EDUCATIONAL REFORM.

Evening Post, Volume XLII, Issue 14, 16 July 1891, Page 2

EDUCATIONAL REFORM.

Tho discussion which took place in the House yesterday on tho subject of school books was interesting so far as it went, but it was only a skirmibh, a kind of outpoat attack, after all. Although there are many good arguments in favour of diversity in the books used in State Schools, we nro decidedly of opinion that tho weight of reasoning is on the side of thoso who urge uniformity. The waste of monoy caused under the present system is vory groat, and presses heavily on parents. Tho variety in books is also productive of groat injustice tochildren who aro removed from ono district, or one school, to another. Thoy are naturally thrown back when placed in new books, and required to compete with children familiar with those books. Wo should like to see uniformity as nearly approached as possible, and wo should stilt better like to see books of a suitable character specially compiled for use in Now Zealand schools, but tho difficulties in tho way ot this latter reform nro very great, including those arising from copyright. It is, we j think, very absurd to have our children taught from books written for use in the Northern Hcmisphoro, and in which natural phenomena aro described in a inannor distinctly contrary to the personal oxporionco of childron living in tho Southern Hemisphere. To compile a good geography might bo easy onough. Indeed, some creditable attempts havo already been mado, but reading books aro more difficult. Whitcombo and Tombs made an attempt, bnt it can scarcely bo deemed a succcsful ono. Wo do not think the work could be satisfactorily performed in the colony. Tho oidy way it could bo approached with hope of success would be by arrangement with some well-known publishing firm at Home with whom the publication of school books is a specialty. Copyright difficulties might thon bo burmounted, and a Commission, composod of a fow ladies and gontlemon of scholastic experionco, and an equal number at least, of both sexes, of literary culture and cxperienco, might be able to compile a scries of roadinsr books suitable to the conditions of colonial education. It would be very unsafo to entrust the preparation of such works to toachors alono, however high thoir acquirements. It is, however, useless to talk of a uniform system of colonial school books whilo our whole educational system is split up in regard to management, inspection, and authority as it now is. Tho Minister of Education pointed out last night that hi 3 departmout possesses no power to cntorco uniformity, oven if tho books were available. Uniform books, evon if thoy could be imposed on all schools, would only half attain tho object aimed at whilo diversity in tho system of inspection and examination is permitted to continue. The first step towards securing uniformity bhould bo tho abolition of the Education Boards and the transference of the duties of inspection to tho Education Department. Until theso reforms aro effected thero is little practical uso in discussing 1 tho question of books. When they are effected the other improvement will no doubt follow as a mattor of course in due time.

The reading matter on our fourth page to-day consists of a roport of yesterday's Parliamentary proceedings and an interesting itom of news from tho Chathams with roferenee to tho finding thero of wreckage, or flotsam and jotsain. No bettor proof of tho rcconb sovoro weather could be afforded than tho fact that for tho past week or ten days numbors of quail have presented therasolves in the gardens attached to private dwellings on Wellington - terrace. A resident of the Terraoo states that for sevoral mornings during tho late cold weather threo quail have boon seen in his garden picking up seeds as unconcernedly as tho familiar robin redbreast is wont to pick up crumbs in the gardens in England during winter. Tho case of Scott v. Hutchens, an action for trespass, is to be hoard beforo Mr Justico Richmond on Wednesday. Mr Justico Richmond has arranged to finish the divorce caso of Dimes v. Dimes on Tuesday morning next. Tho creditors of Henry J. Poole, fruiteror, failed to attend the adjournod meeting fixed for 11 o'clock this morning, and it accordingly lapsed. Mr. George Woodward desires to acknowledge receipt of tho following donations towards the Thornton Esplanade fencing fund :— Sir G. Grey, Messrs. Haseldon and Thompson, and Dr. Honry, one guinea oach. A special sitting of the Supremo Court in Chambers is to be held by Mr. Justico Richmond on Monday, for the purpose of dealing with tho accounts in tho Napier caso of Tanner v. the Northern Investment Company, the main issue of which was recently decided in the defendant's favour. Sir Robort Stout is