SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 116, 14 October 1874, Page 3

SCHOOL COMMITTEES.

LYTTELTON. The annual meeting of the Lyttelton school committee took place at the Colonists’ Hall on Monday night. Owing to the inclemency of the weather, there was a very limited attendance. Mr H. R. Webb, as chairman of the committee during the past year, occupied the chair, and read clause of Ordinance calling the meeting. He then proceeded to read the report of the committee for the pnst year, which ran as follows :

“The committee report that during the past year the number of scholars attending the Borough School has increased from 516 to 543, the average attendance remaining as before. The report of the inspector as to the work and progress has been satisfactory. The vacancy caused at the commencement of the year by the resignation of Mr Borthwick was filled up by the appointment of Mr G. N. Phillips, since which, Mr Amy having removed, Mr Phillips has taken his place, leaving the lower school in charge of Miss Reston, who was appointed to that office, and whose resignation has been accepted by the committee, an ass : Btant teacher being temporarily engaged until the head master shall take charge of the school after the December vacation. The committee, considering it their duty to appoint a head master to take charge of the upper classes and the general supervision of the schools, advertised in June last for a gentleman possessing a first class certificate to take office. Nine answers were received from gentlemen, all of whom were highly recommended, and from these the committee selected Mr W, L. Blge, M.A., at present engaged in the Timaru school, who was theonly candidate possessing therequired qualifications. The teaching-staff at present consists of two certificated masters and a mistress and four pupil teachers, under the supervision of Mr J. Ross as acting head master. The committee have to announce that at last they have possession of the new school buildings, and that but a small amount of work remains to be done in the completion of the out-buildings, metalling the playground, and adjusting the furniture before the school can be occupied by the children. The furniture has been a matter of considerable annoyance, not having been made by the contractors to the satisfaction of either the architect or the committee. At present a portion of it has been taken into the building and is now undergoing modification in order if possible to make it in conformity with the architect’s specification ; should this not be practicable new furniture must be procured. The services of the hard labor gang, liberally placed at the disposal of the committee by the Provincial Government, have been of the greatest advantage in the excavation and levelling of the ground in the rear of the schoo-“'form play grounds, fencing, laying down drains, and formation of a large concrete tank underground, capable of holding 12,000 gallons, and the removal of the drill shed to its present position as a wet weather playground. The concrete reclaiming wall on the side next the gaol will protect the grounds from damage by water, and will also be a great adjunct for purposes of recreation, being so constructed as to form fives’ courts. A leaden cistern, holding 300 gallons, has been placed in the upper lavatory, supplied by a force pump from underground tank. The water from this will be distributed to the other lavatories, which will be supplied with requisites for ablution. The committee have secured a full set of teaching apparatus (maps, globes, &c), and think it advisable that all the internal arrangements of the school should be complete before occupation. Tenders were invited for the custodian's house, the dwarf wall in front of the building, and sundry other accessories, but the only tender received being for £I9OO, whereas the architect’s estimate was £BIB 16s, the committee could not recommend its acceptance, but would suggest to their successors the advisability of at once calling for fresh tenders. In conclusion, the committee acknowledge with much pleasure the extreme liberality which .has been shown them in furthering their work by the Board of Education and the Provincial Government.”

He then read the balance sheet, which showed there was a balance on October Ist, 1873, of £195 Bs. The .grant for maintenance during the year had been £669 Is 3d. Household rates from last year’s arrear £l7 6s ; household rates collected for the present year, £272. Fees from school children, £52 I Os. Incidental receipts for prizes, £5 ; from his Worship the Mayor, £l. The expenditure had been for salaries. £719 Oa 5d ; repairing school furniture, £3 7s 6d ; and incidental expenses for renting hall, collecting rates, &c, £IOB 19s 4d. This left a balance of £3BO 17s to commence the year with.

The Chairman stated that the accounts had been audited, both by the district auditors and by Mr John Ollivier, the district audi or. The reason the rates had not been collected sooner was, that it was so late in the year when the announcement in the Oatettr and the appointment of the collector took place. He further stated that he hoped some gentleman would more the adoption of the report and balance sheet. Mr Joseph Carder stated he was very happy to do so. Mr Milne seconded the motion, which was canied. The Chairman said that the next business of the meeting would be to elect a new committee for the ensuing year, and read regulations from the Ordinance for doing the same, Mr Carder quickly rose to propose that the old committee, consisting of Messrs Webb, Donald, Rouse, Nalder, Wood, Hawkins, Grange, and Allwright be re-elected. He was not generally in favor of committees being re-elected, but he thought this an exceptional case, as the committee had entered into contracts with regard to the new school buildings, and he thought they had better wait till the new schools were finished and the children in them for the introduction of fresh blood into the committee.

