Waikato Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XVI, Issue 1381, 10 May 1881, Page 2

Waikato Times A N D THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Fijinl iml ox ict )usti( p to iill men, Ot wliitner st.ilc or persn ision, religious or poliLK .il Here sliitll tin* Ik ><s tin- IVopli 's n^ht maint.im Unaucd by lnflitt nee nul unhiibcd by gnm.

TUESDAY, MAY 10, 1881.

A question affecting the prudent administration of the Education Act, cropped up at a meeting of the City East School Committee, held in Auckland, the other day. It originated with a letter complaining that the child of a resident in the district had been excluded from the school, in consequence of the classes being over-crowded by children from neighbouring districts. It is admitted, there ib nothing whatever in the Act to prevent children residing in one district passing their own school and attending one belonging to another locality altogether. On its face, a latitude of this kind seems perfectly reasonable. Nay more, we will go a step further and say that, in a certain sense, it might be called politic. One teacher may be, and no doubt is, better adapted for his work than another, and it would be imposing undue restraint to compel parents to place their children under a particular tuition, when they are quite prepared to undergo' the inconvenience attending what they may suppose to be the achievement of a more efficient system. Again, it may be made to operate a.s a wholesome check upon teachers themselves. Competition is the soul of business — that of the state teacher, whose emoluments are regulated on the principle of the capitation allowance, being no exception. The implication then, in his case, arises, that, knowing the number of liis pupils is liable to fall short of statutory requirements, he will be more vigilant in maintaining & high standard of efficiency. In contradistinction to these, grave and important reasons exist why a principle of this kind bhould not be tolerated. One school which happens to gain real or imaginary preference over another, is liable to be crowded-out, to the personal discomfort of the pupils themselves, and not improbably, neglect in their training. All this time the school properly belonging to the district, from which the overcrowding pupils hail, is left, practically speaking, destitute; barely .sufficient pupils remaining to fulfil that condition of the Act. Alluding to the difficulty, as it has arisen in Auckland, the evening paper takes a very sensible view of the bubject, and in the recommendation it makes, we quite concur. It says :—": — " The practice of children leaving one district and attending the school belonging to another district ought to be digcountenanced to the utmost. It is important local householders shall be encouraged to take an interest in their district school. If it lacks efficiency, it is their business to institute reforms. By withdrawing their children from attendance they do an injury to the rest of their district, through reducing the numher of children in attendance at the local school, and thereby lowering its standard. "We hope that other committees will second the resolution of the City Committee by endeavouring, as far as possible,- to make each of their respective schools meet all the wants of the educational district in which it is situated." That un-

doubtedly is the proper remedy, and the one which ought to be insisted upon. We happen to know, however, that it is not the course always followed ; and it is in the anxiety to fiud remedies of a dif ferent kind, that an abuse of the whole system creeps in. The educational district of Cambridge is separated into Bast and West, with all the costly appliances for school teaching in each. In some way or another, tuition at the East School has managed to get into better repute than that provided for the West. We are not in a position to say whether this preference is, or is not, well founded ; it is quite sufficient for present pui*poses that it does exist. The result is the same as that obtained in the City East School. The establishment at Cambridge East is overcrowded, the ovei'crowding being in a great measure due to the number of children from the west side, while, as a matter of fact, the attendance at the school belonging properly to that quarter suffers in proportion. Instead, however, of regulating matters in accordance with the principle espoused by the City East Committee, our Cambridge friends set up a demand for an enlargement of the more pretentious educational establishment. There is no plea that the school accommodation of the district is too limited. It is ! known to be sufficient for all legiti- I mate requirements of the case ; and the only possible reason adduced for the enlargement arises from this want of proper adjustment. Let us pursue this view of the subject a step further. Suppose the tide of popularity changes in the direction of the west school, then, on the very same principle, an enlargement of its premises would be demanded, while the already enlarged school on the east side of the town becomes deserted. That is the light in which this question ought co present itself, There is nothing so fickle as popular applause, and if the State is to keep draining off its revenues every time a change in the superficial aspect of public opinion sets in, then we can only say the already grievous burden of an educational tax must become crushing, in every sense of the word. The whole question of education must be reconsidered, and its pecuniary administration put ! upon a very different basis. That is admitted on ail sides. The crowding out of one district school to the detriment of another is a further branch of the subject we would also recommend for amended legislation.