to appear for the plaintiff. A short sitting of the Bankruptcy Court was held this morning by Mr. Justico Richmond. William Naylor, expressman, and Lawrence M'Govorn, cab proprietor, woro granted discharges, thero being no opposition on tho part of tho creditors. Tho applications of W. R. Waters, Charlos Fish Fox, plumbor, and W. T. Pomfrey, manure manufacturer, wero adjourned until tho noxt sitting of tho Court. In Waters' case tho adjournment was mado at the bankrupt's own request. Tho bankruptcies of Charles Robertson, butcher, Elizabeth Bnboar and Annio Dwyer, boardinghouse-keopers, were doclared alosod, and the debtors ordered to como np^ for discharge at the next sitting. An application for tho cost of the creditors' solicitors in tho estate of David Robertson was hold over. Tho Court adjourned until the 10th of August. His Excellency the Governor has consented to open the annual show of tho Wellington Poultry, Pigeon and Canary Association on tho 23d inst., a letter to that eSoot being read at the meeting of the committee last evening. Mr. R. E. Bannister was elected a Vice-Prosident of the Association, and Mr. Richard Evans, of Sydenham, was appointed judge of tho canaries and cage birds. Arrangements in connection with the pigeon flying race wore completed, and it was rosolved that on no account would the time for roceiving entries for tho show, which close to-morrow night, be extended. Mr. J. B. Hackworth occupied tho chair at tho mooting. Six wooks ago to-morrow Mr. George Bennott, one of the oldest and most respected residents of Wellington, passed over to his long rest, shortly after the celebration of his golden wedding, and it is now our painful duty to announce that ho has been followed by tho lato partner of his joys and sorrows. Mrs. Bennott had been in a week state of health for some months, and when her husband died on tho sth of last month it was felt that it would not be long before she followed him. About threo months ago she, foil out of bod when trying to rise without assistance and injured one of her arms severoly. An abscess soon, formed, and although Dr. Graco did all in his powor, the swelling increased considerably, and caused her great pain right up to the time of her death. Tho deceased lady had beon sinking for somo days, and passed away quietly in her sleep at a quarter-past 3 yesterday afternoon, in the presence of a number of her relatives, her ago being 74. Tho lato Mrs. Bennett was a sister of Mr. John Harding, of Mount Vornon, Waipvkurau ; Mr. W. J. Harding, late of Wangaijui, and Mr. T. B. Harding, of Napier, and camo out with her. husband and two children in tho Borneoia, which reached Wellington in Nov., 1848, jnst after the great earthquake). Sho lived in Wellington from that date up to her death, a period of about 43 years. The. deceased lady was a devout Christian, and was noted for her charitable actions. Sho took a loading part in the affairs of Wesley Church, and was a most regular attendant at all tho services. She leaves three sons (Messrs. Alfred, Henry, and Philip Bennett,) and three daughters (Mrs. J. Dixon, of Bnnnythorpe, Mosdames G. Denton and T. Ralph, of Wellington,) to mourn the loss of an affeotionate mother. The funeral will take place to-morrow. On the way to tho cemetery, the coffin will bo taken into Wesley Church, Taranaki-street, whero a sorvico will be held. The medical evidence givon at the inquest hold lost evening by Mr. Eb. Baker, Coroner, on the body of Christina Croxford, who died at the Asylum, was to tho effect that death was duo to exhaustion from disease of tho brain. Tho jury returnod a verdiot accordingly. Tho Hutt County Council has received tho following tenders for a bridge on the Akata-rawa-road -. —H. T. Witcher, £159; W. Lawton & Co., £139; E. Hurlston, £130 12s ; H. Jacobson & Co., £115 : W. Lawes £110; Tait & Priest, £105. The lowest tender, that of Tait & Priest, has been accepted. Both the Volunteer Drillshod and the Mount Cook Barraoks wore occupied last evening by the Wellington Navals. A detachment, under Sub-Lieut. Hume, went through the 6-inch breech loading gun drill at Mount Cook, and tho remainder of the battery wore exercised with the torpedo appliances and the 7-inch muzzle loading gun at the Drillshed. Major Newall was present at the latter place, and expressed his satisfaction at the manner in which the drill was performed. Lieut. -Commander Duncan and Sub-Lient. Campbell were the officers present. Medical certificates having been given as to the insanity of Mrs. Ann Shaw, of Wainui-o-mata, she has been committed to the Asylum. The lady's unfortunate derangement is supposed to be due to an affair which occurred at Wainui recently, and whioh afterwards formed the subject of proceedings in the Magistrate's Court.

