OMNIUM GATHERUM.

Otago Witness, Issue 2332, 10 November 1898, Page 34

OMNIUM GATHERUM.

Mr David Lundou, ex-collector of customs, who died at Auckland on the Ist, has been 40 years in the public service. He was captain of the schooner which brought Bishop Selwyn to New Zealand. The youngest of his four sons is sub-editor of the Tablet in Dunedin.

According to the Daily Chronicle telegram, on the authority of a responsible official at Cairo, the Sirdar is to made Lord Kitchener of Khartoum, and receive a sum of £25,000.

The estimated population of the colony on the 30th September, 1898, was 776,861. The net increase during the September quarter was 3452.

The results of the first grade drawing examinations, Wellington district, show that 4319 passed, and 2083 failed. This is a higher percentage of success than last year. Mr E. Hislop, stationmaster at Clinton, has resigned from the railway service owing to ill-health.

The bank cheques passing through the clearing houses in London and New York in one month exceed the value of all the gold and silver coin in the world. A. E. Ridley, of Christchurch, on Saturday, playing for Lancaster Park against the United team, scored 114- runs out of a total of 201.

Excitement has been caused in Perth (West Australia) by the presentation of a parliamentary report showing the possibility of undiscovered leprosy existing in the colony, though no cases have yet been brought to light.

Kama School Ground. TO THE EDITOB.

Sir, — In an issue of the Witness some weeks back I noticed in the Lake Wanaka letter a disparaging reference made to a lady teacher in connection with the untidiness of certain school grounds and fences, but not until the appearance of " Clare's " letter and the subsequent reply by the Wanaka correspondent, who, I presume is [We omit the name mentioned, as correspondents have no right "presiiming" to penetrate the anonymity of our correspondents. — Ed.], was I aware that the teacher referred to was myself. Now, however, my name having been mentioned, I feel justified in saying a word or two in the matter, for the information of the public in general and your correspondent in particular. It is true that some time back the school ground presented anything but a tidy appearance, I need not say much to my annoyance. The fact is, some careless people who frequent the premises (the school and residence being used for other than school purposes) repeatedly neglected to close the gate, which was consequently broken. On the attention of the school committee being called to the matter, it was at once repaired. Again the same thing occurred, whether by accident or ptirposely I do not pretend to know, but it is sufficient to say that the committee, for some reason, was unable to effect repairs for some time, during which stray horses and cattle made the school ground a place of nightly rendezvous, causing much annoyance and damage. During this period passed. His reference to "conceivable rubbish" I do not understand, but very likely it is another product of his fertile brain.

In his reply to "Clare" he says something about a "friendly hint," and his remarks may have been meant as such to the school committee, but the reference to "the teacher" cannot be accepted as anything but a direct, un-called-for personal thrust, which I cannot allow to pass unnoticed, and since he dwells on the " necessity of considering education in its details," it may be well for him to learn that love of truth is a necessary "detail" which he would do well to cultivate, as checking the natural tendency to cowardly conduct. Now, however, that he knows the true "cause of untidiness," an apology may be forthcoming for his mistake in publishing that for which he had not reliable authority. I thank "Clare" for his kindly letter in^my defence; he evidently does not think, like "our Wanaka correspondent," that the age of chivaliy is past, but perhaps Ke has not the same pet grievance re "lady teachers." — I am, etc., A. P. Amsbtt. Schoolhouse, Hawea Flat, November 6.