North Otago Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1894

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8086, 26 September 1894, Page 2

North Otago Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 26, 1894

Amid the din and distraction of our party politics tho fcruo interests of tho colony are apt to bo forgotten. In all now countries material advancement is considered the main thing ; tho moral condition of tho people is quite a subsidiary consideration. This is indeed too much the civo in every country, bub ib I* especially noticeable in a young colony. In the old countries pooplo in all classes uro for tho moat pirb born to a certain station in lifo, and pursue the oven tenor of their way without much striving or ambition. The state of things is very different hero, whore everybody, or almost everybody, is bent on bettering himself or " nnki-ig arise." Tho expression *' making one's pile" has pretty well gone out of uso since the collapso of tho goldfieDs. Fortunes are no longer made in a day, as there was at least a chance of making them in tho heroic times. But there is still tho samo rostlossnoss, tho samo fovorish desire for colonial and individual advancement. And this, of course, tends to make tho colonists neglect tho weightier nutters of the law. It is a duty to be diligont in business, but it is a higher duty to conduct one's business witli scrupulous honesty ; and it is in a sonso tho highest duty of all to train up tho youth of tho colony in tho way they should go. But this highest duty i<i procisoly tho on© that is most neglected. The youth of Now Zealand, as well as of tho other colonies, aro not disciplined as their forefathers woro in the Old Home beyond the seas Laxity is tho rulo hero, nob tho exception. We have just hinted at tho main reason of this most unsatisfactory state of things. Tho colonists in thoir now hmno had often a hard Btrugglo at first, so that their attention was almost wholly absorbed in their worldly affairs. Thoro is also a very noticeable relaxation of discipline when thoy have got into easier circumstances. The younger children, as a rulo, gob far more indulgence than tho older ones did. This is quite as noticeable as tho fact that tho greater in* dulgenco is not for thoir benelit. And nob merely aro colonial children nioro indulged than Homo children, bub thoir moral and spiritual interests aro also more neglected. Tho transplanting of human boings is always attended with more or less loss. Away from tho old ties and associations they aro apt to bocome caroless and, in tho wider sonso of tho word, worldly. This is a matter of common observation. In many respects colonial children aro much butter cared for than their parents woro when thoy woro children. They aro bettor fod and bottor clothed, thoy havo moro luxuries and enjoyments, they aro not sent so early to work, and comparatively few of them know much of tho painful drudgery to which thousands and thousands of children aro subjected in Groat Britain, and indeed in all parts of tho Old World. Bub tho manner in which thoir moral woll-being is neglectod is a bad set off to their other advantages. Colonial children aro more precocious than tho Homo children, and they aro, alas, also far more familiar with vice. Tho revelation of juvonilo depravity at Napier tho other day was beyond expression shocking. '• Seldom," says ono of tho local papers, *' has a moro painful spoctaclo been witnessed in a criminal court— childhood and ago, in both of which wo oxpocb a certain innocence, linked together in depravity." Tho details of tho caso aro too horriblo to bo repoated. What wo wish to say is that it shows a frightful lack of disciplino and surporvision on tho parts ot tho parents. Tho children, for tampering with whom an old grandfather got off easy with seven years' hard labor, belong to respectable families ; and though there was not tho least doubt as to tho prisoner's guilt, it is difficult to boliovo that ho was tho first to polluto thoir infant minds. Wo can (scarcely concoive tho possibility of an old grey-headed man having such relations with so many young girls if thoy had not been already cor' rupted Thoro woro, besidos, somo things in tho evidence that pointed to this conclusion, Tho fact is that schoolchildren know far moro than their fathers and mothers, and there can bo little doubt that in many cases thoy corrupt ono another. Thoro is littlo or nothing in tho teaching or discipline of our secular aohools to check thoir evil tondonoios, and few of thorn, as wo havo already said, luvo tho advantage of a careful home training. What then with thoir precocity and tho mannor in which thoy aro allowod to run wild, it is littlo wonder that