THE Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1874.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 3764, 28 February 1874, Page 2

THE Otago Daily Times. SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 1874.

We endeavoured in two of our late issues to give a condensed statement of the chief objections entertained by Nonconformists and those who oppose denominational education when aided by the State, and we submitted some of the arguments by which these objections were supported. We then proposed to pursue a similar course with regard to those who claim for the denominational schools a fair proportion of the public revenue appropriated for the furtherance of primary education, and we think we can best effect this purpose by a reference to the arguments adduced by Mr Forsteh when making a public address on.the occasion of laying the memorial stone of the first school erected by the Liverpool School Board. MfForster is himself a Nonconformist—a staunch opponent of the system which advocates that "State education should be conducted purely upon the secular system," the author— or joint-author—of the existing Education Act, intimately acquainted with its working, and therefore his deliberate utterances are entitled to considerable weight —so far, at least, as the Act itself is concerned; the principle of which is "to supplement the voluntary system, and not to destroy or supplant it." The Government, at the time of its introduction, stood in the presence of a startling fact. The main portion of the population was growing up either entirely or in a great measure uneducated ; and as one of the resultants, wo were "in danger economically from foreign competition," and exposed to the probability of " our trade being taken from us," to say nothing of uneducated voters and electors injuriously affecting our legislation and administration. It was, therefore, necessary to enlist in the common service those who had hitherto undertaken the duty of educating the young and were trained to its performance. To ensure, however, a freedom from undesirable denominational teaching, the Time Table Conscience Clause was introduced into the Act, which, while providing for four hours' effective secular teaching, protected children, whose parents objected, from attending religious instruction. The whole country under the Act is divided into districts — Boards of Education are permissive, whether the voluntary system is performing its work or not—and these Boards are elected under the protection of the ballot. Mr Forster justly

considers that compulsory education can only be effected by admitting the right of the poor man to choose among the public elementary schools that to which he will send his child. As to the religious difficulty, Mr Forster never believed that it presented insuperable difficulties, but that it would disappear when fairly faced. He adduced, in support of the soundness of this view, the fact that the London School Board, which has to deal with nearly four millions of people, has had no appeal from the unanimous resolution of the Board, that the " Bible should be read intelligently, explained, and taught," and that there should be " a prayer and hymn at the beginning of the school meeting ;"sucli instructionto be as undenominational as possible. Additional testimony is brought in support of this fact, that, even in Liverpool, where there " are a very great number of Protestants and a very great number of Catholics, not one single complaint has been made on the part of any parent with regard to the religions instruction in any Board school." Mr Forster hesitates not to intimate that he will be no party to any attempt " to prevent the schoolmaster or schoolmistress from giving instruction in religion." We cannot but admire the frank, outspoken expression of Mr Forster on this point. Neither can we abstain from expressing our opinion that such instruction must, in most cases, really assume a denominational character if the teachers be earnest in their beliefs; or, as formerly in Prussia, if not even now, that such a system should tend to a moribund teaching of dogmas which the teacher himself does not believe, but which his necessities oblige him to profess. If, as Mr Fosrter says, such instruction as he refers to as prohibited will not stop at " catechism, or instruction even in the Bible ;" but that " history would have to go," and moral teaching also, because the reasons against immorality may not be stated and urged. Then, if such be the case, we fail to see how any education can be otherwise than denominational and dogmatic. There is not, there cannot be, any i*esting place between the total exclusion of religious instruction, other than simple Bible reading, and the distinct teaching of the dogmas of extreme sacerdotalism, or extreme infidelity. It remains for the Board to decide which it shall choose: a purely secular system, or which of; the ever varying intermediate shades of difference ; and thus, in the latter case, we may find the State aiding the teaching of the extreme parties in the Anglican and Komish Churches, the followers of Mr Bradlaugh, and the disciples of Confucius and Brahma, each, perhaps, angrily denunciatory of the others. Mr Forster, in replying to a toast proposed by Mr Morley, M.P., at a ft'.te given by his colleagues to Lord Lawrence, chairman of the London School Board, said, when expressing his approval of the Board's decision respecting religious instruction :—" lam one of those who think there ought to be a religious tone over education ; but that it is useless to teach little children denominational theology." It certainly appears to be very difficult to prevent this teaching; but how can this be done, when' it is in the uncontrolled power of aided denominational school managers to da as they please in this respect 1

