WAIPAWA MAIL "Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above ell other liberties.”—Milton. FRIDAY, DEC. 5, 1884.

Waipawa Mail, Volume VII, Issue 713, 5 December 1884, Page 2

WAIPAWA MAIL "Give me the liberty to know, to utter, and to argue freely according to conscience, above ell other liberties.” — Milton. FRIDAY, DEC. 5, 1884.

Ouii contemporary the Herald, has got hold of the instructions given to Mr Colliaa, the gentleman appointed by Government to promote the projected Exhibition of Colonial Manufactures at Wellington, wherein occurs the singular paragraph below, and on which the Herald has based some comments in which wo heartily concur, and join our protest against the attempt to substantially pay the wealthy successful exhibitors in addition to valuable honors. The passage is as follows: “Tt was proposed to attach to ino«t of the classes, if not all, a badge of particular rneiit in the shape of a gold medal, and that medal should be given only in eases in which it was considered there was someone worthy to receive it. This medal would be a special recognition, not only of the excellence of the manufacture, but its capability to be economically manufactured in the colony, and to be made the basis of a large industry. In connection with the recipients of these medals, it was proposed to attach the privilege of enabling a son or daughter, nephew or neico, to be awarded a scholarship, which would bring with it the right to secondary education for a period of eight years. This should be a very great incentive to manufacturers.”

—The Herald denounces this proposal aa “ altogether wrong-headed, absurd, and vicious,” as the manufacturers who are likely to get gold medals and “ worthy to receive” them are unlikely to be poor or needy men needing such assistance as this. It proceeds : “If the State is justified in providing secondary education at all, it is only for those whose poverty, unassisted, would prevent them pursuing the higher branches of Htudy. and an absolute condition of such assistance should be the possession of superior intelligence or application on the part of those assisted. The onl}' tenable argument for State-granted secondary education is that without it many whose abilities are such as to enable them to do the State good service, directly or indirectly, wonld be unable to render that service without higher education than is afforded in the common schools. It is on this principle our Education Boards grant scholarships. But the fact that a man has become a successful manufacturer is no guarantee that his “ son or daughter, nephew or neice,” possesses exceptional abilities or any love of study. Then, before a youth is sent to a secondary school he is supposed to be grounded in the lower or common branches of study, but it is quite possible that the recipient of a bounty such as that proposed might not be able to read or write decently. Lastly, we object to the State unduly rewarding the successful man. ‘Nothing succeeds like success,* says a cynical old proverb, and our Government proposes to emphasise this satire upon the weakness of mankind by finding out successful men, and then loading with pecuniary reward as a supplement to the gains their success has already secured for them.”

—We have recently shown that the bent of one Minister was in the direction of promoting settlement, and we are sure he had no hand or part in these extraordinary “ instructions.” We find another engaged in developing a scheme for the improvement of Local Government, who we are equally certain holds very different views in regard to the use of Education to that proposed, inasmuch as he favours, unless he has changed greatly, free Education altogether, from the Primary Schools to the University. Consequently we believe the effusion to be the work of the u great master-miiid” himself, Sir Julius Vogel, who in a moment of enthusiastic inspiration has dashed it off without considering how such a scheme would be worked out, or what the people at large would think about it. We are however sure that there are not many men, even in the Parliament of 1884, that will countenance such a perversion of the whole system of Education by the State as this “instruction” would lead to, if not withdrawn. It is another blow to Secondary Education, and we are fast coming to the conclusion, heterodox as it may seem to some of our old confreres, that the State should either confine its attention to Primary Educations defined by the six Standards,

or that Secondary Education should be made self-supporting. Tbr nominations for Hampden Stakes Handicap close this (Friday) evening. We find it quite impossible to complete our report of yesterday’s County Council meeting in this issue. Tenders are called for the erection of about 15 chains of fencing for the Waipawa County Racing Club. The ’Frisco Mail will close in Waipawa this (Friday) evening at 9 o’clock, and in Napier on Saturday noon.

The Treasurer of the Public Library wishes to acknowledge the receipt of the following donations : Dr Todd, £1 Is ; Mr G. W. Williamson, £1 Is.

The Secretary of the Onga Onga Public Library requests us to acknowledge the receipt of £5 from Mr Thomas Tanner, in aid of the funds.

It is hardly necessary to remind readers of the school children’s entertainment this evening at the Oddfellows’ Hall. As places will be at a premium on account of the number of tickets sold, intending visitors should arrive early to secure scats. We are requested to draw attention to the Anniversary Services in connection with the Methodist Free Church, Waipawa, which is to be celebrated on Sunday next, at which the Rev. R. Young of Greytown will preach ; and also by a tea meeting in the Rechabite Hall on Tuesday. Provision is being made for a large attendance, which will no doubt be fully realised. Hoitl Ropiha, who was one of the deputation that visited England with Tawhiao, has been quite a great man at the Pah during the last week ; and his tales of London and the big city have filled his auditory with a desire to go to England also. Hori is quite a heavy swell now, with long hat, masher collar and umbrella, in great contrast with his former style, and he says he would like to go back and live in London.

A new venture in the watch and jewellery line has just been opened in Waipawa by Messrs Williams and Co., lately with Mr Jensen of Napier, who have a grand display of watches and clocks of various kinds, jewellery for ladies and gentlemeu, silver cups, &c. The Dew firm has already met with considerable encouragement since they opened. If supply creates demand then they ought to do well. Mr Williams is well-spoken of as a thoroughly practical watchmaker. In consequence of the nature of Dr Grabhoin’s report on the recent differences among the hospital staff, Dr Fisher has resigned his appointment as SurgeouSnperintcndent, and Miss Scullion, nurse, has received notice of dismissal. Miss Lagor was also mentioned as to be dismissed, but the Hospital Committee had alreadv dispensed with her services. The committee have been requested by the Government to recommend a successor to Dr Fisher, and in the meantime to provide for medical attendance at the hospital.— Herald.

