Untitled

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3770, 15 August 1883, Page 2

"Notes from the Gallery," an extract from the Loan and Mercantile Agency Company's report about frozen meat, aud the nominations for the principal events at the forthcoming race meeting of the HaAvke's Bay Tockey Club, appear on the fourth page of this issue. The timo of departure of the Union Company's s.s. Taiaroa for Gisborne and Auckland is noAV fixed, for 8 p.m. this day. We are requested to call the attention of both corps of volunteers to the fact that the parade fixed for to-night has been postponed until Wednesday next. Messrs Largo and Townley's old premises in Browning-street are in course of demolition to make room for the iicav offices to be erected for the South British Insurance Company. The Municipal Council meets this CA-cning, when, we bear, there is likely to be a lively discussion over some further correspondence that has passed bctAvcen the Corporation and tho Government Avith respect to the occupation of the offices. . L L, r * , 4.1 • In the Resident Magistrate's Court this morning, before E. Patten, Esq., J.P., Joseph McCabc and George Campbell, charged with drunkenness, Avero each lined ss' and costs, or in default 48 hours' imprisonment with hard labor. Both prisoners elected to " take it out." AA r e remind our readers of the entertainment to bo given in the Church of England schoolroom, Taradale, to-morroAV evening, in aid of the funds for supplying the Meanee school with the necessary requisites for a gymnasium. The programme is a very attractive one, and, as arrangements have been made for conveying visitors from Napier and AAvatoto, a crowded house may be expected. A passenger by the Rotomahana Avntes a letter to a friend in Ciiristchurcii giving a few of the experiences of the passengers on tho occasion of the vessel striking on AVaipapa point. The folloAving is one :—" One very littlo, fussy man, who usually appeared in a black broadcloth suit and a pair of eye-glasses, came up on deck with one boot on, no coat or Avaistcoat, and his trousers on the wrong way. He walked about this Avay all the time till avc got pretty well settled, and then I began to lau"-h at him. He siuv mo and came up, ancf said he could not find his other boot anyAvherc. I then mentioned the subject of his attire to him, and he rushed down to put it straight. There Avero other little irregularities in bis dress, Avhich made it the funniest thing I ever saw AA'hen the reaction came. AVhen he came up again ho had both boots on. I asked him where he found his boot, but be did not seem inclined to talk about it, so I said no more. Next day he came to mo and said in a very confidential manner : < AVell, now, do you know that it Avas nmost extraordinary thing about my boot. You knOAV I never shall bo able to understand it; but when I went down, do you knoAV I found my b»ot was m the scat of mi/ trousers. Don't know how it got there (pause, then very rcilectively): No, I'm handed if I believe I ever will know either ' This is a solemn fact, and just shows what a state people get into; and yet this man Avas as quiet and calm as anyone could wish." In a paper on Madagascar (says the Daily News), contributed to the May number_ of '"Mission Life': Home aud lorcign Church AVork" (Wells Gardner and Co.), Mr R. Nccdham Oust put forth some astounding but apparently well-authenticated statements regarding the countenanecopenly o-iven to slavery in Madagascar by Christian missionaries. The married native students in tho Church of England College nto m each caso provided, wo arc told, Avith an upstair room for their slaves, ancl the domestics of tho missionary and tlic mission are also slaves. It is also alleged that '' the stoutest champions of slavery m the Island, arc the native pastors of the Nonconformist churchs; that some of those pastors aro even slaves themselves, ancl hence that a portion of their stipend collected under the influence of prayer in their cllurches and chapels finds its way to the stores ot the slaveoAvner. The Roman Catholic missionary is stated to go a step further, and to purchase slave boys and girls who aro kidnapped from their parents, with a view to formin" so-called "orphanages' all over Africa..' Mr Gust records tbe almost incredible fact that a Quaker missionary having ventured to denounce tho practice of slavery in an assembly of the different native churches, a vote of censure Avas passed upon