AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1323, 21 December 1880, Page 2

AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and exact justice to all men, Of whatever state or persuasion, religious o political. Here shall the Press the People's right maintain Unawed by influence and unbribed by gain.

TUESDAY, DEC. 21, 1880.'

The system of awarding prizes prior to the Christmas holidays is a good one, and we are glad to observe that it is generally accepted in the Waikato. We are by our very nature amenable to praise, nay to flattery ; so common indeed is the desire tor praise, that when we iind, as we do here and there, a being who is indifferent to it, we invariably brand him as " eccentric." If, then, this quality is dominant in the minds of men who have to tight in the hand-to-hand struggle for existence, and to whom the desire for food and raiment ought to prove a sufficient incentive to work, how much stronger might we not expect it to be in children who, except in comparatively rare cases, are slow to perceive the reward which know- 1 ledge in itself gives to those who seek it. If this were a matter which concerned children alone, as such, there would exist no reason why we should trouble ourselves about it any more than we do with the hundred and one little vexations which beset childhood ; but this is a matter which does interest us, one in which we have, or ought to have a deep concern. By and by these little ones will have to go forth into the world, and their success or failure in life will be owing to their elders, into whose charge has been committed their early training. If the boy be talented and his talents have been shapen in the right mould, he will win his way in the world, and his parent?, priding themselves upon his advancej ment, will be happy and content ; if the child's talents have been misdirected, he will grow up as a curse to those who shall have neglected him ; and so also with the untalented boy, the youth of modest capacity. Well trained he becomes a useful citizen, ill-nurtured a drag upon society. It needs no further argument to point to the necessity for encouraging in the minds of the young a thirst for the right kind of knowledge, a desire to become acquainted with the arts which adorn, the sciences which strengthen our individual existence. In school life, we know nothing can attain ths end so well as the adoption of a system or prize giving ; but care must be taken that such a system does not prove abortive. To give awards indiscriminately were as unwise as to give none at all. People mistake very much if they imagine that children set a very high value upon the articles, such as books, which are usually given as prizes ; they only value them in proportion to the difficulty which they have '^experience! in winning them. This ought to be borne in mind when the temptation to indiscriminate prize giving is felt. Mediocrity in no shape should find a reward ; the one standard should be excellence. Let pupils once feel that honours have to be ivou, and the struggle for them would become the sole purpose of their school life. There is a practice obtaining in many schools of giving prizes for the largest aggregate number of marks for all subjects taught ; general improvement prizes they are called. The practice, however, is not good ; it means putting a premium on jacks-of-all-trades, while clever specialists aye overlooked, and a pupil who is only fair at a number of things is allowed to precede another who has devoted his earnest attention to a few, and excels in them. We commend these suggestions to the attention of those School Committees who have not held examinations. There are one or two other matters in connection with the subject which we shall take occasion to refer to when the whole of the examinations are over.

In order that our employees may enjoy their annual holiday, there will be no issue of the Waikato Times next Tuesday.

We are pleased to notice that footpath in Victoria-street, near the "Commercial," has at last been gravelled.

We hear of a new claim called "The Prince of Wales," at Te Aroha, next to the "Bonanza," in which rich stone has been discovered.

A valuable horse belonging to Mr. W. H. Kelly, carter, of Hamilton, was found dead in one of Mr Whyte's paddocks on Sunday morning, the cause being inflamation of the bowels. Mr Kelly has been very unfortunate, having lost another equally valuable horse only a couple of months ago.

The Bachelors of Hamilton purple giviug a ball on Thursday, 30th

Mr J. S. Buckland's mare Auckland Iv-ue Jits toaled a fine filly foal to M'l.sket.

Examiners are respectfully requested to be at the Hamilton West School punctually at 9 o'clock.

Mr Paton, of Hautapu, has purchased about iBO acres ot Mr W. Morgan's property, the price being £7 per acre.

Mr Coote, anewarival from England, his bought land near Mr Seddou^i, where he intends settling.

A considerable number of working men passed through Hamilton on Saturday, on their way to Te Aroha. We hear great complaints about the depredations of sparrows. Why is not mure poisoned wheat used ?

