BIBLE-READING IN SCHOOLS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1264, 21 May 1896, Page 33

BIBLE-READING IN SCHOOLS.

At a meeting of tho Citizens’ Institute in the Exchange buildings on Monday, Mr A. R. Atkinson read a paper on “ The Introduction of Bible reading in Schools.” He said that the secularity of the education system was not to him a matter for gratification. The question was, however, how it could bo improved. The persons and organisations that were asking for a change in what they called our “ godless ” system were the main causes of the defect, if Christian ministers and churches would utilise the opportunities allowed them of giving religious instruction in schools outside of school hours, the system would not be godless, and religious education would be in tiie hands of the proper teachers. In Misterton, Taranaki, Nelson and Napier, and no doubt in other places the privilege was fully utilised. Beforo religious education could be made a part of the regular school curriculum, it would be necessary to select proper parts of the Bible, and to have properly qualified teachers. He quoted Locke’s opinion that if promiscuously road the Bible was as bad a book for children as could be selected. A system of religious tests for teachers was out of the question ; and therefore wo could have no guarantee of their fitness ior the work. Tho promised conscience clause would be no protection to the teachers. The Irish National Scripture Text - book ho denounced as a barbarous anachronism, and said it was out of the question that the public of New Zealand would ever accept such a book. A discussion followed, there boing twelve speakers, including one lady. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded .Mr Atkinson for his paper.

Tho tenders for the raising of the barque Coromandel, called for by Captain Williams, master of the vessel, have been withdrawn, and nutteis are now at a standstill. Lloyds agents have not yet received any advice from the underwriters at Home with regard to the matter, and there seems to bo some hitch as to who is tho responsible party. It is understood that there will be no difficulty with regard to righting the vesssl. It was reported at the last meeting of the Dairy Regulations Committee that the only milk coming from beyond Kaitoke was a small monthly supply for tho Home steamers. Mr A. Collins, at the meeting of tho AntiChinese League last week, said that Wellington appeared to be the dumping ground of the Colony for Chinese. Mr Justice Denniston considers that if a solicitor is called upon to act in tho Supremo Court and tho Magistrate’s Court at the same time, it is his duty to attend to tho business demanding his presence in tho superior Court.

An application lias been made to tho Government by tho Wellington Conciliation Board for the Crown law officers to advise tho board as to proceeding with business pending tho action which has been instituted in tho Supremo Court in regard to tho election of one of the members, Air 11. C. Jones. The Government have replied that the law officers cannot advise anybody having judicial functions. If advice was permitted to be given in this case, all the other bodies would bo equally entitled to claim the same privilege. The “ ghost ” is either no respecter of persons or he is a pious spectre. He was last seen in tho backyard of a clergyman’s residence. There was a hot chase, but tho ghost was in the best condition, and he got safely away. Amongst the measures to bo introduced next session, it is understood, will be one dealing with tho “great unpaid,” and it is also understood that it will bo in the direction of subdividing tho Colony into districts, and electing justices to have jurisdiction iu those districts.

An excellent photograph taken by Mr C. Mariboo at the scene of the railway accident at Matamau, and showing the cars lying about in a state of wild confusion, has boon forwarded by Mr Tuekey to the Mail office, where it is on view.

The ii rebel I which was at one time situated in Mill street, hut was removed when the alterations to Parliamentary grounds were made, is now lying in tho Brandon street Firo Brigade Station. Why cannot it be erected outside that station in place of the one now there, which lias a sound resembling an antiquated cowbell, and is practically useless as a fire-alarm ?

The steamer Upolu having returned to port on Friday, Mr Stitt, the diver for the Union Company, examined the bottom of the steamer to see if there was any sign of her having bumped near Terawhiti on Thursday night, but found no indications that would lead him to suppose that anything of tho kind had occurred. The vessel resumed her voyage to Westport on Saturday. A preliminary enquiry concerning the matter was hold on Friday afternoon by Mr McKollar, Collector of Customs. The ovideneo will ho forwarded to tho Marine Department. At a meeting of the members of the No. 2 Co-operative Building Society of Wellington in the Forward Movement Hall on Friday, the Society’s fifth loan appropriation was allotted by ballot. A little girl, .Miss Margaret Green, was unanimously elected to draw the ballot. The number drawn was 137, the holder of which owns two shares in tho Society, and consequently becomes conditionally entitled to a loan of £2OO. Two well-known Wellington residents, or. their way to Lyttelton on a holiday, took passage by a steamer advertised to leave at midnight, and not being “mariners bold,” they decided to “ seek what seclusion the cabin grants ” before the vessel started. But her departure had been postponed, and when one of the voyagers, awakening in the morning, looked through the port-hole, and, instead of gazing on the vasty deep as he naturally thought ho would, descried in tho distance hills and buildings, he was amazed at the record trip, and still further astonished|at the altered appearance of Lyttelton. Ho quickly awakened his companion, and hurriedly they dressed and rushed on deck only to find to their dismay that their steamer was still moored alongside Wellington wharf, her departure having been delayed till that afternoon.