him by the other missionaries. An interesting example of the Avay in which showmen's wonders are manutacfacturcd is afforded in recent proceedings taken at the Liverpool Police Court agamst John Davcy, for kidnapping the child of Mr Jones. During the time the Zulu fever prevailed in England, showmen made a fansum of money by exhibiting specimens of tho Kaffir tribe. The Zulus, however, Avent back to their oavii country, and blacks became a valuable property in the market. Tho man Davey wanted something- that bo could exhibit as a Zulu. Ho accordingly Avent to the house of a colored seaman nomed Jones, and asked Mrs Jones, an Englishwoman, if she Avould alloAV her child to bo exhibited at a waxwork slioav. Prisoner offered tho mother 5s per Avcek, and stated that she should see her son every night. Tavo days afterwards thcAA'oma.n went to the waxA-rorks to see her child, but not being able to find him sho gave inforto tho police, and a Avarrant Avas issued ao-aiust the prisoner. He Avas arrested at Selkirk, N. 8., Avhero the boy Avas being exhibited as a "Zulu." The prosecution of Davcy fell through—avc do not knoAV upon Avhat grounds. People Avho arc invited to "walk up " at fairs and sec the great wonders of Nature within the booth will do well to take caution. AVc cannot be alAvays AA'ith them. ~..,,„ . n An article in the Ncav York Irish AVorld, headed "Daniel Curlcy's Murder," comments upon the "brave death of the patriot and hero" In another part of tho paper, under the heading "The Martyr's Friend," an appeal is made Tho writer says:— '• It is the duty of the Irish people to provide for the families of every man Avho dies, or exists in a living death for Ireland. AVc' propose sending ono thousand dollars to Joe Brady's mother, one thousand dollars to Dan Curlev's wife, and one thousand dollars to the" family of every one of those men avlio has been cither murdered m the name of the kiAV, or sent to penal servitude Avithout having pleaded guilty. This money avc Avant at once. (Signed) Patrick Ford." , „ The folloAving paragraph is taken from a Home paper:—" A horrible case of staiwing a girl has come beforo the Gateshead magistrates. AA r m. A\ r clls, painter, and Margaret AVells, his Avif c, avctc charged Avith neglecting their child Agnes, who, on February 9, AA'as found in a room destitute of furniture. She Avas little else than skin and bone, and although nearly 11 years old, Avcighed only lGlb. Since being admitted to the Union house she had gained 181b. Tho Avoman, Avho is the child's stepmother, said to a detective that she Avishcd she had poisoned her. Mrs AVells Avas sent to prison for six months, and her husband for three months, each Avith hard labor." The achieA'cmcnt that gave to the Avorld AVolfe's Schnapps, will Ha'o in the history of curative science as long as the human frame is- subject to natural diseases.— [Advt.]

NAPIER SCHOOL COMMITTEE. The ordinary fortnightly meeting of tho abovo Avas hold last evening. Present: Messrs Liuvs (chairman), Carneil, Garner, Large, Shanly, and Spriggs. CORRESPONDENCE. The following iiiAvard correspodence Avas read: — From the secretary Education Board (circular), asking for certain information respecting the probable number of children to be presented in each standard at tho forthcoming examination. — Referred to head master to fill in ansAvers. From the head master, covering letter to the Education Board, asking Avhether the Board intended to give the same inducement this year as formerly for preparing pupil teachers for Class E.—Letter to bo foi-Avardcd to Education Board. From the manager Napier gas AVorks, stating that tho Musical Society tit its last practice used 250 cubic feet of gas, and that Is per night Avould be a fair charge to make. From the secretary Musical Society, thanking the committee for their letter o 20th ultimo, and suggesting that, as the hours alloAved the society for practice wore longer than would be required, tho committee should, in vicav of the society curtailing their time on ordinary occasions, be alloAved an extra evening when required for orchestral practices.—After a good deal of desultory discussion it Avas agreed to accede to the society's request, subject to the consent of tlie chairman being obtained, a charge of 10s per night to be made to coA'er caretaker's fee, coals, gas, kc From tho secretary Education Board, asking to bo furnished AA'ith the names of all applicants for tho position of assistant mistress for Napier school, Avith the value of their certificate in each instance.