ORMONDVILLE.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7611, 7 December 1886, Page 4

ORMONDVILLE.

[FROM OUIt OWN CORRESPONDENT.] December 4, 1856. Owing to tlio many changes that have been made in the teaching staff during the year it was feared that the annual examination would show a very poor percentage of passes, but the returns just received give a higher number of passes than niimit have been expected. The changes in tho -staff weio caused by the former master having recourse to stimulants (probably through over anxiety to scenre good results), and he ended by stimulating himself clear out of tho district, not even waiting to say good bye to sovoral dear f rieuds who would have gladly seen him remain in his situation fora little longer. Then a temporary master was appointed who spared no pains with tho children, biit ho was appointed to another school, and wo wove again raasterless. Then the present master was sent here temporarily, but unfortunately he is not qualified to hold the position permanently. I say -unfortunately, for during the short time that he has been here he has worked wonders with tho children, being_ kind though firm, patient, and painstaking, so much so that I consider iie lias in no small degree contributed to the success of tho 'school. He is leaving us in a few days,' but if after ho has qualified himself for the position thevo should at any timo be a vacaucy here we will be glad, to welcome him back again. Now;- the master that was appointed lo the other school does not seem lo be reclining on a bed of roses, and I have heard many complaints from parents of ciiildreu attending the school. One parent who hails from the Fatherland has sent in a complaint to the- committee of that school charging the master with making sundry changes in his (the Boucher's) child's bumps (a la Mr Easy) which would be likely to puzzle a phrenologist, or something of the kind. Now, Ido not know whether the master in question bos been.nndnly violent with' the children or not", but I here protest against teachers cuffing children about the head and cars —first, because it is fovntal and may lead to serious injury to the child ; secondly, because no man or woman can beat a, child with the hands (or fist) and keep his or her temper ; and thirdly, because nature in its bounty has provided children with a place for receiving punishment ample enough for all requirements without striking them on the head. It is strange that a man will box a child's ears without scruple, but will cry shame if he sees 'a horse beaten about the head, and would laugh at anyone putting lire on top of a tea kettle to boil it. A bit of petty tyranny is reported from Norsewood. A settler who was much respected, and had formerly been in business as a butcher, died after a long illness and in actual want, although a good round sum of" money was owing to him at the time. Naturally, those who had known him wished to follow his remains to their last resting-place, and some who worked at a sawmill wished to .be' present at the funeral, but were told that if they did so they would be discharged ; two of the men did attend the funeral, and, according to the report, were discharged. Ido not vouch for the truth of Ihis, although I heard it from one whom I deem reliable, but if true it shows that there are more snobs in the place than we knew of. The widow is in very poor circumstances, having a young family to maintain ; a long illness has reduced them to absoluto want, and she will require assistance now, althongh lier hnsband (Mr E. Emperour) would not accept any during Uis life-time. There appears to be some trouble between the contractor for the Ormomlville-Makatoku-road and the county overseer. The overseer, I believe, wants to have gravel brought from a distance, and the contractor wants to use some that is on tlio road. ■ I am glad to see that the overseer is particular on this point ; in fact it is time he was so, biit the metal on the road line is immeasurably superior to that ■which he allowed to be pufon' a portion of the other end of the road, there being nothing but sand used there — why is this ? A corrrespondent of the county newspaper lias been complaining of the con--1 duct of the railway guards, and people aro.vather surprised thereat, as the guards • are rather civil sort of men, and aro as obliging as the red. tape of the department allows them to be.