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New Zealand Herald, Volume XXII, Issue 7260, 24 February 1885, Page 5

National Education.—Whatever views may bo held rektive to the question of religions instruction in our public school*, there ii never any question of the importance of a universal and thorough grounding in secular subjectr. The man who cannot read or write in these days is out of the race of life, and, except in the ca.se of extraordinary natural force, will remain behind for the whole of hl« natural life. This belief is now so general that it aeed not further be discussed; our only duty now being to make the system of instruction as perfect as possible. It is in this regard that we join our voices with those who are asking for greater attention to the study of natural science, and we would especially refer to that much neglected science—physiology and anatomy—the construction of the human body. No education can be considered complete that does not provide for an intelligible conception of the position, structure, and functions of the great vital organs, the commoner diseases to which they are subject, with the remedies, and a knowledge of the nutritive qualities of different kinds of foods. We are aware that no complete knowledge of these things can be communicated in the short period of a school course, but it is absurd to pretend that, whilst boys and girls can be turned oat with a fair smattering of languages and mathematics, they cannot also be taught the functions• of liver, stomach, heart, brain, etc., together with the causes which produce and the symptoms which indicate derangement. How many a man for instance, goes around in .a state of settled melancholy, moping and growling, because he doesn't know that he has a liver, and that by diet and Hamburg Tea he iaay be restored to cheerfulness ? But ten times worse is the case of a man who tosses for years racked with torture from sprained tissues, neuralgia, rheumatism, etc., when thousands of testimonials from known persons are forthcoming to ahow that his suffering m iy be permanently banished by the use of St. Jacob'a.Oil,

INTERVIEWS WITH SIR JULIUS „- VQQEL. ♦ DOBING yesterday Sir Julius Vogel was interviewed at Oram'a Prince Arthur Hotel by a number of people on several subjects, although there were no formal deputations. Tinned Fish.— Sir Julius Vogel, who, «e shown in his speech, at the Theatre Royal, has a strong belief in the establishment of fishery industries in the colony, had a conference with Mr. Joseph Banks, managing director of the Auckland Frozen Meat and Storage Company, as to the promotion of the industry, especially in regard to tinned fish. Mr. Banks undertook to experiment with the tinning of several varieties of fish, to ascertain which was the most suitable for export and consumption. Artificial Stonk.—Mr. Legge waited on the Colonial Treasurer and gave particulars of the artificial stone which he has patented, for building and other purposes, explaining that with "it houses could be built as cheap as wood and of course much more lasting. ' Sir Julius Vogel promised to inquire into the suitability of the stone for general purposes. Tobacco. — Mr. Partridge, of the firm of Partridge and Woollams, waited on the Colonial Treasurer for the purpose of representing the inequality of the laws relating to the manufacture of tobacco and their injurious operation, and Sir Julius Vogel promised to give the matter consideration. The JS'bw Zealand Exhibition. — Dr. Hector had an interview with Sir Julius Vogel yesterday in regard to the forthcoming New Zealand Exhibition at Wellington. Dr. Hector informed Sir Julius that all the arrangements for the exhibition were in a forward condition, and that the,applications for apace room were large, and he hoped that all the local committees would complete their arrangements and send their exhibits on the day appointed. Arrangements are-made by which the exhibits at Wellington will be sent home to England for the great Colonial Exhiition of ISS6.

Sir Julius Vogel leaves Auckland by the Hinemoa to-morrow (Wednesday), calling at Gieborne en route for the Hon. Mr. Ballance, and then going on direct to Wellington. The Hon. Mr. Ballance will be entertained at a banquet at Gieborne either on Wednesday or Tnursday evening. If the latter, the Hon. Sir Julius Vogel may also be present.