TIMARU AND TEMUKA RAILWAY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XV, Issue 669, 25 October 1871, Page 5

TIMARU AND TEMUKA RAILWAY.

In a young colony especially, the march of improvement hastens on with strides unknown m Old World comma* nities. New Zealand, for instance, though just emerging from babyhood, possesses m a great measure the civilization, with its numerous concomitant advantages, which the Mother Country' has been centuries m arriving at. England painfully and laboriously has built up that civilization which we at once seize upon, and as a matter oi course adopt. We have not to invent, and bring invention to maturity ; we have only to copy, and m copying we have great and many advantages. In the matter of constructing railroad lines, England has built hers chiefly at a most ruinous cost, for through ignorance, and blind opposition to innovation, the proper and legitimate expenses were frequently more than quadrupled. We fortunately have not to fight against crass ignorance, or to put down unreasoning opposition before we enter on the path of progress, which the railway, both figuratively and literally, really is, and here railways will probably tell more on the present and future prosperity of the country, than m older comunities, for their effects are more apparent and more widespread m operation. We say more widespread m operation, on the ground that a system of judiciously planned railway lines m a colony will tend to draw population to its shores better almost than any other plan that could be devised to supply that great desideratum of young countries. Not only will they tend to supply the labor market with able-bodied immigrants, but will, by affording easy and rapid communication between the different centres of population, hold out inducement for settlers of a different class to take up their abode amongst us. The more we can shape this country into the similitude of the one we have left, the more likely are we to draw to our shores, men who for a variety of causes desire to leave England. Our climate is one of the best m the world, and to which that of England cannot compare, cost of living is far cheaper for necessaries — not luxuries — and the one thing wanting is a large enough population to induce the many and various forma of recreation and pleasure to take up their abode amongst us. Railways will hasten the day when to live here at the antipodes will be no more irksome to the ease-loving and independent man than if he were m Surrey, and consequently, the event whioh transpired on Wednesday on the top of the cliffs north, of the town is worthy of more than a passing notice it being the commencement m South Canterbury of that trunk line of communication which, let us hope, m a few years, at most, will run throughout this Middle Island. The turning of the "First Sod," of a railway is an event m the epoch of any town or district, and deserving to be recognised by some special act on the part of the inhabitants. The turning of the first sod of the Timaru and Temuka Railway was no exception to a custom almost stereotyped m its observance. But the gathering on Wednesday made up, as it was, by people from all parts, and not confined to a mere local boundary, made the event of more than usual significance. The public would, however, have been better pleased if the ceremony on Wednesday had inaugurated, not the construction of only the first section of the Temuka Railway, but that of the entire line — and we cannot conceive why Government should not have been m the position to call for tenders simultaneously for every section. If it were not known that the Timaru and Temuka Railway had been specially authorised by the Assembly last session, appearances would suggest that the Government only intended to build the line as far as the Washdyke, and to carry on to Temuka at some future day. If such really were the case, and the line to stop short at the Washdyke for any time, its construction, m a financial point of view, is sheer folly. Beyond a few hundred tons of preserved meat but little would go by the railway cars. To save three miles of road carriage farmers and others would hardly unload at the Washdyke to send their produce into Timaru by rail, except perhaps m exceptional instances when time pressed. It is to be hoped that Government will at once cause the detailed survey of the line between the Washdyke and Temuka to be undertaken, so as the work of formation, etc., may be completed simultaneously with No. 1 contract. To open the whole line would be a real public benefit ; to open but a small portion of it would be of little account.