The Town Hall at Bulls was densely crowded on Tuesday evening, when the ceremony was performed of presenting to Mr. Waller Tricker Her Majesty's free pardon for the crime of murder which ho had not Committed. The andipnee included most of the leading Rangitikei sottlera, and a number of ladies. Mr. John M'lCclvin presided, and the pre-entation was. made by Mr. John Stevens, to whom the pardon was forwarded by the Minister of Justice, as the petition asking for it camp through him. Mr. Stevens gave an interesting smnmary of this extraordinary case, and fully established the facts whioh had established Mr. Tricker's innocence of the crime for which he was convicted. Mr. Tricker, who ■» as much affected, spoke a few feeling words in acknowledgment of tho services of those who had Btri yon to establish his innocence and to obtain his pardon. After some remarks from Mr. Abraham, as representing Col. Gorton (now in England), tho following resolutions were unanimously adopted :— Moved by Mr. Stevens, and seconded by Mr. C. Cameron — '" In the opinion of this meeting there can be no doubt as to Mr. Walter Trickor's innocence, and that the best thanks of tho meeting bo accorded to the Yen. Archdeacon Stock, the Hon. John Ballance, and Colonel Gorton for tho great personal interest which they have taken in securing a pardon for Mr. Walter Triuker." Moved by Mr. Jordan, and seconded by Mr. England—" That a petition bo prepared and signed for presentation to the Government, requesting that some reparation should be given to Mr. Tricker for the great injustice done to him." " Muddy Boots " writes complaining strongly of the bad state of the crossing between Brandon-street and tho wharf. He wants us to explain why it is left in such a state. Wo could, of course, givo a number of scientific reasons, but it will probably suffice to bay that the Corporation authorities are neglecting their duty. Wo learn that tho Tyser Lino steamer Hawke's Bay has been detained in Sydney in consequence of ropairs being necessary in her engine-room. It is not known definitely how long she will be detained there. It will bo remembered this steamer was duo at Wanganui early this month, to take the first of tho frozen meat from that port. Tenders for clearing gorse oft" ton sections of the Town Belt have been accepted, and tho City Besorves Committee will recommend at next meeting of the Council that tenders be invited for clearing the remainder of the sections. Argument was taken by the Chief Justico yesterday in a special case stated by consent. Tho suit was that of tho Bank of Australasia v. Zohrab. The Rangitikei Fibre Company, of which tho defendant was a shareholder, gave to tho Bank a mortgage of its unpaid capital to secure a dobt of .£ISOO. When the deed was executed ho owed about .£72 in calls, but after it had been executed he, without notice of the mortgage, supplied goods to the company to tho value of more than .£72. Afterwards the company wont into liquidation, and no notice of the mortgage was given to the defendant until after the liquidation proceedings had been commenced. The question for the opinion of tho Court was whether the defendant had a right as against tho Bank to set off his claim for the price of the goods . supplied against tho Bank's claim for his calls. His Honour reserved bis decision. Mr. A. Do B. Brandon appeared for the plaintiff, Mr. Travors being for tho defendant. The annual football match, Insurance v. Law, will be played on Wednesday next, the 22nd inst. Messrs. J. Dunn and A. Campbell, Justices, sat at the Magistrate's Court this morning, and disposed of the only police cases — namoly, two males charged with over indulging. They were both discharged after being cautioned not to offend again. Mr. R. E. Bannister has presented a very handsomo trophy to tho Committee of the Poultry Association for the bestLangshan cock. A very suitable prize has also been given by tho proprietors of the Golden Rule Ba/aar for tlio best brown Leghorn pullet. Messrs. Cadbury Bros, have presented a valuable jowel case (wb ; ch at present contains chocolato delicacies), and tho coinmi tteo have allotted it to the Pigeon Flying Race. The half-yearly meeting of tho Hibernian Society was held last evening at tho Old Presbytery in Boulcott-streot. The attendance of members was large. Bro. J. Stratford, President, occupied the Chair. Tho