We reluptantly confess to a feeling of disappointment in not finding Mr Forster replying more fully to the charges brought forward in the Fortnightly Review. His speech, above referred to, was delivered on the 21st of November, when the October and preceding numbers of the Review were in his hands ; and, though he has referred more or less to some points, such as the religious question, the right of denominational schools to exceptional recognition, and the expediency of utilising existing machinery, and voluntary efforts—still his reply is not such as we might have expected. Mr Morley, in his Review, denounces the charge " of forcing godless knowledge " in unsectarian schools, and asks that schools be " the property of a Board of Representatives, but the teacher, he says, be confined to secular instruction just as he now is most rigidly confined for four-fifths of the working day. Then let the clergyman, the priest, or anyone else, where the ratepayers wish it, come and give religious instruction in the time which is already set apart for it in the timetable." Again, the religious instruction communicated in denominational schools was termed a " miserable failure." Is such the case? The authority of one of the ablest men who have ever filled the office of Inspector is adduced for the fact that in 1867 nearly 90 per cent, of the scholars were leaving the primary schools destitute of that rudimentary knowledge, without which all teaching of science, even if it were offered to them, would be simply unintelligible." Is this so 1 It is stated that the voluntary system, ,so called, is not entitled to the name, " for parents and taxpayers pay four-fifths, or fivesixths, of the cost"; and that those who supply the remainder would be much more heavily burthened, if a tax or rate were imposed on a property or land tax principle; therefore, it is ur^ed that the £570,975, the total amount of voluntary subscriptions for the maintaiuance of public elementary schools by 253,290 contributions, "is not the measure of the sacrifice of the subscribers." and that a tax would realise from them—or the most of them—a far larger sum. Is this really the case 1 Is it true that voluntaries, as a body, are taking " credit for liberality " when their liberality is the most prudent economy? These are questions which should huve been answered, and will have yet to be answered, if the Education Act is to remain in force. The elections in England show that Churchmen, Roman Catholics, Nonconformists, and Secularists can meet together on School Boards. Why not, then, give every encouragement to this system in preference to every other, and in the place of every other 1 We cannot conceive any dogmatic theological teaching being acceptable to all these classes of religionists. But there they are altogether ; and if religion is to be taught and enforced, will have to devise some new system by which the views of each shall be enforced without the views of the others being neglected.

We would advise those upon whom it will devolve tj fill up and sign the Census Papers, which are to be called for on Monday next (" or as soon after as practicable"), to fauiiliari-.e them-

selves in time with their contents. They will find that the heads under which information is this time required ai*e at once more numerous than heretofore, and also that more detailed and . minute particulars under such heads as have been retained is now insisted upon. Indeed, we are rather inclined to think that the attempt made by the compiler of the Papers now in circulation, by attempting too much will endanger to some extent the reliability of the information obtained. The whole affair is now rendered so complex, that it will require a clear head and no little application to comply in due form with all the requirements as made. Glancing at the two Papers—the one issued in 1871, and the one now to be filled up —the first difference to which we call attention will be found in the " Age " columns. In IS7I they stood separately and distinct, thus—" Under 5 years ;" " 5 and under 10 ;" "10 and under 15;" "15 and under 21 ;" "21 and under 40 ;" "40 and under 55 ;" "55 and under 55 ;" "65 and upwards :" and the person filling up the Paper was directed to " Insert in the proper column the Initials, or a Cross (+), opposite the name of each person." In the Paper to be filled up on Monday we have simply one column, headed — "Age Last Birthday.", "We question very much whether this alteration will be a very popular one, in face of the well-known tendency of persons of both sexes to " forget" their, exact age when they happen to be on the "shady side" of 25, or at all events their extreme liability to be less than ordinarily amiable if too closely questioned about it. It will therefore, we imagine, place many an " occupier or person in charge" in a somewhat invidious position, when he finds himself called upon to pop the momentous question not only to members of his own family, but also to allhis " visitors, lodgers, servants," &c, more especially when he remembers that, according to the Papers themselves, "it is the sub-enumerator's duty to verify the facts." At the back of the Papers presently in use, our readers will find that the compiler has furnished information as to why this return is required and how. Amongst other things we find " State of Health of the Population." From this it might be presumed that separate columns would be furnished, wherein the population would have an opportunity of replying—" Pretty well, thank you" ; " Seedy, decidedly seedy"; "Jolly, very jolly"; "Bilious," ifcc, &c. Turning, however, to the health

