The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1887.

Evening Star, Issue 7197, 27 April 1887, Page 2

The Evening Star WEDNESDAY, APRIL 27, 1887.

Necessarily ideas differ with regard to the manner in which the Queen's Jubilee is to be commemorated in Dunedin. By some the making of a Park on the Town Belt is advocated. No doubt such a Park would be a pleasant place of resort were people in. clined to visit it; but the objection to it is that experience proves we have more plea-sure-grounds on our hands than can be kept in order; and that, attractive as parks and gardens may be, the expense to the present limited population would be constant and heavy and the return nothing. What can be more attractive than our Botanical Garden, with its neatly laid-out walks, picturesque site, and variety of timber and flowers ? Yet how few comparatively visit it for a pleasant stroll or for botanical information. Then, as a commemorative institution, even assuming it to have been named the Victoria Park, the significance of the proposed Park would soon be forgotten. How many of the present generation, for instance, can remember the planting of the two oak trees designed to perpetuate the memory of the marriage of the Prince of Wales twenty-four years ago ? Where are the trees ? Most probably our mention of this circumstance may be the first intimation of its occurrence to many then in their infancy, and to others now at maturity, not then born. To some extent the same objection applies to an Art Gallery, but with this advantage in its favor : that while there are large areas of land set apart for ornamental and recreative purposes, we have not even a yard of wall Bpace for the exhibition of works of art. Moreover, in the present state of the industrial world, an Art Gallery is an important factor as an educational institution. Itisnotamereplacecf amusement. An Art Gallery, in which pictures by able artists are exhibited, tends to refine the taste ; to incite to the study of the arts of peace; and to aid in attaining to skill in designing, by which alone excellence in architecture and manufactures can be attained. The Park presents nothing new. Each visit reveals only the same features, which at length become monotonous. But works of art are to be studied ; not merely in-their beauty, but in the means by which that beauty has been effected. Of the two, an Art Gallery has the higher claim. Passing by the other proposals of a Public Library, which the City Council has power to establish if the ratepayers insist upon it, and the Convalescent Home, philanthropic as may be its intention, we have a suggestion to make which seems to us to be more in harmony with the manner in which Her Majesty wishes her Jubilee to be commemorated at Home. Excellent as is our educational system, so far as primary and secondary education are concerned, there is one branch not provided for by the State, but which is essential to its practical application to the business of life, and that is technical education. It will be observed that only one School Committee in Dunedin has turned attention to this most important subject—tho George streot School. There, a contri- I bution has been made of a turning I lathe, by one, not of the moat wealthy J class in the City; and he has signified I

his willingness to give instruction in its use; arrangements have been made for a carpenter's bench, and a competent instructor is to be provided as soon as the necessary tools are obtained; and thus the way is being prepared by which the youth attending the school may not only learn the science of meohanios, hat }ts praotical application. At Home the Prince of Wales advocates an Imperial Institute—a repository of works of art of all nations. Let Dunedin's schools form industrial branohes of this Institute, in which in time tooome may be deposited contributions from youths educated In teohnics in school-workshops founded in commemoration of the Queen's Jubilee,