The Hawke's Bay Herald. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1879.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5298, 4 February 1879, Page 2

The Hawke's Bay Herald. TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, 1879.

A case that occurred at Waipawa seems to show that there is a defect in the Education Act that will require amending next session. At the meeting of householders held last week the report of the committee was read, in which the opinion was expressed, after careful consideration of the Inspector's report, that a new staff of teachers be appointed. This seems to have angered the schoolmaster, Mr Waite, and in no measured terms did he give expression to his anger. Of the committee, he said they were as stupid as a stonewall, and would neither listen to sense or reason, and the Inspector's report he characterised as a tissue of falsehoods, adding that Mr Hill knew it to be so. The infuriated pedagogue, in fact, was laboring under the impression that he had a class up before him, and that, cane in hand, he was giving them "a bit of bis mind" prior to castigating them all round. This, though bad enough, would not have mattered very much, because it only went to show how correct was the view the committee had taken ; but when the election for the new committee came off Mr Waite was found to be among the elocted. We will not say how far he may have been indebted to his own seven votes for his position, but there can be no doubt that in whatever way it was attained it is very inconvenient that it should bo held by the schoolmaster of the district. The Education Act has not, however, any provision against it, and we can scarcely see how Mr Waite can bo removed from his seat on a committee which will probably have to discuss questions affecting himself. We wonder what opinion the Education Department will hold on the subject. Perhaps Mr Waite may be deemed by the Minister to have qualified himself for a much higher position than that of teacher in a village school. A man who can beard a whole committee, throw dirt upon an Inspector of Schools, and then get himself made into acommitteeman — becoming, as it were, his own ruler — is hiding himself in such a placo as Waipawa, and should be removed to the metropolis, where his services might be put to account when Parliament meets. Mr Waite, elevated to the Legislative Council, invested with the title of "Honorable" for life, and empowered to scold, and rail, and cane, would be very serviceable in subduing the refractory "Lords." Perhaps that is really the " little game " Mr Waite has in hand, and he has purposely courted what has come about.

There are few questions, we should think, that will not admit of a good deal being said on both sides, and evidently the Chinese question is not one of the few. Of this we are reminded by a pamphlet entitled the " The Chinese Question," with a copy of which we have been favored by the publisher, Mr F. F. Bailliere of Melbourne. The pamphlet emanates from three Chinese merchants of Melbourne, named L. Kong Meng, Cheak Hong Cheong and Louis Ah Mong, and, as may be well supposed, it states the case for the Chinese. It commences with an appeal againßt antiChinese agitation, couched in language having so much of the European ring about it that one is inclined to think that | the Mongolian turn of phrase has undergone a good deal of English sub-editing. Here it is: — "In the present grave emergency, we appeal, as natives of China and as citizens of Victoria, to the reason, the justice, the right feeling, and the calm good sense of the British population of Australia, not to sanction an outrage upon the law of nations, and not I to violate the treaty engagements entered into between the Government of Great Britain and the Emperor of China.' The writers then remind us of the circumstances under which emigration from China commenced, pointing out that up to the year 1842 the Chinese lived in

contented isolation from the rest of the world, and that this isolation, was broken into when by force of arms a/treaty was extorted from the Government at Pekin, in virtue of which a certain' number of Chinese ports were thrown open to British commerce. Treaties with France and America f ollowedV and, as the authors put it, the Western Powers said, in effect, "We must come in, and you shall come out. We will not suffer you to shut yourselves up from the rest of tho world. We want to inculcate you with our enterprise, and to bring you inside tho great family of nations. We wish you to read our Scriptures, which say, ' God hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell on all the face of the earth.' We are all his children. Lot us draw together the ties of commercial amity, and live and do business together like friends and brethren. Throw down tho barriers which separated you for so many ages from the Aryan race ; adopt our habits, and profit by our example." Then they came out. They relied upon the friendliness and protection of the Government of the British Empire; they came to work, not to beg or steal ; they expected welcome ; they wished to live at peace with their neighbors, and to pursue their avocation as gold miners quietly and orderly, like good citizens and lawfearing colonists. But they . wero set i upon by other diggers, chased from their claims, beaten and maltreated. All this is true enough, but it does not alter in the slightest degree the case as it stands against Chinese immigration. The British did force the Chinese to open China to Western enterprise, but that does not make Chinamen desirable people to have in large numbers overrunning the country, and; like a pestilence, bringing in their train evils innumerable. It must be remembered, too, that such men as those from whom tho pamphlet emanates are not of the miserable kind that abound about the "Chinese Quarter." Kong Meng, for instance, differs very little from a Euror pean, except in his speaking of English. He lives as Europeans do, and is married to a European wife, who is the daughter of a member of the Victorian Legislative Assembly, which is perhaps no great honor considering the class of men who get elected to that Chamber and even become members of the Ministry. The other two authors are also, we believe, men who have emerged from the condition of the general class of Chinese immigrants, and are wealthy merchants living in civilised fashion. Such men. must know even better than we do the baleful habits of their people, and that no greater evil could fall, upon the colonies of Australasia than that they, should^ become semi-Chinese in population. If may be that the likelihood of such a calamity happening has been brought about by the action of the British Government in the past, and that we cannot now take measures to avert the calamity without infringing treaties that have been solemnly entered into. Granting it to be so, wo say that we will not consent to be punished for England having 37 years ago broken into the seclusion, of the Mongolian, and that if treaties stand in the way of anti-Chinese legislation in these colonies, then those treaties must be amended or repealed.

