The Timaru Herald. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13,1884.

Timaru Herald, Volume XL, Issue 2930, 13 February 1884, Page 2

The Timaru Herald. WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 13, 1884.

The Government seem determined t< put the Boards of Education m ai awkward a position as possible Having kept them nearly the whole year without any buildiug grant, thej have now deducted £20,000 from the amount voted last Beasion, and uftei all, they have resolved not to distribute the balance until next mouth. Thus the Boards have been literally compelled, if they were to carry on their functions at all, to raise money illegally, nnd to resort to all sorts of irregular and precarious shifts for providing funds lor necessary purposes. And, after all they are to be disappointed o): their expectations of obtaining an adequate Bupply, and if they have incurred liabilities which they cannot meet, they are to be left at the mercy of their creditors. A more beggarly state of muddle could hardly be conceived, or one more disgraceful to those who arc responsible for it. The Government last session assented to the raising of the building grant from £50,000 to £70,000, merely because they thought it would be popular and would make things easier for them m the House. £20,000 of borrowed money is neither here nor there to the Ministry during tho iiession when parties are at sixes and nevens and votes lire votes. Tho Boards made no special demand for bbis increased amount. They weru perfectly prepared to cut then* coat nccording to their cloth, and to do with | their respective share of the sum usually voted, namely £50,000. But tho Government would havo the vote m Jreased, and they thus deliberately invited the Boards to increase their expenditure accordingly. This, of course, ;he Boards wero not slow to do. Even at ;ho increased amount the building grant vas not half enough to Bfpply the urgent lemands of Oommittees and houselolders ; and, though the Boardu could .nd would havo managed with tho mailer amount, if they had been famed that they would get no more, hey deemed it their duty to meet those emanda as far as their seeming propects would justify. Now, after all, 'ithout giving any explanation, or in' ny way consulting the convenionoe or yen the necessities of tho Boards, tbo (overnment have out down the sum to

be distributed to £50,000 and left the Boards to make both ends meet aa beat bhey may. ■It may be said, perhaps, that the Boards ought not to have 3pent, or uadertaken to spend, money which they had not received, and that, m any case, the expenditure on buildings is extravagant if not altogether unnecessary. No one who has nerved any length of time on a Board of Education, however, will take up that line of argument. If the Bcheme of public education contemplated by the Act of 1877 is to he carried out at all, increased provision for school accommodation must be made from year to year ; anc'l no part of the Board's duties is more difficult or unpleasant than deciding which, out of a multitude of pressing claims, they are to neglect, m order to bring their expenditure somewhere near their estimated resources. Far from being extravagant, or displaying a tendency to waste money, they are driven to all sorts of expedients! for making the insufficient funds they have go as far us possible ; and when they have exhausted &11 thoir efforts at well as all their funds, the Committees meet m solemn conclave and abuse them roundly for not giving them more money. There may or may not be individual instances of extravagant expenditure on the part of Boards of Educntion ; but taking them all round, they are mainly remarkable for their patient acquiescence m the maxim that half a loaf is better than no bread; and whenever they do overstep the bounds of strict economy, the chances are ten to one that it is m consequence of importunity which they have not the strength of mind to withstand. But, m any case, this is beside the question. iNo one denies, we suppose, that the ! Boards are justified m spending the money which is granted to them for that purpose ; and what they have a right to complain of is that the Government, having induced them to spend money :md incur liabilities, on the faith of a parliamentary grant, afterwards withhold from them the funds which are their due. It is suggested, we see, that the deduction of £20,000 from the building grant forms part of a system of retrenchment which has been forced on the Government by the falling off m the revenue. But we do not altogether see how that can be. The building grant is payable out of the public works iund, and that fund is not, or ought rot to be, affected by the falling off m the revenue. The