POST OFFICE NOTICE. MAIL CLOSE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 4740, 27 April 1877, Page 2

POST OFFICE NOTICE. MAIL CLOSE.

FRIDAY, APRIL 27, 1877.

Two imporbant proposals were brought before the Education Board yesterday, one by Mr J. L. Gillies, and the other by Professor Shand, Mr Gillies dealt with the double question, of governing the High Schools and specialising the reserves. With regard to the first part of his proposition, we suppose there can be very little doubt that the High School would fare much better under the government of a Board of Directors of its own. The reasons given by Mr Gillies were absolutely conclusive, and the only pity is, that they were not acted upon years ago. Some approach to a better method was, of course, made when the High School Board of Advice was created, but' there can be no doubt that the High School would be much better off if it had a revenue and a government of-its own, entirely apart from the general educa-

tional system of the Province. Whether

the precise method suggested by the mover is the best or not, it is hard to

say. This is, however, a matter of detail, and may be left to be determined by th? Assembly. The latter;.part of Mr Gillies's proposal is of, great importance. He suggests that the Ejiucition reserves be equitably apportioned by Act of Assembly among the three following classes of schools:—Common schools, grammar schools, and high schools. In speaking to the question, \lv J. L. Gillies spoke of the reserves as set apart for common school, grammar schools, and high schools alone.He did not seem to be aware that some of the most valuable of the endowments were set '■ apart for the three classes named and the .University. Hitherto, the TJniverisity has not received any of the "revenue derived from these reserves, "and possibly it might be induced .to '"relinquish its right; indeed, we think ■it should. Nevertheless, it is worth noting that even; the pitiful ■■ revenue from the reserves that go towards sup- ! porting education here cannot be said to belong to the common and high schools alone. We have spoken of this revenue as pitiful. Perhaps few j of our readers are aware how small a portion of the cost of elementary education in this Province has really been provided for by endowment, and how large a portion fell customarily on the general Provincial revenue. Referring to the Education Report of 1876, which gives particulars of the receipts and expenditure for the year 1875, we find that the reserves brought in only £3500 in round numbers. The fees from Boys and Girls' High Schools brought in some £2200, and the remaining cost of education, viz., nb.'less a sum than .£22,300 in round numbers,; was found out of ordinaiy Provincial revenue. Subtracting the fees from the cost of the High Schools, we shall find that .£2OOO is as nearly as possible the amount that the High Schools cost the public purse. When we find Professor Shand, therefore, saying that "as far as secondary education is concerned, it will have to be supported out of these educational reserves," we can hardly suppose that he has completely realised the situation. From the figures given above, it will be found that when secondary education has had its bite at the endowments, the sum left for elementary education throughout the Provincial District amounts to just about £1500.' No doubt the precise amounts may have varied since the compilation was made for 1875, but we are not aware of any : facts that have occurred that are likely to have altered the proportion that then existed. We do not know if Mr Shand. spoke as knowing the intentions of the Government re the management of education, or whether his was merely a happy guess. We should say that, it was highly probable that the General Government would do just what he saysdeduct the amountof ourreserve revenue from the total allotted as sufficient for Otago, and hand over the balance.; We, however, see no reason to suppose thatour having specialised the reserves and laid aside half for the support of the High School, and possibly a third more for the support of the Normal School, is likely to make any difference. The revenue arising from reserves both in Canterbury and Ofcago, whether it: be allotted to secondary or primary education, is still an endowment, and an will probably be made by the Genera! Government to,-get. it deducted from the sum voted; for educationsin our own and the sister Province. We have assumed in these calculations that the University waives its right to participate in the reserves in question. We have farther assumed that the High School is not likely to cost more now than a year since. Then, 'setting down the Normal School'at £500, it will be seen that just about £1000 remains to help us in defraying the cost of primary education. Our readers will ask what is, in found numbers, the amount required for elementary and grammar school education. We answer from the same return from I which we have previously quoted, about £23,000; for current expenses, and as much more for the repair and maintenance of school buildings. , We are now brought face to face with the troubles caused by the loss of revenue which we have sustained through the recent Constitutional changes. That we shall have to put our hands into our pockets to an extent we have hitherto little dreamed of is quite certain. The question arises,' and will have to be answered, To what purpose shall we devote our educational funds when they are drawn more, directly from our pockets ? For instance, will the public be willing to spend half the revenue arising from reserves in supporting the High Schools? We shall go on to deal with Professor S hand's proposition on another occasion. We shall only say now that we think scholarships are the most logical and scientific way of helping higher education that can be devised. Are they not the only proper way 1

No particulars of the military movements of the Rusao-Turkish war are yet to hand.