The annual meeting of the householders of the Educational District of Ti-naru took place m the school- room on the '9th instant. At the commencement of the meeting a very small number were present, but' before the Chairman had concluded his opening address the room whs well filled, nearly a hundred being present. On the motion of Mr R. A. Chisholm, Mr H. Belneld (Chairman of the retiring School Committee) was voted to the chair. The Chairman*, m opening the business of the meeting, said that us chairman of the old Committee and of the present 'meeting be desired to make a few remarks. In the first place he would express his regret— which he ' whs sure whs shared by the members of the old Committee — to see so few present. He. liad expected to see that evening a large meeting, as he had fancied I hut the ratepayers hud taken more interest m educational matters during the past tlmn m any previous year. On these occasions it was usual for the Chairman to give a report of what had been done during the pnst year. 'I he usual written report had been prepared,- and tbnt would speak for itself; m addition to that he would offer a few remarks on the action of the committee for the past year. The late Committee came into office to fulfil two conditions, namely — to provide higher teaching power, and also, to provide additional school buildings. The second of these they had fulfilled, the new buildings having just been handed over by the contractors. The contract amounted to some £405, of which £335 had been provided by the Board of Education. A few minutes since he heard of a somewhat extraordinary remark which had been made to a member of the Committee. A person had said to this commit teemtin, " Dear me, you have been erecting new buildings — are they paid for?" He was happy to say thab they were paid for, and for any little balance that was due he would give cheques the following morning, to settle all Recounts. The Committee had done its utmost with t'ne means at its disposal. The Board of Education had increased its grant over that, of the previous year. That grant had been expended m improvements, &c The Board had also given a bonus according to the number of scholars attending the school ; — thut bonus last year amounted to £15, and the Committee had, Tery properly, handed it over to the master. The accounts were open to the inspection of any ratepayer, and it would be found that the Committee had kept every thing on the lowest scale. He would read the principal items (gave resumS of the balance sheet given below). The credit balance amounted to £23 Is sd, but that amount the new committee would have to expend on necessary additions and improvements. As regarded the assistance which the committee had received from the Board of Education and the public at large — the Board had been pretty liberal, but they were what lie would call an obstructive Board— (he spoke of the old Board— not of the present), — for the most trifling thing he had had to write letter after letter, and sometimes three weeks would elapse before he received a reply. He would give one instance. When the first payment became due to the contractor for the building he wrote, applying for the amount to be forwarded, and it was three weeks, if not four, before he got down the first grant. Meanwhile the contractor had to wait for his money — for the members of the Committee could not 'be expected to pay it out of their own pockets — and this was owing to the unbusinesslike conduct of the Board. As to the public — they had not come forward liberally with subscriptions — whether or not it was the fault of the collectors he conld not say : certain it was, however, that subscriptions came m very slowly, and thrre was even now a balance owing on what had been promised. This was not as it should be. Every man, woman, and child should take an interast m education, and money laid out on the support of schools, etc, would be money well spent. The most paltry reasons had been given for not paying up subscriptions : One man had refused bis promised subscription — he was glad he did not know his name as he should be ashamed to meet him m the street — because he objected to some of the men on the Committee. If he had objected, he had a voice when they were elected last year, and should have made his objections then. The business of the evening was divided into three parts. As chairman, he would read the report, when, if it was approved of, some ratepayer conld move its adoption and any gentleman could make any remarks he might wish to make on the action of the Committee for the past year, or suggestions for the guidance of the incoming Committee. After that, the meeting must decide as to the number of the Committee, which must not be lets than three or over nine. The previous year the Committee numbered nine. And the next business would be to elect a new Committee, and two auditors to revise the accounts of the next year. Before concluding, he thought that perhaps they would like to hear a brief reaumS of the committee work performed by the old Committee. He