TOPICS OF THE DAY.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVI, Issue 144, 23 June 1902, Page 1

TOPICS OF THE DAY.

We have received from the publishers a copy of a book entitled "Nature in New Zealand," which may be commended to the educational authorities of the colony as a welcome addition to our public school series. It may be the case that the present repertory of school books is well stocked, but this particular compilation covers such a desirable field of knowledge that it is worthy of a place therein even if something elso had to be crowded out. It is a singularly weak spot of the scholastic system of the colony that the study of the natural history of New Zealand is almost entirely neglected, or at least not pursued on recognised lines. The defect is due, it is said, to the want of a suitable text book on the subject; and if this is the" case the work under notice should go a long way towards an important advance in public-school matters. Certainly the syllabus in common use will be incomplete till it j enables the school children to attain a j knowledge of their native country and their immediate surroundings. The study of the natural history of New Zealand and Maori lore is all the more to be desired because of their highly scientific interest and the intrinsic value of their .philosophy and refinement. The subjects present a rich mine of scientific and mythological wealth, attractive and entertaining in the extreme. The traditions, legends and myths of the Maoris in beauty and breadth of fancy compare with what is best in the mythology and poetry of Asiatic and European nations. " They peopled the skies with gods and goddesses, the mountain ranges with giants and ogres, and the forests with fairies." The new book, which is liberally illustrated, covers a lot of ground in excellent style, and has the merit that it appeals to the interest of the young people for whose instruction it is intended. The compiler is Mr James Drummond, of Christchurch; the editor is Captain Hutton, Director of the Christchurch Museum ; and the publishers are Whitcombe and Tombs.

When the Borough Council carries out a good piece of work it may be patted on the back, on the principle that it will be encouraged to act similarly in the future. The metalling of Market Street North is sf*id to be the best work of the kind yet done on the streets, and the improvement. is so marked that the claim will be generally endorsed. If the science of maintaining the thoroughfares of the town is on the advance the fact is worth a word of commendation. A strong feature of the system of the past has been the maintenance of the footpaths, which are a colonial pattern; and if the treatment of the streets can be broughtup to the high standard which applies to the paths, there will ho nothing to complain of. Tho Borough Engineer has been handicapped by the quality of the metal and the want of appliances, but it may be expected that improvements will be gradually effected in these respects; and, of course, experience in the methods of keeping the streets in order should count for something. Doubtless the same good work that ha 3 been done in Market Street North will be applied to other parts of the town; and it must be admitted that such treatment is badly required at several places. It is hoped that we are rapidly advancing to such a stage of municipal progress that a shower of rain will not mean the existence of a quagmire of mud for several days. The Council, bent on economy, has bound the Engineer down to expenditure during the ensuing |year to only £800 as against £1400 last year ; but a judi cious use of that sum may be confidently looked for.