column—which, by the way, for variety's sake, we suppose, is headed " Sickness and Infirmity " —we find the simple fact to be that whereas last time it was only required to indicate "If blind, or deaf and dumb," now the words " Accident," " Sick," " Lunatic," " Epileptic," and " Idiot," are to be written down according to the various surrounding , circumstances of the respective cases. As to the lastmentioned word, considering the various* and somewhat wide definition of it given by our best lexicographers, those who would be strictly and precisely conscientious in the matter would do Avell to " look up " the word, as we presume it is not expected that any man who, in his own self-deprecia-tion, deems himself as answering to any one of the definitions given, should therefore necessarily be compelled to write himself down "idiot," under a penalty of " any sum not exceeding twenty pounds." We believe it was the intention of the compiler of the' Papers that the widest possible latitude should be allowed to individuals for the interpretation of the word and its application. Glancing at the " General Instructions " also printed at the back of the papers this time, our readers will find that they begin with " Officers in the Army and Navy," and end with " Persons in Hospitals, Asylums, Gaols, tfec." ; and surely this should be comprehensive enough to embrace evrry, conceivable case of " rank, profession, or occupation" of the population. Yet, strange to say, we find no directions to either branch of the Colonial Legislature ; nor indeed are the poor Provincial Councillors either vouchsafed a single word by way of " instruction" to them. It may therefore be as well to call their special attention to the third clause of those " instructions," which was evidently intended to apply. It reads thus : — " Magistrates, Town Councillors, and other important public officers to state their profession or occupation after their official title." Those of them who happen to have any other " profession or occupation," we hope will detect, and duly appreciate, the very delicate compliment intended to be paid them. From the " Example of the mode of filling up the household portion of the Census Schedule," it may be well to call attention to the important consideration that, under fear of the penalty above recited , the Go vernment requires that every " Head of the Family " shall place the letter "F" before the word "Wife," thereby to indicate that she is a female, and further to supplement this important piece of information by telling the Registrar-General, or whoever else may want to know, that his wife is " married." Scarcely of lets importance is it to remember that he is also required to indicate distinctly, and l.y the same means ('~D" and "F" respectively) that every "daughter" is a female daughter, and every "son" is a male son. There are other points worthy of mention, but we cannot notice them here. We hope, however, sufficient has already been said to make the matter pretty clear, at least in all its most important bearings. Points of minor importance will not fail to present themselves during the process of "filling" up the Pa per?, which, it is to be presumed, have for some time been in our readers" hands. The agricultural mind of Great Britain v just now severely exercised on the subject of fencing the drums of threshing machines in order to prevent the many accidents that occur while they are at use. It may be remembered that last year ;i Bill was introduced into the Imperial Parliament providing for the compulsory fencing of these drums, and that Mr Clahe Read moved that it be read a second time tluit day three months, on the ground that it was better to pass no law at all than to pass one which nobody could obey. But in case a further attempt should be made to pass the Bill, an important Provincial Chamber of Agriculture have passed a resolution to the effect that the Chamber considered that the language of the Bill was vague and undefined, and that before any law was passed on the subject of agricultural machines, an inquiry into the question, and number, and circumstances of accidents, arising from the use of all farm mach'mery, should be instituted with a view of ascer-

