The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1366, 2 April 1881, Page 2

The Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Fqua! and ct.ict justice to all men, Ot whatever state or persuasion, religious or political. Heresh.ill the Press the People's right maintain Un.iwed by influence and unbnbed by gain.

SATURDAY, APRIL 2, 1881.

Tub evidence given by Mr J. 0. Firth before the Auckland College inquiry, has a sterling ring about it, worthy of being echoed throughout the length and breadth of the land. Education in its higher branches is becoming a perfect furore, rendered popular by the fact that its gratification evokes no corresponding reckoning in the shape of a counter claim. All bother on that account is obviated, and parents and guardians absolved from this branch of their paternal obligations ; the responsibility thereof being shunted on to the shoulders of a paternal Government. In New Zealand the idea of educating every chit of humanity up to a given standard originated, we believe, in Otago. The " canny scot" of these southern climes, finding it an easy matter, under provincial auspices, to snatch valuable endowments from the public estate, was not slow to gratify this peculiarity- pf his national vanity. Incited thereunto by that example, other provincial districts went in "neck and crop" for a share of the spoil, and the consequence is we are now rapidly evolving the stigma cast at the apostolic head — « Much learning hath made thee mad." The- .difficulty is to determine how this state of matters is likely to end. The story of the scotch gentleman who sought the Grassmarket of Edinburgh in Tain for a domestic retaining & knowledge of his mother tongue amidst the then existing rage for Greelc tynd Hebrew, and tha parochial schoolmaster who taught his pupilg "their j latin in the morning ; and th&r j T^ , . •, - ' i »

alphabet* , in the evening," are no doubt exaggerations; still, they prove how very absurd zeal without discretion tuay be rendered, even in a good cause. Most certainly the stereotyped advertisement for the f* 'well-educated youth " is no longer necessary. What has now to be guarded against is the too -well-edu-cated youth, and in that opinion we are borne out by a remark which fell from Mr D. L. Murdoch, another of the witnesses adduced at the inquiry. Speaking in his capacity as general manager of a banking establishment largly employing this class of labor, he is reported to havesaid — " I have not u always found that the most efßci- " cient men are those who have u the reputation of being the best " educated." Mr Firth in his evidence is even more pointed. He says — " I believe that a great niis- " take is committed by saying that " if a pupil succeeds in taking Uni- " versity honors, therefore he is " qualified for any position that " may be offered him. University " honors do not afford a guarantee " that such training will best fit a " man for the demands made upon " him in after-life." A greater than either of these authorities bears witness to the point at issue in the following lines addressed to a brother bard : — Confuse their brains in college classes, They gan in stirks and come out asses. Young, and, consequently, inexperienced as the colony is, the effect of this overweening demand for booklearning, or as it was put at the inquiry, " cramming," is beginning to manifiest itself most unpleasantly. The real work of colonization is neglected, while all the avenues leading into the category of genial employment are thronged. Take the ranks of the colonial barrister for example. The number of fledglings, by whom it is annually recruited, has already created misgivings as to what they are going to do. Kindred occupations are getting simlarly paralysed, while, as we have already said, the more legitimate paths of reproductive labor are shunned. Then again, the system at present in vogue, is otherwise most objectionable. Children are foisted upon it without due regard to their natural aptitude for learning. Parents not being called upon to pay the cost are less likely to give this important point due weight and consideration. The Purchas family, the original cause of the inquiry, is a notable instance in point. The evidence given by its members in their own behalf, and borne out by that of others well able to form an opinion, showed conclusively they were deficient in capacity for the educational attainments to which they aspired. Now, it stands to reason that, had the parents and not the State, been compelled to bear the cost of experimenting, the hoplessness of success would have been more readily discovered, and a less ambitious line of action chalked out for this youthful progeny. Altogether, we are not sorry this expose has taken place. The time is drawing nigh when the Educational system upon which we have embarked will have to be reconsidered. Its cost is too great, and the practical results too small to warrant its continuance. In this, as in other respects, selfreliance will have to be resorted to, and under a regime of that kind, less danger will exist of educating the masses beyond the circumstances of the place, and as for the hopeless task of attempting to educate incapables, that is also j likely to receive an effectual check.