finances of the colony must be m a very queer state indeed if the deficiency m the Customs and railway receipts has necessitated such heavy advances to the consolidated fund that there is not enough of the million loan l«tft to pay the vote for school buildings ! The whole business is disgraceful to thu Government, and specially humiliating to a colony whose system of education has been puffed and bragged about beyond all reasonable bounds. ♦ It is very welcome news that there is every probability of H.M.S. Espiegk paying a visit to Timaru to-morrow, and we tru3t the weather will permit of her being brought into the inner harbor, or m other words inside the Breakwater, where she will find all the water and shelter she needs. How many years have elapsed since a real man-of-war visited Timaru ? Possibly | Lieutenant Woollcombe can tell us. Times have changed Bince he conducted the Admiralty survey. It will be a feather m the cap of this much despised and well maligned port if the Espiejjle comes inside the Breakwater, and we trust that the City fathers and the Harbor Board will use every means possible to make Captain Bridge and his officers as much at home as possible during their brief stay. Our worthy Harbor Master, Captain Webster, knows hie duty too well to need any hint an to meeting the Espiegle. Wo are quite sure the credit of the port will not suffer by any lack of attention on his part. Back Pbivileoes. — Mr B. Orton, Hon. Sec. to the Pleasant Point Bacing Club, invites tenderH for renting the gates at tho forthcoming meeting ; aleo for the right to erect a pnblican'a and a refreshment booth. Coal Company.— The Shag Point Coal Oompt,ny announce m anothor column that m conFiequonco of .the closing of thoir workings, tpy order of tho Inspector (if Mines, thoy were unable to supply any ordern for coal after Fob. 11th (Monday "last). Tub 8.0. J.0. Meeting-.— The name of Tasmt.n was accidentally loft out of the list of additional entries for the S.fJ.J.C. mooting, published yesterday. Mr O'llrien entered Tasmnn for the Timaru Oup and the S.O.J.C Handicap. Tnn Cricket Match. — We publish, m our advertising columns a requisition to Ilia Worship tho Mayor, which is signed by oror fifty townspeople, requesting that htvlfholidays bo proclaimed on Tuesday aii'l Wednesday next, tho days on which the cricke'; match Tasmania v. South Canterbury is to be played. His Worship the Mayor grants the roquost. Camine Match.— The following lira tho names of the O Battery of Artillery team which takes part m tho Battering match full partioulars of which, woro given m Tuesday's issue, viz.: — Lieutenant Wardlo. SorgoantMajot Jaokson, Quartermaster Sergeant J. King, Corpora! W. W. King, Bombardio-ra A. Jackwn and W. Hughes, Gunners W. H itch, A. AUen, G. Shirtcliffo, A. Hnjlock, G-. Ellis and B. Campbell. Emorgenoim — Gunners P. Ligorlwood and J. Bruce. Tho firing tales placo to-morrow on the Battery's range, and the time for starting willbeflind at a mooting this opening. CBattebt, N.Z.A.— Wo wish to remind members of tho Battery tlmt the Minimi gencnil meeting wilt be held this evening, at half-past oight o'clook. The business will be lo rooiive the report and balande-Bheot ol! tho Finance Committee for tho past; year, to elect a Committee for the present year, and othor important business. It is to bo hoped that thero will bq a full attendanco, as there can be no doubt that full and free discussion of financial matters is os necessary m a volunteer corps as m any other body. Rbhident Magistrate's cWbt. — 3. Bewick, Esq., R.M., prcsidod at Ifhis Court yesterday morning, and doalt with the following cases :— William Morrison, for boing drunk and dwordorly, was fined 20k, m dofault four days' imprisonment, this not being hii first appearance, Tho civil cases (.hat wont by dofauit were— J. Morris v. Emma Hope, claim £9 4b, costs £1 Ills j Messrs White tind Slmithson for plaintiff. J, Anderson v. H. Q. Curteis, claim £17 10s 7d, costf Hi j Mr M. J. I,ynoh for plaintiff. F. Arolior v. 11. Hicholls, claim £12 10s, costs fij. 2s. Peacock and Geaney v. H. G. Curtoiu, olmm £3 10b 7d, coßts 7s. Tho caws Gabiteii and Plants v. Q. Smith and others, T. Bowman v. a. 8011, and H. Worker r. J. Honderaon, woro adjourned for soron <lay», on payment of th) usual costs. Tho wise J. Lukoy v. Q. Willhoft was struck out, there being no appearance of oithor party. During tho sitting Mr llamoriloy applied for a rehearing of the uaso !tfayes v. Morton, and after Louring Mr BjimerHloy's reasons for making tho ap)]icat:on, His Worship said )j« would infoiin rim at the next ordinary sitting of tho <!otirt jt^Wiiimate, whether ha would allow tho application. The Court ndjoiirnoS nt a quarter ■o twelve.

