Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1894. EDUCATIONAL.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8371, 11 January 1894, Page 2

Wanganui Herald. [PUBLISHED DAILY.] THURSDAY, JANUARY 11, 1894. EDUCATIONAL.

At the last meeting of the Wanganui School Committee a communication from the headmaster of the Boys' School contained the following remarks : — " Tbe Inspector marks John Clayton dux, but Mr Clayton, with a high sense of honour, declines to allow his boy to take the medal, as he passed tho Sixth Standard in Westport. Taking Inspector's marks alone, Herbert Bnderby cornea next, but (and I certainly consider this much more satisfactory and fair) counting the year's marks plus the Inspector's marks, Durham Asbwin is an easy first.- I leave the matter with the Committee as to which shall be recommended to the Caledonian Society as medallist." On the face of it, Mr Aitken's opinion is one that commends itself to one's common sense, but a closer acquaintance with the real facts of the case put quite another complexion on it, as the head master actually recommends a boy for the honours of " dux " who was plucked in. his standard examination' Surely Mr Aitken does not seriously think failure to pass Buch a test should not bar a pupil from the position of " dux " ? It is very evident from the tone of his remarks that he places Tory little value on the Inspector's mark's, and a very high one upon those of the masters. No doubt, tho Inspector thinks much in the same way, except that in his case he does not place any-exalted value on school marks. It is the old story, "When doctors differ who shall decide? " To our mind, there can be no question, however, as. to the ineligibility of a . " plucked " pupil for the position of " dux " m a

,school£iu4lwe sae-astottufcedto note th&m hid master: o£she Wangaitni Boys' SchooPKas gofie out ot bis %ay to.try3uid aeetufe each § disfanction^for An' __mucc_saEnl standard pupU. Of course, it may bo that Ashwin is the best scholar m the Bchool, and that his failure to pass Standard VI. waenotthetesnltof want of knowledge of the subjects upon which he was called to' return correct answers, but ' until it is shown that this was actually the case, it is only fair to suppose that he failed to pasß, through inability to succeasfully stand the Inspector's tests, although he had done so well|in class during the year. Mr Aitken should certainly he called upon by the School Committee to explain all this and why he recommended Ashwin for the position of "dux" and the .Caledonian Society's accompanying silver medal.

Dr Moran, Roman Catholio Bishop, is again in a -01161081 state of health. On and after Monday the River Bank Road will be olosed during the erection of a bridge over the Kukuta Stream. It ie rumoured that stops are to be taken to try and unseat Mr Duthie and Dr Newman. The Hawke'g Bay Caledonian sports will be held on the 25th instead of the 26th of January. A Press wire from Hawora stales that Newton Fairs, bankrupt, had his discharge suspended for three years. The young man Besar, who attempted suicide at Wellington, was discharged from the hospital yesterday, and was immediately arrested on a charge of attempted suicide. The Auckland Hospital and Charitable Aid Board are renewing the request to the Government for a grant of £2000 to provide additions to the hospital. Member* of the St. Andrew Kilwinning Lodge are notified by advertisement elsewhere that the usual monthly meeting will be held at the Masonic Hall this evening at 7.80. We are requested to say that the G-lass Ball Olub will resume its competitions on Saturday next at the Bide Range commencing at 2.30 p.m. The Club trophy will be competed for; It will be seen by advertisemnent that an entertainment will be given on the 17th, in aid of the relief fund, necessitated by the late severe accident to Mr Robert Morgan. We regret we cannot report any improvement in Morgan's condition. The following represent the Carpenters against the Press C.C. on Saturday on the racecourse at 3 Bharp :— Hemingway, Sims, Verney, A. Gray, Mouat, R. Gray, Copeland, McLean, Tustin, Martin, Chisholm, and Thornton. Press— Young, Walker, Bmith, Byan, G. Brown, F. Brown, K. and A. N. Cave, Swan, Riddler, T. Perm, and Bae. There is every