It would be very desirable to pay some little attention to the footpath on the east side of Victoria - street, near Mr Hill's fruiterer's shop.

Great complaints reach us of the bud state of the road to Te Aroha. We earnestly commend this matter to the attention of the Road Board, and urge them to act on the suggestions we threw out in a leading article a few days since.

Mr. Buttler, the new contractor for carrying the mails between Cambridge and Hamilton, arrived in Hamilton yesterday with his coach and four and proceeded to Cambridge last evening, The coach is a light well-built vehicle ad* mirably adapted for the traffic.

A friendly tennis match will be played on the fclainiiton ground this afternoon at half-past four o'clock betwesn two Auckland gentlemen and two mem • hereof the Hamilton Lawn Tennis Club.

Mr B. Edwards retires from the Te Aroha and Hamilton Coach line. When fares are reduced to 5s for a 35 mile ride, he thinks it time to withdraw. Horses and buggies will, however, always be available at the shortest Dotice for visitors 4 o Te Aroha.

The late showers, while they to a certain extent interfere with the haymaking operations, have had a very favourable effect upon the oat and potato crops, both of which promise to yield well this year.

A man named Richard Wells, was brought up at the Police Court, Hamilton, yesterday, before H. W. Northcroft, Esq. charged with drunkenness and disorderly conduct. The prisoner pleaded guilty, and His Worship fined him 20s and costs with the alternative of 48 hours imprisonment. Prisoner elected to go to gaol.

At a meeting of the Catholic Committee on Sunday, the 19th instant. The following resolutions were carried : — That a Concert be given in aid of the Church Funds, to be held in the Oddfellows Hall. The following ladies were appointed as a Committee to prepare preliminaries and issue invitations to ladies and gentlemen to take part in the coacevt. Mesdames Walnutt, Hunt, McGarrigle, Cussen and Chitty. Further particulars in a future issue.

We learn that the popular Boniface, Mr Kellow, of the Whatawhata Hotel, met with a nasty accident at Whatawhata on Saturday afternoon. It appears he was racing with Mr Dickey, Avhen a cow got into the way, Mr Kellow 's horse cannoning against her with such force as to send him out of the saddle, breaking his collar-bone. Dr Sandes was immediately sent for, and the patient we understand, is progressing favorably.

We have been requested by Mrs. Field to return thanks to the following kind friends who assisted her with presents and contributions for the Hamilton East School treat :— Mrs Gelling, Messrs Dey & French, Chitty, Le Quesne, Robson, Coleman, Tristham, Harris, Carson, S. Seddon, junr., K. Hill, W. C. Breakell, R. F. Sandes, ,T. Moses, G. Dickenson, A. Scott, A. Primrose and others.

Mr William Gumming has kindly placed his grounds, Ilo.semont, Hamilton East, at the disposal of the Committee of the Hamilton East School, for the purpose of holding a promenade concert in aid of the School Prize Fund on the evening of New Year's Day. The musical members of the Comus Dramatic Club have promised to assist. The grounds will be brilliantly illuminated, and the affair promises to be a great success.

The examination of the children attending the Hamilton West School will take place to day, the following ladies and gentlemen have kindly consented to act as examiners, Mcsdames Searauke, Dawson, and Gaudin, Messrs Robert Bradley, McGarrigie, R. F. Sandes, F. Gaudin, G. Edgecumbe, S. E. G. Smith, J. M. Gelling, and His Worship the Mayor. The following gentlemen have generously contributed prizes for the pupils -.—Messrs F. A. Wlntaker, L. Uussen, Hume, Cox, Moses, and Hill. Mrs Missen has presented the Committte with three very handsome books. The prizes will be presented this afternoon at 4 o'clock by Mr and Mrs F. A. Wlntaker. The children's concert will take place to-morrow evening in the school, commencing at 7.30. The pi-omenade, openair concert, to raise funds towards the purchase of prizes, will come off on Boxing Night, at which most of the leading amateurs of Hamilton have promised to assist.