taining whether any legislation is necessary in the matter. But it is to the main features of the discussion that took place before this resolution was passed that we wish to draw the attention of the agricultural section of our community. It transpired that two implement making firms had 'been applied to for information, namely, Messrs Clayton and Shtjttleworth, and Mr Charles Bttrrell. The former firm had sent a design of a self-acting safety slide, but it was pointed out that thi3 was no fence at all, as when a man was not feeding the machine this slide covered up the drum ; whereas, the accidents occurred, for the most part, while people were feeding it. Another design, sent by the same makers, was Wildeb's patent self-acting feeder. It is described as something like the ordinary straw-shakers at the other end of the machine ; it was driven by power-; but the man, instead of delivering the corn into the machine, threw it upon the feeders, which conveyed it into the drum. But this again was no fence, and it would be quite possible for persons to slip off the board of the machine int® the drum. Mr Burrell had sent a very simple design— namely, a small S-inch board round three sides of the feeding mouth, which would certainly prevent people from falling in ; but as it was remarked, it would not be pleasant to lift 10f> quarters of corn in a day over a board eight inches in height; and moreover, the stack might be pitched on either side of the machine, and the corn would have to ba drawn into the feeding-hole from the side, and not from the back where the man stood, which would be a fatal objection. Mr Gr. T. Holmes, of Holmes and Sons, recommended a circular hood covering the front of the feeder, extending 12 inches on each side of the feeding-hole. This would prevent any man, he said, ; slipping his foot in ; and if he slipped a little, his side would catch against the top of the cover, and his going into the machine would be prevented. The hood could be added to the machine at a cost of 30s or £2, whereas Wilder's patent— in itself, as has been shown, objectionable —with fixings, would cost about £25. It was the general opinion that sftlf-feeders would eventually be universal; but it was justly argued that the enormous price of £25 would preclude the general adoption of the latter patent de novo, or as applied to existing machines. As the threshing machine is more or less in constant use in all our agricultural districts, it is necessary that such appliances should be used as would reduce the chances of accident to a minimum. Perhaps our own Agricultural Associations would do well to follow the recommendation offered at the very meeting concerning which we are writing ; and that is that the gentlemen who arrange the list of prizes for the next exhibition will offer one for the best, cheapest, and most efficient guard for threshing machines, and thus give a local genius a chance of distinguishing himself, and doing good service to the community.

Another detachment, numbering 109 souls of the immigrants at the Quarantine Station were removed to Dunedin yesterday. The services of the useful steamer Peninsula were again called into requisition, and, as usual ? she did her work well. The immigrants were transferred to Carersham Barracks by train, where they will be open for engagement to-day.

It will be seen by an advertisement in another column that Mr E. B. Cargill has offered himself as a candidate for the seat in the Provincial Council vacated by Mr Bathgate.

Mr Collin Allan, Immigration Officer, intimates that the male and female immigrants per Mongol will be open for engagement at the Barracks, at Caversham, to-day at 10 o'clock.

"We learn that Mr Campbell's colt " Castaway," is disqualified from running for the Dunedin.- Cup, v owing to a mistake with reference to his age. He was nominated as a three-year-old, having been foaled on the 23rd of July, or eight days before the Ist of August, from which day horses' age 3 are reckoned here.

The usaal fortnightly meeting of the Dunedin Bandjof Hope was held last night in the Oddfellows' Hall, at which we were glad to notice an improved attendance. A good programme was presented, and creditably gone through ; and after the announcement of prizes to be given at the next meeting, the meeting was brought to a close by singing the Temperance Anthem.

The Resident Magistrate expressed himself very properly yesterday, when he said that the non-appearance of a bailee in answer to a police charge, indicated quasi-contempt of Court, and for this reason he would deal more severely with escapades. It is not uncommon for those who are unfit to be at large to escape a night in the lock-up and exposure in open Court by payment of a small sum, whereby they are set at liberty. On Wednesday, 11th inst., the Star of Freedom Lodge, 1.0. G.T., held their usual fortnightly meeting, when delegates from the Grand Lodge installed the following officers : — Bro. Geo. Davidson, P.W.C.T. ; Bro. C. Taylor, W.C.T.; Bro. David Dickie, W.V.T. ; Bro. R. Fleming, W.S. ; Sister M. Bigger, W.F.S. ; Bro. Jno. Cunningham, W.T. j Bro. Jas. Berrill, W.C. ; Sister Mahone, W.M. ; Bro. Jas. Bowring, J.G. ; Bro. Jas. Mahone, O.S. After the installation a hearty vote of thank 3 was tendered to the officers of the Grand Lodge ; the installing officer in reply gave a few very appropriate remarks. The meeting then closed. The University of New Zealand will hold an examination for Scholarships on the 25th ! May next. It is notified by the Chancellor that candidates are required to send in their i names, addressed to him at Wellington, before the 20th April. Any information on the subject can be obtamedfrom the Venerable Archdeacon Edwards, St. Paul's Par- ! sonage. , j In an action at law, called at the R. \f. Court yesterday, in which £100 damages were claimed for alleged losses through negligence, counsel for the defence, in the preliminary hearing of the case, raised a point of considerable importance, the decision in which may form an established precedent for future guidance. The poifct was, whether the cause of action being committed 100 miles from Dunediu, the Court had jurisdiction to deal with it. His Worship decided that it had not, and accordingly nonsuited the plaintiffs, by whom notice of appeal was giv^n.

