The Timaru Herald.

Timaru Herald, Volume XL, Issue 2904, 14 January 1884, Page 2

The Timaru Herald.

MONDAY, JANUARY 14, 1884. We are very glad to see that we have successfully "drawn" the Government with respect to the new Hand-book of New Zealand. -The Wellington correspondent of the Otago Daily Times — who may safely be assumed to have got his cue direct from the Government Buildings — telegraphed the following infor•tnation to teat paper on Friday last : — " A statement ~ has appeared m a " Southern paper that Government, m"- " stead of acceding to the Agent - " General's suggestion relative to Jsbu- " ing a new edition of the ' New Zea- " land Hand-book,' employed Dr Hector "to do the work, with unsatisfactory ".results. This statement argues nn " amusing ignorance of the actual facts. " The 'Hand-book of which Dr Hector " has just brought out a new edition is "eimply a departmental publication "brought out by him. in continuation of " that brought out m 1879 m connec"tiori with'tbe Sydney Exhibition, and " bos nothing whatever to do with the " regular ' New Zealand Hand-book ' of " the Agent-General's Department. But " I am now m a position to state that " the Government some time ago ac- " ceded to Sir Dillon Bell's suggestion " respecting that Hand-book, arid have " secured the services of the Hon. W. " Gisborne (now m. England) to "carry but the /work. . I understand "Mr Gisborne is at present actively " engaged upon it. So much for this " alarming mare's, nest." , .There is no doubt that the" " Soutberu paper " referred to uqre, is the Timaru Herald, for we know of no .other that has made any allusion to the subject. Not that we found an alarming marc's nest, or any other sort of mare's nest ; nor did we' display any amusing ignorance of: facts; ' Oar remarks on the neglect of the Government to act on the Agent- General' 8 suggestion as to the issue of a new. edition of the New Zealand Hand-book, occurred incidentally m the course ..of a leading article on the 2nd January, reviewing M. de Harven's La Nouvellv Zilande ; and they were amply justified by the facts, as far as the public hitd any means of ascertaining them at tbe time. What we stated was that the Agent-General had urged the Government to cause v new edition of the New Zealand Hand-book to be prepared m London under his own direct, supervision, and that, instead of acceding- to his request, the Government bad allowed Dr Heotor to bring out a new edition of the New Zealand Hand-book m tbe colony. It now comes out that .tbe latter part of our statement . is strictly correct, but that we were mistaken m supposing that the Government 'bad totally ignored Sir Dillon Bell's recommendation', inasmuch as. they have secured Mr Cisborne's services to compile a new edition of the Hand-book m England. Where is the ignorance and where is tbe marc's nest P What mistake couli be more natural F In assuming that the new edition of. Dr Hector's Hand-book was to take the place of the new edition if the Hand-book recommended by the igenttGeneral, wo only shared an uni-versal-misconception. How were we to qnow, or how could anybody have magined, i^at two new editions of two Sew. , Zealand , Hund-booke would bo Buucd or compiled uudor the uutboiity

i£ the Government, at or about the ame time ? Very foolish and bewilder, ug, things, we know, arc often done inder the authority of tho Government; jut this was so far beyond the limits of probability, that it" never entered into )ur mind to think of such a thing. The Daily Times correspondent says Dr Hector's work is a departmental publication, and that it has nothing whatever to do with " the regular New Zealand Hand-book of the AgentGeneral's Department." We should like to know when the Agent-General's Department began issuing a " regular" New Zealand Hand-book, and how many issues of. it have been made. This is " amusing ignorance" with a vengeance, on the part of the correspondent or his informants. The only work of the kind that we are acquainted with, as having insued from the AgentGeneral's office, is that published m 1875 under the auspices of Sir Julius Vogul, and we have, the strongest reasons for believing, that; there has never been any reissue of it, or, m other words, any "regular" New Zealand Hand-book whatsoever. The best proof that we are right m this supposition is that the Agent-General has complained that tho New Zealand Hand-book is altogether obsolete, and hus urged the Government to cause a new edition to be prepared. We remember very well the book which Dr Hector brought out at the time of the Sydm?y Exhibition. It was intended to accompany the exhibits m the New Zealand Court, and was a sort of advertisement of Dr Hector and his