Untitled

Evening Star, Issue 9185, 14 July 1893, Page 2

The letter signed "Joseph" in our correspondence column demands some attention from usjbe* cause the writer is.a man who, front his position in the community And connection with educational matters, may be presumed to voicfc Ifto views of a good many of his fellow-citizens. The stand wo take on this question has been stated over, and over again in these columns, and, wo thought, with sufficient distinctness that it was impossible there Could be" Any doubt respecting It. . We do not dppose thew&dmtf of the Bibte, if fcbe pedss can agree on pai-ts of .."the are ko ,be, rea'u 1 , and by whom the reading shall be done. But until there is some very pronounced unanimity on these points the Legislature will hot sanction any amendment of the Act in that particular ; nor will the constituencies, whether they be school or parliamentary, endorse the demand of the! Bible -in - schools party. We say again that if this party really desire to have the Bible read in the schools there is a way of doing it, but it is hot that attempted by Mr Fredkic. The instruction can be given either before or after the two hours of continuous teaching which the Legislature has declared shall constitute the secular course, but at no other time. There is nothing to prevent the teacher or teachers from voluntarily taking up the work, as many of them willingly and ably do, but no committee dare compel a teacher to give such instruction. That is the law on the subject, notwithstanding Mr Frkdric's high legal authorities to the contrary. If the statement made by "Joseph "in regard to Port Chalmers were correct,'we should have felt compelled to haveadmitted that he has established his position, But he is not iSUj)ported by facts. Bible lessons have never been given at the Port within school hours. When the use of the school buildings—not the school itself—was accorded to the Committee who undertook to impart religious instruction to the. scholars on two days (Tuesdays and Fridays) of the week, the school time-table was altered, to fit in with those arrangements. In that way the religious instruction was given from 9.30 till 10 a.m. on these days ; and the two hours'continuous secular instruction occupied from ten till noon. And, in order to cover the ground that was lost through the morning session not beginning till ten o'clock, the afternoon one was lengthened by half an hour, so that the school's time-table was 10 a.m. till noon, and I p.m. till 4 p.m. There was, therefore, no infringement of the Act. During the year that the School Committee withdrew permission to use the buildings for the purposes of religious instruction the classes were held in the old Presbyterian Church, and on the two days that these classes so met the school hours were from 9.30 a.m. till noon and from 1 p.m. till 3.30. Tho year following the householders elected a committee pledged to assist the local clergymen in their laudable work, and they again granted the use of tho school buildings for two days each week. Until qviite recently the hours set apart for religious instruction were 9.30 to 10 a.m., and the school work beginning at the latter hour continued till noon, was resumed at one o'clock, and ceased at four o'clock. But at the present time the school hours are from 9.30 a.m. till noon and from I p.m. to 3.30. The Bible classes are and always, have been conducted by the local clergy, who invariably attend either before or after regular horn's, as they have always done, and none of the teachers have ever been asked to assist in the instruction. As to the other illustration relied on by " Joseph " (Broad Bay), we have no absolute knowledge ; but we think his conclusion is as unreliable as his assertion in regard to the Port has been shown to be. It may happen that at Broad Bay the master, having only thirty-two pupils, can so shape his timetable as to provide a Bible lesson daily from 9.30 to 10 a.m., and yet give the two hours' continuous secular instruction enjoined by the Act. As a matter of fact, it is done in scores of places in this educational district, and it may be found, when the Education Board scrutinise tho replies to the circular just issued at the request of the - Minister of Education, that some teachers have found plenty of opportunity for imparting religious instruction to the comparatively handful of children committed to their care. But in most of these instances it has been purely a labor of love. It is, however, very surprising to know that in one district that can be easily located the teacher, who is an ardent, advocate of Bible-reading, has utterly neglected to avail himself of his opportunities to give effect to his very pronounced views. Any teacher so disposed can do what has been done at the Port or follow the example of tlie rectors of the Lawrence and Milton High Schools ; but no committee can instruct, as "Joseph" thinks, any teacher to give religious teaching either in or out of school horn's. There cannot be two opinions on that point.