found by the minute book that the Committee had met twenty-one times during the past year, and that as a general rule all the members had been present. Of course, out of a committee of nine it could not be expected always to have a full board— business, and other matters interfering— but aa a general rule, the attendance had been pretty fulL He would now read the following report:— BKFOBT 07 THE TIMABU. SCHOOL COMMITTEE SOB THE TEAS EWDIN& OCTOBER 9, 1871. The Report of the Committee for the past year must necessarily be a short one, as the points to be presented lie m a comparatively Bmall compass. Your Committee during the year has done its utmost to carry out the wishes of the ratepayers as to providing additional school accommodation, and of importing into the school a higher standard of education than has heretofore obtained. As regards the first, the Committee has much pleasure iv intimating that large additions have been made to the school buildings, at a cost — including fittings, etc. — of £405 13s, of which amount £335 was provided by the Board of Education. To provide for the latter requirement — a higher teaching power — your Commiltro, m July last, caused advertisements to be inserted iv the leading newspapers m the colony, and m the Melbourne Argun, for a head master. In answer to the advertisements, no less than twenty-five applications have been received. The first of October instant was the last day named by the Committee for receiving applicatioiSftj^'and although your Committee has carefully gone through all the applications, yet, m a matter of so much importance as the election of a head master, it lias not deemed it advisable, hastily, to make any definite appointment, and it will therefore submit to the incoming Committee the . names of six gentlemen apparently most eligible for the post. Your Committee is glad to be able to roport that the Timaru School, as compared with other schools m the province, occupied a fair position, as evidenced m the quarterly reports of the Inspector of Schools ; yet, such reports only tend to show the great want that exists m Timaru of facilities for providing a moderately high standard of education. By" the first of January next, your Committee hope that such facilities wuTbe provided, and that the Timaru School will from thenceforth take a high rank, as being able to furnish the class of education much required for the town of Timaru, and the large and important district immediately adjacent. And, not only do the- Committee expect that the School, constituted as proposed, will meet the immediate local requirements, but that also, it will, when once firmly established, draw to it scholars from other and distant districts. During the past year yonr Committee has not attempted to alter or amend m any particular the interior economy as at present existing m the Timaru Sohool ; for the two following reasons ; — First, that it deemed it unnecessary to do so pending the conclusion of

nil. lit- . llil»;.<i liiH.- :i.l«»,i. u<» . WIUI-ll VIC>V U» organise a bet tor system to meet the educational wants of the district was liable to be; only very temporary m operation, owing toj the present uncertainty -'of the lows governing education : ' only m August last, an eduoatioual measure was passed iv the -Provinourt Council of this province, and it is likely that the legislation then enacted will shortly become invalid, it. being probably upset by the Bill now m course of passing through the Colonial Parliament. Appended, your Committee beg to offer the Financial Report for the year. H.'Bklfibld, Chairman. By the Financial Report it appeared that the receipts and expenditure for the past year had been as follows :— Receipts— To cash received from Board of Education for school maintenance (3 quarters), £114 15s ; do for building fund, £335 ; do bonus to school, £15 ; sohool fees, £105 6s ; subscriptions towards building fund, £56 8s ; bank overdraft, £43 16s 5d : total receipts, £690 5s sd. Expenditure—By master's salary (S quarters), £63 15s 6d ; do bonus, £15 ; do school fees, £105 6a ; do amount paid Hoard of Education on account of school building, £67 ; advertising, £4 4s 9d ; insurance of school buildings, £8 4s; school boobs, £3 7s lOd ; school stove, i' 2 10s; Mcßae (contractor for building), £355; do for extras (disks, &o.), £14 10s; clerk of works (superintendence 2\ per cent, on £368), £9 4s ; Anderson (painting school) , £10 9s ; advertising for master, &c., £14 18s 3d ; sundries (ipoiuding Borough Council — rent of otlice and building fees — plans for new buildings, coals, postage, telegrams, &c), £16 16s Id : total, £690 5s sd. Dependencies — Asset* -Due from Board of Education Oast year) for School maintenance, £38 ss; do on account of building, £47 ; outstanding subscriptions to building fund, £7 10s ; school fees (outstanding), £4 6s ; sale of school books, £3 7s lOd": total, £100 8s lOd. Liabilities — Bank overdraft., £43 16s sd ; master's salary (laft quarter) £21 5a ; do sohool fees, £4Gs; Mcßae (for plastering), £8. Credit Balance— £23 