department and his share m the Exhibition. It never was at all generally recognised an a Hand-book of New Zealand; and when it bad served its temporary purpose, it was forgotten. Why a new edition of that ephemeral production should be issued now, when theve is no exhibition going on, we are quite at a, loss to conceive. It may be said, perhaps, that like most o£ the publications of the scientific department at Wellington, it glorifies Dr Hector and does nobody any harm. Well, we have not the smallest objection to Dr Hector glorifying himself at his own expense,- but we must; say we think he ought not to be allowed to indulge that tendency at the expense of the colony. Above all be ought not to be allowed to indulge it m such a manner as to cause confusion and mislead the public. If he must publish books, they ought to have a distinct namii indicative of their origin. We should then know at a glance what the work consisted of, and Bbould not be tempted to waste any further time over it. On the other hand, to call hia book a Handbook of New Zealand, when there is another Hand-book of New Zealand m existence, is to confer an absurdly excesßwe degree of importance upon it, and to cause inevitable misunderstanding. Another remarkable circumstance, wbicli would be quite sufficient excuse foi the mistake we made, is this. It is nearly two years, if we remember rightly, since the Agent-General recommended that a new edition of the New Zealand Hand-book —the New Zealand Hand book, we mean —tihould be prepared m Engknd. We now learn lor the fir3l time that the Government have decided to adopt tbat recommendation, and thai Mr Gisborne has been employed to give effect to it. In the interval, Dr Hectoi published a new edition of his "New Zealand Hand-book." Was it unreasonable we ask, for the public, or for ourselves, to take it for granted tbat the Government had resolved to ignore the AgentGeneral's recommendation, and bad entrusted the task of preparing the new Hand-book toDr Hector ? In the course of our remarks on this subject on the 2nd January, to which the Daily Tiniet correspondent's telegram 28 the replj of the Government, we specially mentioned tbat we had not seen Dr Hector's Hand-book, and that our impressions oi it had been gathered from others. Ac we have said, we merely shared a common misconception, caused by a stupid muddle c>n the part of the Government.

_^ Pw^JJKßHifjgsa. — Two men were arrested on Batiuiidiiy forltirunkenness. Ab they afterWards resitted and assaulted the police m the execution of .their duty, they will Have three offenqea instead of one" to answer for. ' " '■ C : BA1THB?, N.Z.A. — Daylight parades ara^rdere^ for Wednesday next and the folr lowing W&lrinadaj-, at 7.30 p.m.— drill order.". A general meeting 19 to be held sifter parade on Wednesday next to elect a Shooting Committeo and Auditors. There are vacancies for a few rooruits, who can only be taken during the present month. Tns San Fsakcisco Mail.— Tlie Australia with the inward European and American mails vid San Francisco, arrived at Auckland yesterday morning. A telegraphic summary of the news brought by her is published elsewhere m this morning's issuo. The Timaru portion of the mail should reach its destination by Wednesday evening or Thursday morning. Voluktbbb Enbomibnt. — Reoruits can now bu enrolled m tho various Volunteer corps m the months of January and July only. Now that the new regulations, have been m force for twelve months and found to be by no means harsh, unfair or unduly strict, there should be no difficulty m filling up tho ranks of the different corps. As the numbe? of recruits that can be taken m each corps is neeosiMirily limited, intending recruits should make early application. A Crßiotra Cash. — Last week Judge Hardcastlo hold a District Court at Ashburton, and heard a case m which a person claimed £100 damages for personal injuries arising from the negligence of the defendant. His Honor awardod £5 and costs. The Mail remarks on this case — " The most remarkable thing m connection with the caso is that as this is a separate Court district, and Judge Hardcastle (m the absence of Judge Ward), has been appointed deputy, and the appointment only for Christchurch and Timaru districts, Judgo Hardcastle has consequently no jurisdiction. The proceedings are void." 1.0.Q-.T. — The regular weekly meeting of the Lifeboat Lodge, No. 101) took place on Friday evening, m the Oddfellows' Hall, fophia street, tho chair being occupied by Bro. J. Watson, W.C.T. The officers were all present, and the usual formula was carried out. Tho initiatory degree wns conferred on one candidate who presented himself for admission. A recess was declared for five minutes, and on