The Bible in Schools Questions.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5913, 27 April 1887, Page 3

The Bible in Schools Questions.

STOEMY MEETING AT POET CHALOIEES. SOME PARTICULARLY FORCIBLE LANGUAGE. [Special to the "Stab."] DUNEDIN, Apbil 27. Considerable activity educationally is manifested in the variouß centres in this district. At Port Chalmers, where there ha,3 been a systematic gathering of forcoa •oing on for several weeks, unusual excitement was displayed, and long before the commencement of the proceedings the Foresters* Hall there was crowded to the very doors. Over 600 persons were present, and many came from a great distance despite the rain. Bible reading in jchoola was the batfcle ground, and the local branch put forward a ticket of four. The proceedings were not only very noisy, but at times absolute confusion reigned, it being impossible to hear what was going an ; while occasionally the exchange of compliments was very brisk. Mr Downee, Chairman of the retiring Committee, denied that they had stopped Bible classes, and showed that there had been Tient to each clergyman in the district a copy of a resolution, authorising the holding of classes from 9to 9.30. No reply waa received, bub he had been denounced, in the hearing of his own children, as worse than tyrannical. Complaint was marl", but without effect, that a number of thuoe at the meeting had no right to be there. A member of the Committee having asserted that the clergy caused all the discussion, was saluted with " You are an insulting blackguard and a miserable hound " by one of the speakers. One of the Bible in schools party declared that, if returned, he would strongly support religious teaching twice a week, from 9.30 to 10 a.m., and he was told he was " a disgrace to hut country." The Rev Mr Eyley vainly endeavoured to obtain a hearing ; so great was the uproar that he had to retire. The Bible in Schools party obtained 224 plumpers; eighty-eight voters gave their highest candidate 60S votes; seventy-five voters gave the next 462 ; seventy-one voters gave the third 416 ; seventy-one gave 395, whole the ojd Committee averaged 107 voters, the highest number being 398, and the lowest 236. In two of the City districts pointed attention was called to the number of vagrant children in the streets. In the third, a majority of the candidates on being questioned, were favourable to, a periodical removal of inspectors.