Untitled

Wairarapa Standard, Volume 6, Issue 505, 23 November 1876, Page 2

The extraordinary telegrams received from Auckland and Dunedin relative to the escape of a boy and girl from the Industrial Schools, were not more extraordinary than the silence which seems to have been observed by the public press on the subject. It appeal's that a boy with no little courage, perseverance, and ingenuity, though only nine years old, had thrice made his escape from the Industrial School at Auckland ; and on the following day a telegram informs us that a girl, about the same age, had run away from a similar establishment at Dunedin with a chain fastened to her leg. Who can doubt who has has ever heard of Mettray, or given the slightest consideration to the subject, that the fault docs not so much lie m those children as in those who have been intrusted with their management} And who can doubt that the energy, ingenmtj, and perseverance displayed in the boy’s case could, if wisely and humanely directed, have been beneficially utilised instead of being inhumanly wasted. It is such qualities that he possesses of which heroes are made. With regard to the case of the girl, we can hardly trust ourselves to speak in the language which we feel it deserves. A girl not ten years old subjected to fourteen years imprisonment, and chained at night to a bedstead! One would think we were living in the time of the Tudors, and not in the eighth decade of the nineteenth century. With regard to reformatories as with other things the authorities have much to learn, and in our next we will devote an article to the Mettray establishment in France in order to show how differently these have been managed there, and with what different results. One boy who had repeatedly made his escape from confinement was asked why he did not try to escape from Mettray I His reply was, ‘'There are no bolts and bars to keep me in.” Now without saying that these may not in some cases be necessary, it is certain that there are other means, in the generality of cases, not less effectual for this puspose. It is to these means the attention of the Government and their officials it would seem now sadly and earnestly requires to be directed. Talk about cruelty to animals indeed, what could be more cruel than the term of imprisonment, confinement, and torture to which this little girl, not ten years old. has been subjected by the legally canstituted authorities ! If such a case had occurred in England a cry of indignation would have been heard from one end of the country to the other. But matters are managed differently at the antipodes.

We are glad to notice that after many days,” tenders are invited for the erection of the Matarawa school. Beauchamp Campbell & Co'sell Turners’ well known house at Carterton- on Monday the 27th inst at their Auction Booms Wellington. Forbes, Dalrymple and Co. sell at Masterton on the 27th Inst., sundry freehold properties at Masterton, which are worthy of the attention of investors. Also sundry goods, including tools, iron ploughs harness, &c. The feed throught the Lower Valley is now luxuriant, and stock looks all tallow. No wonder the Wairarapa Boiling Down Works at Tauherenikan, invite supplies of tallow casks.

The -Featherston and Greytown Binks still continue popular and attractive. Tonigfat the Mastertee Bink is announced to open, and to-morrow (Friday) evening, the Carterton Bink will be ready for the public.

B. Lucas & Co. have added to their list of sales oh the Pastoral Show day, 200 fat crossbred wethers. They also announce from 30 to 40 .bullocks for sale at Bay’s, Taratahi, on Dee. 1, and a number of horses for the Featberston market sale on the 29th inst. Among the sales announced to take place at the | Pastoral Show on the 30th inst are some cotswold’s placed in Mr Lucas’ hands by Mr C. Pharazyn, and two thoroughbred mares which will be offered by Means Wyllie '& Girdlestone. The numerous sales advertised will give an unwonted air of business

Mr Joseph lorns, nf Masterton, Ims filed a declaration of bankruptcy.

A tenth of an acre in Featherston. on which a small cottage was erected, was sold at a sheriff’s sale last week for £175, or at the rate of £1,750 per acre.

Apropos of skating, a rink contest is announced for the end of January, at which the various townships will be able to compete for skating honors. The first prize offered is five guineas, the second a pair of skates, value two guineas, a prize also is offered to ladies. If this contest proves, as it probably will, a success, similar contests will follow it, at intervals, in other townships.

i Mr J. H. Wallace will sell by auction at , his sale room Hunter St., Wellington on Tuesday December sth 240 acres of land at Carterton biown as “ the Basin,” containing good soil and good timber. A meeting of the Committee of the Horti" cultural Society (Featherston branch) will be held in the Odd Fellows Hall on Monday next at 7 p.m. Arrangements have been made to secure the services of the celebrated “ Italian Band,” for the forthcoming show. There will be a ball to follow the show, a special committee for the latter has been organized which will meet on the same evening as the other committee at 8 p.m. The World remarks with reference to the late popular excitement in regard to the Turkish proceedings in Bulgaria:—“ The only ecclesiastic who has passed through the trial with credit is Cardinal Manning, who, being asked to attend a public meeting, replied that he was unable to see the benefit of holding public meetings which propose no definite policy; and that he could see no policy in any movement which may convert the war in Servii into a European conflict. We are sorry to say that the Bishop of Manchester and Canon Liddon cut very sorry figures in this discussion by the side of the Catholio prelate. We find by the entries received for the Pastoral Show on the 30th inst, that this year’s exhibition will aa for as stock goes be considerably in advance of any previous one. Last year at Masterton their was but 151 entries, this year already 226 entries hove been lodged with the Secretary and this number will no doubt be supplemented when all entries are to hand. The 226 entries consist of 115 for sheep, 44 tor cattle, 35 for 1 horses, 11 for pigs, 8 for miscellaneous class, 7 for dogs, and 4 for implements. At a meeting of Stewards held at Tauherenikaa yesterday afternoon, present—Messrs G. Pharazyn, E. Barton, and J. Donald, it was decided to erect additional pens with a view to provide accomodation for the increased number of entries. The tender of Mr Faber, of the Victor'a Hotel for supplying lunch was accepted.

As the time cannot now be distant when the elections will take place for the members of the County Councils ofWairarapa East and West it may be well to let our readers know what will be deemed County or Government roads under the Counties Act. That Act provides“ In any part of the colony which is not included in a road district all the roads shall be deemed to be County roads and if in such part the whole of the Counties Act is not brought into force therein, the roads therein shall be deemed to be Government roads.” With respect to these County roads the following provisions are to have effect: —Every Council, subject to certain conditions, shall have full power to form construct, improve, repair, and maintain all County roads and all bridges and ferries therein.—The Governor may from time to time order any County road, bridge, or ferry to be made or repaired, and if the Council refuse to do so, it will be lawful for the Governor to cause the same to be done at the expense of the refusing Council.—The Council may contract with the Minister for Public Works for the construction of public works, either on its own account or in conjunction with other Councils, all moneys expended on such works to be paid out of the County fund.—The Council may agree with the Road Board of any road district for the execution by such Board of any public work within the district which the Council is prepared to undertake, the cost to be paid to the Board out of the County fund. The Council may at its pleasure subsidise the Road Boards within its boundaries out of the general account of the County fund.