somo ol thorn go wrong. Judge Richmond spoke very strongly on the subject. His words ought to bo carefully perused and woighod by all paronts and guardians in Now Zealand. " If T am," ho said, " to spoak tho truth, as it suggosbs itsolf to mo aflor reading tho depositions in those cases, fcliero is a perfectly awful state of things disclosed — a state of moral rottenness which words aro inadequato to describe. Tho evidence discloses a moral diseaso of tho deepest nature, and of tho utmost ma'ignity. I am not going to attempt, hero and now, to fathom the causes of such an awful condition of things among us. I am not going to aay thitt tho churches aro to blame, that tho State is to blamo, that tho schools are to blamo, or that parents and homes aro to blamo. I am nob going to pretend to decide whether tho evil amongst us is of our own making wholly, or in a largo part inhoritod from other times and other cou trios. Bub tho evil is amongst u«, and it is impossible, it scorns to mo, for any m in of propor foolmgs to fail to soe that if this evil remains tho country must bo on tho road downwards. It matters nob what our prosperity in matorial matters may bo. Wo may flouribh materially ; our rovenues may flourish ; our stocks may roach a high prico in tho London markets ; our groin, our dairy produce, and our wool may all rise in price and enrich us ; bub still wo are on tho way downwards unless wo can euro this evil. As I havo yob an opportunity of Bpoaking my mind in a general way to tho loading inhabitants of the placo, I cannot refrain from saying what I feel on this occasion with roferonco to this groat ovil. It is nob my oflico to point out where and how the ovil arose, but it is within my functions to say that ib exists. To havo female chastiby corrupted at its very source strikes at tho roob of tho prosporiby of tho country." His Honor, who was evidently deeply affocted by the appalling immorality disclosed by tho caso, said that ho would gladly bo ablo to believe that tho evils woro exceptional ; but ho added that ho was afraid that thoy woro not, juJging from what ho had soen and hoard olsowhere. Ib has been tco much tho custom to pooh-pooh, or oven indignantly deny, allegations that havo been made from time to time as to tho existence of such evils ; bub such pooh-poohing or denial is no longer possible afbor these Napior revelabions and Judge Richmond's deliberate statement that tho ovil is common, if nob rampant, throughout tho colony. It is sincerely to be hoped that this most deplorablo caso will havo tho effect of making parents and toachors moro careful to prosorvo tho childron of the colony from tho moral contamination which is evidently so rife Qvetl whe.F.9 ib

The Journal of Labor for September gives the number of men on co-opcrativo works as 1650. For August the number was 1068, and for July 1774. Tbo rainfall at Kauroo for August was 0' 16 inches, and at Windsor (a few miles away) 0*89. Rain foil at Windsor on 12 days, and at Kauroo on three days. Mails for Australian colonies, United Kingdom and Europe ; also, Aden, Suez, India, China and Japan, per Hauroto, will close at Bluff on Saturduy, the 29th iust., at noon. The committee deputed to arrange for the inauguration of a Women's Court in connection with tho local lodge of the ; Ancient Order of Forestcni will bo in attendance at St. Andrew's Hall this evening for that purpose. Farmers at the horse parade yesterday were congratulating each other on tho improved prospects that the lamfall brought into existence. The rain will do a lot of good in tho country, which was beginning to feel the effects of the long spell of dry weather. We arc asked to sUto that Miss Adair, the lady parachutist, found no fault with her treatment by the public on Saturday last at tho show ground, a contrary impression having been couveyod by a contributor in Monday's issue. Tho conduct of tho public, the ltidy says, was all that could be desired. At the Magistrate's Court yesterday, beforo Major Keddell, S.M., the following civil cases were heard : Evcutors Alexander l$is>sett v. Stephen Boruham, claim L2 4s Id. Judgment by default for amount claimed, with 5s costs. David Hay v. Thos. Dixon, claim L31 16s 2d. Mr Loe (Uialop and Crcagh) appeared for plaintiff, for whom judgment was given, with L2 14s costs. B. B. Welsh v. Isaac Charters, claim LI 11s. Mr Roll appeared for plaintiff, for whom judgment was given, with 5s costs. Tho Hon. M. Holmes, of Awamoa, maintain his widely-known and honored name as a breeder of Clydesdale stock. At the parade yesterday a distinguished trio of lu 3 stock were paraded. These were Tiinces Consoit, Regent, and Arthur, all young horses in four and three-year-olds, and showing all the