Is sd. The Chairman said that before sitting down he would state that the members of the outgoing committee were eligible for reelection. Their names were the Revd. G. Barclay, Messrs Harney, Chisholin, Turnbull, Crawford, Jackson, Broad, Huttou, and himself. Mr Padgbt begged to propose "That the report as read be adopted." Mr Beatohaw. seconded the reports Mr TußWß.inj; asked if by adopting the report the meeting would bind the incoming Committee to the selection of a master from the six names the old Committee had submitted. The Chairman replied that the outgoing Committee only ' submitted the named of the six gentlemen it thought most eligible for the post, and it would not bind the new Committee at all. He might mention that the Committee had met on the previous Monday, and that it had taken the Committee three hours work to go through the applications. They were not satisfied with that, but appointed a sub-committee consisting of the Revd. G. Barclay, Mr Turnbull, and himself, to go through them again and pick out the six they thought most fit. To do this it hud taken the sub-committee the best part of a day. If the new Committee was fond of work it might go through the apbeations again. The report waa not binding on them m any way whatever. The motion that the report be adopted was then put and carried unanimously. The Chairman stated that the next business was for the meeting to decide whether the new committee should be three or nine, or any number between. The Ret. R. Bavin said that before that was proceeded with be should beg to move a cordial vote of thanks to the retiring committee, for he considered the thanks of the meeting were due to those gentlemen. The meeting the previous year had done him the honor to nominate him, and he considered it his duty to decline, believing he hod not sufficient time to attend to the duties. He had watched with interest the unswerving manner m which the committee had attended to their duties. He begged to move — " That the cordial thanks of the meeting be presented to the outgoing committee for their services during the past year." [Applause.] The Mayor seconded the motion, which was carried by acclamation. The Ret. K. Bavin said he should not like any remarks he had to make to be considered as anything like a censure on the retiring committee, and partly for that reason had moved: the vote of thanks to them. He found that under the Education Act the Board had the power to classify teachers m Government schools. ' He wished respectfully to ask the Chairman if the attention of the Committee had been drawn to the clause ? If not ; he considered that it was desirable that the master should have bis standing fixed by a certificate of merit. He was not positive, but took it for granted, that it was m the power of the Committee to draw the attention of the Board to the subject. • The Chairman said that as regarded the present master, the old Committee had asked the Board to define his status, and the Board had told them plainly that he should remain m his present position ; and as to his standing, the Board did not wish to interfere m the matter. Mr Bavim said that was under the old Board. The Chairman said that was correct. That reminded him that until the previous Saturday he did not know officially that a new Board was m existence. Mr Bavin said his remarks had no reference whatever to the removal of the present master ; he simply wanted to see his standing fixed and his position definitely defined by the Board. Mr Harney observed that the Inspector's reports were quite satisfactory as to Mr Jagger*s abilities as a teacher. The Rev. G. Barclay said he hardly thought that Mr Bavin's question had been rightly understood. If it was asked if the Committee had made application under the provisions of the present Ordinance, the answer would be that they bad not done so. The Ordinance provided for the examination, classification, and granting of certificates to teachers according to their competency. He was not aware that the Board had as yet taken any action m that direction ; and the Committee had done nothing with that object There was 'no provision under the old Ordinance for the examination and classification of teachers. The Rev. G. Foster thought that the examination and classification of teachers would refer more to those appointed under the new Act, rather than to those already appointed. The Rev. Mr Bavin said that there was a serrate clause for the classification and appointment of new teachers, and another for the classification of those already employed. The subject then dropped. Mr Tubnbcm. asked the Chairman, previous to the election proceeding, to state the boundaries of the district. The Chairman said that the boundaries were from the Washdyke to Pighunting Creek and back to Mount Horrible. Mr Rbilly asked the Chairman what was the estimated income for the year. The Chairman replied that as far as he could judge from the revenue of the previous year, it would amount to about £263. Mr Reilly asked how the salary of £350 for the new roaster would be met. The Chairman answered that the Committee last year bod levied no rate ; the new Committee would have to rate. Mr Harney moved, Mr Hutton seconded, and ie was resolved — "That nine be the number of the Committee." The nomination of Committeemen was then proceeded with, when twenty-four names were proposed, including the religious heads of the Roman Catholic. Episcopalian, Presbyterian, and Wesleyan denominations. ■Messrs J. Granger and J. Thompson were appointed scrutineers to take the votes. Mr Kknt then proposed, and Mr Hill