Waimate Lidbabt. — A meeting"" 'of the Committee of this Library was held on the 11th instant, at whioh there were present Messrs Goldsmith (Chairman), Neilaon, J. Manchester, Maxwell, Ward, F. Gaitt, and the Bey. O. Griffin. The minutes cf last meeting were confirmed. Tho Secretary reported having forwarded the returns required by the Education Department when applying for tho portion of Riiint to public libraries. Messrs Hillary, Ward and Clement had classified the books of the Institute, and a bookbinder had been engaged to improve v number of them which require re-binding. The Library well had been attended to, and n new windlass and cover provided. Fixtures for lamp m front of the building were put up. Ihe Borough Council sent notice of valuation of the property of tho Library with a view to levying a rato. As tbis was the first time steps had been taken by the Council to collect rates on the Library property, it was resolved to ask tho Council to refrain from rating the Committee. It was resolved thot tho Secretary write to Mr Purchos, tho bookbinder, as to improving Bueh of the books as the Committee had recommended. Three applications for tho offices of Librarian and Secretary were considered, Mr Graham having resigned these offices at tho last meeting. On the motion of Mr F. Gaitt, the candidates were ballottod for, and Mr Stanley Martin was declared elected for tho appointment, he having received five votes, and the unsuccessful candidates one vote each. Mr Martin will take office on the Ist of March next. The Secretary reported receipts by subscriptions £2 3s, and £3 10b for hire oi: hall Binco last meeting. Some accounts presented for payment were allowed to stand over till next meeting. South Cantebbuey Poultry, etc., Association. — The annual meeting of the South Canterbury Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Association was held m the Queen'; llotelloat evening. Present — Mrßower (in the chair) , Messrs Dow, Coupe, Yelland, Stratford aud the Secretary, Mr Merson. The balancf sheet for the past year was read, aud on the motion of Mr Dow, seconded by Mi Coupe, was adopted. The Secretary's report for the past year waa presented as follows :— "I beg to report that the lost year of tb( Society may be considered a greiit success both as concerned tho show, and as a finau cial success ; aB although the Society is Btill ii debt, yet the assets, consisting of cages, &c more than cover the amount of the debt Tho Society consista of 40 paid members nearly all of whom have taken a great inte rest m the advancement of the Society. Tlu thanks of tho Society are due to Messrs B Wilkin and Co., who kindly placed thci rooms at the disposal of the Association, M: Bourn doing all m his power to mako th( show a success. Although tho entries wer not quite so numerous as the first year the birds were of a much better class. Thi classes most noticeable were the Game, Lang Bhans, Golden Polish, and Hamburgs. In th, pigeon classes there was also a great improve inent on tho first year's show. The canarie also command special mention, there beinj some very fine birds shown, althougl several Chrißtchurch fanciers were missed, nc doubt on account of the distance. Altogethe tho Society are to be congratulated on the success with which their efforts have met. must not forget to mention the particularly cordial feoling amongst, and tho thorougl working together of tho Committee, sevcra members of which are deserving of specia mention for extra assistance, foe., notablj Messrs Peters, Dow, Bull, Yelland, nni others. W. MsnsoN, Hon. Secretary.' The election of olUcers for the present yea then took place, with the following result :— Patron : His Honor Judge Ward. • President His Worship tho Mayor. Vioo-Presidents Messrs D. M. Boss, J. S. Gibson, J. W Ziosler, Dr Macintyre, W. Dale and W Evans. Treasurer : Mr A. J. H. Bowei Hon. Secretaries : Messrs W. Morson and W Collins. Committee of Management : Messr Peters, Dow, Yelland, Melton, Maber Whittaker, Stratford, B. Warrington, G Warrington, Taylor, Coupe, Bull anc Yerdon. Some discussion took place re th advisibility of making somo single classe among the poultry, but tho matter wa allowed to stand over till next meeting. A vote of thanks was passed to tho officers o tho past year, after which the meeting ad journcd for a month. Some Australian Beliefs.