probability of a Wanganui Trotting Olub being formed shortly, it being the intention of a number of gentlemen interested to call a meeting at an early date. Prom the promises of support already received there is reason to believe that suoh a club would recoive the heartiest of support, more particularly from tho fact that the promoters are amongst the moat popular in sporting circles. A sensational incident occurred yesterday afternoon at Fillis* Circus, which is now performing at Ohnstchurcb. Cox, the animal trainer, was putting a Bengal tiger through its usual performance, placing his head in the animal's moutb. She suddenly closed her jaws, inflicting a painful wound on the trainer's face. Coi retained great presence of mind and relsajed himself without receiving further injury. At the meeting of the Taranoki Land Board held at New Plymouth on Monday last, it was deoided that section 12, block VI, Kapara sub-district (Upper Waitotara), which had been reserved as a township site, should be dispoied of at once by cutting up into village allotments all the land laying between tho road and Waitotara River, and the remainder on tha upper side of the road to be disposed of in two sections on the optional system. Theße sections are in a good position, bfciog in the centre of a now well settled distriot, and there will no doubt be plenty of occupation found for any of the successful selectors. Lord Charles Bereeford's now naval programme commences by declaring that the navy of Great Britain must be one-third stronger than any combining of the fleets of hor two prsiible enemieB — France and Russia. He proposes the expenditure of £22,000,000 sterling for the construction of six ironcladß of the Royal Sovereign class, twelve battle-ships of the Barileur claso, ten cruisers of the Blake class, fifty vessels of the Mavock class, dec-igned especially to destroy the enemy's torpedo stations. £600,000 should be expended for reserve ammunition supply, similar to that maintained by the French at Toulod, and £634,600 "should be used strengthening the moles at Gibraltar. An eleven, representing Wanganui, left by thiß afternoon's train for Hawera, where they meet tbe Hawera district reps, tomorrow. Tho following composed the team :— Cave fs>, Meldrum, Marshall (3), Howard, and D'Arcy. The combination, with practice, would be a Btrong one, but they have had no opportunities excepting the last three days of playing together. Notwithstanding this, howevor, we expect to hear that thoy have given a good account of themselves. The following have been selected to represent Hawera :— G. T. Bayly (captain), Riddiford, G.Syme, McDonough, Moore, A. Goodson, Dr Westenra, Parnngton, T. Sutherland, G. Mills, and Bmith. Emergency -J. J. Connoll. The s,s. Mamari is to leave Wellington at 6 o'clock this evening for this port to load frozen meat for London. Tho chambers and freezing roomß at the local works are full, aud killing has had to be suspended until the Marmari takes away some of tbe meat now on hand. There are equal to 80,000 carcases of mutton now m the chambers awaiting shipment, and a large number of sheep hooked for the next few months, during which the output will average fully 4000 a week for some time. This will relieve the congested state of the fat sheep market and keep local values steady. "The Wanganui Meat Freezing Co. in this respect has proved a boon to sheep owners on this coast, <rad should be generously supported by those for whom it has done so much, but who in many instances have not as yet taken up any of its shares, of which a few still remain unallotted. At Hunterville yesterday sections in tho Jfaneamahu village settlement were ballotted for, only 4 out of 12 being applied for. There were two applicants for No. 7, which fell to J. Smithhurat. Messrs J. W. Plaisted, G. Lovering, and B. C. Kent were the only applicants for Nob. 8, 0, and 10 respectively, and were awarded them. For the 12 sections in the Makobino Village Settlement Block there were 38 applicants, but none of them desired to possess Nos. 3 and 6. Messrs J. H. Bambill, A. C. Vetto, W. Norton, T. Warkett, P. Healy, O. Moore, A. Grinter, M. D'Arcy, A. Geraty, and B. Grant were tho successful applicants for the other sections in the above order. For five sootions in the Ngamatea