Our bunedin Letter.

Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1035, 25 May 1894, Page 6

Our bunedin Letter.

(If ROM Our Own Correspondent.) The all-absorbing topic last week was the death of Dr Stuart, which was acknowledged on all sides to be a great loss to Dunedin in particular and the whole of Otago in general. As you are aware he died early on Saturday morning, and the sad news Jwas communicated widely by the issue of an extrn from the Daily Times office. On Sunday feeling reference was. made in all the churches to the loss sustained, all communions joining alike in doing deserved respect to his memory. From Monday until Wednesday his remains were on view in Knox Church, which was draped in mourning, and the coffin and surroundings were covered with wreaths and flowers from many sincere sympathisers and mourners. The funeral took place on Wednesday, and was the largest gathering of the kind ever witnessed in Dunedin, all sorts and conditions of people from the highest to the lowest being represented in the procession, while the streets, windows, and housetops wer6 crowded with sight-seers. It is estimated that fully 25,000 persons witnessed the ceremonies. His life has been a long and useful one, and his kind, cheery face will be very much missed by all those he came in contact with, and tho general verdict is, "A good man gone' to his rest." The Education Board held their usual monthly meetings last week, and the new departure of holding the one on Wednesday at 8 o'clock in the evening was a failure, leading to a prolonged sitting, the usual amount of unnecessary talk by some members predominating. At 11 o'clock Mr Clark called attention to the fact that Messrs Macgregor, Ramsay, Mackenzie, and Dr Stenhouse had left the meeting, and only the chairman, Messrs Cohen, M'Kerrow, and himself left, although there was still important business to be transacted. The board bave decided to meet next month at the usual time — 2 p.m. The Thursday's meeting was bold at 11 a.m., all the members being in attendance, and proceedings lasted until about 4 o'clock, talking again beimt very much in evidenoe. The only items of local interest in vour district were the Appointments of Miss Whittakerto .Ashley Downs and Alius A. Smith to Katea. Nineteen districts failed to elect committees, and a new election was fixed for Monday evening, June 11. Several protesta against elections were made — some were upheld and some declared void, in the latter new elections to take place. Mr S. M. Park, the board's auditor, said all the committees with the exception of four had furnished him with all particulars, and he had duly certified to the correctness of same. The aggregate balance of funds in the hands of school committees totalled L1557 17s 7d. * The secretary was instructed to withhold payment of quarterly subsidy to the four committees until Mr Park had duly certified to their accounts. The sum of LG463 lis 4d, the month's accounts, was duly passed for payment. Mr Petrie made application for the assistance of Mr Richardson in inspecting the larger schools as had been granted in former years, and which enabled all tho work in connexion with examinations to be done. This application caused a good deal of discussion, and resultol in tho board going practically on strike, as a resolution — proposed by the Hon. J. Macgregor and seconded by Mr .7. J. Ramsay—" To decline the application and instruct the inspectors to curtail the examinations " was carried. Mr Maccrregor made a long speech in support of this course, which is decidedly contrary to the Education Act and the departmental regulations, and which no doubt the Minister of Education will resent, for if the Education Boards were allowed to make laws for themselves there would be an end to legislation on the m:i'':r. The Chairman (Mr Green), am\ v ,T -.srs Clark and voted against the resolution. ' ''" The Foresters Friendly Society is making good progress in Dunedin and its environs and the establishment of juvenile courts is now receiving attention. One has been started in the citv under the title of " Court Pride of the Forest " and numbers over 200 members, and others are to be established in Roslyn, Mornington, and Caversbam. The membership is open to males between tho ages of 10 and 18 years ; the rates of contribution are from 10 to 13h years 12jd per four weeks, from that age upwards Is 4d— to those members whose parents may belong to any friendly society the amount is Bd"per four weeks less. The benefits are a sick allowance between the ages of 14 and 18 years of 6s per week medicines and medical attendance . at death an allowance of L6. The meetings are held monthly apd th G working of the court is in the hands of the juveniles, but due supervision exercised by officers specially appointed'by the parent court. In addition to the usual business the evenings are devoted to harmony (vocal and instrumental), lantern entertainments, recitation, essays and debates. Valuable prizes for competition in various ways are also given. , The Dunedin Free Kindergarten is doing excellent work for the young children as was shown by the annual meeting at the Town Hall on Friday last, Mr H. S. Fish, Mayor, presiding, and some 40 ladies and gentlemen were present. Mrs Reynolds, president, made an excellent speech detailing particulars of the good work done. Mrs Reynolds was re-elected president, and a representative committee of ladies and gentleman was chosen.- A vote of thanks to the mayor closed proceednigs.