WAKEFIELD.

Colonist, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11668, 2 July 1906, Page 4

WAKEFIELD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) At the Literary Society meeting last night, tbe subject of debate was "Does Modern Education Fail to Develop Cbanicter." Mr Percy Baigent took tho chair, and introduced n new member (Mr Claridge) to tho members as tbe opener of the debate in the affirmative. Mr Claridge is a r youngfman, and fought well for his side. His opponent, Mr R. C de Peppin took up tbe cudgels in favor of the present system as compared with the schools of by-gone days, and made out a very good case He was supported by Miss Hewlett and Messrs Peart and C. Hooper, while^-Messrs J. M. Wilson. "Wilkinson, O'Connor, and Evans suppored Mr Ularidge. A vote being taken. Mr Peppin got J9 against Mr Claridge's 18, thus winning by one vote. Next, Tuesday the Rev Hewlett will deliver n lecture on "Elocution," when tho President, Mr J. M.Wilson, will take the chair. Mr Henry Baigent's carpenters have made a start at the erection of tbe new Technical School. The contractors are making jrood progress with the, fencing of tbe roads through the new township of "Arthur, "formerly Mrs John Prices' property. We are being favoured with a good soaking rain, accompanied by a strong soa wind. ■>. Mr Walter Albert Tuck rind MiGeorge Trapnell, of Brigbtwater, visited Wellington some aix or seven weeks ago in order to interview tho Hon. R. Duncan, Minister for Agriculture. They saw him, and also 'Messrs Ritchie and Cocaine. Mr Tuck informed tbe Minister and tbe other two that he bad made a valuble discovery as to what the potato blight really is, and it is not what it is at present thought to be. He concludes that anyone who can do anything to prevent the great loss caused by the ravages of the pototo disease is entitled to seme remuneration and acknowledgment. He offered to disclose bis secret on the following conditions: "That if found valuable he was to receive some adequate recompense, but if valueless, he asked nothing."' Mi Tuoli tDinKS the Government: should consider tbe public weal, and this being of colonial importance the Government should take it up. So far, little or nothing has been done, and a letter from tbe Department of Agriculture shows that they misunderstood what Mr Tuck wistus to present to them. Tbe Government imagine Mr Tuck has found a specific, but he has only discovered what, the disease is. and leavesjjthem^to find a'specifie. Wakefield, June 27th.