Bible reading In Schools*

Mr G. J. Smith will stand in the LiberalProhibitionist ticket for Christohuroh City. Mr Faulin advised us this morning : " The disturbances noticed are travelling in an E.S.E. direction, causing rain and hail squalls on W. and S.E. coasts soon, with N.W. to S.S.W. winds, moderate to strong, and lasting for about forty-eight hours." Messrs H. Gourley and H. F. Hardy, justices, presided at the Police Court this morning. For being drunk Elizabeth Smythe and Mary Carroll were fined 20s each, in default forty-eight hours' imprisonment, and Henry William Pearson was fined £3, in default fourteen days' imprisonment.

During the inquest on Spreat it came out (says the correspondent of the Christchurch 'Press') that the accused, bis brother, and two girls were the natural children of Spieat, but great reticence was shown in the matter. Mr Skerret, for the accused, insisted upon the sons calling the deceased "Spreat" instead of '• father," and ultimately the coroner allowed this. The strange part about the affair is that although the dying man swore that the children were his, the boy* ami girls refuse to believe it, and were evidently brought up from childhood in igiioranei- of their parentage." Mrs Sanderson admitted to Inspector Pender that all tlieululdrcu-wereSpreat'a. Although Spreat had made a will leaving hia property to the children, it is more than likely that the Public Trustee wiil step in to satisfy himself that everything is all right,

tihjdlk at theloeal Ck>rit&ble PalmeMon, ww- wmM.% sKe%wns- , WMbt WMs<&& °i ti* Canadian corn, 'tftfotiV, hliftbe&n committed for trial, charged •withthe majwlaughter, of a Mrs Gardiner *fc; Wftruambool'(Vic) en April 29. .The''Richmond i(N.B.W.) QaMta' *ays that Principal Xhompsrin Of the Hawsesbury Agrieultural College was offered and refitted the-postof director of .Lincoln Agricultural College. " ' " The creditors of Ptok>Vorta, dissatisfied, with the recent decision b! the ju»tiees> hft'Ve lodged fiwh mm with other acts o! fr*ttduUsfc bjtakrujwcy., "Turf! local case ought to have bes M\ght before Mr Xeddoll, ».M. A cake and *PW«J sale in- aid of the • f»ndt. of m. Young Wo«wtt'« Christian Alsooiation was held in their- rooms, Moray plaoei this aftemaotu There was a large attendance of ladies, and business was very brisk. The bazaar will be opened agaitt to-niortb* afternoon.,. . W-ffcefl^t^tiqti'-9r ; |!eWipM'in favor of imffledla'te female enfranohißpraen.t that were lent'to Parlifttnentr this week, Otago sent one.wiih"B,ooo signatures, Canterbury 6,230, Wellington.s,4o9, Napier 1/493, laveroarglU 1,000, Nelson 601, Blenheim 192, Otaki 61, and Auokland 2,524} total 25,570. The 1 Southland News' mentions, as an instance of the increased interest of the wcpe»"in this question, that, in one .township near Inveroargill only one Jrotam signed last year, whereas ninety-five women in the same place signed the petition this. year. At All Saints' Sohoolrooin last evening the Rev, Henry Welshman, F.R.C.S.E., de r livered another address on the Melanesian mission. There was a fair attendance. The speaker dwelt upon the work done by missionaries the Natives of the islands ot Melanesia, and pointed out the many difficulties that had, to : be eontended With in spreading tjhe Gospel. The islanders had, a superstitious dread of the White map, and regarded anything belong'ing to him as charmed, and consequently calculated to bring death and disaster upon anyone who came into contact with him. This fear retarded to a great degree the establishment of Bchools among the islands, and when a school was opened a lengthy Jiime elapsed before a satisfactory attendance could be secured. The speaker throughout was accorded an attentive hearing.