The Press Agent at Timaru, if not a lineal descendant of Kip Tan Winkle, appears to be at least either a very leisurely individual, or to hold the opinion that news improves by keeping. He has inwardly weighed, considered, and digested of late whether he should send snndry items of news, and after his customary procrastination has sent them. : He is just now considering whether any particulars of the Timaru races should be sent— at least we infer so, for of yesterday's racing not a line has come to hand. No doubt we shall get a telegram with all particulars a day or two after the Timaru Herald contain-' ing the report has reached Dunedin. We cannot but admire this leisurely way of do. ing business, while we must confess it does not suit the fitness of things on the Press. Without in the slightest degree wishing to make disagreeable comparisons, we must say that the cogitative dweller by the future breakwater reminds us strongly of an inter* esting character drawn by a racy novelist, and who, impressed with the conviction that the world could go round without his aid, took things philosophically, quietly, and' without any exertion worth speaking of, earning for himself the appropriate title of " Paddy-go aisy." The Timaru agent has. gone easily, so we hope the Wellington offic3 will give him a gentle prod—just to remind him that the eyes, of the sporting world are upon him.

A Bomewhat peculiar case came before th e Supremo Court yesterday. It was an equity suit brought by the Creditors' Trustee in the case of John Dickieon, of Dunedin, to set aside a deed of settlement executed' by him in favour, of his -wife and; children, Within three years of his insolvency, on the ground that this .settlement was made to, "defeat, hinder, aud delay his creditors." It was 8 tatcd that the property so settled by Dick-

ison was worth £700; that his liabilities were about £150; wh;le his assets were really worth nothing. A fter a short retirement, the Jury returned into Court and stated that they were unanimous with reBpect to all the issues save one, and 'that tea* were of the same opinion on 'that tissue.They asked His Honour if a verdict :of the majority could be taken on the disputed j issue. His Honour replied that he could only take the verdict of ti» majority three hours from the time the Jury first reli'cd,'• uriless both sides agreed to take the verdict of a majority. One of defendant's counsel' was not in Court, so no agreement could be. made, and the Jury once more solemnly retired. : The! afternoon was freezingly cold; the ricketty Supreme Court House is very, draughty; three .-hours' retirement would keep the Jurymen.prisoners half an hour after dinner-time. In about twenty minutes the Jury were unanimous, and-brought in a verdict-in favour of-the plaintiff. A report of the case will be found in another column, ■ and no doubt His Honour's' remarks on the legal questions will be of considerable interest. • •*■'■ '".*' /..'.••;■.;.-*•■':

.' It; appears there, is likely to be' a good deal of jealousy manifested in regard to the site of the'docks, to be erected^ by the Har. bour Board. , Yesterday an influential deputation waited upon the Board; asking that the site should be situated nearer tlie central portion of the town. Anopposition deputation was in'attendance, and after a. good deal of discussion the matter was postponed till next meeting of the Board.

A meeting of the Macandrew Testimonial Committee waa held last: night, in the Chamber of Commerce rooms, for the purpose of receiving progress reports from the various Committees which had been appointed to canvass for subscriptions. It was stated that the Dunedin wards had only been partly canvassed so far, but that satisfactory progress: was 3eing made. The meeting then adjourned for a fortnight. We understand that it is intended.to make, the presentation io Mr Macandrew before next meeting of the General Assembly.

Mr George Coombe's horse. Right Bower, which, it will be remembered, got injured in the race, for the Dunedin Cup, died at his owner's stables on Wednesday night. ; On examining the body, it was found that the shoulder blade was very badly smashed, and the only wonder is that; the poor animal had lived .Bo long.-, ';..•- -'':''.' '-:•.:"..-:..":•-. '-.'■:?.;. .■>.':'■:,'■.'..■.

A disagreeable little episode occurred yesterday, when the Baron Blantyne arrived in Port. One of the saloon passenger?, a lady, informed the oaptain that she had lost a purse containing some£3o; it was in the! pocket of her dress in; the. morning, and shortly afterwards she misaed iti As it'was thought she might have been robbed, the police, flag was. hoisted, and in reply to the summons, Sergeant Hanlon boarded the ship and instituted a search for'the lost purse, but did not succeed in finding it. No suspicion whatever was^attached to aay one on board. .... : Some valuable shorthorn stock from-the herds of Mr Torr, 6£ Aylesbury Manor, Lifir colnshire, has arrived in the ship Baron Blantyre, and if appearances go for anything is in olean^ and excellent condition. The shipment includes two cows, a yearlingbull, and two bull calves, arid is consigned to Mr Kitching, of Moa Fiat. It is unfortunate that the ship did npt arrive pripr to the coming into force of the order in Council, relative to the importation of stock from Europe. However, it is to be hoped that a way out of the difficulty will be found.

