The Thames Star. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1897. Notes and Comments.

Thames Star, Volume XXIX, Issue 8601, 4 March 1897, Page 2

The Thames Star. Resurrexi. THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 1897. Notes and Comments.

The new Mining Bill, which is to be almost entirely a measure consolidating existing Acts, is being prepared by the Hon. Mr Cadraan, and is now in tho hands of the law officers. Suggestions will be invited from the various Wardens throughout the colony in regard to this legislation, and at the conference of Wardens, which is to be held in Wellington, the Bill will be considered. No material changes in the existing law will be proposed in the new measure, which will be practically of a consolidating character only, though it will also con tail, any suggestions made by the Wardens and accepted by the Government. It has also been suggested that in future all amending measures passed by the Legislature should at once be incorporated into the consolidated statute. This proposal is framed in the spirit of an Act which was brought before the last Parliament by Major Stewart, but which failed to pass. The point aimed at by the promoter was that, after each session, the amending work accomplished should be grafted on to the parent stock, so that the necessity for a further consolidation or codification &hould not again assert itself at a future date. Unless some such means of checking thj "overlapping" process is adopted, a periodical revision will become necessary, which may be more costly than if the work is kept well iv hand.

There is more trouble afoot in connection with teachers' classification. In the past it has been regarded that the classification of D is sufficiently high to bring a teacher to any position in the Auckland Board's service. The consequence of this is that when teachers have secured D they have regarded it as the end of their scholastic career, and thus many of the oldest, most experienced, and ablest iiiou in the service have not troubled to go farther than Class D in securing University attainments. Under these circumstances men who, with other conditions, would have spent their spare time in working for a degree, had occupied themselves in the preparation of their class work. This may be a non-progressive policy, but it is the outcome of the Board's own attitude. It has now dawned upon the intellect of Chief Inspector Petrie that something more than Class D is roquired of a thoroughly efficient head muster, and that the Board's practice of regarding a Dl certificate as sufficient qualification for any position iv the provincial schools has no doubt lessened the zeal of ambitious teachers in the direction of obtain, ing higher certificates and degrees. This is obviously true, but unfortunately the result of raising the classification necessary for the best posts is to debar five-sixths of all those teachers who, under the old regime, were eligible for the best positions iv the provincial service. These debarred persons are mostly old and tried teachers who can hardly be expected to commence their scholastic course over again in order to comply with the new conditions. At a special meeting of the Board held on Tuesday, Messrs Bailey, Stewart, and Armstrong were present as a deputation from the Teachers' Institute. They pointed out the hardship of altering a situa'ion which had existed bo long, and urged that experience was more to be taken into consideration than the possession of a degree. Some discussion followed the withdrawal of the deputation, during which the Secretary stated that there were at present twelve teachers holding the qualifications necessary to entitle them to any position under the new classification. The Chairman said that the system of primary education had not been sufficiently progressive, but in advancing the qualifications of a big school allowance should be made for the older servants of the Board. The meeting then adjourned, a motion moved 'by Mr Lambe, " That the Board defer arriving at a decision on the matter till the next meeting," being carried.

In attaining the head mastership of the Wellesley-street School, Mr Ralph. D. Stewart has reached a position which has long been regarded as the highest point in the teaching service ot the Auckland District. During the recent friction between the City Schools Committee and the Education Board, Wellesley-street was generally admitted to be tho most important school of tbo district, aud Mr fe'towart is to be congratulated on his selection out of so coaipeteat a field,. The head, waster olect

of the big city school was for years in charge of the Waio-Karaka School, since whioh time he has reigned at Ouehun^a. Mr Stewart has always been highly successful in examination results, and has generally succeeded in turning out a good number of scholarship winners.

The driver of a heavy trolley had a narrow escape from death this afternoon. It appears that while proceeding down the wharf he fell off the trolley and the wheels passed over his legs. Our informant says that the man's legs were not broken, which, considering the weight that passed over them, is remarkable.

One of our local shareholders last evening became one of the "subjects" for Carl Hertz, and it was highly amusing to see tho popular illusionist extracting cards by the hundred from the nose, ears, chest, and legs of tho astonished Thamesite. Another gentleman connected with mining, who also lent his valuableassistence, was also the means of causing,l great amusement to the audience.

The Hon. A. J. Cadraan, Minister of Mines, arrived at the Thames^ this morning on business connectsd with his department. He visited the Thames-Hauraki Goldftelds Company's property, and in company with Mr T. A. Dunlop (the superintendent) inspected the various works in hand. Mr Cadman visits the School of Mines this afternoon.

It is unfortunate that through unforeseen circumstances the concert advertised to take place in the Oddfellows Hall this evening in aid of the Thames Hospital, will not take place. Mr Wright, the bandmaster of H.M.S. Orlando, revived a telegram from Aucicland this afternoon requiring his immediate return to Auckland.