NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 471, 1 April 1909, Page 8

NEW ZEALAND NEWS.

(DST TELEOIUPn—MESS ASSOCIATION.) SCHOOL EXAMINATIONS. Auckland, March 31. Tlio matter of examinations for proficiency certificates was again before tlio Board of Education to-day in the shape of lengthy reports from each of Iho members of tlio board's staff inspectors. The Thames branch of tlio- Educational Institute also forwarded a serios of resolutions drawing attention to the "undoubtedly involved naturo of soma of the arithmetic questions," and to .the fact that "in future at least two of the sums should bo straightforward tests of mechanical accuracy." Tlio branch also protested against the English questions, as fcbey were beyond the comprehension of pupils botween 12 and 14 years, while candidates had no choice of composition subjects, two out of three 1 submitted being quite unsuitable. Tlio chairman (Mr. C. J. Parr) thought it was quito clear that the majority of iho inspectors were of opinion that some of tho papers set by the Department in Wellington were too exacting, and, socondly, that the teaching of arithmetic was slackening in certain schools. It was also clear that tho inspectors found that promotions from one class to another had been made that should not have been mado, and when tho children, camo to the real tost in tho sixth standard they vreftt down. Tho board would bo justified in making some finding in this regard. The chairman's suggestion that he ! should draft a scries of motions for next meeting was agreed to. LORD PLUNKET IN THE UREWERA. Auckland, March 31. Tho weather conditions having improved, tho Governor visited the Urowera country. Ho was warmly "received by tho chiefs of tho pa, and had,'a brief conversation with Rua, who, "his Excellency said, appeared to bo doing good by-inducing tho Natives to cultivate Sieir lands and observe sanitary laws. The Governor and party leave Rotorua for Wellington to-day. A DREDCE FOR CISBORNE. Clsborno, March 31. Tho Harbour Board has decided to obtain a dredgo of tho Murihuku typo, and will shortly consider an offer from Siemens and Co., builders of tho Grcymouth dredgo. ALLEGED INFANTICIDE. Clsborno, March 31. , Rose Kirwin/ a servant girl, was charged at the Police Court with the'manslaughter, on March 10, of a new-born 1 female child. The evidence taken at tho inquest was confirmed. This showed that tlio child had lived after birth. Accused pleaded not guilty, reserved her defence, and was oommitted for trial. BRAVE STEWARDESSES. Napier, Maroh 31. The fund for tho endowment of a bed at Napier Hospital in memory of the , two stewardesses who lost their lives in tho Penguin disaster was closed to-day, tho amount necessary (£6O) having been, subscribed. HON. R. M'KENZIE.. Nelson, March 31. Tho Hon. R. M'Kenzie, Minister for Publio Works, visited Murchison on Tuesday, and received several deputations regarding matters of local importance. Ho was entertained by tho residents • of the township at a banquet in the evening, and loft to-day for Westport. SALE OF PASTORAL RUNS. Duno'dln, March 31. An important sale of pastoral run 6 was . held to-day. Of tho Morven Hill runs, one was passed, in and tho other two sold at ; the upset; but for the Kapirau runs there I was very keen'competition. There were nine grazing runs, and all had to bo balloted for, 1 tho lowest number of applications for any one run being three, and the highest twentyl' two.