INVERCARGILL.

Western Star, Issue 350, 19 May 1880, Page 2

INVERCARGILL.

(from our own correspondent). To the ordinary observer, the theory upon which most of our public institutions and companies are constructed seem sound aud impartial, and the rules for their conduct fair aud equitable, but somehow or other when it comes to the practical working of them in bo h theory aud practice, wo often . experience failure. This is not surprising, for fallible humanity cau never be expected to turn out a machine perfect in all its workings, and thus the benefits which are too credulously expected from them in many cases turnout “a mockery, a delusion, and a snare.” If, then, wo are desiring to become wiser, we will profit by ex. perience, aud noting those breakdowns, lose no time in amending the machinery, if possible. Just now two of our local machines seem somewhat out of gear, viz., our Harbor and Education - -» Boards, th ; former working so loosely as to make one fear that unless speedily and practically overhauled a breakdown is inevitable. In proof of this, I refer you to two letters which appeared in our “Times” of Monday—the first anonymous and otherwise not in good taste I think, in which the. writer imputes (with what truth the public should know) the most dishonorable motives to the section of the Board which advocates economy and retrenchment, plainly saying that their action arises from party aud political antagonism to the other side, which, looking fairly at the recent debates in the Board-room, I do notconsider that, on the merits, there is any room for making, and if there is anything behind, known to the writer which deserves to be so branded I think it should be openly stated and not under cover of a no hi de plume. A second letter appears iu the same issue of the “ Times,” bearing the name of the “Secretary” ot the Board, which, from another point of view, I cannot but think equally objectionable, iu w'hich that officer takes up the cudgels in defence of hia late Chairmm —rather an unusual feature at such a juuctifremand I think I might add, without precedent —where an officer in his position comes forward to defend one of his masters from a charge from which no doubt th it gentleman is'quite competent to defend bimself should he think it becomes him to do so. In this somewhat chaotic state I will leave this Board for the present. The machinery of another of our important Boards seems working hot on its bearings, and gives forth some grating sounds, which if not well and ju liciously lubricated may ere long eventuate in an awkward crash. These symptoms were rather mysteriously shadowed forth in a lengthy local,which appeared in our ‘LNews ” of Saturday svening, commencing with the weighty words “justice, law, equity,” leaving us for the present at least, intentionally it appears, in the dark as to who were the high aud low functionaries who were principals-in tho “ educational fracas,” the sequel to which promises some unpleasant discoveries, rendered more probable from the recent defective working of this most important body, the Education Board of Southland. I only trust rights will be done at all hazards, aud will just add that your correspoadent, who you know is not from his position in the secrets, became aware of a circumstance which may have some connection with the abovementioned paragraph. The story is as follows :—On an evening towards the end of last week I was wending my way to my [ home in the environs, and having, as is my wont, to call en route for my child—a pupil at our District High; School—l was startled on approaching the entrance gate to meet a flock of some 20 to 30 girls flying before an apparently infuriated and vociferous official of the school who, just as I came up, had hurled after them a not slender “ shillelah,” which brought itselfynpjgfertireately, close to my; feet. Suspecting that this rather strange incident may be closely connected wiih the schooU;affair alluded to in the local of the “ News,” aud now I understand “ Sub-Judice,” I will refrain from further comment at present. Iu this everyday world of ours it is not to be expected that ecclesiastical more than secular machinery will at all times work smoothly," and that which moves our good old Church of England here just now seems working unsatisfactorily, and “own correspondents” are bound, but with due reverence, to state their opinions on tho nature of such mishaps as well as others. I have always thought that English Churchmen are not like our Noncomformistbretherntothe mannerborn “ financiers,” and our reason for this—a main one too—is that our Anglican Church being a slip or off-, shoot from a richly endowed and Established one. Suddenly finding itself with all its home-made machinery transplanted to a purely voluntary soil, iu the nature or things grows up a delicate plant, save iu some very favored locality. Besides this, however, I have no doubt mistakes in tho management of the “ nursery ” will bo made from time to time; and tho gardener often gets puzzled what mode of treatment to adopt, especially when his plant does not grow in one of the favored spots, and I rather fear our Incumbent of St. John’s has jusfc now made with, I have no doubt the best intentions, such amongst us, as will more clearly appear from reference to a letter of his to the “News” editor of Saturday last, and the footnote of tho latter appended thereto, from which it seems clear that Mr

Tanner’s motion was opposed to the Synod at large, and Ms amended one did not fare even as well, plainly indicating on the part of the Synod their opposition to the “no pay, no p&ter noster —rule of which, somehow, Mr T.’s motion smacked more or less.’ Monday morning’s “ Times ” was fairly monopolised bjt a manifesto from County member in his well known lucid and energetic style, in which he neither spared ink nor eloquence in laying before his constituents an account of his stewardship. 1 know from many who are acquainted with Mr P. M‘Caughan (amongst whom X am not fortunate enough to be able to enroll myself) what untiring energy ho brings to bear upon any subject —more especially so when such involves the good of his constituents, and what attention therefore his remarks will at any time command the more so at the present critical juncture in our national affairs. I av». not an. old identity, but. have for a few years been an observer of our New Zealand politics, and am therefore able to take some interest in the points of our national progi’ess with their difficulties. So ably handled as they are by the member for .Riverton on the occasion under review, whether the same relates to “ finance,” “ taxation,” or ‘‘public works”—his yiew upon all and each.of which he has so clearly laid before his readers, and which/it behoves them to si udy closely. On one point however —and one alone I cannot help thinking that Mr - recousideratfiTn, feel disposed along with his best friends to regret having been led from whatever.cause to speak so disparagingly of onr late Premier as he certainly has done. Seeing that however much his opponents may differ on political grounds from Sir George Grey, they cannot help admiring the untiring and one may say paternal eloquence which he brings to bear on so many of our best interests unalloyed, it tnifst be admitted with any feeling of personal aggrandisement whatsoever.