principal business was the olection of officers for tho ensuing term, and the following selection was made : — President, Bro. J. Stratford (ro-olected) ; Vico-Presidont, Bro. P. M'Mahon; Treasurer, Bro. M. Bohan (re-olocted) ; Secretary, Bro. W. J. Grant (re-elected) ; Warden, Bro. B. Nolan ; Guardian, Bro. J. M'Loughlin ; Visitors of Sick, Bros. B. Byrne, C. Sullivan, P. M'JVTahon and R. Robinson; Medical Attendant, Dr. Cahill. Notwithstanding tho inclemency of tho weather there was a largo attendance at tho Opera Houso last ovening, when Hugo's Buffalo Minstrels appeared for tho third time. The various items were well recoived and encores wore frequont. A changq of programme takes phvco to-morrow evening. Consideration was given at tho last meeting of the New Zealand Amateur Athletic Association to tho tie for tho high jump between Messrs. J. E. Humo (Wellington) and Lawrio (Auckland). It was decided, as a gold aud silver medal had been offered but a. tio had taken place, " That the Association inform tho competitors that as Mr. Hume was unable to go on with tho tio, the Association are of opinion that Mr. Laurie should have had the gold medal, but as this was not done the matter be left to the competitors to docido. Both men to bo bracketed for the championship." The Council of the Now Zealand Institute of Surveyors held a meeting hist ovening in the offices of Mr. Thos. Ward (secretary), Grey-street. The members of the Council present were Messrs. S. P. Smith, Jas. M'Korrow, H. Gordon. A. N. O'Donohoo, and J. Davis. Messrs. M'Kay and Harrison, of Auckland, wero elected members, and Mr. A. W. D. Bell was elected an hon. member. A proof form of certificate was submitted and approved. It was decided that the Surveyors' Journal should bo issued on tho first Saturday in August, November, February, and May. Tho Auckland Branch of tho Institute forwarded a suggestion embodying an amendment in tho Surveyors Bill now before Parliament, to the effect that the names of qualified snryoyora should bo published once a year in tho Government Gazette, and that tho list so published should be taken as prima facie evidence that the person whose name appeared in the list in the Gazette was a surveyor within the meaning of tho Act. This was agreed to by the Council with a slight modification. The question of reciprocity in examinations for surveyors throughout Australasia, was discussed, tho subject being introduced to the Council owing to the receipt of a communication on tho subjoct from tho Surveyor-General of Queensland. Tho Council, after somo discussion, deoided to tako steps to meet the Surveyor-General of Queensland as far as possible. The scale of fees adopted by tho various districts was considered,' and a committee consisting of tho Presidont, tho VicePresident, and the Secretary, was appointed to investigate the Westland scale of fees. Tho Socretary was instructed to issue the usual notices convening the third annual meeting, to take place on the 17th August, and the Council adjourned. Mr. J. L. Kimbell, well-known in the city and recently proprietor of the Marquis of Normanby Hotel, Carterton, has purchased, through Messrs. Dwan Bros., the Central Hotel. Patca, lately conducted by Mr. E. Derrett. Some civil cases were yesterday disposed of at the Lower Hutfc Resident Magistrate's I Court by Messrs. Howden and Fitzherbert, Justices. The most important claim was that for .£ls ISs by Edmonds & Co., brewers, against MateneTauwhare, native chief. The claim was for beer supplied at different times to certain persons who represented themselves as defendant's agents during the continuance of a tangi, or mourning party, at the house of defendant. The defendant denied that the beer was supplied by his authority or that ho ever promised to pay for it. Tho Bench gave judgment for the dofondant. Mr. Jackson was for tho plaintiffs, and Mr. Menteath for defendant. The Wellington Navals are to commence class firing on Saturday next, at 1.30 p.m. The inspection of boats, &c, will be made by Major Newall on tho let of August. The starboard watch has been divided up into squads, and placed under the charge of P.O.'s Harris, Davenport, Babe, and Balcombc. It is expected that tho annual examination of gunners and subminors will"* take place next month. « The freehold of tho land and premises in Feathorston - street formerly occupied