Mr J. C. Young, Licensed Interpreter, late Native Land Purchase Commissioner, has succeeded Mr Hammond as Interpreter to the Native Lands Court now sitting at Cambridge. The Government are to be congratulated on their choice of Mr Young for this important duty : his intimate acquaintance with native matters, and popularity with leading men of all the hapus represented, will doubtless greatly facilitate the business of the Court, and tend to bring matters to a satisfactory and expeditious conclusion. The census of the colony will be taken to-morrow night. The cricket match between the counties of Waikato and Waipa comes off to-day at Cambridge. The receipts of the Hamilton Bridge Toll for the month of March amount to £81 15s 2d. A good deal of excitement is manifest in Auckland regarding the prospects of the Tiki goldfield, which appear very promising. Mr Henry Quick has been appointed Bailiff of the Resident Magistrates District of Waikato. nee Mr James Graham who has resigned. A Cablegram from London, dated 29th ult., informs us that The Orient Company's s.b. Lusitania, from Plymouth, is bringing a large quantity of frozen fish to the colonies. Mr 0. F. Filling met with a rather serious accident on Thursday. While mustering some cattle at Gorton, his horse stumbled and fell, bringing him in violent contact with the ground, injuring his shoulder and face severely. . A correspondent, who possess to be blessed with a keen observation, informs ns ihat there was considerable exoiteraent in the vicinity of the Banks in Waikato on the afternoon of Thursday, though why such should be the case he has neglected to inform us. We are in receipt from the Secretary of the Bay of Islands Coal Company of a very neatly got-up pamphlet, containing testimonials &c., and a description of the mineß. The Assessment Court of the Taotaoros Highway District sat on Wednesday, H. W. Northcroffe,Eaq., R.M.-, being the Assessment Judge. Tyro objections had been sent in, but the objector* did not appear to support * them, the ; assessmont was sustained and the roll signed*; The weather Wjy^fe the .first flay, Thursday, a| jthe jNef. Pl^lpoujh raceeYbnfc {fti £tten&ii^ WM^*>«e.; Venture won the Maiden Pjate^ Chandler: the Handicap Steeplechase, jWatau the Jockey Club Hanfficap/'andtsbttte'r the Taraaaki Cupi,,^,,, „ _ }/

At the; sale of Goodman's stud at Dunedin 6a Thursday, Sylvanus Bold to McGayin jfor ;70 guineas ; Titinia, 78 guineas, totfiiftes Shand; Chancellor 60 jruineas, McGavin ; Le Loup, 375 guineas, Snider. At the Assessment Court for the Pukekura Highway District on Wednesday, be£6re H. W-.Northcroft, E^ ,R.M., Assessment judge,. 'Messrs. Grice .and Parker appealed against the excessive valuation of the Rotorangi Estate, and after hoariug the evidence on both sides the Court reduced the valuation by £9000. ' The duck shooting Season commenced yesterday, ana a goodly number of Waikato and Auckland sports made a day of it. As many of them (including the beat shots) intend making two days of it, we are unable to furnish returns of the casualtieß in this issue. We hear, however, that Borne very good bags were made. We understand that Captain McPherson has been asked and has consented to undertake the duties of Brigade Major at the forthcoming Easter Review atJTe Awamutu. Preperations for the demonstration are being actively made, and there is a prospect that the affair will a grand success. The following are the vital statistics for the Registration District of Hamilton for the month of March :■— Births, 7 ; marriges, 2 ; Death, 0. The number of births by some coincidence is remarkably low, the average for months past being over 15. The intelligence from Te Aroha which we publish in another^column, is of a more hopeful cast than any which has been received lately. People are beginning to be reanimated with the confidence they possessed at the opening of the field. Yesterday was the festival of All Pools, but so far as we can learn the anniversary was not celebrated in any unusual way in Waikato. Two or three youths were sent on useless errands, to fetch "straight hooks" and '• round square files," and met with the customary good fortune ; but the day generally speaking, was one of thanksgiving for the commencement of a new half-year. A special meeting of the Hamilton Borough Couucil was held last night for the purpose of receiving tenders for painting and screwing up the Hamilton traffic bridge. Present : H. W. the Mayor, Crs. Peat, Tippen, Hill, McGarrigle, and Joneß. Four tenders were received, but it vas decided not to open them, but defer the matter nntil further communication had been received from the Government regarding the matter submitted to the Hon Mr Rolleston at the interview on the previous day. This was all the business, and the Council rose. The Assessment Court for the Highway District of Waitoa waa held at Morrinsville on Tuesday before W. H. Northcroft Esq., R.M. Assessment Judge : Mr A. E. Whitaker appeared on behalf of Mr Thomas Russell to appeal against the assessment of the latters property on the ground that part of the block lies in the Matamata District. The appeal was allowed. Mr W. A. Murray appealed on the ground that he was assessed for more property than he owned. Appeal granted. The other objections either referred to the alteration of Chriotian names or placing additional names all of which were entertained. From Cambridge the Hon. the Native Minister proceeds to the Lake Country, taking occasion to inspect the Government land at Patetere, with a view to its utilisation. Mr Cussen, the District Surveyor, who has gone with the Minister, will point out the localities. Hence Mr Rolleston will go to Ohinemutu also on business connected with his Department, and subsequently he will make a visit of inspection of the Government land at Maketu and the Te Puke Special Settlement, returning to Auckland by way of Tauranga. Mr J. B Whyte, M.H.R., proceeded to Cambridge yesterday, with the intention of accompanying the Minister over the Rotorua road, and to urge the completion of that very important work. Eleven very fine pedigree merino rams passed through Hamilton yesterday on their way to the Annandale Estate, Piako, the property of W. A. Murray Esq. These sheep have bean sent from Otago by Mr Murray's brother, and will prove a great acquistion to their new owners flock. Mr Murray was a purchaser of some of the choicest of the Wartle Rams at the salo on Thursday,and intends to devote his attention to the breeding of pure bred sheep, bclh merino and Lincolns. Mr J. S. Buckland disposed of Mr P. Leslie's flock of pure-bred Lincoln aheep at Wartle on Thursday. The attendance was good, and the prices realized all things considered were satisfactory. Elsewhere, we print a detailed list of the lotu, with the names Gf pnrchasers and the amounts paid per head. The result of the sale will be the infusion of a better strain of blood into many of ouvWaikato flocks, the effects of which will soon be demonstrated. Mr McXvor, the celebrated analytical and agricultural chemist, now on a visit to New Zealand, was a passenger by yesterday's train from Auckland. He was accompanied by Mr J. C. Firth, and proceeded the same afternoon to Matamata. We are informed that one of the objects of Mr Maclvor's visit to Matamata is for the purpose of devising some means by which the caterpillar pest may be abated. We are glad tnat the promised visit of this gentleman is not longer a matter of speculation, and trust that good results may follow therefrom. The owner of the dark, spirited ponies, referred to in our last issue, writes j to aay that he was not racing with another buggy ,from Te Awamutu to Hamilton on Tuesday. He had no intention of so doing, and never once put his horses out of a trot. The other gentleman galloped past him, and he, so far j from attempting to overtake the leading vehicle was careful to keep at a sufficient j distance in the rear to avoid the dust. Our Piako Correspondent writes : — At the meeting of the Waitoa Highway District Board on Saturday, it appeared that the contract of Smith and Grimes on the Richmond-Morrinsville road was in an advanced state. Lovett's contracts are also well advanced. The temporary road for the benefit of Strange and others is nearly finished, and several small jobs were reported as finished. There were eight tenders for the bridge and earthworks at Johnstone's creek ; all pretty, reasonable. ' The tender of Cassidy, being .owest, was accepted. — Bridge, £10 j earthwork, 7d per yard; drains, 6£d per yard. Accounts amounting to about £278 were passed and paid. The weather has undergone a con- ■ eiderable change during the past week. Yesterday morning it was extremely cold, the thermometer indoors in Hamilton registering 42deg. ' In Kihikihi a thin coating of ice was observed on the surface of .vessels of water exposed. There seems very little hope now of getting grass to carry stock into the winter, as rain will in all probability be accompanied by* cold winds. What makes matters worse is the partial' failure of the turnip crop, depend* ing-' upon which very little hay has been, •aved thi« season. The coming winter prdmues to be a hard one. ' >■< ■- . ; For many year* past an eccentric Kitte'jHpfcft.'caUed'the^y^r^wi^^p^l)Uffietf & "tifc I %«*' "Coast of HW South Mlndf^brmed' me • MibjecrUF never