The Wellington Prohibition League held a meeting in Truro Hall, Taranaki street, last Friday, Mr A. IT. Atkinßon in the chair. Arrangements were made for the reception of tho Rev L. M. Isitt, and it was also decided to hold a tea meeting, which would precede the public meeting in the Ilink. It was

resolved to have a house to house delivery of a leaflet dealing with Prohibition, in view of the local option poll. On the motion of Mr A. Hobytho following resolution was unanimously passed:-That this League agrees with the Otago and Canterbury conventions in recommending that at the local option polls Prohibitionists should strike out the top lino only on the ballot paper, thereby voting for both Prohibition and reduction, and thus secure the hitter in tho event of the former not being carried. The Mutual Life Chronicle for May is to liana, and as usual is full of interesting particulars regarding that progressive olliee the Mutual Life Association of Australasia. The matured experience of Mr John Williamson, one of the Association’s oldest members and a leading business man in Sydney, is that ho believes the Association’s securities arc unrivalled by those of any other office. Tho “military |soeial ” held last Friday in the Drillshed. under the auspices of the Permanent Artillery, was in every a success. There was a very large attendance, including Colonel Fox, Lieutenant-Colonel Nowall, Captain Warren, Captain Paterson, Surgeon Martin, the Mayor and others. The Drillshod was decorated in a manner rcllecting great credit on the Artillerymen. Miss A. Curtice sang “The Last Muster ” in effective style, and Captain A. S. Paterson recited “ Snarley You.” The “ social ” was in aid of the Brunner Belief Fund. Mr Stead stated on Saturday at the conference of delegates dealing widi the Brunner Belief Fund that over ,£7OOO had been collected in Christchurch and district without a penny of expense. Six long-sentence prisoners were brought up from Lyttelton by the Flora on Saturday and transhipped to the Kennedy for Nelson. One of them was taken ill on the way up and exchanged for another prisoner from the Wellington gaol.

The amount of Customs duties collected at Wellington for the past week was .£1771 Isis fid. The liner dutv amounted to £IBB Lis.

Mr MeKcrrow, Land Purchase Commissioner, lias relumed from an extensive tour through tho Marlborough, Nelson, Canterbury and Otago land districts, inspecting properties offered to the Government,, lie lias also been engaged in the adjustment of the rim boundaries in Nelson and Marlborough.

Court Lady Glasgow. No. S2(il, A.0.F., held its usual fortnightly meeting last Monday in the Foresters’ Hail, Lambton quay, O.E. Sister Woolcott presiding. Sister Butler, of Court Star of Nelson, paid tho court a visit and was heartily welcomed, the Foresters’ Fire being given in her honour, led oil' by Sister N. Aston, secretary. The secretary of Court Epuni forwarded an invitation for their anniversary.

Tho meeting of the Public Works Committee, which was to have been held last Monday night, and was adjourned as a mark of respect to the late Sir Patrick Buckley and the Hon Dr Pollen, will take place to-day. After tho meeting, the ordinary mooting of tho City Council will bo held. Messrs Divan Bros, report having sold Mr McGovern’s interest in the White Swan Hotel, Cuba street, to Mr Robert lteid, well known in Wellington; Mr E. J. Searlc’s interest in tho Universal Hotel, Ekotahuna, to Air W. Timms, late of Woodvillc : and Mr George Chandler’s interest in tho Princess Hotel, Molosworth street, to Mrs Tint, late of the Masonic Hotel, Blenheim.

A special meeting of the City Council was to have been held on Monday for tho purpose of confirming the burgess rolls, but as tho rolls are not yet ready the meeting was further adjourned until to-day. The Druids’ monthly '* social ” was hold on Monday in Thomas’ Hall, and was in every way asuccess. Thoro were about 180 persons prosont, and dancing was kept up till an early hour this morning. The music was supplied by Fischer’s band, and excellent refreshments were supplied by the committee. Tho success of tho “ social ” is duo to Mr I. Whale, tho energetic secretary. Mr T. A. Rowe, M.A., tho librarian of the Public Library, lectured on Monday evening to tho members of tho Wellington Shorthandwriters’ Association in tho Technical School, Mr A. W. Kitson, vice-president of tho Association, presiding. Mr Rowe, who is well known as a lover of books, lectured on tho subject “Some Forms of Humour,” and defined humour as differing from wit rather iu degree than in character—wit being more a matter of language, humour that of the whole character. Examples of various kinds of humour were selected and read in a telling manner, which frequently broke through the proverbial stolidity of the shorthand-writer. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the lecturer.