Untitled

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 4252, 5 November 1874, Page 2

The Pupil Teacher system is discussed by tho Educational Gazette in its current number, and approved of. It regards that system of school organisation as one which it is desirable to see permanently established in New Zealand, “not only as being tho most effective when fairly put into operation, hut also as being by far -tho most economical in proportion to the work effected.” The Gazette observes with pleasure that steps aro being taken by the Provincial Educational Boards to provide pupil teachers, and approves of the regulations of the Canterbury Board as far, at least, as regards the remuneration proposed to be provided. Our contempoi-ary remarks : —“ These regulations provide payment for male pupil teachers at the rate of £2O for the first, £3O for the second, £4O for tho third, and £SO for the fourth year of apprenticeship. These amounts may be considered as equivalent, or nearly so, to the ordinary expenses of maintenance under the high prices of lodging and provisions which arc now prevailing, and will no doubt prove a sufficient inducement to many to devote themselves to the 'calling, or profession of a school teacher, if tho future prospects of that profession aro sufficiently tempting or satisfactory to render the pursuit itself a desirable one in tho eyes of tho public.” So much has tho profession already advanced in this colony, thinks tho Gazette, that its future is sufficiently assured to make the educational profession worthy the attention of young men eligible to begin as pupil teachers. Tho Gazette believes, however, that tho salaries of the teachers should bo brought more on a level with tho remuneration accorded in commercial life. This, it argues, should be

done immediately, “ so as to encourage many to enter upon apprenticeship, rather than to have to depend upon a future supply of imported teachers from a country like England, where the supply is unequal to the demand, and the rate of salary proportionately high. The question, however, is one which should be discussed in its details by the teachers themselves, and if the proposed conference takes place in the summer it will form a very suitable subject for discussion at the meeting of tho £ New Zealand Union of Elementary Teachers.’ ” It was stated not long ago by journals both in the north and south of Tasmania that every effort would be made to bush up the late mercantile scandals at Launceston. It would not do —it was put plainly.—to let the course be traced of the goods obtained from the Melbourne creditors after their landing at Launceston. Too many names, hitherto reputable, would be involved, and such a state of things exposed as existing in the commercial circles of the north of Tasmania as would seriously imperil the reputation of that colony. Those anticipations appear likely to be realised, so far as the prevention of inquiry Is concerned. In the largest estate involved in the late failures a “friendly composition” of two shillings in the £ has been accepted. “The advantage of such a settlement," says the Hobarton Tribune, " consists of the protection it affords to the transaction of private business against the vulgar curiosity of the outside public, and its disadvantages include, of course, the protection of a fraudulent system of trading, which affects the interests of every honest and upright man of tho island.” The opening up of the country lying between the settled districts of. South and West Australia, by Mr. Eorrcst, Major Warhurton, and other explorers, does not seem to he regarded in the first-named of these colonies as an unmingled blessing. It appears that since the establishing of the township of Eucla, at the head of tie Great Australian bight, ticket-of-leave men have found it less difficult than it was before to escape from bondage to freedom, though theii presence in South Australia is not at all desired there. The police apparently find it very difficult to stop this species of immigration, and. the Western Australian preservers of the jeace seem equally powerless to prevent tickei-holders from attempting the long and difficult journey.