Vaccinating the crew and others on board the barque Gloucester was performed yesterday fbrenoon by Drßurnßi: He went alongside in the Customs launch,^ and vaccinated all on board; each in turn descended the side ladder, where the operation, was performed. Twenty were operated upon. 'We may remark that the barque's crew is chiefly, com. posed of Malays. j-.',- i ,^ •)'■.''■'.".[

From a statement made at the City Police Court yesterday, it appears that the railway authorities have prepared regulations for the guidance "of theexpressmerij and yet they require the latter to purchase copies of the code. When the Governors luggage arrived at the Dunedin Railway Station^ j;h exciting scene occurred aa to which of the expressmen stould: have. the honour and iprofit of conveying: it to Pern Hill. The :railway constable took.part;;in the proceedings, and one of the expressmen instituted an action against him for 'alleged insulting language.; :Thecase,was.dismissed. However, in order to ensure the proper 7 management of the' gopda traffiqat the Dunedin Railway Station, the expressmen should be compelled to make themselves acquainted with the regulations expressly prepared, for their guidance, so that tinseenUy distur. bances at the station may hereafter b«J avoided.

The Milton Fire Brigade having resolved to disband, have' written tp the Milfou Town Council requesting it to take, over the engine: and other apparatus. The Council has de«! ferred consideration of the matter till next meeting. .-;. .. . _ .'. : . - "^

, ; From our.report of yesterday's meeting of the Harbour Board, it will be seen that it proposed to dispense with two of the pilots, and to have their" duties discharged'by; the masters of the tug steamers which ply between Dunedin and the Heads.

A lengthy report by Mr Simpson in refcrience to the question of sewage was laid on ithe table of the Harbour Board .yesterday. • A valuable greyhound was killed on a at Waihola Gorge last Monday. iMrJ.M'Donald, the owner of the dog, was iin charge of the truck at the time, and lie states he would not have taken £'20 for the ; animal.

I The Dunedin Football Club's match tot morrow, to commence at 2.20, will be Merchants and Agents versus the World. The [following players will take part in the ;game :—Merchants and; Agents : Austin T., ;Black,-Bunbury, Cargill W., Dixori, Flani;gan, Finch, Fulton F M Fulton G., Hope, ILambert, Maitland, Macallister,, Murray, iM'Neill, Remshardt, Richardson, Rosej and f Sleigh. World : Allen, Aspinall,j Austin ;E., Banks, Blackburne, Cargill A., Carvosso, jGnttenC. W., Cutten W.,' Dench, Dicker, jFoster, Grant, Harris, Howell, ; Hume, jHutcheson, Johnson, Lynn, Meatyard, Macjfarlane N., Mansford, Macfarlane, .Mather, ;Dr Murphy, M'Kinnon; Mills, Morrison, [Morris, Mourraht, Nevill, Niven, Park, jPyke, Reid, Eolland, Sankey, ; Stevenson, : Smith, Tancred, Tewsley, Taylor, Thomson, jTurton, Wallace, Webb, and Woodhouse. jThis haa always proved a match, of much (interest. The Merchants, and Agents' team, though numerically weak,: is represented by |some of the pick of ..the Club, so we.can confidently predict a good game.

; The annual soiree of the Tokomairiro iPreabyterian Church was held on Tuesday eveniu™. The church-, was comfortably .filled. The Rev. James Chisholm presided, !and addresses were delivered by the Keys. ;EweD, Allan, Rdnaldson (Church; of Eng> iland), M'Ara,- and Messrs Nicb.6l arid ;Adsin. During' the evening,'a chofr.iirider the leadership of, Mr : Johii'..• Adam, gave several1 musical selections.■/.\';Thie usual-ypteßj of thanks were passed to the ladies who presided at the tables and to the'ehoir'j '

• The opening of Barlow's Circus, at the xear of the Princes; Theatre; has been postponed till to-morrow, night. ,

• " The Idiot Witness," "The Swiss Lover," and a musical melange, ni&de aa attractive programme at the Queers Theatfe last eTen-

ing. To-night a benefit is to be tendered to Mr A. T. Dunning, the lessee of the Theatre, on the occasion of his lease expiring. .--The programme announced is a good one, V The., Colleen Bawn" being the principal item.

; The Otago Witness of this week contains a'great variety 'of matter for all chases of readers. There is a complete summary of the news of the week, market reports,; agricultural notes,' mining news from aH parts of the world,'sporting, volunteer, and theatrical intelligence, stories, household hints, 'poetry, ■riddles, chess, County Council, Road, and -Education Board proceedings, &c. Mr Henry Lapham continues his papers on ."Every-day. words and phrases," and Mr John G. Smith, of Longbush, has an article upon " Old Records of a Rural Parish in Scotland." There is also an account cf a visit"to the farm of Mr James' Newbigging, Tokosnairiro. ~,-., ....

_.The monthly meeting of the Imperial Building Society will be neld this evening. The Permanent Building Society will meet this evening in .the Secretary's offices.