by Messrs. E. Reeves and Co., produco merchants, was' reoenfly purchased by the Imperial Fire Insurance Company from Keep Bros., the great Birmingham hardware merchants, and extensivo alterations to the building are now in course of progress. The plans and specifications were prepared by Mr. W. C. Chatfield, the well-known architect, and the contract has been secured by Mr. E. Gray, who haa made a start with the work. The main entrance to tho premises is to be through a hall 29ft deep and 7ft wide, laid down in Minton tiles, and from it there will lead to the first floor a staircase ornamented with cast - iron balustradiag. On the left of the hall will be the offices of the Imperial Company. These will consist of the publio office, 18ft by 20ft, the office of Mr F. H. Pickering, general manager in the colony, and the bookkeeper's office, together with a large strong room and a lavatory. On the right-hand side of tho entrance hall there is to be another suite of offices for the China Traders' Insurance Company, who hare taken a long lease of that portion of the premises. The public office will be 26ft deep, and the remainder of the accommodation will be taken up with a room for tho manager (Mr Whittal), an office for the clerks, a strong room and a lavatory. Both suites of offices ore to be fitted up regardless of expense, Mr Chatfield having received instructions to carry out the work in the very best style. The hall, which is to be highly ornamented, is to be lit from tho top of the building. On the first floor there are to be six complete offices, and on the second floor several other similar apartments are to be fitted up. The front elevation of the premises is also to be improved. Plate glaas windows aro to be put in, and various other alterations, which will tend to enhance the appearanoe of the building, have been decided upon. The work of altering the building is to be carried out under the supervision of Mr. Chatfield. The cost of the alterations will exceed £1600. Every attention, we should add, is to be paid to the sanitary and lighting arrangements of the premises. The Rev. Mark Guy Pearse is announced to give two additional lectures, at the Wesley Churoh, Taranaki-street— the first on Saturday evening, when Mb subject will be " The History of tie West London Mission," and the second on the following Monday, when he will tell his audience " Some more of the Old Folks at Home." On Sunday the rev. lecturer will preach at Wesley Church, both in the morning and evening.

As the Masterton licensing election has been declared void, it will bo necessary to take another poll. The usual course i= to treat such a vacancy as an extraordinary one, arising on the day when the Magistrate gives his decision, and the new election mu^t take place within 25 days. Another of the pioneer settlers has passed over to the great majority, in the person of Mrs. Eliza Williams, wife of Mr. David Williams, Park Vale-road, Karori. Mrs. Williams, who was born in India, arrived with her husband in Wellington by tho London in 1842. The couple lived in Wollington for a year or two, and then went to Poverty Bay. During their residence there the Maori troubles occurred, and on ono occasion husband and wife had a narrow escape of losing thoir lives. Mr. Williams was a cabinetmaker by trade, and the natives were very fond of looking at his turning lathe at work. Ono day lie presented a Maori with a specimen of his handiwork in ! the shape of a small piece of turned wood. The aboriginal prized this exceedingly, and passing a cord through it ho wore it as a sort of charm. Not very long afterwards this Maori warned Mr. Williams and his wife that an attack was about to be made upon the Europeans, and advised them to flee to the stockade. Husband and wife accordingly left their home and took refuge in the stockade, and during the night a number of their fellow-settlers were murdered. After living in Poverty Bay for a short time, the couple returnod to Wellington, and have been hero ever Binoe. Mrs. Williams had been in failing health for some months before her death, which took place at Karori early yesterday morning. In her hist illness, she was attended by Dr. Collins. She leaves five sons, two daughters, a number of grandchildren, and several great grandchildren. We are informed that she was the mother of the first European child born in Poverty Bay. Tho late Mrs. Williams was a very kind-hearted woman, and her demise, at the age of 75, will be regretted by many of our readers. The following tenders wore received by the City Council for clearing the reservoir site at Wainui-o-mata :—Accepted—Jensen and Norden, £89 9s 9d. Declined—C. Harris and Co., .