Mr J, S. Wilcox, in seconding the resolution, said that he thought it was merely right that the present committee who had worked so hard in the cause of the borough should have the honor of seeing matters brought to a satisfactory conclusion. Mr Graham was desirous of learning from the chairman before the resolution was carried, whether there had been a regular attendance of committeemen. The Chairman stated that he could not answer exactly without reference to the minute-book, but that he could state one fact bearing strongly on the subject—viz., that throughout thq year not a single meeting had collapsed for want of a quorum.

Ur Graham begged to remark that the ratepayers of Lyttelton were not quite satisfied with the conduct of the committee during the past year. The proceedings of other committees in the province were duly reported, whereas nothing had appeared in the papers relative to the proceedings of the Lyttelton committee. Something should certainly have been made public of what the committee were doiff£ with reference to the buildings, &c, and yet, with the exception of one meeting, nothing had been made public. The attendance of those holding such an important post as that of member of the Lyttelton school committee should be good. The Chairman stated that with reference to the attendance, he might state th »t on the whole it had been good ; as to the reporting of their meetings, the committee thought that everything of importance came before the Board of Education, and was reported in Christchurch in the papers. They were aware that the powers of committees were very limited, that any important matter, such as the appointment of fresh teachers, Sc c, must be sanctioned by the Board. If it was the general wish of the meeting, he saw no particular objection to the committee meetings being reported, and he did not think that during the past year any objection had been raised to the presence of reporters, Mr Hawkins said that during the time contracts were under consideration, he and others had thought it was better reporters should not be present. The Chairman then read the following letter from the architect in reference to the new schools. It ran as follows : “ To the Chairman oi the

“Lyttelton Borough School. “ Sir, —I have inspected the Lyttelton borough school, and find that the works are now completed. There are a few extras as per account enclosed, and the price of the bell has to be deducted. I forward herewith a statement of accounts, but am unable to give a certificate until the committee have decided what course they intend to pursue with regard to the penalty. On this subject I feel it right to express my opinion. The works have been executed in a highly creditable manner, and the contractor has shown every desire to carry out his contract as well as possible. The delay has been equally unfortunate for all concerned, as I understand he is the loser of £4OO or £SOO. Much difficulty has arisen from causes that could not be foreseen or controlled, and which have affected the erection not only of the Lyttelton Borough School, but of almost every building of any importance that has been erected in Canterbury during the last two years. It will be at ones evident that in works such as this, where every detail is specially designed, and some of the materials (as for example the moulding and pressed bricks) have not been before in use in the province, there are greater difficulties to overcome than in buildings of the usual character. Looking at all the circumstances, I think it would be a hardship to the contractor if the committee were to increase his loss by the infliction of penalties. (Signed) “W. B. Aemson, “Architect,” The chairman stated his concurrence in the view the architect had taken of the matter. The building was one of the best ever erected in the province ; there had not been the slightest settlement, and everything had been completed to the satisfaction bothpf the architect and the committee. The chairman then put the resolution that the old committee be re-elected, which was put to the meeting, and carried. Mr Hawkins said that Mr Cunningham had stated before his departure that he should be happy to stand for re-election. The Chairman was very sorry that after the active part Mr Cunningham had taken Mr Cunningham was not eligible for reelection, but according to the instructions he had received, no gentleman could be elected a member of the committee without he communicated personally, or by letter, with the chairman.

The meeting then proceeded to elect auditors for the ensuing year. Mr Carder proposed Messrs J, S. Willcox and F. Graham, as district auditors. The Chairman explained that the district auditors had merely a formal duty to perform,, as the accounts were passed by the Provincial Auditor who was the only one who could vouch for money received from the school committees. No doubt there would be an amendment in the Education Ordinance during the next session of the Provincial Council.