ine.iuiets i>l cue (JouiUHLlee, tUiU pi'oeeed to elect the remaining tive." Mr Jacob Hill seconded the motion. " The Rev 6. Barclay said tliat he should prefer to be elected m the ordinary way : UQt, iv any lump or bundle whatever. '' The Revds. Foster and havin also expressed their objections to being elected m any exceptional manner. Mr Kknt, on being asked to withdraw his motion, said he should not do an. if the meeting was m earnest, and wished all the denominations fairly represented they would accept his motion. He accused the three clergymen of objecting to be elected m the way he proposed r>ecause they did not wish the weakest denomination iv the place to be represented by its minister. All the denominations would iwt be fairly represented if he was not there. The four clerical gentlemen, m acting on the Committee, would be only attending to their own business. He declined to \vithdruw his resolution. Mr Hill expressed his wish to withdraw his name as seconder of the motion. Oaptaiu Crawford moved us an amendment— " That the eleotum «f the uler^ymen be conducted iv the usual manner." That they should be elected he felt sure wns the wish of the meeting. The school whs a national and not a denominational one, and it was right that the heads of the various denominations should lie there, so that each conld look after the peculiar interests of the children of his owu denomination attending the school. Mr Kknt withdrew his resolution The pulling was then proceeded with, previous to this, however, Futlier Oiiataigner, the Catholic priest, withdrew lroui , the candidature. The polling occupied about an hour, and the following was the result, us declared by thn chairman : — Kev Foster 54, 11. J. LeCreu 48, R. Turnbull 48, Hey Bav,n 45, llarney 44, Key Barclay 43, BeltieM 41, (Jliff 35, .Chisholni 30, F. LeOen 28. Tate "_'s, Crawford 25, Jackson 22, Cain 19, G. Henley 17, Shepherd 15, Pad get 13, Hibbard 12, Hutton 12, Bro»d 11, Wildie 10, Kyfe 10, Hart 10, Hamilton 9. The first nine were therefore declared duly elected. The election of auditors, to audit the accounts for the ensuing year, was tlu-n proceeded with, when Messr* King uud Tute were elected. A vote of thanks to the Chairman concluded the meeting. TKM.UKA. The annual meeting of ratepayers took place on October 9th, when the following report was presented by the retiring Committee : — In submitting to the ratepayers their report for the last year, your Committee have great pleasure iv stating that the liuancial position, aud educational status of the school, are both of a highly satisfactory character. With regard to finance — whilst there does not exist a single liability, there is a Imlance at the Bank to your credit of £7 9a 7d, aud the number of the pupils have been such as to iuduce the Board of Kducatiou to augment the grant to the school by £7 10s for each of the three quarters ending 30th June last — the grant from the Board instead of being, as formerly, £18 15s, is now £26 5s per quarter. The contiunauce of this augmentation will, of course, depend upon the number of the pupils being maintained. In addition to the above increase m the quarterly grant, your Committee have further to congratulate the ratepayers) m being able to intimate that the Buard of Education has been pleased to graut to the teacher a bonus of £22, for the quarters ending respectively 31st December, 1870, 31st March, 1871, and 30th June, IS7I, being at the rate of £7 6s 8d for each of these quarters. From what has now been stated, it will be seen that the school has, m every respect, progressed beyond the most sanguine expectations, aud which could not at the commencement of the year, by any deduction, have been anticipated. Whilst thus congratulating you on the circumstances akeady enumerated, your Committee deeply regret to have to state that the accommodation iv the school- room is so circumscribed, and the teaching staff so inadequate, that, unless immediately provision be made to remedy this, the interest of education iv the district must greatly suffer. Your Committee would strongly recommend that a separate school lor girls be appointed, with a school mistress. Several girls of an ace that ought not to lie under a master's surveillance are now attending, who ought to be subject to a mistress' tint. on. The teacher brought this subject before a meeting of the Committee on the 18th nit, but, as the term 1 of office of your Committee was about to expire, it was deemed advisable to refer the whole matter for the consideration of the succeeding Committee, with a recommedation that they will grapple with the subject forthwith. The number of pupils at present on the register is 80. The annual statement of nccouuts, duly audited, will be laid beiore you. T. O. Rayner, Chairman of Committee. The Report was adopted. The following resolution was carried unanimously — "That the meeting fully endorsed the opinion expressed iv the report that a female teacher be appointed, aud that the school-room be enlarged." The following gentlemen were chosen as a Committee for the ensuing year : — Dr Rayner, Messrs Wilcox, Hayhurst. Paterson, Rutland, Parsons, Ferguson, X Brown, and Velvin. Thanks were unanimously voted to the Chairman and the Committee for their services during the year. