THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1892.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 9564, 21 October 1892, Page 2

THE OTAGO DAILY TIMES FRIDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1892.

Mr J. 3?. M. Eraser's letter in our issue of the 19th pertinently and sen-

sibly adverts to a radical fault in the Industrial School system, and he has made it very clear that the absence, of

the classification which he indicates may render nugatory the most benefi-

cent and sagacious schemes of reform

He points out very properly that con tact between an innocent child who has been admitted very young and one who is just fresh from a haunt of vice, and who is old enough to have learned the bad lessons incidental to her surroundings—perhaps even to have come within the meshes of the law itself, —is certain to result in the corruption of the untainted one. A vicious child may corrupt a Avhole school. This is admitted and in the Caversham ;/Industrial School at any rate has not been overlooked. It is not correct to suppose that unrestricted companionship among inmates is allowed, althotigh there must necessarily he some general companionship, and that is an undoubted evil. Under the present system this is unavoidable, and a minimising of the evil must depend upon the master, and on the means at his command—an equally important factor. It ■is well known, for instance, that Mr Titchexer recognised this very difficulty, and provided as far as possible protective measures against the influence of the black sheep. This would be effected as far as possible by suitable arrangement of the dormitories, the disposition of the working parties, and so on. Indeed, it would be difficult to imagine, so complete an absence of common sense as to permit of unrestricted companionship between the vicious and the unfortunate; and to the arrangement we have described must be credited a large portion of the success of the school. Although under the same roof, as Mr Eraser says, the girls—and boys also—are grouped as far as the appliances will permit. We agree entirely with Mr Fra.ser that it is utterly wrong to expose children merely because they are poor to contact with vice. But the postulates laid down are a little too sweeping. We are asked to take too much for granted. It was intended in the Act of 1867 that Industrial Schools should be for neglected children, who were defined as those who were found begging, or without a settled home, or in a bi'othel, or were too young to be imprisoned for an offence, of were uncontrollable. Reformatories were intended for the reception of those children who had been convicted, and who had been sentenced to a further detention after the completion of their sentence. But the Reformatories have

not been established, and as there is a

well-foimded.objection to sending children to prison, they are now committed instead to the schools.

Neither can we altogether agree with the mischievous influence attri-

buted to the term industrial school. Mv Fba-SEe appears to think that some special sbignia attaches to the fact of being reared i» a school having that name. He proposes that phc poor and destitute should be sent to the " Children's Home," with! which we quite agree, and the criminal or quasi-criminal to a " Reformatory." But surely in the case of .the latter it would be more cruel to brand persons -with tho stigma of having been reared in a Reformatory than in an' Industrial .School. The proposal to separate the children who are criminal either overtly or by predisposition and place them in a central institution has been often pub forward, but has not yet met witli general acceptance, which is matter for regret, if only for the reason that such an institution would certainly be placed in the country. When the Caversham "Reformatory." was projected in Provincial days, the danger of proximity to the town was not lost sight of, and Seacliff was suggested as a site;; but in those days the difficulty oi! communication was a bar. All such institutions should be far away from the towns, ft should be lememhgi'ed in discussing this question that man./ children who are merely indigent are cared for in the Benevolent institution. But they are admitted arid not committed, and there is no

statutory ago for their discharge The .Benevolent Institution fortunately catches in its intervening net a large proportion of the children who have lost their parents or who arc simply destitute. The trustees send children to the institution because it is cheaper and better than giving them outdoor relief. A process of selection goes on by means of the antecedent inquiries which are made into character; and further, the trustees are now eonsuited, we believe, before committals are made to the school, so that, if possible, the cheaper cost of living at the institution may be gained. Neither is any credit given by Mr Fiiaseu to the Industrial School system for the excellent plan of boarding out. A considerable number of the children are boarded by respectable people and enjoy the benefits of home life and education at the public schools. lN To distinction can be seen between them and other children attending school. On the whole, we think Mr Ekaser's indictment too strong, and while thoroughly agreeing with him that classification should be made more easy, we are strongly of opinion that herding children together night and clay, whether they are criminal or not, must be productive of bad effects. The question is almost entirely one of cost. We trust that the publication of our correspondent's letter will lead to an intelligent discussion of the whole question, and to the necessary steps being taken to bring about the reform lie advocates.

The French cruiser Duchaffaulfc arrived at Port Chalmers yesterday, and salutes were exchanged between her and H.M.S. Goldfinch. The Duchaffault will only remain in port a few clays, and will bhen proceed to Callao.

Mr Tregexr, chief inspector of factories, to whom has been entrusted the duty of administering the Shop and Shop Assistants Act,- is at present in Dunedin with a view to making arrangements for carrying out its provisions.