Mr Nalder asked the Chairman whether he thought there would be an amendment of the present Ordinance brought in at the next session of the Provincial Council. The reason he asked was, the Chairman had already stated that some alterations would be made ,in respect to the election of auditors, and he, Mr Nalder, thought that when an amendment was made more power .should.be given to the local committees. A good deal of blame had been thrown on the old committee for not pressing on the work of the school buildings, but the fact was the matter rested not with them but with the Board of Education, He for one, when the first great delay occurred about the plans had proposed a change of architect, but the Board did not agree to this. The committee had done all they could to press the building on, but had met with rebuffs from the Board, and in order not to fall out with them they had to acquiesce, as they were of themselves powerless. He thought that if the committee were to be of any use and responsible to the ratepayers who elected I hem, they should have more power, otherwise it would be better to do away with them altogether, and appoint commissioners for the several districts.

The Chairman agreed with Mr Nalder in thinking that they should either give greater power to 'the committee, or do away with them altogether. After the building was up their principal work would be finished. If an alteration was proposed during the next session he would support it. Mr Yule seconded the appointment of the auditors, and it was carried.

The Chairman thanked the meeting on behalf of the committee for re-electing them, and thought they had done well in doing so. A considerable portion of the works was still in progress, and it would be awkward to have a change now. He hoped that within a few weeks the schools would be ready for opening The Board had behaved most liberally, and although the dwarf wall and caretaker’s house would not be completed for some time, t.h<> necessary buildings would soon be finished.

Mr Jenkins hoped that a first-class female teacher would be procured, as there were many young women growing up who required fdaoatioo,

Mr Yule said that he thought it was a singular position that Mr Carder had taken in proposing the committee, for he had repeatedly told himself and others that reporters were excluded from taking reports of the deliberations of the committee, and seeing that the education rate was a direct lax on householders, it was only right they should know how the money was spent. Therefore the action taken by Mr Gamer in the matter outside the hall, was a direct libel on the committee, and to gain popularity, he had the effrontery to propose them again. Mr Carder said he accepted Mr Yule’s challenge; he had been given no notice of the committee meetings, and when he had asked Mr Webb if there was anything to report, he had said that nothing of any importance had been done, perhaps when he had applied the contracts may have been under consideration; he was always willing to report anything. Mr Murray asked if Mr Carder considered Mr Webb his secretary, to give him reports of the meetings after they had occurred. Mr Nalder said, as one of the old committee, and one who, he might say, had attended almost every committee meeting since the first election of an education committee at Lyttelton, that the question of the reporters being admitted to their meetings had never (except in the one instance, when the tenders for the buildings were to be discussed) been mentioned in the committee. He thought he should be borne out in this by all the old members (hear, hear), and he did not think that any one of the committee would have objected if they had ever been asked, (Hear, hear.) The Chairman said that he could not call to mind having refused Mr Carder, but would not dispute what he had said. He had certainly stated to him that nothing of importance had taken place after a meeting, and that the report would appear in the account of the meeting of the Board of Education, and that was the gist of the business. Most of the work done by the committee was nothing but common routine. Mr Allwright thought that all the meetings of the committee should be made public. He had been instrumental in publishing the only one that had appeared. Dr Donald hoped that before the next meeting of the committee they would be established in their new committee room, and that proper accommodation would be provided for the reporters. The meeting then adjourned after a vote of thanks had been passed to the chairman. The committee then held a meeting, and unanimously elected Mr H. R. Webb as chairman for the ensuing year. KAIAPOI. At the annual meeting of householders of this Borough held on Monday evening, there was rather a limited attendance, owing to the wet weather. Thirty-five persons were present. Dr Dudley, chairman of the committee, who occupied the chair, read the notice convening the meeting, and the following annual report to Sept. 30th : “ The committee of the Kaiapoi Borough school, in accordance with the 31st clause of the Education Ordinance, 1873, beg to submit the following report for the year ending the 30th of September, 1874. During this period the committee have held twenty-six ordinary and three special meetings, which have, on every occasion, been fully attended. At the first meeting, on October 14th, tenders were ordered to be advertised for Mr Si routs’ design, which had been selected by the committee and approved by the Board. A special meeting was held on .November 21st, to consider those sent in, when that of Messrs Prudhoe and Cooper was selected at £2990. In consequence of the greatly-in-creased price of materials and labor at that time, the tender was much higher than anticipated, and the chairman was instructed to wait upon the Board and request them to recommend the Government to grant in addition sufficient funds to carry out the tender. The Board gave the required sanction, and the contract was duly signed by the chairman and the contractors on December 6th, and the building commenced early in January. Prizes to the amount of £3, supplemented by a large amount of private prizes, were awarded to the best scholars on February 27th. In April, the committee took tire necessary steps to secure the services of a head master, capable of teaching the higher branches of education, and thereby making the Kaiapoi borough school one of a very superior character, and capable of supplying all the requirements of an extensive and important district, and affording a complete education for all children up to the age of 17 or 18. In July, an extra sum of £320 was sanctioned by the Board for painting, tanks, pumps, and brick and stone wall in front of school, not included in the original contract. Advertisements, in accordance with the resolution, were inserted in the New Zealand and Australian papers for a head master. Thirtytwo replies were sent in by the day named, September 30th—and they will be considered in due course. Reports from the Inspector (Mr Hammond)'of a very satisfactory character were received by the committee and published at the time—after the exam Ration in August—showing the school was conducted in a most efficient manner, and reflecting great credit upon the several teachers. This is also shown by the fact that, at an examination for pupil-teachers, Masters Wake, Vogeler, and Yezey, and Misses Monk, Weston, and Pashby, successfully passed their examinations, and the latter was appointed to this school ; and out of a numerous body who competed for seventeen scholarships open to the whole of the province, two were awarded to the Kaiapoi school, viz, Masters Wake and Grossman. The accounts have been duly audited by the Provincial Auditor and found correct ; and his certificate is annexed to the report. A contract has been signed by the chairman and Mr Wood, of Christchurch, for the necessary furniture and fittings for the new building to be completed by the 24th December next, and it may then be confidently stated that after the Christmas vacation the school will be in complete working order, with a most efficient head master and a complete teaching staff. In the meantime the present committee recommend their successors to make the best use of the new building with the furniture now in use. Mrs Wake having resigned her position on account of ill-health, the committee, with the sanction of the Board, have been glad to secure the services of Miss Johnston, who has lately been en gaged by Lord Lyttelton and sent to Nee Zealand under an engagement to the Board and who the committee believe, from her high character, to be in every respect a mos ! eligible lady to supply the post of schoolmistress.”