business being resumed the nominations for District; Deputy and Grand Lodge Representative took place, when Bro. R. Proctor wns nominated for both. After tho conclusion of business tho Lodge opened for harmony, -when a capital programme was gone through. A vote of thanks to the visitors, coupled with the name of Bi3ter Gibbin (of the Sea Shell Lodge, Lyttelton), was carried by acclamation, and duly responded to. Next Friday night is appointed a degree night, for the conferring of the second and third degrees. ' * The Lodge closed at 9.45 p.m. Resident Magistrate's Coubt. — At the Timaru Court on Saturday morning a few petty cases were disposed of before F. LeCren and H. H. Hennah, Esqa., J.P'a. Edmund and John Bicliards were charged with stealing on the previous day two rails, worth about 2s 6d, from a fence near the Washdyke railway station., the property of the Government. The offence being proved they were ordered to pay lls 3d each — a lino of. 10s and half the value of the timber,— or m default three days' imprisonment. R. Owen was charged with deserting his wife and three children at Timaru on December 11th, and leaving them without adequate means of support. This case was withdrawn on accused undertaking to repay the amount that had been dispensed m charity to his family. Walter Bell, who had been arrested for drunkenness on the 4th instant and remanded for treatment, was now brought up, and having recovered from tho effects of his ' excesses was discharged. Ho was ordered to pay the medical expenses. Two first offenders wore fined the usual 5s each. Hook District School. — The annual distribution of.' (prizes to the . scholars of this school took place at the schoolhouse on Friday last. There was only a < moderate attendance of parents and friends. The prizes wore distributed by tho Rev. J. McKec, of Waimate, who had been invited by the Committee to preside on tho occasion. The prizes were awarded on the results of the recent examination !by the Inspector, as follows : — Standard VI., first prize, George Cooper ; second, Samuel Andrews. Standard V., first prize, Lizzie Martin. Standard IV., first prize, Maggie Miller; Becond, Bessie Thomson and Milly Aftdrews, equal ; third, Jane Cooper. Standard 111., first prize, Georgina Rattray ; second, Barbara Martin ; third, Earnest Andrews. Standard 11., first prize, Ruth Medlicott ; second, Mary Hare ; third, Felix Andrews. • Standard 1., first prize, Jane Miller ; second Harry Merry and David Cooper, equal ; third, Patrick Grocjish and Arthur Lovegrove, equal. Othei 'prizes were also awarded for general school work. After tho presentation, tho Rev Mr McKee addressed the scholars, encouraging them to attend to their school duties, and impressed upon them the importance of doing their work well. Mr KcKee spoke m high terms of the manner m which the school had beon conducted by Mr Bannerman, the master, and congratulated the scholars on the advancement made during the year. The proceedings then closed. KAKABtr School Committee. — The ordinary monthly meeting of the Committee was held on Monday, 7th inst, Members present —Messrs Cochranc, Leary, Tindall, Beattie, and Kellond. The minutes of the previous ordinary and of one special - meeting were road and confirmed; The following correspondence was received :—From the Board, asking to be furnished with the Committco's remarks on the Report of the recent examination of the school. From the same, requesting the Committee to transmit to the Board, before the 31st inst., the names of two persons qualified to be members of the Board. This matter was left for the now Committee to deal with. The quarterly attondanco return to 31st December showed the number on the roll to be 76, and the working average to be 57. The Acting Inspector's report on the Standard examination was also received, likewise a lettor from Mv Cooke explaining certain matters m connection with the examination. Tho following is a copy of the report: — "Standard VI., presented 1, passed 1) Standard V., pnwwnted 8, passed 6 j Standard IV., presented 12, possod 0; Standard HI., presented 9, passed 2 ; ■ Standard 11., proeonted 7, passed 5 ; Standard 1., presented 11, passed 9 ; below the Standards 26 j percentage of passes 47.9. Present classification—Standard VI., passed 1 ; Standard V., passed 0; Standard IV., passod 2; Standard HI., passed 14; Standard 11., parsed 16 ; Standard 1., passed 12. Remarks. — The work of this school m tho IV. and 111. Standards is thoroughly unsatisfactory ; out of 21 candidates only 2 passed The 11. and I. Standards did fairly. Tho VI. and V. made 11 fair percentage of passes, but many of thorn were weak. Tho general (one of the school must be improved.