The Taranaki Herald.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 11570, 11 July 1899, Page 2

The Taranaki Herald.

P- 1 BUSHEC DAILY, TUESDAY, JULY It, 1899. ♦ From the report of the Inspector we learn that in the Taranaki Education District t!-.ere were at the close of last year sixty-three schools open, all of which, with three exceptions, were examined. The number of pupils presented was 3953, of whom 2514 were examined in the standards, the passes numbering 1863. In 1895, the first year that Mr Ppencer wua here, the number on the rolls at examination was 8714. so that there has been an increase of 239 on the rolls, while the number in standards present at examination has increased by 316, or by over 14 per cent. Despite the increase in the rollnumber tho number of pupils in tho preparatory classes has decreased. The numbers in the higher standards, V. and VI., show considerable increases, the former nearly 20 per cent., and the latter 67 per cent. This, the Inspector thinks, is an indication that parents are recognising more and more the benefits to be derived from giving their children advantage of the education beyond merely that which is insisted upon by tho School Attendance Act, and he thinks that the sound instruction imparted in some of the best schools has been an important factor in bringing about this result. Thft Inspector further states that, tho quality of the work done has greatly improved, and ho judges of the success of the teaching more by the quality of the work than by the actual percentage of pusses, for the latter may bo misleading, A good scliool will obtain a high proportion of passes, but, he says, so also may a badly taught school, for in the latter the pupils mny be craramod to a certain point, while much of tho work may bo badly taught or neglected altogether. In the pass-subjects steady progress is being made, nnd tho Adoption of bettor aud modern methods is producing improved educational results. Tho work done In a few of the schools would, Mr Spencer thinks, do credit to even tho most favoured district ; but such results can bo objnined only by continued effort throughout tho year, and by careful aud intelligent planning, syetematieing, and organising of the work. In other cases teachers have made little effort to improve the quality of their work, and the same faults and defects have to be pointed out year after jear. These teachers, says Mr Spencer — and no doubt, galling as it may bo to ihem, thero is much truth in bis strictures — are very good at altri r bnting their non-success to any pause other than their own incompotency, though year after year their results may

bo unsatisfactory, wliile other school- » o.xtimined under exactly the same conditions, with similar, or it may be the same, cards, do uniformly satisfactory work. Mr Spencer speaks favourably of the energy, earnestness, and intelligence di3played by many of the younger teachers, and also of the work done by the pnpil-teachers. Of the class-sub-jects, howevar, he does not speak favourably, grammar being particularly weak. Summed up, his report shows that the district as a whole has made steady and sound progress. It also shows that, in 1113 desire to do his dnty, Mr Spencer does not shirk the disagreeable and unpopular responsibility of speaking out plainly upon the faults he finds. Were he less zealous in this respect, possibly bis manners and methods might be more acceptable to the teachers whom he finds it necessary to find fault with, but education would suffer ; and after all it is educational result?, and not the personal feelings and failings of teachers, which have to be most consideied. -