The balance-sheet showed the receipts to be balanced from 1873, £lB 14s ; grants for maintenance, £470 5s ; household rate and fees, £327 7s 4d ; incidental rece : pts, clerk of the works, and other grants, £314 Is fid ; deposit from contractors, £33; total, £1163 7s 10d. Expenditure, salaries, £631 15s 10.1 : repairs, clerk of the works, and other purposes, £167 11s 4d ; books, £34 5s ; incidental expenses, £99 19s 8d : balance in hand, £229 16s 101. The chairman added that the committee had since appointed a master of considerable attainments, whom the Board of Education had agreed to appoint, with the sanction of the Temuka committee, at which school he was at present. On the motion of Mr Macfarlane, seconded by Mr Beswick, the report and balance-sheet were adopted. Mr M’Kenna proposed that the committee be re-elected; they had worked to great advantage under many disadvantages, and should be elected to see the completion of what they had begun. The Chairman though repeatedly invited by members of the meeting to become a candidate for the committee, positively declined on account of his health. He had agreed to act till the school was finished, and as it was so he could not serve any longer.

For the committee Revs W Block and Bavin, Messrs Kerr, Beswick, Young, Johnston, Pashby, Mellish, Lock, and Macfarlane were nominated. After the show of hands Mr Young withdrew, and the nine were declared duly elected.

Messrs J. Lowthian Wilson and B. H. Matthews were elected auditors.