A lecture on ' Healthy Surroundings for a Home' was given in St. Paul's Schoolroom last night-by Dr Ogston. There was a moderate attendance, and Mr C. R. Chapman occupied the chair. The speaker gave a large amount of valuable information as to the proper sites, from a hygienic point of view, for dwelling-houses. He referred to the necessity for a drain plan, under the supervision of the Corporation, so that persons could at any time see which was the healthiest locality in which to build. In referring to the question of closets, he condemned those generally in use, and pointed out which were the best kinds. During the address the lecturer was frequently applauded, showing that his .remarks were thoroughly appreciated. The next lecture will be on ' A Healthy Interior of a Home.'

In the divorce case of Wigg v. Wigg, heard at Wellington on Monday, it transpired that the parties lived in Dunedin in 1888. In March of that year they left for Waikouaiti, but did not stay there more than a day, as he failed to get work. They decided to go back to Dunedin, and he went to purchase tickets for the train. As she was seated in the railway carriage he rushed up and handed her a ticket, at the same time telling her that he was going up to Timaru. She was very much surprised, as she thought he was going back with her, but she did not make any remonstrance, as the train was moving. She did not see her husband again till she met him at Hastings in April last. In consequence of a letter addressed to her huaband at Palmerston North, which she intercepted in that town, she got to find out where he was living. She went on to Hastings and found that he was living with Emily Hess, by whom he had had a child. The decree nisi was granted. A very enjoyable entertainment was given in St. John's Ohuroh Schoolroom last night. There was a fair attendance. A pianoforte solo, ' La Regata Vcneziana,' was played by Miss Jennie West; a duet for clarionet and violin by Messrs Gully and Wiight; vocal solos were given by Mrs Ronnie (' Auntie'), Miss Pilkington ('Thou art my life'), and Mr Houghton (' My lady's bower'); a duet, ' I would that the love,' by Mrs Rennie and Miss Pilkington; and a quintet, ' Should the fates,' by Mrs Rennie, Miss Pilkington, Messrs Houghton, Brickcll, and Macandrew. A number of tableaux were given during the earlier part of the evening, and proved very effective. A comedietta, entitled 'The Little Sentinel,' composed the second part of the programme, and created much merriment, the parts being taken by Misses L. Roberts and Reynolds, Messrs Arlidge, A. W. Macandrew, and J. A. Wales. Miss Jennie West acted as directress during the evening, and also played the accompaniments. In the interval the Rev. Mr Diggens thanked the performers for their services.

Apropos of the passage of the Representation Act Amendment Bill the ' Clutha Leader' writes:—lt is well known that the Premier has no love for female enfranchisement, and it was only through his generalship that the reform was defeated last year. Ministers believe that with the present electors they are pretty safe to poll a. majority at the next election, and naturally they are anxious tha; no radical change—the effect of which can not we*l be calculated —should take plaoe in the meantime. They seem doubtful as to whether the women might not upset their calculations if they were allowed to record their votes at next election, and Ministers very probably feel that from their action with reference to the Bill of last session they have forfeited all claim to the support of the new class of electors. It has all along been believed by most people that although Mr Seddon might give in to public sentiment so far as to pass the Bill this session, he would find some means of preventing women exercising the franchise till after next General Election. Many surmises have been indulged in as to how this would be accomplished, but Mr Seddon has not-left the public long in the dark regarding the matter. . . . This new Representation Bill will be passed, and the women once more be deprived of their acknowledged rights, and that for the space of three years. At all events, such is the present outlook. Verily ' party government,' as it exists in New Zealand, is responsible for . many crooked schemes and many selfish actions."