A meeting of city ratepayers was held in the D.Y.W.C.A. Rooms, Moray place, last night, for the purpose of selecting a candidate to contest the mayoralty against Mr H. S. Fish. The meeting was convened by circular, and was, as far as possible, of a non-partisan character, about 80 ladies and gentlemen being present. Dr Fitchett occupied the chair, and befor^proceediug to business explained that the object of the meeting was to select one of the two candidates now in the field—Messrs Haynes and Chapman—and to endeavour to secure his return as against Mr Fish. He intimated that only unpledged ratepayers were expected at the meeting, and asked any person who was pledged

to support any candidate to hold up his hand. There was no response to this. The following resolution was then carried unanimously:—

"That every person present pledges himself and herself to support the selection of this meeting." The meeting then proceeded to a selection, and on a show of hands being called

for, the voting in favour of Mr Haynes was practically unanimous, only three hands being held up for Mr Chapman. We are authorised to state that every precaution was taken to secure the exclusion of all electors pledged to any candidate, and that the meeting was of a. thoroughly representative character.

At yesterday's meeting of the Otago Education Board a report was received from Inspector G6yen with reference to the teaching of blind children in the "YVakari school, the inspector stating that the success achieved by Mr Paterson, the master at Wakari, appeared to him to place beyond doubt the question of the practicability of teaching blind children in the public schools of the colony. Dr Hislop ventured to express the opinion that the success which had attended Mr Paterson's efforts on behalf of his blind scholars rendered it incumbent upon the board to seriously consider what steps should be taken to gather into our schools all the blind children of suitable ages within the education

district. He moved, and it was carried unani-

mously—(l) " That Inspector Goyen's report be forwarded to the Hon. the Minister for Education for his information ; (2) that school committees be requested to co-operate with their teachers in ascertaining the number of blind children within reach of the schools of their

several districts, and report to the board as soon as convenient the result of their inquiries, so that, if possible, there shall be no blind child within the Otago Education District grov,'iug up without the means of acquiring as far as practicable a thorough school education the same as other children; (3) That the rectcr of the Training School be requested to favour the board with his opinion as to the practicability of imparting such instruction to his students in training as would enable them to successfully instruct in reading, writing, and ciphering such blind children as may be entrusted to their care in the schools to which his students may hereafter be appointed; (4-) that the secretary be authorised to procure as soon as possible such supply of reading books and appliances for the blind as may seem to be necessary, after consultation with the chairman and Messrs Fitzgerald and Paterson."

"William Henry Trapp, vsho was arrested here about four months ago on a warrant issued in Sydney, has just been sentenced to nine months' imprisonment, under medical supervision, on a charge of forgery and uttering. Judge Docker, in passing sentence, remarked that the sentence was made a nominal one as

there was no doubt that at the time of the commission of the offen3e the prisoner was suffering from hallucinations following on an illness. The accused at one time lived in Dunedin, and was employed in some of the mercantile establishments here.

The biennial examination of the Pharmacy Board of New Zealand is now being held at the various centres throughout the colony. There are 21 candidates in all, of which number seven have presented themselves in Duuedin. The examination is conducted in the Pharmacy Board offices, Princes street, and is supervised by the president and registrar of the board— Messrs T. SI. 'Wilkinson (Princes street) and William Elder (George street).

It is fortunate for the Ballance Government (writes the London correspondent of the Auckland Herald) that their dispute with Lord Glasgow in reference to the nomination of 12 additional members to the Legislative Council will be submitted to the Secretary of State for the Colonies of a Gladstonian Administration. Had the appeal been made to Lord Knutsford the decision could scarcely have been favourable. The Gladstonian Government, however, do not disguise their .desire to go almost any length to coerce the House of Lords into an acceptance of a Home Rule scheme, and already brcul hints are thrown out in irresponsible quarters that this can always be done by an extensive recourse to the Royal prerogative of creating peers. If Mr Gladstone adopted the advice of his somewhat reckless friends, he would, no doubt, have to swell the roll of the peerage pretty considerably, as at least 100 new peers would have to be created.

A most unique cookery class was held at the George street School yesterday afternoon, when Mrs Miller gave 76 boys a lesson on plain cookery, suitable for camping out. The behaviour oi the boys was all that could be desired. They took notes in the most approved manner, and-asked and answered questions, which showed they were really interested.

Matty of the engines in use on the Government; railways are now over 15 years old, and (says the Press) must bs either rebuilt or withdrawn from work. Several of the smaller and less powerful ones (classes A and C) have been sold to contractors or other private purchasers. Those of the saddle-tank class (F) are the most numerous of any, and among the oldest. Some time ago it was decided to rebuild by degrees all the engines of this very useful classs, and a beginning has now been aia£e, the two first of tho "rebuilds" having just beea turned out oi the Addington shops, and put to shunting hi tao Chrzstchurch station yard, prior to going on regular train duty. Their saddle tanks have been done away with, and "wing" tanks substituted. They have been given 12m cylinders instead of 10|in, and 1601b steam pressure instead of 1201b, while the weight on the driving wheels has been materially increased, the result of these changes being to enlarge the power of the engines by more than 50 per cent;.

The rebuilt engliiafi arc very excellent ones, and their appearance, which ip totally altered, is greatly improved.