During 1898 the total number of offences of drunkenness reported was, according to the Police report, 5,532, or about 15 per 1000 head o£ tho adult population of the colony. The number of offenders reported was, hoivever, a very much SQialler proportiou, for in many communities there are Inbitual drunkards who are brought before the Magistrates two, three, or evr n more times in a year. Then there are hrgo numbers of sailors belonging to foreign»going vessete who take advantage of their liberty ashore at the chief ports to " have a good time, 1 ' and thus help materially to swell the figures. Notwithstanding that the number of offences reported in 1898 exceeded I those ia 1897, there is nothing in the statistics to gainsay the assertion that New Zjalandera are among the most sober people in the whole world. "I he Roy Idrinyn J nes, a recent visitor to th 8 colony, and part of whose life's work ha? been in furtherance of the tetn> perance movement, stated in Wellington that daring his four months' visit to the colonies, in course of whioh he had mixed with all classes of people, he did not think he bad seqn a dozen persons under the influence of liquor. In face of these facts and opinions ho v can it with truth be said that drunkenness is the one sin to which New Zaalanders are particularly given ? Yet the Prohibition pirfcy would hive us believe so, and with the idea o : eradicating it would make the consumption of alcohol a crime. It would appear, however, from the experiences of the police officers, that in their oxfre ma virsws Probibitionin's have but little sjtnpathy outside of th.-ir own rankn. '1 he average huaian nature rises iv revolt at huch tyranny as id sought to be established, and winks at, even if \l does not connive at, breaches qf the law prohibiting the bale of liquor. Public sympathy, says Commissioner Tunbridge, "is invariably with the sly-grog seller," and the person who bears witness against a sly-grog seller h khunned by his fellows as an informer, tho moit despised of beings. Inspector Pardy, in hiß report, says that, as regards Glutha, there is such odium attached to persons giving evidence in these cases that it is with the greatest difficulty that anyone can be got to do so Evidently public opinion is not favourable to prohibition, even in Clutha, and without the assistance of public opinion prohibition will never prohibit. The decrease in the number of slysgrog offences during 1898 as compared with 1897 proves nothing, unless ith that the sale is conducted with more cau«ion now than formerly. That it still goes on is beyond a doubt, and as long as public opinion condones it, it will continue, and will foster a habit of lying and deceit, and lead to an increase in the worst type of drunkard, those who do thoir "nipping " on the sly. Our report of the Borough Council meeting will be found on our front page. Mr Fleetwood, Patea, hna been ap» pointed secretary of the Tarauaki Jockey Club. There were 23 applicants for tho position At a meeting of the Committee of the Taranaki Jockey Club on Monday uight, Mr \V. L. Newoian was appointed to j represent the Club at tin Eacing Conf t rence. The Triad for July is to hand. As is usual with this publication, much valuable in Formation js given relating to musical and scientific mi'.tera. Tin music supplement (always a feature with our popular contunpoia-y) is a particuarly good one. Gkmnod s "Serenade ' bung given. For young people a moßt interesting pri?y competition is rn,nounced, and will no doubt be liberally responded to ; particulars appear in another column. "Original papers on interesting subjects "formed the businers of the Literaiy and Debating Pociety'a meeting on ftfon doy evening The President (Or. Hutchinßon) presided, and there was a good attendance. Mrs Boult was in charge of the programme, and did good work. The pnpera \rere-' A Purfboat Story,' read- by Miss D. Taylor; ' What is succtss in life,' by Mr Dowle; •Women Patriot*,' read by Mr Boult; 'Smiles/ by Mrs F G Evans ; ' Further North,' read by Mr Boultj 'Immigration and Emigttitiou,' read by Mrs Courtney; and ' A few notes on Music in New Pljmouth,' by Mrs Boult The papers were freoly critkiaed. A vote of thanks to Mrs Boult closod the meeting. At the annual meeting of the New Plymouth Sash & Door Company on Monday, the report stated that, after providing for working expenses, bad and doubtful debts. &c, theie remained the amount of £2038 7s standing to the credit of the profit and loss account, out of which the directors recommended that a further dividend of 3J per cent, he paid, making, with the inttiira dividend, 6 pel cent, for the jtar. '1 he report was adopted. Meßsra J. B. Connett and W. F. Brooking were re elected ditectorp, and Mei,sni 0. Keuuell ond F. L. Webster auiJUorH. A bonus o£<£2t>o win voted to the dirtctorn, i2ocaoh'to the manager und secretary, and the auditors' remuueration was iucreusßcl to £20. A twist was given to tho tail of tho Town Clock proposal at the Council mcvlii.g on Mouday night In answer to Mr Brooking, tin Mayor said someone in the Public Woikg Department had objected to the planp, rb it was o:>n tended thu lighting arrangements ia a certain portion of the buildings would be bad. The Premier had fiund that the alterations would involve a greater expenditure tbnn at fist anticipated, and in order to avoid tioublo bo dioMe<i to wait for n vote from the House. '1 ho money promised for tho clock wus safe enough. Mr Ward was delighted to think the dnUy sould not bo attributed to the ''sapient Councillors." Tho Mayor said he was ghd the matter hud been brought up, as a letter had appeared in tho press a reusing the Councillors of neglectiug their duty. There wero no grounds for such a complaint. Just Arrived.— A niod lot of Men's Women's, and Children's Soots aud Shoes suitable for winter wear. Men's Bluohera 4s lid. Also, Men's and Youths' Shoofera a- d Boy 3* Boots of all description. Wil ho nohl cheaper than over. — rf. W Jackson, City Boot Mart.* Dresden Hire Syatom is tho most equitable ever yet introduced.?