At Tahuna Park to-morrow, at 3 p.m., Alhambra play Zingari-Richmond. Otago hounds throw off at Halfway Bush tomorrow at 3 p.m. As this is.one of the best runs around Dunedin both followers and lookers-on may reckon on some good sport. Miss Ada "Wardrop, who is giving a course of lessons on scientific cooking in Dunedin at the present time, has published a handbook on the subject. Graduating, as Miss Wardrop has done, in one of the best "schools of cookery, in England, and being highly certificated, it goes almost without saying that her methods are of an experienced chef. The little volume is admiraoly printed by Messrs Whitcombe and Tombs, and will doubtless meet with much acceptance. The Dunedin Catholic Literary Society held their weekly meeting last evening, the Rev. Father Lynch preMding.. The debate was resumed oh the proposition " That the volunteers are deserving the support of the Government of this colony, Messrs J. Dunne, J. M'Cormiok, T. Lynch, and J. B. Callan supmotion, and Messrs jV. H. M'Keay, jun., Quelch, and Davis opposed. Some excellent speeches were made, and the motion was carried by a large majority.

We remind our readers of the Ohio Minstrel popular entertainment to be given in the City Hall to-morrow evening. The full programme, which is published to another column, judging from its variety and the many interesting items it contains, should provide a good evening's enjoyirtent. The Ohios have been in existenco as a Voupu now for seven years, *nd during that time have handed over £3oo' to chant-able olijects astho result of thu-several entertain--ments the v.have'juven.' Thijs is the first time Uicv have'hold an entertainment on behalf of their own funds. We have therefore little doubt', but that they will be greeted with a full house, especially as the programme is such an attractive one and the charge is the same all over the hall, '

'I J>m\ecUn fiSw©W dU'senow close n%fc., , k . . ;•«• . .-, ' '*s!% .as, Onslow, will jujrVJtoriobelkv'Broad Ba# aqd ■ t The Sf, Jttartin's Siolroqfr last evening was w#lrtßwaed. A o dmt was contributed-w>the 4 Mlaaei sdenVtofrp by 'Miss GrawJraa-and JjTw M Mfflen, Crawford, Cfcrarip, SmoWr and Springer j a recitation by Milb Mayhew andftfaroe entitled 'Burglars in the House brought the entertainment to a olose. The programme advertised for the Garrison Hall Popular Concert to-morrow night is a very arflstio one,} tip Hems are Ml gooa\ notiw Severn new ; mmi 'The Truda Brothers contribute musioal I iWeetlftns during the evening, and this week/s tableau* will be 'The Three Graces and Dlsfortnightly meeting of the Triumph Me, P.A.F.S., there wat a good attendance "of momben and visitcri, including G.P.M.Bto. M'Olarty, of Queensland. The loto resolved to oppose the action of the D.U.F.SID. Board in admitting the TJ»S.S. Company's Benefit Society. The balance-sheet and, auditors!, report snowed the. lodge to. be .progressing favorably. The iollewing contributed to the harmony of the evening:—Bros. Arnold. Apple, garth, Oram Swan, Mills, lieyland, Spence; and Bro M T Clarty, in response to the vote to the visitors, gave a very interesting account of the working of the Order in his colony. '

The half-yearly meeting of the Otago Lodge, U.A.0.D., was held on Wednesday evening, when the following were", elected for office during the ensuing.aix months W-RA-' Brfc A. Romeril;.iJ>.» Bro,;A. Harris} V.A., Bro. 3 r . Wurr j Bro. B. J. Bryant (reeoted); secretary, Bro. Daniels ire-elected); anlnute seoretary, Bro. Heatley 5 A.P.8., Bros. %rie and Smith; Y.A.8., Bros. Thompson and Moore; 1.G.; Bro. Morton: 0.G., Bro. T. Muir; auditor, Bro. W. 0. Eyans, DvP. Bro. J. Haymes conducted the installation. After some considerable. discussion, thq resolution passed on the 14th ult., ''exonerating G. Sec Bro. J; J. Brennan-irem all blame in the report that he had tried to out down the wages of working men," was rescinded, the qhiefargument in support appearing to be that the matter was totally .outside Druidism, and therefore beyond the province of a lodge to discuss. The receipts of the evening amounted to £l2 5s 6d.