Writing of the School Examination at Te Awamutu a correspondent says: — "This is tho first affair of this kind that has occurred in this district, and the successful manner in which every' thing was carried out, speaks well for the Commissioners and the teacher, as well as the fact that during the time that the Commissioners have held office, not a single complaint of any kind has arisen. The good people of Te Awamutu seem to shrug their shoulders and put on a look of contempt when the word "Committee" is used and invariahly ejaculate " none of your squabbling Committee here my dear Sir, we have had enough of them." Too much praise cannot be given to the Commissioners of this district for the manner in which they have performed their duties during the past year, assisting our teacher and not hindering him in his arduous iwork, as is too often the case with committees &c, in seme districts.

The teachers and friends of the various Sunday schools in and around Cambridge have been in the habit of giving their scholars an annual treat or picnic about the New Years' time, but hitherto each school has cone separately, and different dates and places of meeting have been selected. Arrangements have been made this year for the fesival to be of a united character, the day chosen being New Years' day and the ground on which to meet one of the paddocks at Gwynnelands. Mr Fantham has not only placed his grounds at the disposal of the schools, but has very generously undertaken to clear a portion of the fcush and prepare the spot selected for the accommodation of the children and friends. Each school will be responsible for providing all necessaries for its own scholars and otherwise looking after their welfare. On previous occasions very liberal provision has been made in every respect, and no doubt those who have contributed in the past to so good an object, will find equal pleasure in doiag so again, and in a practical way help in giving to the little folks a happy New Year. Mr Wiseman's saddler's shop, Hamilton East, had a narrow escape from

fire on Saturday, About midday Mr Carson, the manager, discovered that the kitchen chimney was on fire, and lust no time in extinguishing it. This done he was preparing to go out when a neighhour colled his attention to the fact jbhat the roof of the main portion of the building was afire, a ladder was at once procured, and with the help of a few buckets of water, the burning shingles were put out before any serious damage was done. Some of the sparks from the chimney must have settled on the shingles which being old and dry soon caught, the tire being fanned by the wind which was blowing at the time. It is fortunate that its presence was discovered so soon, a few minutes later it would have been a matter of great difficulty to put the fire out at all. As it is a few shillings will cover the damage done.

A meeting of the Hamilton Borough Couucil was hold List night for the purpose of hearing Mr Seddon's objections to the taking of laud fur the Bridge approach, and to meet Mr Whitaker, M.H.R., on matters affecting the Borough. There were present — His Worship the Mayor (Mr Knox), Crs. Hill, i*oat, Davis, McGa«ritfle, and Vialou. The Town Clerk stated that Mr Seddon bad written to Hay he could not attend, and the Coaucil then proceeded to consult with Mr Whitaker with roference to the three sections of the H-unilton West Town Bolt, No». 11, 12, and 13, withhold by the Government. Mr Whitaker said he had waited on the Minister of Lands, who told him that the allotments were purposely withheld. Regarding the £200 towards screwing up and paintimr the bridge, the Clerk reported that Mr Whyte had told him that there was a hope of the Government granting the money and promised to press the matter upon the Government. Mr Whifciker held out no hope of getting the money in the present state of the colony's finances, and said the only hope lay in the passing of the Local Public Works Bill, under which they might get the bridge constituted part of the main road. Several of the Councillors wished to know what had been done in the nutter of the £110 awarded by Mr Macffarlane to the Borough from the Waikato Council, and Cr. Vialou asked why Mr Whitaker had not carried out the instructions of the Council to prosecute the matter. Mr Whitaker said they would remember that he had at their request waited upon the Council, but the Mayor had taken him apart and he had not been able to communicate with them. They knew there was some hitch about the matter, and he had got a promise from the Attorney-General to validate the appointment of Mr Macffarlane. He had not been informed of what matters were to be discussed, and he was really not in a position to answer off-hand any questions they wished to ask. He was at the same time willing and anxious to do all he could for them. It was resolved to lay particulars of the several matters required to be settled, before Mr Wbitaker for his explanation, and the Council passed a vote of thankß to the hon. member for his attendance. Cr. McGarriglex'emarking that they owed an apology to Mr Whitaker for the attitude which certain members had assumed towards him. Mr Whitaker then withdrew. The Council having resolved to place the matter of taking Mr Seddon's land in the hands of their solicitors rose. The Ti))ia> states that General Nicholson has been appointed Governor of Tasmania. At a school examination in Christchurch recently a class of young children were asked : "If you can get a dozen buns for a shilling, how many can you get for a penny?" One worldly-wise urchin astonished the examiner by promptly replying, "Two, if they are stale ones." The last sayings of dying men (writes the author of "London Town Talk" in the Melbourne Argus) have always had a great attraction for their fellow-creatures, and few sentences have moved the hearts of England more (the heart that beats quite outside ' 'the clubs and drawing-rooms") than these scratched by Michael Smith when shut up and doomed to die in Seaham coal mine, upon his tin water-bottle. " There wore forty of us altogether at 7 a.m., some were singing hymns, but my thoughts were on my little Michael " — a child whom he had left ill at home. ''Oh, dear wife, God savo you and the children and pray for myielf . Dear wife, farewell. My last thoughts are about you and the children.