A general meeting of the Hawke's Bay Racing Club was held last evening at the Masonic Hotel. Mr J". Leonard was voted to the chair. The chairman announced that the committee appointed to look after a course had selected the one at Pakowhai, and all arrangements had been made. The agreement was then read to the meeting. Five new members were then balloted for and elected. It: was then proposed by Mr Ellis, "That all members be requested to pay their entrance fees and subscriptions forthwith;" this was seconded by Mr Harris and carried. Mr G. Heslop proposed, " That members of the club be entitled to all the privileges of the course free, with the exception of the entrance fee ;" seconded by Mr Benjamin and carried. A vote of thanks to the chairman closed the proceedings. The amateur performance in aid of the widow and children of the late Sergt. Kelsall will take place this evening at the Theatre Eoyal, and promises to be very largely attended. The Volunteers and Cadets attending the performance are ordered to appear in uniform. A capital programme has been prepared, which will be found in another column. "We remind those interested that the third match of the Hawke's Bay Rifle Association, for the silver flask presented by Mr W. A. Shanly, and other prizes, will be fired at the Tutaekuri range to-morrow (Wednesday) morning, at 5.30 o'clock. The following is the aggregate of the 10 highest scorers at present for the five extra prizes presented by the Napier citizens: — Burr, 112; M'lntosh, 111 ; Jos. Chicken, 107 ; Cropp, 107 ; Ross, 105 ; Redward, 104 ; John Chicken, 99; Garry, 97; Pell, 95; Anderson, 95. A team of cricketers from Rangitikei are expected to visit Hawke's Bay towards the end of this month, to play against some of the clubs in this district. The only business at the R.M. Court yesterday morning consisted of two inebriates being brought up and dealt Avith in the usual manner. The monthly inspection of the Artillery, Cadets, and Engineer Voltmteers will take place at 7 o'clock sharp to-night at Major Routledge's store. From Te Aute we learn that an entertainment consisting of vocal and instrumental music, together with negro delineations, took place at the school-houae on Friday evening last. The object o\* the entertainment was to afford assistance to Mi* William Edwards, a wellknown resident in Te Aute, and whose house, with money and property, together with his gardea and crops, were ] destroyed by fire a short time back. The entertainment was really good, and reflected the highest credit upon the performers. Messrs. Allanach, Anderson, and Taylor were the principal ferformers, and were much applauded by the audience. A song, written for the occasion, was effectually rendered by Mr Anderson and duly appreciated by every one present. In short, -the three gentlemen before named did all it was possible to do to make the entertainment enjoyable and successful. Stall there were not near as many present as was anticipated, and several who had been loud in stating their desire to render Edwards pecuniery assistance through such a medium, rendered themselves conspicuous by their absence. This is to be regretted, as Mr Edwards is a very old man, and stands in need of a helping hand. Perhaps those who did not attend may yet alleviate his present position by sonding subscriptions to those entitled to receive them. At least it is to bo hoped so. We hear that Mr Charles Hill, who has been for the last five yoars assistant officer in charge at the Napier Telegraph Office, has received orders to proceed to Christchurch. Mr Hill has been most assiduous in the discharge of his duties here, and his good qualities have secured to him many friends who will regret his departure from this district. The Wellington special correspondent of the Otago Times telegraphs that there are queer rumours about the Government Buildings regarding Mr Luckie's appointment. It was offered him in writing by the Hon. Mr BaUance, the salary being stated at £800. He accepted it, and was installed by the Hon. Mr Ballance, who, beforo leaving for the South, introduced him to the officers of the department. He got his room, and occupied it for one day only ; since then he has not been acting. The report is that Sir George Grey disapproved of the appointment altogether, and now abso- . lutely refuses to sanction a salary of i more than £600 a year. There is a good i deal of talk about the matter,

