PATER'S CHATS WITH THE BOYS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2675, 21 June 1905, Page 80

PATER'S CHATS WITH THE BOYS.

SCHOOL LLBKAKIJSS,

This week we have a most interesting map showing how Andrew Carnegie has been spending his money in establishing Free Libraries. I have heard Free Libraries spoken of in a disparaging fashion, bik. when I was a boy I spent many of my evenings in a Free Library, and often enough when 10 p.m. came the librarian had to tup me on the shoulder and tell ms time was up. And yet I wasn't a particularly studious reader, for I did not concentrate on any particular subject. That library, however, was a source of great enjoyment to me. Books were not as cheap then as now, and supposing th?y were I hadn't the means for gratifying my desh-fc for books. I might just as well mention — I don't think I have done it before — that one of the papers I used to read regularly was the Otago Witness, and I think it was in the Witness that I read "M'Leod of Dare," by the lats Win. Black. A friend of mine, also now in New Zealand — for that Free Library was in Victoria — used to answer the puzzles that then appealed in the Witness columns. This is by the way. The map shows only those libraries subsidised in the United States, but Mr Carnegie has helped libraries all over tho world, and one to get assistanc-3 is that about to be built in Dunedin. But districts wanting libraries most are those that have least chance of getting them— small ne^ ly-settled districts where there is little communication with centres and the settlers of which can afford very little for books. Now, I wonder if Mr Carnegie Avould give me, say, £1000 to spend in Ota,go schools? If I got that — or as much more as his generosity would Torwartl — I should make a special arrangement with our editor to supply every school with a copy of the Witness. Then I should communicate with the proprietors" of an English illustrated papei — The Sphere for preference — and then perhaps with a good American paper. Perhaps the Education Office or the Educational Institute would lake charge of a couple of lanterns .md. say, 5000 slides illustrating geography, history, etc., and say 50 stereoscopes with, say, 5000 stereoscopic views. These could he lent out to schools. Wouldn't school children have a glorious time then — and their parents, too! ' By this time, my £1000 would be abe;ut exhausted. If it were not I should then arrange for all small schools to have a good little library of choice books — no namby-pamby, goodygoody ones — but healthy robust books of history, travel, and adventure, with a few really good novels. Wouldn't school children be in clover then? But I should go j further if I had the chance. Why not, in every centre, such as Tapanui, Lawrence, Clinton, Balclutha, Cromwell, and so on, but particularly so in Dunedin, have lectures now and again on various subjects ': This rear a series of lectures on Nelson illustrated by lantern slides, the lectures, to fall on Nelson red-letter days; a sot of geological lectures, or rsthcr physiogvaphical lectures, to illustrate th»j history of the surface features of Otago : a set in the botany of Otago : and so on These could be fully reported in the Witness, and whenever and wherever possible re-deliveied in remoter districts as opportunity offered. The following will give an idea of what I mem : — During the past few monthfe locturcs ha^e been given at the Museum in the afternoon to school children who have "'ecu selectad froni different schools, the lectures being arranged to aid them in the course of their class studies. The lecture courses, since they were organised by Professor ißickmore, J have been calculated to carry forward the* best educational efforts of the schools. They have attained a standard of original work and research that would attract attention anywhere, and become a most eminent feature in any other city than New Yoi'lr. Not to mention those of Professor Henry Fairfield Osborns, one of the- curators, whose course on the study of the development of the horse is now being given in the Miiseum, presenting; many of his own with jther later results in this study, there are those of Frank M. Ohapman being given this winter. Several of his lectures are of the widest scientific as well as popular interest. Dr Chapman was one of the first as a young man. not many years ago. to point out the migration of birds by night. a discovery of his own, as well also his discovery of essential features in tl'o life habits of the flamingo, last year Of equal interest are the lectures also of Dr Louis P. Gratacap of the M\iseum in relation to the local geology of New York city and its neighbourhood. All these, tending to bring in closer touch the educational intcroot of "the city and country, are to be encouraged and aided by the Board of Education and the Museum authorities. If they effort th's last arrangement it will surely prove an important stop in the right direct-ion, which cannot fail to promote othovs of a character that will reflect credit on the schools and the Museum equally. What do you think of my idea? Now, is th«re a Carnegie amongst us? If so, entrust me with, say, £1500. and see what I should do with it. I forgot to say that ono part of my plan would be to provide a pood series of art pictures for circulation alfo. All this is a dream of mine ; but if it were made a I'eality I fancy life in some country schools and districts would become more tolerable. -A WORLD SURVEY. Are you getting tired of the Far East and its problems? I am not Whether peace will come soon or not I shall not pretend to say ; but one direct consequence to us of the annihilation of the Russian fleet is the sending back to Europe of our battleships in the Far East. Japanese battleships plus Japanese cruiseis. and our=. plus the moral support | of th-e United States, and probably of China also, are quite enough to face Russian, French, and German strength combined — if this almost impossible combination could be now brought about. I have '

f headed my note "A World's Survey" — I rather a pretentious Leading, isn't it? — but I just to *ay a few words upon the effect iof the war upon Europe. Russia and i France have an offensive and defensive 1 alliance, and its value is shown by this fact : The Navy League Journal tells us that it is known that it we had attacked . the Russian fleet after the Dogger Bank incident France would have sent her navy to help Russia. Then there is the Triple Alliance between Germany Austria, and Italy— also, I believe, of an offensive and . defensive nature. In Europe, it will be seen, Great Britain stood isolated ; but this isolation was to an extent overcome by the treaty with Japan, which we now see • to have been effective, and a friendly agreement with. France, by which France , and ourselves surrendered important points, and so strengthened any friendship existing between us, though, to my mind, we came- on' badly in the deal. It. however, ■ helped to weaken the bond binding Russia and France. While Russia had a navy Germany could do or say nothing to offend France, for. being sandwiched between France and Russia, even if Austria and Italy helped Germany, Germany would have had to run too many risks. But now Russia is 1 educed to a third-rate Power, and is practically bankrupt, Germany is becoming insolent, for she knows that Russia can give France no assistance. If Germany spoke to France 18 months ago as she is doing now, it is pretty certain that France would have declared war and called upon Russia to fulfil treaty obligations. Prospects of a European peace are not too bright, but the hurrying back to European waters of our battleships in the Far East may help to stay Germany's hand, though we are not pledged — unless a secret treaty exists — to give any help to France. Perhaps France, seeing she is comparatively helpless now her ally is prostrate, will make a virtue of necessity and allow Germany to establish what will be practically a naval station in Morocco. That will be a situation we shall not relish. Is it possible that we may help ' France wben the pinch comes? It is a ' pretty how-do-y'-do, and will, one of these ' days, result in a terrific outburst. If Germany takes the field the slaughter will . bo even' greater than it has been in Man- 1 churia, for European troops — at least I : think sc — will fight in pretty close forma- J ! tion, for the simple reason that there isn't ( room to open out ; and German comma 11- , ders will slaughter whole battalions with- ' out a moment's hesitation, if they think that by doing so the end will be gained. ■