Mr K. Hill will sell to-morrow some valuable properties in Hamilton East, in the cst.ite of E. Pearson. These properties can be acquired on very easy terms. Mr Moses' £5 prize will be a featnre this Christmas. A good deal of excitement is already manifest amongst the ladies. Mr K. Hill announces for sale tomorrow, without rp&orvo, Messrs Vijlou ami Co.'s stock in their cabinet and upholstery, and wheelwright and blacksmith's departments. Robert Fergusson, Esq., of Gorton, near Cambridge, invites tendons for ploughing from 200 to 300 acres of grass land. Mr W. H. Potter, well-known to many of our Ngaruawahia readers, has just opened hisnew building at Te Aroha as a first-class restaurant, and advertises for a sh.irc of patronage. Mr Pottei has gone to considerable expense in fitting up the premises, and the establishment is far in advance of what might be expected on a new rush both for comfort and quality of the viands supplied' Messrs B. and J. Coleman gladden the hearts ot those looking forward to the timehonored joint of good fat beef at Christmas time, with a notice that they have purchased the best beef in the Waikato, we believe from the neighborhood of Te Awamutu. The scholars of the Hamilton West School, on their breaking-up da)-, have arranged a very nice programme, and we trust all the residents who can possibly do so will attend and evince a becoming interest in the school, the scholars and the teachers. Mr Kennedy Hill will sell to-morrow at 11 a.m., a cottage piano and twenty cases cordials. Tenders are invited for supply and delivery of coal and coke for New Zealand railways-. The Alexandra Sports will be held on Boxing Day. See programme. The programme of the Hamilton Athletic Sports appears elsewhere. Special attention is called to the price list of the Rodanow Manufacturing Co., of Boston, published in these columns. All those wishing to secure an excellent and correct timekeeper arc recommended to address themselves to this old and reliable firm. No further evidence of their manufactures will be required beyond the following facts: The firm was established in 1849, and since then have gained piw medals at the Exhibitions of London, Pans, Vienna, &c, for excellence of manufacture. They are appointed, by warrant, watchmakers to the Queen «f England, Prince of Wales, the Emperor of Russia and the Bey of Tunis.

The new pure cash system now being initiated by G. and C. will certainly prov« a benefit to the public. It has been a great success in Sydney and Melbourne, and when strictly carried _ out the customer who buys at an establishment where the goods are marked low to ensure a rapid sale must be a great gainer. G. and C. sell their drapery millinary, and clothing at such prices for cash as gives the buyer the advantages of a shareholder tn a co-operative society, without the risk of being called upon to bear a portion of the loss should the year's business # prove unsatisfactory. Garlick and Cranwell will aim to retain the confidence which the public have hitherto shown them, and aro determined to give the pure cash system a tair trial ; whether they gain or lose the first year. Country buyers on remitting cash with order will be supplied with goods at co-operative prices ; just the same as though they made a personal selection. Furnishing goods, such as carpets, floor cloths, bedsteads, bedding, and general house furniture, the largest portion of which is turned out at our own factory, will be marked a*' the lowest remunerative prices, and a discount of five per cent, will be allowed to those who pay at the time of purchase. G. &C. having realised the entire value of their stock during their late cash sale, the present stock is new and chkaply bought. An Inspection is invited. — Garlick and Cranwkm., City Hall Furnishing A rcado Queen* street, Auckland.