— Ordered to be supplied. From Mr C. T. AVilliams, resigning his scat on the committee in consequence of his removal from Napier.—Mr Carneil presumed the committee would I'olloav the usual course and elect the person who aa as next ou the list at the general election.—Mr Largo: That Avould be injudicious. I object.—Mr Carneil: AVell, you Avero apxiointcd in that way anyhow. (Laughter).—Mr Largo explained that he did not knoAV Avho was the next on the list, but he objected to be bound by any hard and fast rule.—Mr Carneil said he did not know AA'hat name Avas next either, but in any case it avus that of the man in Avhom the householders at the general election had tho greatest confidence next to those avlio Avere then returned.—■ Mr Shanly Avould support the next candidate on thelistforsimilarreasons. Mr J. Parker's was the next name.—Mr Largo proposed that Mr Kirker bo elected, and Mr Spriggs proposed Mr Fielder.—The name of Mr J. Martin was suggested, but it was positively stated that he Avould not sit if elected.—All the names proposed, Avith the exception of that of Mr J. Parker, were then withdniAA'ii, and Mr Largo proposed as an amendment that Mr R. Dobson be appointed,—■ Mr Carneil and Mr Garner said they would object to Mr Dobson, and if he Avere appointed they Avould resign. Mr Dobson had ruled the committee quite enough on previous occasions. That gentleman's ideas of a committee seemed to be that ono person should transact all the businos.—A somcAvhat personal discussion ensued, Mr Dobson being ultimately elected by three votes to tAA-o. —Mr Shanly, who had evidently been lost in reverie, here aAVoke and complained that ho had not had an opportunity of voting.—The Chairman said ample time had been given.—Mr Shanly said he intended to haA'c A'otcd for Mr Parker.—The Chairman: That Avould not have affected tho result, as I should havo given my casting vote in favor of Mr Dobson. Mr Garner here handed a letter to tho Chairman Avhich Avas understood to coA'er his resignation. —Mr Carneil urged MiGarner not to resign until tho close of tho present meeting at all events. He Avanted his (Mr Garner's) voice in the motion that was to come before the meeting later on with respect to the question of clergymen usingtho school far imparting religious instruction. —Mr Garner refused to Avait, and made preparations for leaving the room.—MiLarge tiAvittcd Mr Garner AA'ith shirking a very important duty in leaA'ing the room at such a juncture. The clergymen Avould thank him for resigning, lioaa-ca'ci-.—Mr Garner: So they may, for I should certainly havo supported Mr Carncll's motion.—Mr Garner then AvithdrcAV.—Thc Chairman said it might be as avcll to defer consideration of Mr Garner's letter until next meeting, which aviis unanimously agreed to. Mr Large said that tho erection of tho gymnasium and lcA'clling of the phrygronnd, with all expenses, would come to about dJIOO. A sum of about £130—or more than enough to pay for tho gymnasium—had been raised by subscription and from other sources, the deficiency being thus £30. He suggested that the Board should bo asked to make good tho deficiency. The Board could vote money only for levelling the playground, but the committe had altogether spent £70 in levelling, so they could fairly ask for tho £30.—1t was agreed to adopt Mr Largo's suggestion. MR CARNELL'S MOTION. Leave having boon obtained, Mr Carneil amended his motion, of Avhich notice Avas given at the last meeting of committee, as folioaa's :—"That, iv A'icAV of the number of applications for the use of the school for various purposes, tho piiVilege be withdraAVii altogether, and that the secretary be instructed to write to those parties at present making use of the school for imparting religious instruction informing them of the decision of the committee, and notifying that the priA'clegc hitherto granted them has been reA'oked " Mr Carneil explained that his reason for amending his motion Avas so as not to disturb the Musical Society, Avhich, he understood, gave useful instruction to the school children. Ho did not bring fonvard tho present motion in any spirit of antogonism to Christianity, but purely on moral grounds, and he Avas prepared to slioav that the Bible Avas not a lit book for boys and girls to read. Tlic Old Testament Avas full of lewdness, bloodthirstiness, drunkenness, obscenities, and indecencies, aud Avas eminently calculated