ECHOES FROM THE CAFE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1364, 29 March 1881, Page 3

EC HOES FROM THE CAFE.

Monday witnessed the, beginning of the end of the enquiry into the Purchas charges, as, on the evening of that day, Mr Macrae, the head-master, practically stated the case for the defence. I did not hear the statement, but, judging by the printed report, it was a good, manly speech, showing (I suppose I may use a Latin ' quotation ' When writing about schools and schoolmasters) mots con&cia reel i. He referred to charges seriatim, and gave them an emphatic denial, giving an outline of his mode of disproving them. The statement created a very favourable impression on the public ; but lam very doubtful whether it -will have • the same effect' on tihe Governors, who seem to haye prejudged the case. Indeed, some of them apparently paid no attention to it, as I was told by a disinterested spectator that one of them was engaged in making notes from a book he had before him, while two others were talking pleasantly together while the statement was being made. At the meeting on Tuesday, a very unfair spirit was shown towards Mr Macrae, for, whereas every latitude had been allowed to his accuser, Mr Purchas, there was an evident disposition displayed by several of the Governors not to allow any latitude to their own head-master, who has served them to the best of his ability for ten years. Whereas Mr Pur chas was allowed to bring forward three or four witnesses at a' time, fault was found with Mr Macrae because he gave in the names' of only fourteen. On Tuesday evening there wa3 a meet- i ing of former pupils, of Mr Macrae held, i Although it was called at very short notice, and through a series of accidents the only advertisement of it was one in the Herald on Tuesiay morning, a very large number were present -about a hundred and fifty, and apologies were received irom about twenty others, who were prevented from attending by illness or prior engagements. Resolutions • expressing sympathy with, and admiration for Mr Macrae were unanimously adopted, amidst much enthusiasm, and it was resolved that the resolutions should be embodied in a testimonial to be signed by his former pupils and presented to him. The "boys" showed that there were some among them who had "old heads * on young shoulders," as neither in the resolutions nor in the speeches made in support of them, was there more than the most indirect) reference to-- the Purchas charges, ' ' I am afraid that some of the readers of the Waikato Times may think that I have devoted too much space to this inquiry. If I have done so, I have two ' reason* which appeared to warrant me in so doing. The first is that it has been the chief topic of conversation among people of all classes, both at the Cafe and throughout the city, almost ever since it commenced The second is that,! as the Grammar School is the principal educational establishment in this provincial district, all in the district have an interest in the manner in which it is conducted. There has been a good deal of excitement in the city this week, about the case of Frederick Warnstedt. He was a licensed porter, who some months ago used insulting language to Inspector Goldie. The latter laid an information against him and a warrant was issued for his apprehension. Warnstedt, who is a German, was so afraid of arrest that, he ran away, and has been in hiding in the bush, where .he has had anything but a gay time of it. He was eventually arrested, and on Tuesday appeared at the Police Court to answer to the charge before Messrs B. Ireland, Jervis, and Martelli, three of the " great unwashed—" I beg pardon, I meant "great impaid." He pleaded guilty, and the justices ordered him to pay a fine. of £10 or be imprisoned for three months. The disparity between the offence and the punishment caused a perfect howl of indignation at the ''justices' justice," and a memorial to the Minister of Justice, praying for a remission of the sentence, was soon got up and signed by a large number of th« most influential citizens. I have no doubt £ th^ jyayer of th«j Jtnei^o|iglists will be granted, 1 " as it is " evident ! that Warnstedt has been far too severely punished. The big dock project has made another step forward. A deputation from the Harbour Board waited on the Hon. F. Whitaker, and ( reqijesfced that Mr Blackett, \ the", JCngiaeer-in-Chief, might be sent to Auckland to report on the best site in the. harbour for a large dock. "Th r e Attorney General took a very sensible view pf the.Bubject — that what affected the ■ interests' bf 'the- principal harbours of the colony is a matter of colonial importance, and promised to urge the Minister for Public Wdrks td cdniply witK -ihe^e-i quest of the Harbour Board. '-&- Samuel Brown, who waj3 sqme % time ago charged with stealing tiriware^from the, store of Mr Waite, and knives, forks, and spoons from the^duuQg-r.poms of Messrs Dallon and Waters'; andgwho was then declared to be insane '"and sent to the Lunatic Asylum, having been discharged from thpt? institution^ as , was again brought up at thePolioe Court, charged with the various offences. The evidence yrasx -verTpognclusive, and the accused. ,was CQmmi^fl for trial on each of the three charges. 1 suppose the plea of; insanity "will be put in, for the purpose of] obtaining; an,- (acquittal, but I must con- j fess* that ,ther^|eemB to have been too much * 'method m his madness." I could understand a man who was insane stealing things and hiding them, but stealing' gopds and putting,them in an auction; mart for- sale J8 a phase,of J»adnesfl fl wiica J,do not understand. However, in the pour se, qf two or three weeks, twelve "good men and true" will KaYe an opportunity of, giving their opinion ,op t^e^ubje^t., x j fjpy SimmSj.-an^A^erican^is lecturing, «*, j4ucsaoud . jost-AO %' oajpljtyßfogifatay. He seeisoSfsvery jjple, ver^^nd* $$ { lestwjs prove interesting to large audiences.' Theypfarfi^anansin^^toOi* as he has a considefable Amount "of American humour, oMe a {sKVer Wendell Holmes type, so, j if he visits Waikato, I would advise allj -vrho like instraotion andamtraement cdfii-j .Kinedjlto gb .and' hearfliim. ONb Pjf>ti quite all, as ho -na£~a great objection!© «jou%*heade2K infold jflwSfe whoftxu&lgej tin, 'great -Abnrishe«viia* th^riri Jsigiwctawa. ' iOne-';who,:-ls tgoilt^ Qf •^idth.offenc'WWßnt up tgl*fef6i?orfiifchwu9tkei4i«Tori JS Bt' \ Dr r )^nusairTaBke^f.hiitt to write his name.; A> aoon ftsiie h<u3 <|we co^the d.ockorsaj.4

"sWa?V}m&&M k m& # You curley-headed men are always GQncsited." Hleweht. A ' ■ '= • " Thereof tq-^e v a grpnd Masq^io demonstration Wednesday," Ifcne occasibn ; }),eing the laying of> the. fouudaJaQO stone of the new Freemaapns Sail. It is expected to he a great success, aa Fre^ masons, j f jFOpfc jjl 'parts ' of the rPro vinciaj District nave signified their .intention to be'jsres'ent'. 1 hope' t'haif the" brethren of " the mystic tie, residing in Waijtato^ will come down in' consid'eratle numrens.? The" Hall will cost about so, Hthat . it ' should be a credit to' the fraternity and 'the city. The only objection I ha\je to 1 the arrangements made is that four parsons are to take part in the proceedings." PaWo'nsare very good in" moderation," hut ye may have too much of a good thing. St. Munqo.