So much of the results of the late census as we have been able to gather has shown us that Waikato has by no means paused in that onward march, which, spite of difficulties, disappointments, and some danger, has been kept up during these dozen years or more. In new districts an increase in the number of inhabitants, to the extent which we have seen to be the case here, argues that the means of supporting lifehavebeen augmented; that in short cultivation has been extended, and lands hitherto unproductive have been brought under the operation of the plough, It seems but yesterday since the boundaries of Waikato were extended beyond the limits of the first military settlement. Little more than a decado ago, those who remember, know how narrow a place it was ; prosperous as it could not well help being, but possessing then little power of expansion. Gradually, and indeed unostentatiously, the immense territory, then forbidden to us, has been won ; roads have been made, bridges erected, communication established, and the land which before lay waste, or was but partially utilised to give sustenance to its original occupiers, has been made to render up its fullest yield. In this way the area of the country in European occupation has been doubled and quadrupled ; but there jet remain vast areas of land, in quality equalling the best in our possession, from which we are shut out, and which the native owners, with selfish infatuation, cling to persistently. We must not blame these people altogether. Some allowance must be made for the prejudices, and the affections of a people such as they. That the elders have a strong aversion to parting with their patrimony, except under the pressure of necessity, is natural enough, and perhaps the fewness and easily satisfied nature of their wants is the main reason for their long retention of their lands. But a new generation is growing up, whose desires are more numerous and more exacting, and when their time comes to take the direction of affairs a change will unfailingly take place. Even now the influence of this new element is making itself felt, and we know that among the most conservative, the question of leasing, if not selling land, is eagerly canvassed. The " King " party are even giving their attention to it ; and there can be little doubt that it will be one of the principal subjects brought on for discussion at the meeting just commenced at Hikurangi. How the debate may end we cannot with certainty conjecture, but it will have done this much — it will have broached a subject, the importance of which will grow day by day. As to individual opinions on this matter, we. have it on! very good authority that one chief has given a very practical expression of 'his by offering to lease of 2000 acres of excellent land owned by him in ,

the Upper \Vaipa. We believe that it is only a sentimental feeling which predisposes them to keep up the fiction of Royalty that prevents others following this example, so that, however affairs may go just at present, it is satisfactoiy to find there exists a current of feeling favorable to the advancement of civilisation. Hitherto the progress has been entirely on the eastern side, but when the barriers of prejudice and superstition, which form the impediments to settlement on the other side of the Waipa, are removed, we will see the dawn of a prosperous future. Her settlements will no longer be shrunken and shrivelled, as it is only too patent they are now, but will flourish vigorously like their more fortunate sisters to the eastward. This happy period may be delayed, but sooner or later it is bound to arrive.

The Attorney-General leaves for Wellington on Thursday morning.

At a Cabinet Meeting held at Wellington on Saturday, the date of the meeting of Parliament for "despatch of business" has been definitely fixed for Thursday, the 9th of June, and a proclamation has been issued convening it for that day.

It is proposed in the Canterbury papers that a Colonial Life-boat Institution should be inaugurated as one of the outcomes of the Tararua disaster.

A circular memorandum has been issued by the Government to the various Education Boards throughout the colony, to the effect that after the 30th proximo, capitation grants will not be paid to the Boards on account of the attendance of children under five years of age.

Mr D. M. Beere has returned to the district after an absence of some weeks dnring which he has been vieiting Australia and the South.

Steps are about being taken to form a Goed Templar Lodge ia Cambridge.

A private meeting has been held among the regular frequenters of the Auckland Public Library, with the object of petitioning the City Council to open that institution during reasonable hours on Sunday.

The census returns show an increase of 537 in the Piako County as compared with the previous triennal return. The males are set down at 716 and the females at 268 the increase being as stated above. The entire population of the Thames electoral district within which the above county is included amounts to 12,272 against 12,516 in 187 S.

Arrangements have been made between the directors of the A. and N.S F. Co. and the directors of the Thames S.N. Co,, by which the former will remove then* steamer Te Aroha from the river trade, leaving it to the p. 8. Patiki.

At a meeting of the Thames County Council, held on the 4th inst., a copy of the circular letter issued by the Rangitikei County Council, enclosing copy of resolution discussed at the last meeting of the Waikato Council. The result arrived at is given by the local paper as follows :—" It was resolved to reply that the Council concurred with the views of the Conference."

In the race for the One Thousand Guinea Stakes, run at Newmarket on Friday last, Lord Falmouth's Bal Gal finished third.

Th 9 Census returns for the Thames are Borough of Thames 4884, deing a decrease of 540 on the last returns ; County of Thames 5215, being an increase of 264 on the last returns.

