hall announce their seventh change of programme for to-morrow evening. A number of entirely new items will bo presented for the firab time by a comparatively «tew company. Professor McLean, champion whistler and imitator, will make his reappearance, and Mr \Y. Wiggins, champion skipping rope dancer, will make his first appearance. . •

By advertisement in another colntnn, the winning numbers in the Suburban Poultry Fanciers' Club Art Union arel given. The prize* will be handed over this evening at 7.30, at Mr JamieSon'B Cigar Divan, Foresters' if all.

Mr Broady, rangemaker, of Durhamstreet West, has oh exhibition ab his werka a very handsome cooking range of extra large size, made to the order -of an Auckland gentleman. The range, which ia of first-c!atia workmanship, has. a special feature, conflating of fancy German tiling, whicb gives it an arfcukic as well as useful appaaranea, and it is altogether a credit) to the makers. . ~.." ■',*•, ■"' •

The dramatic evening in connection with St. Jamos'rLiterary Society takeS' place in the hall ac eight tonight. : ; r ;.