— Mr A. W Howitt, to whose research is due so much o our knowledge of tho beliefs and customs o: tho Australian aboriginals, has (says the Aus tralasian) m a paper sent by him to thi Anthropological Institute put on record mucl valuable information that will be important for future reference Ho explains that tht beliefs he gives wore held by certain tribei which once occupied a large part of South eastern Australia, and that ho has derived hit information from many conversations witl those tribesmen who still remain. Mr Howitl shows tho same discerning caution m receiving statements of native lore as m exploring a doubtful geological formation, and the reader of his compilations feels himself secure from tho danger of having souis* ingenious hoax of an inventive grog-loving warrior presented to him as genuine, unadulterated, native mythology. With respect to the physical universe, we learn that the tribes held the belief that the earth is a flat surface, surmounted by a solid vault — the sky — and some of them bolieved that beyond tho eky there was a country inhabited by spirits and ghosts. The human individual was believed to have within him c spirit which could leave the body during sleep, and could confer with other disembodied spirits. After death this spirit became a ghoßfc, ond had on existence of which various idoos were entertained. This part of Mr Howitt's enquiries goes to supply corroborotivo ovidenco to tho theory of Mr Herbort Spencer as to the origin of ideas of the supernatural m tho lower races. Though the ghosts sometimes wandered m their accustomed hunting-grounds, their peculiar homo was the trans-celestial country. The Supreme Spirit, m whom the tribes variously bolieved as a benevolent or malovolent being, seems to Air Howitt to represent the defunct anil deified head man of the tribe. Ho oxplains the connexion of the wizard claes with ghost-land, and thinks that though there was a good deal of deceit practised by these people, they were also much selfdeceived. Mr Howitt makes the apt remark that it is surprising to noto the resemblance of these pnmitivo Australian beliefs with those handed down by the records of ancient people, and to somo still current m the folklore of Europe They have boen common to both Aryan and Somitic people, and indeod it is hardly too much to say that whorever we find a race m this stago of dovolopment, its beliefs have a strong resemblanco to these. And Mr Howitt ends with the suggostivo remark .— " The significance of theso Australian beliofs seems to mo to bo heightened when wo reflect that m them wo may havo conceptions formed by primitive savage man, striving to oxplain to himsolf natural phenomena of which ho became aware withm and without himsolf, ond that those beliefs have then been handed to us by tribes which for ages have been out off from. Contact with more rapidly advancing racos ; or it may be that wo have horo the independent origin of idoas which scorn to mo to bo capablo, undor favorable circumstances, of developing into as complete religious synteme as tho world has over Been." Good Woiids-— Fbom Good Authority.— * * • We oonfoss that wo aro perfootly amazod at tho run of yonr Hop Bittors. Wo novor had onything liko it, and novor hoard of tho like. The writer (Benton) has boon soiling drugs horo nearly thirty years, and has Boon tho riao of Hostottor's Vinegar and all other hitters and patont modioinos, but novor did any of thorn, m thoir host days, begin to havo tho run thut Hop Bitters have. • * • Wo oan't get enough of thorn. Wo aro oat of thorn half tbo timo. ♦ # # Extraot from lottor to Hop Bittors Co., August 22nd, 1878, from Benton, Mykbs & Co., wholesale drnggists, Clovoland, 0. Bo euro ond soo.— (Advt.) Good fob Bahies. — ** Wo aro ploasod to | Bay that our baby was permanently cured of serious protraoted irregularity of the bowols oy tho use of Hop Bitters, by its mother, ; ivhioh at tho sama time rostorod hor to porfeot • health andstroufrtb."— ThbPabknts. goo. — ] Advt.) i " Bough on Rats."— Cloarn oat rats, mioo. ] 'ooobea, flics, ants, bed-bugs, bootlos, inseats, : iknnks, jaok -rabbits, gophors. Druggists, i Hoses, Mosb and Co. , Sydney, Genoral Agents, 1 ~[Advi'.'| That Husband op Minx is throe timos tho X lan ho was boforo ho began using " Wells. I loolth Benowor." Drnggists. Moses, Moss L nd Co., Sydhoy, Gonorol Agents.— [Adtt.] (2) •

.; i,-.'|PJt(PBIB OF NEW ADVERTISBMKNTS. M>Bo]%tr'ttUMri- and Co.-Notify that Mr D. , Anderson's sale is withdrawn. ' R..TurnbUn and Son— Sell furniture at their rooms < on Friday. • J. Mundell and Co.— Hold sale of household fural 1 j ture »t Orari on the 22nd Feb. ' i Shag Point Coal Company- Will not be able to ' supply order* for coal. ] _ Prlwt and- Hoidgate- Notify that McCorrnick's twine binder won flret prize at the competition of harvesters , yesterday. . 1 T. Caskey-Haa for rale a section. i W. Bush— Has house m Charles street to let. D. Anderson-Notifles that the sale of his stock, &c., , will not be held. ' R. Orion, Pleasant Point-Invites tenders for leasing gates and erecting booths «n race grouurt Messiter, Power and Crannitch-Notlce of dissolution of partnership. Tasrnanian Cricket match -Requisition to Mayor for I holidays, and his reply. , , Pomeroy Company— Play "Twelfth Night" this evening. Wanted— Two notices.