Villago Settlement Block there were 11 applicants, Messrs B. 5. Tetter, W. Shaw, J. Freeman, and F Tracey being the Bucoeflßful ones for eectionß 1, 2, 3, and 73. No, 72 was referred to the Board for final decision, there being four appiioants for it. The s.s. Perthshire, which was r?oently launched from the Hepburn shipyard of R and W. Hawthorn, Leslie and Co., for Meesas Turribull, went .out bo sea a short time ago for her machinery trial. The result of a seven hour' 3 trip was entirely Batisfaotory, the mean speed obtained being fractionally below 10 knots, whilst every thing worked smoothly throughout. The Perthshire is one of two sister ships in process of construction for tho Australasian trade of Messrs Turnbull, Martin and Co., and is 430 ft long by 54ft by 32ft. She is especially fitted for carrying frozen meat, with duplicate refrigerating machinery on Messrs Linde's system. Tho cepacity of her insulated spaoe— placed forward or the machinery Bpaoe— is nearly a quarter of a million cubic feet ; and all tho after holds are available for general cargo. All the accommodation, including nrst-claas passengers, saloon, .officers' quarters, etc., is provided in a large Bteel deok-houso on the top of the bridge deqk. Her machinery consists of a set of triple expansion engineß, capable oE indicating 3,000 h.p.,and throughout all the latest improvements have been adopted. The Buteshire, the sister-ship, is rapidlf approaching completion,

, * Hi« , fiondri the", .Chief" tf ustfce and •Mr 4 JMfaeey\Biohinond: a» : the 1 Judges tbe>l ort whom iH'e petition against Sir Robert Stont's return' to' tote inquired irita. Tht date ot hearing ;hM.#ofc,; y«fc been fixed, but it. will probably bo early in February. Acting on inatractio/w from tne Premier the poiice have made full enquiries into the alleged fight between a dog and a man in Wellingtou some time ago, and they have wired to the Premier that " the statement is utterly falsa." - With reference to the Palmerstoh-Wan-ganui bowling matoh, the vißiting Club have been written to asking them to come here on Saturday and play one matoh, attend the Caledonian Sports gathering on Monday m he earlier part of the day and finish the game the game afternoon. It is probable that three rinks will he. able to come from Palmorston, and should the visitors find it convenient to fall in with the above suggestion there can bo no doubt they would thoroughly enjoy themselves. A reply to the communication is now awaited. At a meeting of the Auckland Presbytery last eight, fresh trouble came up in connection with the case o£ the Eev. 8. J. Neill. On the motion of the Rev. E. 3?. Maenicol, the following resolution was carried after muoh discussion :— (1) That the Bey. S. J. Neill be cited to appear at the Assembly in support oE his own interest ; (2) that the clerk be appointed to ftate a reference to the Assembly. The members of the Board of Managers of St. James' Presbyterian Church, Thames, sent a lengthy protest oppealing against the actions and ruling of the Eev. Neill in hiß capacity as ohairman of the Board. At the annual meeting of shareholders of the New Zealand Insurance Company the report was adopted. Major George moved, " That it bo an" instruction |to the Directors to dispose of all shares in companies in whioh there were liabilities and re-invest the funds in consols, Government debentures, or such like securities." The Chairman said the 'policy suggested was exactly that which the Directors were pursuing, and they required no instruction! from the shareholders. The motion was defeated, Major George's being the only voice heard in favour of ib. Dr Campbell and Meßera T. Euseell and A. G-. Horfcon ware re-elected Directors. The Christchurch correspondent of the AußtrnlaBian,under date December 14, writes as follows : — A popular sportsman of Wanganui, Mr Charles Chavannes, has just made a generous offer. I think I mentioned in my last letter that ha had accepted the pout of starter to the "Wanganui Jockey Club in an honorayy way, the salary to the end of the season to bo paid to the widow and family of the late Mr Bam Powell. He has now offered to do tho work on the same conditions for those North Island Clubs his late friend Powell wielded the flag for. It is to be hoped the Clubs will accept the