£96; W. Hunt, J6104: P. Carrick, .£lO4. 10a; G-. Welling, £128; B. Thomas, £130; E. Hayes, £130; Ellis and Lawson. JEI4O. Justices dealt with tho civil list at to-day's sitting of the Magistrate's Court, Messrs. J. Dunn, S. R. Dransfield, and A. Campbell, being on the Bench :—ln undefended cases judgment wont by default as follows :—P. O'Slioa v. D. M'Carthy, JE3 8s lOd, costs 6S; E. W. Mills and Co, v. G. Phillips, £3 0s 3d, costs 7s j Ann Nicholl v. M. Williamson, £1 7s 6d, costs 7s; B. Hannah and Co. v. W. J. Shaw, £18 2s 4d, costs £1 Is. Judgment summonses.— G. Hodson y. C. de L. M'Carthy, £2 12s, to be paid within a week, or two days' imprisonment ; Edward Banks v. A. W. Marsh, £3 7s, to be paid by instalments of 10s por month, first payment to be mado on the Ist of August; Isaac Harrison v. Quong Lee Yong, £2 19s 3d, to be paid forthwith, or in defaultthreo days' imprisonment; Ollivier, Brown, and Pennefather y. P. Dougherty, £13 0s 6d, to be paid within a month, or in default 14 days' imprisonment; W. H. Stewart v. H. Knowlcs, £12 Ss, to be paid by instalments of £2 per month, or in default 13 days' imprisonment, first payment to bo made on tho 16th of August. Tho only defended caso was that of Emma Eves v. C. C. Hubbard, tho plaintiff claiming £3 for two weeks' board and lodging, as por arrangement. Defendant being dissatisfied with the place loft after staying ono night, and paid a sum of 10s into Court in satisfaction of the claim. Tho Court gave judgment for the plaintiff for 30s, togothor with £1 4s costs. Mr. Gray was for the plaintiff and Mr. Jcllicoo for tho defendant. Mr. A. D. Riley, Direotor of the School of Design, assisted by a few willing assistants, was to-day engaged in packing np the models and general appliances appertaining to tho school, preparatory to flitting to tho rooms propared for the school in the new Education Offices on the reclaimed land. It is expected the pupils of -fcko school -irill bo able to attend their classes in tho new building somo time during next weok. The Chatham Islands correspondent of tho Lyttolton Times writes as follows :—News comes by this mail that our respected Resident Magistrate is to proceed at once to Wellington to receive his disohargo. Retrenchment is the cause of his removal. Mr. Deighton has presided in our Court for over 17 years, and has grown old in tho service of tho Government, having been in that sorvico for the last 40 years. Wo all sincerely hope that his compensation will bo a handsomo ono. Our good Bishop writes that he intonds sending us a resident clorgyman, and not before one is wanted. Although service has been regularly conducted in our little church for the past throe years by tho lay roader, yet no lay reader can adequately fill tho place of a clorgyman. Mr. Foster, the lay reader, has, all must agree, worked hard for tho church and tho spiritual welfaro of ■ the children, and ho has our very best thanks. Let us hop© our Bishop will ohooso a clergyman with some ballast, as he is suro to be horribly spoiled for the first few months; and after that, if ho has no holes in his coat wo'll soon pick some. It's a pleasant little way we have. Tho groat undertaking of celebrating the discovery of the island by Lieutenant Broughton is now occupying our minds. So far, all is going merry as a marriage bell; but soon, lam afraid, that " pleasant little way wo have," roferred to above, will crop up, and there will be d'fferencos of opinion and war. In our ndvertißiufr columns to-day it will lie seen that Mr. Qeo. Winder, ironmonger, has already to extend his premises, ns tho requirements of his iucrensing trade warrant more accommodation. He attributes his success partly to advertising, aud says that advertising is good us long as you carry out what you adrertise. Townsend & Paul will sell to-morrow, fruit trees, &c. G. W. Smart will sell to-morrow, at Maaterton, unredeemed pledges, &c A. J. Eeid will sell to-morrow, sundries. Goorge! Thomas & Co. will sell to-moirow, fruit, &c. Noble Campbell & Co. will' soil to-morrow, fruit, &c.