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Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1319, 17 July 1880, Page 2

Sib George Grey took a most effectual means of commanding the attention of the Premier last night. . While the member for the Thames was speaking upon the Maori Prisoners Bill, the Premier, instead of giving that attention to the remarks of one of the leaders of the Opposition which good taste and courtesy demanded that he should give, coolly contented himself with revising one of his speeches for Hansard. Sir George after bearing the affront for some time stopped short in bis remarks, and said he would continue them when the Premier was at liberty lo give him a little attention. Standing up steadfastly, Sir George maintained possession of the House for an hour without continuing his comments on the Bill. Of course there was somewhat of a scene, and several of the Government hacks, including Mr. GeorgeM'Lean, endeavored to coerce the member for the Thames into resuming his remarks; but Sir George Grey remained firm, and the novel scene was kept up for an hour. The Speaker then asked if Sir George would give way to him for a moment. Receiving a reply in the affirmative, the Speaker quietly left the chair for half-an-hour. On resuming, Sir George Grey ; obtained from the Premier an assurance that he was giving attention, and the debate proceeded. The Premier and other members of the Ministry are by far too prone to treating with discourtesy members of the Opposition, seemingly not caring what arguments may be - brought forward against them; in short, presuming on the fact that they have a majority, and can do very much as they like. It is to be hoped that the lesson taught them iast night will not. be thrown away.

Mr. Hamlin in the House of .Representatives yesterday called the attention of the Government to the announcemens that a dramatic representation entitled " The Keliy3 " would be performed in tlie Theatre Royal, and asked whether or'not the Government intended to interfere for the prevention thereof. He said it •would be within the knowledge of most members that a repraentation of that kind had been suppressed by the police in Sydney. Mr. Hall replied that the attention of the Government had been, called to the matter. They disapproved of snch representations, but had no power to stop them or that course would have been followed. In Syilneysome special Act must have existed for the purpose. The Government, however, would be prepared to submit proposals to the House asking for authority of ! the kind to be given in future. Mr. Oliver told Mr. Shrimski in the House of Representatives yesterday that the Government were not aware that the alleged faultily-constructed waggons referred to in the Civil Service Commissioners' report as having been built in the Government workshop, Dunedin, were in reality built at Oamaru years ago by Brogden and Son ; but a searching investigation would be made into all the facts of the case. For the information of Mr. Oliver and Mr. Shrimski, we may state that Messrs. Brogden and Son never made any waggons in Oamaru. The second of the series of promenade concerts will be given by the Rifles Band this evening in the Volunteer Hall. The Rev. J. J. Lewis, of Waimate, will deliver a lecture in Wesley Church on Monday evening on "John Banyan," and a number of musical selections will be rendered by. the choir. The ■ ability, of-',the: lecturer and the" small charge made,fqr _ad-: mission should secure a large audience,

The High School Cadets, under Captain Peattie, were inspected yesterday, to the number of 105. The' North School Cadets, under Captain Lindsay,..were also inspected, and went through an"hour's drill. The Otepopo Volunteers Thursday evening, when there.were present —1 captain, 1 lieutenant, ! 1 sublieutenant, 4 sergeants, 27 privates; total- 34. The arms and accoutrements were in splendid condition. The company Was afterwards put through a variety of movements in battalion and company drill by the Staff Instructor, both officers and men acquitting themselves very creditably. After parade, a full meeting was held, and' arrangements were completed in connection with the company's ball, which is to be'held oh Thursday next. " " "" ' A correspondent at Maheno informs us that a troupe of Oamaru amateur minstrels came down upon that township suddenly on Thursday evening, and gave an entertain-; ment in the Public Hall- As a result of the want of sufficient publicity, the attendance was small, but the performance was a verj; good one, some of the songs and the clog and step dances being especially worthy of notice. A case of some local interest was heard in the Supreme Court in Dunedin 16th inst., before His Honor Mr. Justice Williams, in which Andrew Bpauchmann sued Daniel Toohey, executor in the estate of the late Margaret M aloney, of Boundary Creek, for the sum of L 339 Ids 10s llld, for wages, goods supplied, and money advanced to the late Mrs. Maloney. The defendant paid into court the sum of Llls 18s lldl Mr. Denniston appeared for the plaintiff; and Mr. Stout, instructed by Messrs. Julius and Balmer, of Oamaru, for the defendant. After the evidence of the plaintiff, who was severely cross-examined by Mr. Stout, had been tjikpn. Mr. Stout called qertain witnesses for tne defence, and in iris address to the jury pointed out that the c aim had very much the appearance of being a bogus one, through the inconsistences in the plaintiffs evidence. The jury, after retiring for about two hours, brought in a verdict for the defendant. Mr. Denniston gave notice to move for a new trial. Qur Ngapara corresnondept writes A me.etingof j)jir Spljflq}'poninuttee' was held on Wednesday last, wheu Mr. Walker sent in ft highly favorable report, taken from the attendance register, From this it appears that 67 children have belonged to the school this' last quarter, but before it closed eight had left by removal, &c., leaving 59 on the the roll for the Ist July. The total attendance were 3236 males and 2496 females,; making a total of 5732, giving a working avenjgp of 54'8. Our school is consequently entitled to tfyp services of a sewing mistress and a pupil teacher," I bslieye it is the intention of the Committee to njove the Board to appoint tbem at once, and: so strengthen the hands of Mr. Walker, and confer an undoubted boon on the pupils attending the school. This ipupii may even be gathered from Inspector Betrje's report in speaking of schools, subjects, and teachers. In speaking of schools with only oiie teacher, he says, "In the large schools the work has been much more easy to overtake. So far as I can judge, the present course of instruction can, without much difficulty, be overtaken in its entirety where there are three or more teachers. Where there are two, the difficulty becomes greater; with one, , and a large nuirjber of glasses, the difficult i§ insuperable. Last year I pointed out that the staff allowed was too meagre, and I am still of opinion that a more liberal school staff would do much to improve the oharaoter of the education imparted in the Board's schools." I trust therefore that the Committee and Board will give Mr. Walker that assistance he so justly deserves and his returns warrant. The winter holidays are now on, and during these I believe the approaches to the school fiijd piaster's house are to be well gravelled, and certainly no£ bgfore time.