which this literary curiosity aspired to " exchange. " The extraordinary appearance of the sheet, printed sometimes on tea paper, bine on one side and white on the other, and sometimes even on whitey brown sugar paper, was only equalled by the peculiarly free and bold style in which the editor, who was printer, devil, and clerk as well, criticised everybody and everything which came within his keu. At the same time there was nothing dirty ; no scurrilous reflections upon private character, such as might naturally have been looked for in the one-horse organ of a rough mining community. Lately, however, this miniature journal has undergone a striking change, and the issues now before us are very fair specimens of typography. The new proprietor, Mr Srayrk, has apparently become the possessor of a good paying property, as in the ictsue of March 12, the pressure of " adds" reduce the reading matter to half a column.

Tenders are invited for ploughing 200 acres on the Njjamoko Estate, Oiakau. Mr J. S. Buokland will sell, at the Cambridge Yards, on the sth instant, cattle, sheep, horses, waggons, Sec. Mr A. Bucldand wili sell at the farm of Mr James Scott, Pukokohihi, on the nth insc, implements, stock, furniture, Sec. Tenders are invited for additions to the School-house, Cambridge. The Manager of the Auckland Kailwsiys advertises train arrangements for the Easter holidays. Mr John Knox advertises an important sale of furniture near the Council Chambers this day, at 2 o'clock. Mr T. C. Hammond, Creditor's Trustee in the estate of David Shcrnffs, notifies that a meeting of creditors will be held at the Courthouse, Hamilton, on the nth instant to receive report and pass a. resolution that the debtor be discharged. Messrs Sykes and Grossman, Dentists, from Sydney, can now be consulted at the Commercial Hotel. We should recommend parties intending- to avail themselves of this visit making an early call, as these gentlemen will be moving to other parts of the district within a. few days. The new pure cash system now being initiated by G. and C. will certainly prove a benefit to the public. It has been a great success in Sydney and Melbourne, and when itrictly 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 millinaxy, and clothing at such prices for cash as gives the buyer the advantages of a shareholder in a. co-operativesociety,withoutthe risk of being called upon to bcaraportionof thclossshould the year's business prove unsatisfactory. G.irlick and Cranwell will aim to retain the confidence which the public hayc hitherto shown them, and arc determined to give the pure cash system a. fair 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 at the lowest remunerative prices, and a discount ot five per cent, will be allowed to those who pay af the time of purchase. G. 8c C. having realised the entire value of their stock during their late cash sale, the present stock is Ni'W and cheaply bought. An inspection is invited. — Garlick and Cranwell, City Hall Furnishing Arcade Queenstreet, Auckland.