Captain Kennedy wired as fo lowa :—: — | ludications for cold showery weather ; sea moderating. The lambing season has commenced in the Manawatu district;, a settler at Kelvin Grove having several born on his pros porty early last week. The Borough foreman's letter reporting Mr Collis, a member of the Counoil, for alleged waste of water was read at the Council meeting on Monday nighf. In reply to a question, the Chairman of the Works Committee said the matter had been referred to the solicitor. About.ll.3o o'clock on Monday night a bright glare of fire was observed in the direction of Waitara, and shortly afterwards the town firebells pealed out an alarm The outbreak waa at Messrs Joll Bros ' dairy factory, which was completely burned down. A stonebreaker complained to the Coudcil on Monday night that when he asked one of the employees to measure his broken metal, tho paid employee called him " a sod," 1 and " a long ghost," and added injury to insult by knocking him down. The Council is inveßtigatiog the complaint. The death occurred recently in England of one of the oldest of New Zealand clergyman, the Rev. 3. 0. Bagehaw, formerly of Nelson, and subsequently of Avonside, in the Christchurch diocece. The reverend gentleman over a quarter of a century ago. left New Zealand to aocept a living, offered by Bishop Relwyn, in a Midland parish, where he officiated until his death. Speaking on the question of clearing and tidying up the cemetery, the Chiirman of the Committee stated at the Council meeting on Monday night, that in order to do tue work the money would have to be taken out of the general funds of he Borough, until sufficient revenue accumulated from the ta c of buryiug plots to defray the expense. Ashburton hhmld put in a claim for the champion absent-minded man. The other evening a resident on going to clear his post office box noticed the door of a neighbouring one open, and dangling from tho lock wa- a bunch of kejs, a watch, and a sovereigu case, in which were four sovereign". The property was at once handed in to tbo postmaster, and the abac t minded private box holder communicated with. Additional particulars of the contest for the <himpioni-hip of the world between Fitz immous and Jeffries came to h-iii'i by the last 'Friacj muil. Nearly IO.OCO people piid about 100,000 dollars to witness the fight The combatants fought under scores of great electric lights that burned on a gdllery over their heads to famish light for lha vita«cope pictures. J<. ff ■ ies, whose father is a Californmn clergyman, hi* received hundreds of offors of engagements Weddelt's review of the English butter season says unless an organised body is elected to uphold Australian values there is a danger of piicjs permanently settling to a penny per 1b balow those of Danish butter. %t urges the adoption of pasteur ising, and aa»ert3 ihit the Australian article, despite the drought is ousting competitors from ths Briciah markets. The review forecasts higher prices owing to increased prosperity. Several pipers have bean getting off jokes ovei the fact that in the Bankruptcy Gazette there is a notice which makes it appear that the Premier has leased the racehorse Her Majesty to Messrs Havill aud Cosgrovo on ehires. Mr Cnsgrove recently called on the Havrke's Bay Herald to explain that the lessor ia Mr Richard John Seddon, blacksmith, of Caba*street, Palmerston North, and showed the original bailment drawn up by Mr H urley, solicitor, of Palmerston North, as proof of his statement. It will be seen on reference to our advertising columns that Mr Newton King will hold a monster unreserved sale of drapery and clothing in the Theatre Royal, commencing on Friday next and continuing un il Monday. The goods, which are all new and of superior quality, have been imported direct from the manufacturers in Manchester, Belfast, and Leeds, and will be.slaughtered without the slightest reserve. Heads of families will find this an exceptionally good opportunity of securing bargains, and should not fail to attend the sale. A Pres i As- qciation telegram says that tho report of the Rakaia Commis ion was laid on the table of the House of Representatives this (Tuesday) afternoon The Commission found that the accident arose through the driver, Carter, maintaining too high a, rato pf speed, and from mi' judging Lis distance from the Rakaia statin), but thero was not tho slightest reason to f-uppose that he was otherwise thui perfectly sober. The desire to make up time which had been lost caused him to override his better judgment, and consequently he maintained an excessive speed. The Commission also mak"s several recommendations.

In order to counteract, if possible, what they Relievo to be t hi evil influence that the action of° Bishop Julius on the Prohibition question ii likely to htve, a numbor o£ ihe olergy iv the i Ihristcburch diocese h lye formed a Moderation League. The chief points in its platform are (1) the collection of reliable evidence qi to ihe extent und prospects of intetnpprauce in New especially among people born in the colony ; and (2) lbs projiotion of education of the community as to tbs use and abuse of stimulants, and the phjsicial and moral causes and conditions of intemperance. Iho members of this league will oppose prohibition, while they attempt to remedy the e«ls- that arise out of the present sjstem, and uotil a scheme of reform is propos-d that will be consistent with progressive tempsranco reform, and not a retrograde, destructive and fanatical <rusnde as prohibitiqn is Many of the clerpy belong to this movement, (.'aupn Kcowles seconded the motion for the formation ot the League. Arch'eacon Lingard v ged that it thonld set about operating against tha evil influence of prohibition at once. The Daily Ghron'cle states there is every reason to believe that a gonuine letter from Herr Andree has been found. The bottle containing the letter was picked up on ice near Rif in the oirl.v part of April by a farmer named JoLann Magnu«son, who was hunting for f>eals on the great floes of di if t ice which frequently purround the coast of Iceland, Breaking the bottle, he found the letter, which was addressed to tho Rvrodish Polar Bxpe dition, as follows:— 'Polar-expeditionen, i Goteborg, Sverige " The letter was stamped with Andree's official sUrap, and tho envelope boron request for the finder to post it at the neiro 1 : poit oflbc The farmer handed tho letter to Mr Svuinn fcinaraon, a mtnoVmnt livioi^ at Raufathofn, asking bun to post it. MrEin irs-on sin"; it ou Hls.y 6th by thu V kin;:, a trading vcsnel belonging to Mr i'lmr" B. Tuliniup, of Oopcuhagec. This vesaol loft Iceland with general curgo, oaUed ut Grantou, near iidinburgh, and then sailed for Oopenhagi-n, where the letter will bo posted or delivered as direoted. Commenting on this important discovery, which not ma to bo the fi-st genuinu letter of Andreo's yet found, tho Au-itri says it it d fli uU to say how old thu let tor may be, as there is no d\to ou tho envelope. It v likely, however, that before Andree resoited to tbo moans o£ bottlts for communicating with tho world, he had used up all h;s pigeons, or thoy were dead. The j mrunl also auggfHls that tho fnut; • hit the buttle wan despatched signifies that Andree must havo como out of the balloon, or was very near the soa level. The Minerva Assembly will hold their ususl weekly dance to-morrow night. By invitation only. o