— (Signed) Joutf Gukk, Inspector." Tho report, together with tho master's remarks upon it, provoked a good deal of dißcussiou, somemembors maintaining that the masons sat forth by the 1 teacher- were not sufficient to affect tho general results m the manner shown by tho report, while the majority thought Bfr Cooko hud suffered considerably through tho carelessness of the previous head 'toucher. Mr Cochrnne proxisecl — " That as tho children have already had a mouth's holiday, it is not desirable to fiivo harvest holidays." This was seconded by Mr Tindall and carried. It was resolved — " That Mrs Countable be lot tho cleaning of tho school for tho current year at the usual sulary, £12 per annum." I Waitobi Fliv SoHOOi.~A mooting of tho Committee wan held at the schoolroom on Monday, January 7th. Members prosenfc-^-Slossrs Talbot, Moore, Scott, Andorsoaand Soaton. The minutes of tho lust mooting were read end confirmed. A lottor from tho Board of Education was rend, asking the Committee to obtain a report as to tha probable cost of roofing tho school buildings with iron. It was resolved that Mr Joseph McOlintook bo asl-od to furnish an estimate.' A circular re nomination of candidates ' for tho vacancir* that, will shortly t»ke place on the Education Boird was read. It wns decided to notniunte Mr R. A. Barker for reelnction. Thp Chairman stotpd thafc Mr Gilmour had made a complaint to him about tho distribution of th« prizes. He (Mr Gilmour) considered it unfair that prizos were given -to »oni«i who did not pass, and that it wig also uuftiir that pupils who had taken two years tij pai* a stuudard should

lave a pri«i wjj^;pffie*» wfio had piissed it , t< n one year got.-oone." tt was acknowledged \.£ hafc a few mistakes had inadvertently been I Bade, but that it would be impracticable to d ittompt any rectification now. Mr Moore 1 iskedfhow it wa» that no report of the ihiljaren's sports had appeared m the papers, the Chairman said that Mr Ciniphcll •» had promised to furnish a report, buf, it np- n jjeared that he had omitted to do so. The a emission was commented upon with some g iisapproval, and the Chairman was inked to request an explanation of the matter. The t meeting then terminated. r .Divorce ik New York.— The alarming * increase m cases of divorce is just >-ow ' attracting great attention m New York city. * It seems that an investigation of the records ' of the Courts during the last 13 years has J shown startling results as to the number of ' decrees of absolute divorce granted. There is ' only one cause for such a divorce urder the f statutes of New York State, and the ' decrees, m harmony with the law, prohibit the guilty party m the case fron-. marry- ; iug again within the lifetime of the injured • party. Under rulings of the Court of Appeals, however, such marriages are valid if contracted m other States, and it lias been ', discovered that m many cases persons have contrived to have decrees entered against them m order that they might rj-marry. Other causes have operated under the prevailing system to increase the number of absolute divorces and re-marriages, chief among them being the secrecy with which trials are conducted. The most eminent Judges and lawyers m the United State, beginning with Chief Justice Davis, speak severely against the law and advocate a reform, «s many decrees of divoiue have been entered m the oflicea of the fck-ee New York courts that have jurisdiction m such cases during the hist five years as m the preceding eight. In each case the number was about 1400. Especially has tho increase been startling since tho summer of 1881. The total number m 1880 was 218 ; m 1881 it was 253 ; m 1882 it was 316 ; and the number of decrees entered up to September of the present year.is 215. Inasmuch, as the number of applications during the late Bummer vacation was extraordinarily large, aad most of these are still before referees or untried, the entire number for this year promises to be not less than- 400, or about twice as many as were eiver granted m any year before 1879. Remedial laws m connection with tliLi matter are being loudly called for. BYNOPSI3 OF NEW ADVERTISEMENTS. Maclean and Stewart— Notice re accepted «nder for harvesting ; will ucll sheep and cattle at Waaliiiyke, to-morrow. R. Wilkin and Co.— H»ve a harvester and mower for sale. Canterbury Farmers' Association— Have cheese from the Ternuka Duiry Factory on sale. C. Batchelor, hairdresser— Notice re accounts. T.A. and PA.— Secretary notifies a trial of reapers and binders will be held at an early dat;; entries close on 24th lost. Moßridge and Wiltshire, drapers and clothiers, Temuka-Busine^a notice. C Battery— Publish two important notices Lost — One notice. Wanted- -One notice. ■