The yearly supper oF Court Enterprise was held in. Murray's liooms last evening, the presiding officer (Bro. W'todland) in the iiliair. Among the guests was His Worship t^he Mayor, who sat cm the right of t'ae Chairman. There was a good attendance. J.i appeared from a report read by the Secretary (Bra J. Goodman) (iuriug the evening, ihat t'-.e number of members on the bocks was 110. The funds hail increased from £537 2s 7d, on December 31st, 1872, to £502 10s 7d cash at the present time, in addition to which they reckoned that they had nearly £G0 worth of O-jurt property. There had been paid for eick funds in 1572, £05 I6s Sd ; in 1873, .£92 3s 4d. Their money was invested as closely as possible, and brought in £35 ISs Sd per year interest. At present there were very fewunrmancial on the books, although at the same time it was to be regretted that many stiil continued careless and withdrew, thus preventing the members increasing so rapidly in number as they otherwise would do. A certificate and neuk ribbon were presented to Bro. Ilarrop, Past District Ranger of the Couifcj and a medal to

Bro. Mowl, Past Secretary, in acknowledgment of services Tendered. Thd presentations were made by the Chairman, in the name' of the Court, and tL© recipients fittingly replied. The toasts usual to such a meeting were given and responded to, and the meeting was enlivened by singing and go odfellowship.

We notice that Mrs Simons, artificial' ilorist, has removed to mor& convenient premises in George street, isexfc door to Mr Marshall, chemist. It will be remembered that Mrs Simons has on several occasions exhibited these floral specimens of her handiwork with great success at several of the flower shows held in Dunedin. The window of her shop in George street presents the appearance of a miniature horticultural show, as it contains models in wax and paper of nearly all the flowers that can be- made in these materials.

A cricket match will be played to day, on the Dunedin Club ground between* teams chosen from "The Warehousemen" and "The World."

An inquest wa3 held yesterday at the Lunatic Asylum, before Mr W. D. Murison, J.P., \ipon the body of John Tyrrett, who had been admitted from the Dunstan district as an inmate of the Asylum in January,

1868. The Jury returned a verdict in accordance with the medical evidence, which went to show that death had been caused by inflammation of the brain,

We have received from the publishers,. Messrs Gordon and Gotcb, of Melbourne, a copy of the Australian Handbook and Almanac, and Shippers' and Importers' Directory for 1874. This is the fifth year of issue of this work, and each succeeding number teems to have bean better than the last. It contains very full information regarding all the Australian Colonies, and no man of business in these parts should be without a copy of this Handbook upon his table.

We have received the February number of the Australasian Sketcher, which fully sustains its character as a first-class illustrated journal. On the front page we have depicted " Our Chinamen," in nearly every calling of lifs, from the wealthy merchant down to the rag-picker. The inside pages give a view of the City of Hobart Town and the Harbour. The "Gods" at the pantomime is really a fir3t-class sketch. The leery look of the larrikins to the right of the picture, the spooney appearance of the soldier and his gal, and the astonishment of the Chinamen, doubtless at the antics of tha clown and pantaloon, are most artistically pourtrayed. The other sketches include "Mustering Cattle;" portraits of DrFeatherston, the Agent-General for this Colony, and the Hon. .7. G. Francis, Chief Secretary of Victoria ; two scenes connected with.the Australian wool trade, and " The Melbourne Fire Brigade off to a Fire."

A meeting of Mr C R. Chapman's supporters for the the purpose of forming a Committee to secure his return to the Provincial Council, was i eld in the lower room of the Athenaeum last evening. Between forty and fifty persons attended. It was unanimonsly resolved that those present form themselves into a Committee, and use their utmost endeavours to secure Mr Chapman's return to the Provincial Council. It was further decided that Mr Chapman should address the electors at the Masonic Hall, on Monday evening, and, on the following evenings of next week, in various parts of the city.

Mr James Dickison, formerly teacher at Saddle Hill, has been appointed to the school at Pukeuri Point, near Oamaru, left vacant by the resignation of the present teacher—Mr Millar—who leaves on account of ill-healfch. Mr John Cuthbert, a recent arrival from Britain, ha 3 been appointed to the side school at Southbridge, in the room of Mr Neill, who has been promoted to the charge of the main school at Waipori.