offer, and that Mr Chavannes will make a worthy successor to the man who was termed in New Zealand " the prince of starters." A peculiar fatal accident happened on Boxing Day to a boy named James Carrie, aged 11, who died at Wanganderv, N.8.W., from the rebound of an overloaded gun, loaded by himself. A Coroner's inquest was held, the evidence at which disclosed that the deceased took tho gun on Christmas Day and loaded it, but was unable to put a cap on the nipple. The gun was then taken away and put on the rafter of a shed. About 5 o'clock next morning a neighbour heard an explosion, and found the boy insensible. He was removed to a selection a mile away, and whan near the place began to choke. He was laid on the verandah of the house, but expired in two minutes. The deceased had a cut on the throat, an abrasion on the cheek, and a mark on the chest in the shape of tho butt of a gun. Tho rebound had fractured the chost bone and ruptured a blood vesßel, causing death. A verdict was returned of " Accidental death by the rebound of an overloaded gun." The Wairarapa Observer says : — A soven- ' teen year old aon of Mr Phillip Goodin met with a curious and painful accident the other day. He was amusing himself with a toy gun, through the tube of which he was expelling a metal dart by the force of his breath. £o prepare Hmsolf for blowing with greater force, he drew in his breath sharply, with the result that he drew the dart from tho tube into his throat. Ha could not draw it out with his fingers, so ho went to Dr Johnston. The doctor could not get to the foreign substance to draw it out, and it was so situated that to prevent the lad being choked the Bmail dart had to be forcod further down towards the gullet. Tho case was so serious that Dr Beard, of Mnstcrton, was callod in cansultation, and tracheotomy was successfully performed on the suiforer. Thiß allows him to breathe, but the impediment is still present in tho throat, and grave doubts are entertained as to tho possibility of removing it, as the lad's neck and head are swelling, rendering further operation still more uncertain. On the night of November ISth an attempt was made in Paris to murder M. Georgevitcb, the Servian Minister. Ho was stabbed in a restaurant. His assailant escaped in tho confusion, but immediately went and gave himself up at a police station, about two miles off. He described himself as L. Leauthier, aged 19, living at a lodginghouse in the Bue do Oommines. He said that he had Btabbed a gentleman while ho was dining at a Duval restaurant. He added that he was c. native of Manoaque, in. tho Basses Alpes, that ho was a journeyman shoemaker, and that until a fow months ago he had lived at Marseilles. He refused to say anything more that night, but next morning he was more communicative He stated that ho had boon in Paris sovon months, and had been unable to find work. He did not know M. Georgevitcb, but ho picked out, the rosette of an officer of tho Legion of Honour and looking well-to-do, as he was resolved to avenge himself on society for allowing him to starve. M. Georgevitch is in a somewhat Berious condition. Two Sisters of Morcy f'om Wellington have juat arrived in Paliaerston. Tho object of tbeir visit is to solicit aid towards the completion of a groat work undertaken by them in Wellington, that is, the erection of a large and commodious orphanage and industrial school for destitute girls. The building, which is of briok, has been built and furnished at a cost of £5000, of which sum nearly £4000 io paid by voluntary contributions and through tho exertion of the Sisters. His Grace the Archbishop ! has authorised two Sisters to viait all parts of the Archdiocese to seek help to pay off the remaining debt. This is a charity that appeals to all classes. The Sisters will make a house to house visitatioa, and will most thankfully receive the smallest contributions. Tho Sisters have been most generously treated in all towns of tho colony they have visited. The cause is ono that touches tho kind and good disposition of everyone — namely, the support and good care by the Sisters of poor destitute orphan children. The cause ib purely non-seotarian, and orphans of all secta and denonvnations are houeed, clothed, and fed in the Orphanago at Wellington. — Standard.