to corrupt those Avho read it. If the clergymen had agreed to confine their lessons to those of the Ncav Testament he Avould have uttered no word on the subject, although ho had his oaa'ii opinions concerning that book also. Bnt one of the clergymen to AA'hom ho bad spoken on tho matter positively refused to do anything of the kind. He did not expect the motion would be carried, perhaps not even seconded since Mr Garner had left the room, but as there Avas an attempt made outside to cast odium upon him he desired to slioav to the public that he had good cause for the action he had taken. He regretted that some of those who agreed Avith him Avhen he spoke to them privately concerning the matter uoav deserted him, not having, as he must believe, the courage of their convictions. Ho wished to have the children taught morality, and not to have their morals blasted by. reading filthy stories. [Mr Caincll quoted a formidable array of chapters and A'orses from Genesis doAvn to Jeremiah, Avhicli AA'ere, he remarked, unfit for general reading, and then intimated that the list Avas not nearly completed]. Mr Large seconded the motion pro forma to enable him to move an amendment to the effect that any minister of any denomination should be alloAved to use tho district schools one day Aveekly, after regulation school-hours, and for a time not exceeding half an hour. He said ho sympathised Avith some of Mr Carnell's remarks as to passages in tho Old Testament not being fit to read to children; but they might feel sure such passages neA'cr Avero read to them. So long as there Avere no complaints about the teaching given there could bo no objection to Bible lessons if they did not interfere Avith tho ordinary secular teaching. Mr Shanly said he usually agreed with Mr Carneil, but on this occasion ho must oppose him. The privilege granted to Messrs Hovcll aud LcAvis to teach the children religion after school hours had not been abused, and, that being the case, there Avas no occasion to revoke it. The Frccthought Association had an equal right, ho conceived, to teach the children morality so long as the parents Avere agreeable. The Chairman felt that the motion Avas conceived in an illiberal spirit, and ho could better have understood it had it emanated from somo narroAv-minded ecclesiastic rather than from a Free-thinker, his own experience of the latter class being that they Avere men of very liberal vicAvs. To carry such a resolution Avould be to inflict an injustice, as a largo proportion of parents avci-o in favor of Bible reading in schools. [Mr Carneil: No.] It would also bo a suicidal policy, and tend to create a reaction in favor of that which it opposed,

resulting in the breaking up of the present system. " Mr Large did not apprehend the cause for alarm set forth by the chairman. Tho Spit committee first granted and aftci-Avards withdrcAV a like privclegc, and still the world went on. Mr Carneil combatted the chairman s remarks respecting tho desire of to havo the Bible read in schools, and, quoting from Hansard, said Mr Sutton in the Houso had pointed out that only 0.3/ out of 17,000 European residents of Hawke's Bay had signed tho Bible in Schools petitions, and were thoy all tho "Wds of families," or nearly all t Mr Springs intimated that he Avould oppose tlie motion on the ground that there Avas no tangible reason for tho withdrawal of tho permission accorded to Mr Ho veil and Mr Lewis. _ Mr Carneil having replied, Mr Largo moved his amendment, which, hoAvever, lapsed for Avant of a seconder. Mr Spriggs then proposed as an amendment, "That tho privilege granted to the Revs. Do Bcrdt Hovcll and Lcavls bo continued, but that should the committee _ receive applications from other religious denominations desiring tho same privilege, they shall inform them that the time allowed will bo altered to one day in each j week."

This was carried, Mr Carnell's motion being thus negatived. It'haviug been previously stated that the caretakers bad complained of inconvenience, the* Chairman stated that be had put the following question to them in writing :— "Do the religious classes interfere with your work in connection Avith school, if so to what extent ?" Ho iioav submitted the reply :—"No inconvenience Avhatever. The Secretary was instructed to decline the use of a room for tho meetings of tho Free-thought Association. Mr Shanly was appointed to sign chccpies in place of Mr Williams, resigned, ancl the meeting then adjourned.