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting. [The above report should have appeared m our issue of Wednesday last, but by some mischance did not come to hand till Wednesday forenoon.] OERAXDINE. A meeting of the ratepayers of the Geraldine Educational District took place on October 9th. at the Geraldine Hotel. The room was crowded. Dr Fish was voted to the chair. The Chairman m opening the meeting, said that the object for which it was called was— Firstly, to lay before it a statement as to what the retiring committee hod done towards raising the necessary funds for the erection of a schoolroom and Master's residence ; Secondly, to elect a new school commintee and auditors for the ensuing year. The Chairman then read the following list of contributions towards the school buildings — collected by Mr' Megson £10 ; by Mr G. Taylor £3 10s ; by Mr Johnson £1 Is ; by Mr C Palmer £2 ; by Mr Dale £1 10 ; by Mr Keltnan £28 9s; by Dr. Fish £13 10 : total £60. On the motion of Mr Megson, seconded by Mr B. Taylor it was resolved " That the number of the committee be seven, three to form a quorum." The election of a new committee was then proceeded with, when. Dr. Fish, Messrs J. Megson, R. Tayloi, A, Kelman, C. Sherratt, G. Pearee, and H. J, Mason were elected. Messers W. Grimmer and W. Shiers were elected auditors for the ensuing year. An unanmious vote of thanks to the Chairman brought the public meeting to a close. WAIMATB. A public meeting was held m the ,Sohopl-room, Waimate, on Monday, the 9th instant, to elect a Committee for the District Sohool for the ensuing year. Fifty ratepayers attended. The following nine were elected : — Messrs F. Gaitt, J. Bruce, M. O'Brian, A. Dow, W. King, F. Hughes, G. Graham, T. Jackson, and H. Butoher. Auditors — Messrs Goldsmith find J. Manchester. A yote of thanks to Mr S. W. Goldsmith, the retiring Chairman, terminated the meeting.

A jnibiic' nu'.-img ot ' tilt* ivstduuts ef the Wnilii Crossing Educational District was held m the Selioolroom, Waini Crossing, on the evening of Monday the 9th instant, when the. Annual Report of .the outgoing School Corn•jnittee was read, iiiid v new Committee elected. As the chairman , Mr J. A. Young, was nnable to attend on account of illness, Mr William Horsfall occupied the chair. The Committee, m their Report, congratulated the inhabitants of the district on the prosperity of the School, the present attendance being upwards of fifty children, and having marked the great progress 11. tide by the children attending the School, since its opening, desired to express their entire satisfaction wit.h their present teacher, Mr F. Irving. Tlio report showed that the receipts for the year had amounted to £81 13s 6d, which had been raised partly by. subscriptions, entertainments, and rates ; and that the disbursements had been £81 7s Id, leaving a balance m hand of 6s sd. The Committee desired to thank all who had assisted them m raising tins lurge amount, whether by contributions, or by ukting them m carrying out successfully the entertainments given iv the School-room m aid of the School fund. The Committee regretted they were unable to go out of ofuco clear of debt. Sundry accounts, amounting to £24 16s 2d, still required to be met ; and they estimated that work necessary to be done to complete the place— such us painting, fencing, a pump, and extra desks and seat* lor the school, etc., would mnour.t to £41 5s ; so that the new Committee, if determined to carry out that work, wou'd require tn ruiso the i»um of i'G6 Is 2d. The Int.; Committee had applied to the Board of Education to assist them with this amount, und it was hoped they would entertain their request. The report having been read, Mr Lewis proposed a voto of thanks to tho retiring Committee, which was seconded by Mr Taylor, and unanimously ugreed to ; after which a new Commit ten was chosen by ballot, when the following gentlemen wero dec-lured to be duly elected, viz :— Messrs J. A. Young. Wm. Horsfall, D. Shaw, J. .Roberts, C. Bishop, J. Anderson, J. Lewis, H. Tester, and G> Taylor. Mr Q-. Howard and Mr Clark were elected as auditors for the year. The new Committee being formed, Mr Tuylor proposed, Mr Lewis seconded, " That Mr J. A. Young be Chairman of the Committee," wliiiOi was unanimously ugreed to. The meeting then udjourued.