On the motion of Mr Blackwell, seconded by Mr Bate, a vote of thanks was passed to the retiring committee. On the motion of Rev Bavin, a vote of thanks was carried by acclamation to Dr Dudley, the chairman, and the meeting ended, RANGIORA. The annual meeting of the householders of this district was held on Monday evening, in the boys’ schoolroom. Considering the inclemency of the weather, there was a good attendance, Mr. A. H. Cunningham, chairman of the committee, presiding. The Chairman opened the meeting by reading the clauses in the Education Ordinance bearing upon the election of committees, as well as the regulations prescribed by the Superintendent, and then proceeded to read the committee’s report of last year’s proceedings, of which the following is an abstract :—“ In presenting their first annual report, the committee observed with pleasure that education, especially primary education, has never so much occupied the attention of the Home Government as at the present time. Every class of society throughout the three kingdoms bad given the question the greatest consideration, the result being that the best education shall be provided for every child, and that the cost shall in a large measure be provided by the Government. “ The committee were gratified to find that the same objects were aimed at in providing education in this province, and that they were doing almost intuitively what the most enlightened legislature in the world is endeavoring to accomplish. The committee trusted that their actions had been watched throughout the year, and their objects minutely canvassed ; and they felt a certain amount of satisfaction in closing their year of service by asking those interested to look around and see what had been done. The site of the school was obtained twelvemonths ago ; the committee had considerable difficulty in selecting plans for the buildings, but never had any reason to doubt the wisdom of their choice of Mr Chapman’s plans. Although the cost exceeded the sum proposed by the Board of Education, the Board did not hesitate to vote the additional funds necessary to carry out these plans, and the committee believe that their action has been generally approved of. The committee regretted that the school buildings were not quite complete ; a cottage for the mistress being necessary, for which plans had been prepared, and a tender accepted for its erection. They trusted their successors would approve of their action, carry it out, and make the school establishment bear favorable comparison with any district school in the province, “ The committee regretted that several outstanding accounts for improving the grounds have remained unpaid, in consequence of recent sittings of the Board of Bducafon having lapsed, but hoped to receive the amounts during the present week. The forming and shinglingof the roads and walks has been decided upon, and a tender for the same accepted and forwarded to the Board, also a tender for additional desks in the schoolroom, two galleries for the younger children, and seats in both verandahs. “ The total cost of the school buildings including land (£800), master’s house (£410), fencing and planting (£B2 17s 8d), and architect’s fees (£92 ss) had been £2IBO 8s Bd, the schoolrooms costing £1235. The furniture had cost £9B, and the probable cost of the mistress’ house, £3OO ; making a total of £2578 0s 2d, of which amount £429 13s 4d will be borne by the district. The total receipts of the committee for the year had bi'en by grants for maintenance, &c, £450 13s, household rates collected and fees for school children, £lßl 7s, total £632. Expenditure—To salaries, £358 16s ; repairs (to temporary schools), £26 Is ; purchase of books, £5 10s 6d; incidental expenses, £lO2 6s 9d; balance in hand, £139 5s 9d. The accounts have been examined by the Provincial and Local Auditors, and certified as correct.

“ The committee thought it a providential conjunction of circumstances that, when the Provincial Government had determined on a complete system of education, the extensive sale of Crown lands should have mainly supplied the means to carry it out. Although the amount to be raised by the Rangiora district might seem large, the committee assured the householders that their energies had been given to economy, and every effort made to limit the expenses, commensurate with efficiency and completeness. “ Twelve months ago the number of children at school was, of boys 80, of girls 36. Now the number of boys on the roll is l'<6, girls 97, the average attendance being of boys 88.62, girls 64 2. On July 24th the inspector’s report on the girls’ school stated stated that most of the classes were very satisfactory, and added “that the school had been conductc d with care and success.” Of the boys’ the inspector reported very sat menlioning that the school has produced the Pest specimens of writing and mapping done in Canterbury, and the history, geography, and grammar of first and second classes superior. The teaching staff comprised the

head master, one assistant, and one pupil teacher, and a second pupil teacher would be soon required. The girls’ school had a head mistress and two pupil teachers, and the district was to be congratulated on having a staff so thoroughly competent to discharge their important duties.

“ The committee had held 35 meetings, beside sub-committee meetings, and the proceedings of e a ch meeting were detailed in the minute book, and open to the inspection of any ratepayer, as was also the correspondence of the committee. The meetings of the committee had been fully attended, and the subjects brought before them had been discussed in an independent manner, the only interest felt being the public good and the wellbeing of the rising generation.”

The Chairman said the committee could have wished that several minor matters in connection with the schools had been carried out previous to their retiring from office, but hoped their successors would carry out their intentions with regard to those things, and then the school would be in as good 'order as any in the province, and compare fayourably with any other district. Mr Ellis proposed “ That the reports as read be received and adopted,” which was carried unanimously. A vote of thanks was then passed to the retiring committee for their services during the past year.