In a recent letter Miss Ormerod, the wellknown entomologist, writes :—" In the much-

vexed question of the sparrow, it is no matter

what it eats in a town, but in the country I am

personally aware of the fearful loss caused

This is not by its raids on the cornfields, but by

driving away the swallows and martins, which

are amongst the first class of our insect pro-

tectors. Should the matter be brought forward,

have a large amount of evidence in my hands

as to the absolute curse that this bird is (in its

"ostered conditions) to British agriculture, and

whilst I would earnestly plead for the preserva-

ion of every other of our birds, I would give

every help in my power to its destruction."

The constantly growing list of curious be-

quests has received an addition from Ireland,

A lady named Ellen Blair has left the bulk o!

her estate, amounting to the not very munifi-

cent sum of L 753 14s 6d, towards the building of a church for the Protestants of the Church of Ireland "in one of the most benighted,

impoverished, and ignorant districts in Ire-

and." Left to choose a district fulfilling al

these qualifications, it is not surprising that the executors under the will have renounced probate. More bold than the executors, how-

ever, the Commissioners of Charitable Dona-

tioDS and Bequests for Ireland have obtained letters of administration, and a case has been

referred to the Vice-chancellor's chambers to

settle a scheme for the application of the bequest. Happily a corporation has no soul to be saved or body to be 'ticked. No private individual dare dump down a church which should proclaim the neighbourhood to be " the most bsnighteel, impoverished, and ignorant."

A man named James Fitzpatrick, who was

for some years employed on the Rockbank j station, about 18 miles from Melbourne, was drowned early in the month under somewhat peculiar circumstances. From the evidence adduced at an inquest on his body, it appeared that he had been drinking heavily for some days, and on the 6th grew exceedingly noisy. A carter, who was on his way to towc, called at the hotel, and seeing the deceased was very drunk put a bag over his head. Someone called out to briug the wheelbarrow round, and this being done, the deceased was placed in it. The carter then, it is said, ran deceased down un-

derneath a culvert, at the end of which was a waterholo, containing about two feet of water, and on his return someone said, " You didn't harm the old man ? " The carter replied that he had only placed him on the bank a few feet away from the water. He said deceased's legs had got into the water, but he was only a little wet. Shortly afterwards the deceased was found lying face downwards in the water. He was dragged out of the water and strenuous efforts made to restore animation, but without

avail

The Daily News of September 1 says

"Herr Bebel's book on 'Women and Social Democracy' has had an amount of success which is causing alarm to nou-Socialist Germans. The programme put forth by the leader of German Socialists to win over the female half of the world is sufficiently comprehensive. He promises that no woman shall work more than three hours a day, and shall in that time earn a competency. All children are to be educated away from home in State seminaries, and the mother is to be relieved of all responsibility, financially and otherwise. Women are politically to be oe an equality with men, not only as regards the vote, but also as regards the tenure of all offices. All women shall be able to enjoy free training in any art or science. Lastly, woman shall choose her own husband, and her choice stall not be binding on her longer than she pleases. There will be, Heir Bebel predicts, enough men to ' go round,' because there will be no wars, which now decimate the male population. The best antidote to such Utopian schemes is, the Kolnische Zeituug thinks, to make woman's present lot more endurable. In particular it implores cynical young men to abstain from scoffing at 'old maids.'"

On Friday evening last a very pleasing ceremony took place at the Roslyn mills, when Mr Lillico, who has just relinquished the management, was presented by the workers with a handsome silver tea service, as a token of their esteem and respect. Mr Lillico, with several friends, have purchased the woollen mills at Timaru, at which piace they intend to starb business for themselves about the beginning of December next. Mr Lillico, who will be the managing partner, starts for Melbourne by the s.s. Wairarapa to-day, and carries with him the good wishes of his late fellow employes.

Messrs James Samson and Co. will sell the booths and privileges to-day in connection with the Labour Day sports. ■

Mr John Griudley (for the Farmers' Agencj Company) will hold a sale of sheep at Clinton oi Saturday. Mr O. Haynes' South Ward Committee mem this evening.

Messrs Wright, Stephenson, and Co. will sell on Saturday the privileges in connection with the Tahuna Park Trotting Club's meeting on Labour Day.

The Pioneer Lodge, 1.0. G.T., will celebrate its twentieth anniversary this evening by a tea and concert in the Choral Hall.

A football match will be played at Montecillo to-morrow afternoon at 3 o'clock between the Pioneer Lodge and Break of Day Lodge, 1.0. G.T.

The, largest and best assorted stock of pianos and organs in New Zealand at wholesale prices for cash, or on terms to suit all purchasers.—The Dresden Piano Company, 29 aud 31 Princes street, Dunedin (J. A. X. Riedle, manager).—[Advt.] Taylor's bowling green bowls first quality and extra quality (all sizes, two and three bias) lowest prices; also, silver-mounted prize bowls. Indiarubber bowling green mats and bowl bags on sale at (i. aud T. Young's, 88 Princes street, Dunedin.—[Advt.]

Me?ars A. and J. IvTFarlano beg to call attention to their advertisement over the leader. Any orders entrusted to them will receive the bos*, attention.—[An vs."

John Hislov, Watchmaker and Jeweller., 74 Princes street, The oldest established house in town. Repairs of all kinds. Good assortment, Watches, Clocks, and Jewellery. Spectacles t? suit all sights.—[Advt.'J