The following statement, with the names of the immigrants per Mongol attached, was forwarded to the Board of Health, yesterday :—" On this, the eve of our departure from the Quarantine Station for the Depot at Dunediu, we, the immigrants per s.s. Mongol, feel called upon to teuder our best thanks to the Chairman and members of the Board of Health, and to Mr Allan, the Immigration Officer, for the splendid manner in which they have provided for us since our arrival in the Colony on the 14th. instant. We wish also to express our gratitude, in the highest sense of the word, to Mr and Mrs M'Dougall, the master and matron, for their untiring exertions in our behalf, insomuch that our detention was rendered a visit,; and those of our party who landed weakly are now almost restored to health."

At the Port Chalmers Police Conrb yesterday, Dr Drysdale, J.P., and Dr O'Donoghue, J.P., on the B^nch, two charges of assault were laid agrinst the second and first inate3 of the ship Lutterworth, by one of the seamen named W. Nicolls. The charge against the second mate was to the effect that he knocked the eomplaiaant down on the 24th inst., and rendered him insensible, because he happened to let a case of gin he was 3arrying along the hold fall down. The defendant stated thab the man was exceedingly careless, and when admonished, became abusive, and provoked defendant to strike him. He, however, was not rendered iuseusible thereby, but was simply stupid from the effect. Witnesses were called oa both side?, and after a short consultation the Bench considered the charge proved, and fined defendant 40a, or in default one week's imprisonment. The same complainant then charged the chief mate with assaulting him : on the 2ith December last. From the cvi- ' dencc adduced, it appeared that the assault, which consisted of throwing water over defendaut, arose out of his being asleep on watch. He was then abusive, and followed the mate below, and threw an iron btlaying pin at Mm ; whereupon I c was "collared" by his irate superior. After remarking upon the singularity on the part of the complainant in not bringing lie charge sooner, the Bench considered that it was made maliciously, and dismissed the case. Another case of alleged malpractice on the parb of a medical man will shortly be heard before the Dunediti I'u M. Court. The defendant in the case referred to is a country practitioner. The Poverty P>ay Herald of Monday last says that threa sheep were struck by lightning on Saturday, at Mr Smith's place at Tuansra, and killed instantly. A singe mark in each cisc passed down the breast and bath fordegs of oauh she<vp, showing the track of the lightning. They were standing under a tree at the time. The lender for the catering for the Coloi nial Representatives at the prize firing at Green Meadows has been given to Air B. ! Franklin, of the London flotu], Port Ahuriii. The Hawkc's Iby JJura'd has no hesitation in saying that it c mid not have been placed iv bttter h&uds. The Grey mouth Evening Star, in urging retrenchment in the Wesfcland Gaol depart ment, suggests that instead of keeping the long stntsreed piisoncrs in Hokitika Gaol, the practice that obtains elsewhere should be carried out — viz., transferring the worst prisoners to some Gaol where thtir safekeeping can be most assured, and whe.ro thtir evil pr.ijensitie3. can be better kept in check. " Tlie Otago authorities have the best managed and most secuic Gafl in the Colony at Du»?din, and, for a consideration, are not averse to increasing the boarders, no matter w liat their characters may be. The amount demanded per head would be far Jess than the cost <A maintenance on the

Coast." The Star then argues that the change proposed would lead to economy Snd^ the safer custody of the prisoners.

The attendance at fS&e Amateur Concert in? the Masonic Hall, last evening, was not so large as the promoters Were justified in expecting, when the object they had in view is considered. The programme consisted of songs, well given, by a number of wellknown gentlemen amateurs' j and a double hornpipe, by Messrs Andersonl and Buchanan, which was received with great favour by the audience, and for ■which' they had to submit to an encore. After the conclusion of the concert, the hall was cleared, and dancing was commenced by a few couples, and kept up till shortly after midnight.

In consequence of the injury tolter hand, Mdlle, Jenny Claus will not be able to appear to-night. The next concert will be given on! Monday evening, when Mr Towsey will take part in the entertainment.

The Shot and Shell Practice of the- Bnnedin Volunteer Artillery is postponed till Saturday next, 7th March.