The chairman returned thanks and called upon them to proceed to the election of a committee for the coming year. The following were then proposed, viz; Messrs A. H. Cunningham, H, Blackett, C. D’Auvergne, J. Luxton, S. Stephens, J. Johnston, J, Bell, ii. Aherne, B, Ellis, and the Rev B. W. Dudley. A show of hands was called for, and the chairman stated the numbers to be: Johnston, 22 ; Cunningham, 21 ; Blackett, 21; Bell, 21; Dudley, 21; Stephens, 20; Luxton, 19 ; Aherne, 18 ; D’Auvergne, 18 ; and Ellis, 9. He therefore declared the first nine gentlemen duly elected, being the same persons who were on the committee last year. Messrs C. G. Chapman and B. R. Good were appointed auditors. The chairman remarked that it was very satisfactory to him, and thought it must be also to his colleagues, to find that the householders had the confidence in them to re-elect them. A vote of thanks to the chairman brought the meeting to a close. KAIAPOI ISLAND, The annual meeting of householders was held in the schoolroom, on Monday evening. The attendance was small owing to the unfavorable weather. A statement of the receipts and expenditure of the past year having been read by the chairman (Mr W. D, Humphreys) the following were duly elected as a committee for the ensuing twelve months —Messrs W. D. Humphreys, Hy. Vale, W. Lorimer, J, Merrin, Jas. Bunie, and H. Seifert with Messrs Ross and W. Birnie as auditors.

Votes of thanks to the retiring committee and its chairman were carried unanimously, and terminated the proceedings.

KAIAPOI ISLAND NORTH. At the annual meeting of householders, held on Monday evening, there were only four persons present, in consequence of the wet weather. Mr Joseph Clark, chairman of the committee, presided, and read the annual report, which stated that the contract for the school was taken by Mr Neville for the sum of £385 13s 6d, on January 2nd, and opened on May 20th, with twenty children on the roll, since which time till September 20th the number had increased to forty-one scholars. The whole cost of the building, fittings, books, and apparatus, was £561; towards which the district had contributed—in rates, £57 10s ; and £4O, the value of the land given by Mr Clark, and accepted as part of the local contribution by the Board of Education. The receipts by rates and fees, and sale of books, were £3l 18s 6d, The committee had a balance in hand of £l9 15s 6d.

The report and accounts were adopted. The retiring committee was re-elected—-viz., Messrs. J. Clark, J. M, Smith, H. Neeve, J. Maher, and J. Heyward. Messrs G, H. Blackwell and E. Coup were elected auditors. At a meeting of the committee subsequently held, Mr J. Clark was unanimously re-elected chairman. It was also resolved that the Board of Education be written to. requesting them to sanction the alteration of the boundaries of the district in the following manner, viz.:—the eastern boundary to be extended from the north to the south branch of the Waimakariri along a road known as Clothier’s road, and the western boundary from the cutting across the island to White’s bridge along the bridge road.

Why do girls kiss each other, and men not ?—Because girls have nothing better to kiss, and men have. The Sydney Morning Herald , referring to the rumors that it is possible New Zealand may join Victoria in a mail contract via Ban Francisco, remarks: —“ But even supposing that the rumors were well founded, it is very questionable if the isolation of New South Wales would not then prove most advantageous to our interests. The weakest point in the Hall contract was that which compelled large ocean steamers to perform a coastal service for the other contracting colony—thereby necessitating a larger number of vessels being employed, and constantly jeopardising the whole of the arrangements by any accident to the branch boat. This colony took the initiative in establishing a trans-Pacific mail route, the interests of this port demand its continuance, the word of the Ministry is pledged to maintain it, and we believe that in doing so they will receive the cordial support of nine-tenths of their constituents. Whatever may have been the shortcomings of the temporary contract, we believe it can be shown, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that it was the means of circulating in this city twice the amount received as subsidy. There is no necessity that we shall again go beyond our own borders to seek for contractors in the event of what is known as the permanent contract not being taken up. There is sufficient energy and capital in this city to undertake the service and give it a permanence and a character such as few foreign proprietaries could secure for it. Events which have recently transpired will make travellers chary about whom they pay for passages if there is the slightest possibility of any such failure as that which left some per Tartar in a strange city with woithlcss tickets, and without the means of obtaining others to secure conveyance to tbeir destination.