A strange case came before the Supreme CoiU't, Christchurch, on. Saturday, on a motioir. for a writ of habeas corptts to bring up the body of a child of ten years of age. From the affidavits it appears that the- father of the cMld, who is a blind man, consented that she should go for a time to reside with a neighbor under the stipulation that the child should be sent to the Government school, and also attend tho Wesley an Chapel. After a short time it came ta his knowledge that tho child was being sent to tho Roman Catholic school of the district, and also attended the Roman Catholic Church. He iminodiately made application for her. return home, which was rofused, as "were also several other applications of a similar nature, the woman refusing- to givo tho child up. Under these circumstances application had to bo mado to the Court, and his Honor yesterday made an order granting a rule nisi calling on the woman to show cause why she should not be ordered to givo up the child to her father. The correspondent, of the Christchurch Press givog tho f ollowing accjount of the accident to Mr Oonyors :•— " Everything ; had gone as meirrily as a marriage bell, ; the weather being* delightful, and company in high glee v till the curve on entering East Mata - ara was reached, when, the sharp shrill shrieks of the engines denoted that som otbing had gone wrong. The cry of 'A i iian off the train !' was passed along, and', all on board were horrified to learn, tfhat the victim of the accident was Mr ( Jonyers. The train was stopped with all promptness, and hundreds went along the . line to where the unfortunate gentleman lay, about fifty yards from a water tank, on a pile of sleepers. It appears that he had been riding on the front engine, and a few minutes before wias conversing with the driver, who, suddenly turning round, missed him and gave the alarm. The explanation of the accident is supplied by a woman, the occupant of a cottage near the water tank in question. She states that she was watching the approachmg train, and saw the person leaning forward from the engine come in contact with tho side of the sleeper which supportjs the tank, and fall off very shortly afterwards. He must have been either endeavoring to speak to some one on', the first carriage, or was looking back at the short curve the .train had just passed over, when he was struck. Fo»r---1 tunaiely there was plenty of medical assistance at hand, and the services of Professor Macgregor, Drs. Murphy,, of Dunedin, and J. Gibson Smith, of the Clutha, were requisitioned. By their orders, IVEr Conyers was> as soon as could be, placed in tho nearest van, and the train moved slowly into <3k>re. Scarcely half an hoitr before, Mx John Ollivier had made a rtour of fthe train, and collected a goodVy sum, for the donations came freely, for the purpose of purchasing some articles of Jewellery for Messrs Conyers and •Grant, ibs souvenirs of the trip, and the articles were to be presented at theba.nquet." The current number of the New Zealand Volunteer Service Gazette will bo found unusually interesting by our amateur soldiory. From an excellent leading article which . appears in the serial, we learn that, exclusive of cadets, the average enrolled strength of troops, batteries and companies in the several military districts of the colony is as follows : — Thames, 101; Weptland, 49; Waikato, 85; Invercargill, SO; Marlborough, 77; Auckland, 72; DunediH, 67 ; Wellington, 64"; ; Napier, 61 ; Canterbury, 60; Wanganui, 59; Taranaki, 55; Poverty Bay, 55 ; Waiuku, 62 ; Oamaru, 52 ; Nelson, 50 ; Ljakes, 50. The special race meeting at Randwick, Sydney, on the ISth utt., intended as a complimentary farewell to Sir Hercules Robinson, was a splendid success. About 7000 persons wore present. The results were : — Flying Handicap : Expectation, 1. Hurdle Race: Poverty , 1. The Souvenir Handicap; Mr Lorry's Handover, 1; The Drum, 2. Welter Plate: Rifleman, 1 ; Valentine, 2. Cup : Mr J. N. Loveders's Fonitiff, 1. Farewell Handicap: Halbert, 1. jMr LQveders requested Lady Robinson to accept the Valentine Cup trophy as & souvenir of the meeting. Aa amusing instanae of ithe absurdity .of the employment of the pronoun " we by lawyers when speaking of their clients, occurred at the 1 Res ident Magistrate's Court, Wellington, during the hearing of an action far breach of agreement. Mr Mansford having enquired what the defence to the ca6e was, Mr Ollivier naively replied — " Wo deny that .there was any agreement, and if there was any writing actually signed hy us, we say that we were in a state of intoxication at the time, and are no* bound by it." Rather a funny incident occui Ted at Mr Stout's meeting the other evening, at Dunedin, says " Wamba," in tho Age. It was stated that the dress circle \ rould be reserved for ladies, and gentlemen '.accompanied by ladies. It happened that on the night in question a citizen -\ iras importuned by his wife and a lady f riend to take them to the theatre. A happy thought struck him, and he conse: tited to take them to the Queen's. " What's going on there ?" asked one of the young ladies. "An amateur perform lamce," was the reply. Arrived at thei dress circle, the fair ones were rather disconcerted to observe the Attorney-Gen ieral holding forth with a retinue of followers, including his Worship, forming the back ground. " Why," asked one, " what Jdnd of a performance is this ?" '' Oh," was the cool reply, "this is only the beginning; that's the stump speech." Tho ladies waited for a time, but instead of laughter they hoard nothing but applause, and at length, discovering how sadly they had been duped, they beat a husty retreat.