breeding and characteristic points of their celebrated sire, the Crown Prince. Two of theso colts are going to Dunedi-i, and should command ready purchasers. Mr A. Balfour, of N?apara, is sending his horse Biiton to Duucdin. Itiainasenseapity to see such fino horses leaving the district ; yet : l another sense it is a good thing, as it shows what horse breeders cui produce in this district. North Otago has earned a uame for the excellence of its breed of Clydesdale horses. Briton Is by British Lion, and stands over seventeen hands high. Bung a young horso, and well-come, ho is likely to give a good accouut of himself wherover he may go. A meeting ol the K'tkanui School Com* mittee washeld on Monday eveni'ig. Present —Messrs Falconer (chair), Duncan, Eddiugton, Familton, Gunu, and Southgato. II was decided to re-open tho school on Wednesday first. The inspector's annual report of the school was considered highly satisfactory. Resolved, that the chairman write to tho Education Board stating tho Committee disapproved of Mr J. J. Ramuy's proposal re appointing au advisory board tor tho selection of teachers to the Board's vacancies, A large number of applicants applied for tho position of mistress, and after very careful investigation by the Committee it was decided to recommend Miss Catherine Faulds for the vacancy. The Excelsior Football Club held their first annual social i l St. Andrew's Hall last night, when some 45 or 30 couples were present. Tho social was under tho management of a committee of the Club, and they acquitted themselves most creditably. Everything that tended to the comfort of the guests the committco had provided for, and the eatables and dri lkables were of the beBt description. During the evening songs were sung by Miss Duncan aud Mr M'Kenzie, and Mr R. Thompson danced a horupipa. Mr Harrison officiated as M.C. Taken altogether the social was a pronouncod success, and all thoroughly enjoyed themselves, the assembly breaking up in the wee sma' hours, after givi ig cheers for the ladies and the Club. We aro requested to draw attontion to the entortainment which takes place on Thursday and Friday evenings. The varied programme af costume songs aud duets, aud songs illustrated with tableaux, instead of the usual plan concert, should pleaso every one. Tho comio opera "Trial by Jury" has been played hero betoro, but wo fancy it will be new to most ; at any rate, bei ig so full of fun and fine music, it will be hoard again with pleasure, Mr Towsey has the best of our Oamaru amateur talent under him, and we fool sure his energy and perseverance will have brought the various items to something like perfection. The object aloue should commend itself to all, being the ralsi'ig of fuuds to put the choir boys of St. Luke's into cassocks and surplices. Mr Towaov (tho choirmaster) Iihh over 20 boys in training, and hopes to bo able to have them ready for tho anniversary service on St. Luke's Day. Tho following account of a performance given by Miss Leila Adai.% tho lady teronaut, is taken from tho Wanganui Cliroulclo, tho ascent being made at Wanganui on May 17th: "So quick did tho balloon ascond that many of the spectators felt an unpleasant sensation of sickness as if anticipating danger, but tho air of cool self, possession worn by tho ohaimlng soronaut was suinoient to dispel any foar that may have existed. Up a-id up tho balloon went until all that could be distinguished of Miss Adair was a small speck, although from observation through a powerful glass she appeared to be as comfortable as though she were sitting ii an easy chair. Considerable difference of opinion existed as to where- she was likely to land, and the course taken by tho balloon was watched with yrcat interest, The lady, after oponing her parachute, again settled down ou her perch, If wo may be pardoned for so terming tho trapeze bar, and having opened the air escape commenced th« downward journey, ultimately reaching terra flrma at) tho back of Mr E. Haokett'a residenco in Grey ton etrcot." It is wonderful tho improvement that hns boon made lately in the art of economically dressing. Messrs J. Macdonai.d and Co. aro demonstrating this fact very forcibly. Seo their new season's gooda, also have a glance at thoir new advertisement. James GummeMi invites inspection of his first summer consignment of Scotch and English uitiugs, coatings, and trouserings, ex rakoha, A choice selection of oxclusivo i novelties ; also Oamaru and other Colonial goods of tho best quality. This Establishment has long been noted for tho first-class character of its productions. Suits from 7Cs upwards. Waterproof overcoats to order and ready mado at lowest cm rent rates. — James Gkmmkll, Thames Street, Oamaru. j