It appears that all the trouble and anxiety relative to the Napier Harbour Board’s forthcoming poll, is the consequence of a printer’s error in printing the word “ roll ”in one case as “ rolls.” It is pretty certain that when the measure was passing through Parliament there was no intention of providing separate rolls ; but the opinion of the Attorney-General is that such must be provided, for the reason stuted. Nevertheless we believe a large majority of votes will ho given in favour of the loan ; but everyone should record his vote whether in favour or opposed to it. There is an increasing fit on in Waipawa just now. It began with the desire for another paper. Then came a second painter and plumber, followed by doubt the number of watchmakers. Another draper is opening. Rumour has it that one of the new shops in front of the billiard-room, in Ruataniwha Road (also new), is taken by a second barber. It is further said that an ironmonger, and another stationery and bookselling establishment will be opened shortly. Of course all these things will find their level in time, and it is to be hoped that the public will reap the advantage.

A writer in the Wairoa Guardian has devoted nearly a column to the benefit of the Rev S. M. Douglas, “ for an extraordinary attack on Charles Dickens, whom he condemned as the most unreal of all novelists.” Evidently the writer has built up his charge from seeing a local in the Mail , but in it we said “ one speaker,” and did not place Mr Douglas in the connection. Writing from memory, we believe he acknowledged he had not read many of Dickens’s works, and said little about them. It was quite another person who made the “ extraordinary attack.” The critic in the Guardian writes to show how real the great novelist was and quotes instances in proof.

A capital opportunity offers to those who are desirous of acquiring land in the thriving township of Danevirk. About 70 sections adjoining the railway station and between it and Tahoraite station are to be auctioned at Napier, on the 12th December. As this will be the terminus of the line for some time to come, and is in close proximity to a large block of Crown land which is shortly to bo sold and in the centre of a busy thriving district, we expect many will be glad of the chaDce to secure one or more sections, all of which have heea cleared and laid down in grass. It will be news to some to say that the vendor is a well-known professional gentleman who not long since settled at Waipawa. Herbertville Notes.—On Saturday, the 29th ult., the Committee for the District Caledonion Sports, to be held here on New Year’s Day, held their second meeting under the presidency of Mr Graham Speedy, when amongst other important measures, it was decided that entrances for all handicaps should close on Dec. 27th. The programme is much the same as last year, with one or two additions, and the prize money I think slightly better. Active proceedings are, I am told, being taken with respeot to the holding of a general pic-nic on Boxing Day, to be followed in the evening by a Christy Minstrel entertainment. Lovers of a dSjeuner A la fourchette, ’neath the eool shade of overhanging luxuriant foliage in one of the very many quiet retreats, so numerous in this district, will have ample opportunities afforded them of enjoying not only the lunch, but also some of these very interesting games which are so characteristic, and indespensahly necessary to the full enjoyment of & pic-nic.

A severe thunder storm passed over Waipawa on Wednesday noon, accompanied with a heavy shower of hailstones, and was about the smartest event of the kind we ever experienced in the colony. Masonic.—The installation ceremony took place at the Aborcorn Lodge on Wednesday evening, when about forty brethren were in attendance. Bro Tt Howard was elected W.M., Bro Francia. S.W., Bro Popplewell, J.W., Bro DrTodd, Treasurer, Bro P.M. Chicken, Secretary, Bro Storey S.D., Bro Mundeil, J.D., Bro Barrie, 1.G., and Bro Low, Tyler. Bro P.M. Beilby, of Hastings, acted as Installing Master, and performed the beautiful ceremony with great credit, as he always does. At the conclusion of the business a banquet was held under the presidency of the W.M., when a very pleasant hour was spent by the brethren.

A private meeting of the creditors of Mr William Harker was held yesterday, Mr Newton in the chair. Mr Harker laid before the meeting some statements of accounts, from which it appeared that the total amount of|his liabilities waa £1,67G, and that be had expended £1,140 since July last. His assets amounted to between £7OO and £BOO, the principal amount* being furniture, £305 ; claim on Meanee Mission for commission, £220; cash advances for Mr Desmond in contesting the Hawke’s Bay scat, £l7B : and a promissory note of Mr Jackson, £76. Mr Harker w«e requested to file a petition to bo adjudicated a bankrupt, and he undertook to do no.— Herald. [Mr Desmond denies his indebtness.)

Supreme Court.—At Napier, on Monday Alfred Lebst was charged with breaking into Beck’s store, Hastings, and stealing £4 13s 3d ; found} guilty of larceny, and was sentenced to 12 months' hard labonr. Edward Perry, charged with stealing somo jewellery at Wairoa, found guilty and sentenced to 12 months’ hard labour. Daniel Flanaglian, attempted suicide, waa discharged on his own recognisance to come up for sentence when called upon. Michael O’Connor, charged with stealing £6 from his mate, while staying at the Waipawa Hotel, was found guilty of simple larceny and sentenced to three months’ hard labonr. John Thompeoo,. who pleaded guilty of forging a cheque for £lO 10s on the Bank of New South Wales, was sentenced to uine months’ hard labour. John P. Ward, charged with forging a signature to a guarantee, was fouud not guilty and discharged. In the case of John Finn, charged with arson in burning Mr J. Hayes’ barn, near Waipawa, the grand jury threw out the bill. On Wednesday, John Silvester was found guilty of shooting at Mr Chalmers, and aenteeoed to 10 years penal servitude.