At a meeeing of the Thames County Council held on the 4th inst. a copy of thecircular letter issued by the Rangatiki County Council enclosing copy resolution discussed at last meeting of the Waxkato Gouncil was read. The result arrived at is given by the local paper as follows : — " It "was resolved to reply that the Council concurred with the views of the conference."

The contractor for gravelling the main road in the Cambridge Highway District has coinmmenced work, but the rate of progress appears to be slow. Unless some expedition be used the mistake made last autumn will be repeated, and the wet weather will set in before the job is completed.

Mr. John Knox submitted to auction on Saturday in the estate of Thomas Dav/«on 617 scrips in the Wai* kato Gold Mining Company Te Aroha. The Bale was made subject to the payment of a call of 3d per scrip. There was a fair attendance, but only one bid was obtained, the whole being 1 kaocked down to Mr Lewis O'Neill at jd a scrip.

Mr. J. M. Gelling submitted for aale by public auction at the Council Chambers on Saturday the leases of a number of the Domain Land*, but thoy were all passed in afc the upset price with the exception of Lot 11 Hamilton Went, which was knocked down to Mr James Hume at 12s 6d per acre, being an advance of 2s 6d upon the upset value. An impression prevailed that the price fixed by the Board was too high.

The latest report re the alleged wilful fire raising of stacks, the property of Mebsrs Maclean and Co., is as follows : — "There are strong grounds of belief that the stacks did not take fire accidentally, that in fact they were set fire to by a man who has been in the district for some time, bnt who is supposed to be of weak intellect. Since the fire no trace has been found of the unfortunate fellow. The Auckland detective, Brennan, who came to Waikato to investigate the affair has returned to town.

The promoters of the " Waikato Lady and Gentleman Novelty Mmatrel Troupe " desire to direct special attention to an alteration in their advertisement, which will be found in another column. Their statement is that in consequence of some kind of extortion attempted to be practised upon them at Cambridge they have decided not to visit that place, but in Lieu thereof they will give their attractive entertainment in the Oddfellows' Hall, Hamilton, on the evening of Thursday; liberal patronage being solicited.

Government received advices by the last mail that the balance of the cylinder and the superstructure of the ■railway bridge, Hamilton, was nearly i complete, and that the Apent General would telegraph when it was shipped. We are indebted to the member for Waipa for the information that the promised cablegram has been received. It is dated London, the 3rd inst., and advises that the articles in question had been duly shipped for transmission to this I colony. j

Referring to Barfield, who attempted to rob the National Bank at Tauranga a few days ago, the local paper states: — "He is a married man, about 40 years of age, and came here from Cambridge sometime ago, where he carried on. a bowling-saloon and shooting alley. la > Tauranga, he has conducted a similar concern for the last twelve months. He had recently Mnovedl/ his garters' to the Strand, but. for iuf considerable time he carried on business in Wharf-street, on-

posite the National Bank. It was probably when located there that he meditated his plan of making a raid on the Bank, and making himself rich by one stroke. His saloon on the Strand was open On the night of the attempted robbery till half-past 10 o'clock, and shortly after closing he must have Btarted on his expedition. We believe also he was an old soldier, which accounts for his exclamation on giving himself up, 'I'm a prisoner.'"

A promising discovery was made the other day by Mr "Robert Stokes, at his form, in this neighbourhood. Attracted by certain indications met with iv the sub-soil, he sunk a hole, and at a depth of 6 feet came upon a bituminous band, strongly indicative of I the presence of coal. A sample of the stuff has been forwarded to us for inspection, and without being able to express an opinion as to the intrinsic value of the discovery, the presence of the bituminous substance cannot be disputed. j We note the farm is advertised for sale, ! by auction, on Friday next, by Mr J. S. Buckland, and it is not improbable this "find" may impart additional attractions to it as an investment.

Mr A. H. Malcolm, writing to the Canterbury Press, maKes the following suggestion: — "I consider it of the utmost importance that the authorities should immediately consider the advisability of compelling all passenger steamers on our coast to carry efficient and immediately availably life-saying-rocket-apparatus of suitable raige. My impresaions is — and, in fact, I feel confident of it — that, had the ill-fated Taratua had such appliances on board, and they had been made use of immediately she struok, no loss of life at all would have ocourred."

Alluding to the terms of the arrangement made between the Waste Land Board and Messrs Grant and Foster, the Press (Canterbury) says. — " The plan is obvious enough, and it is an ingenious one. They want to sell their Te Aroha block before they buy it ; and if the Board only give them time enough, they will probably succeed in I doing so. They are engaged, we understand, in making arrangements with persons in England, — nominally Lincolnshire farmers, but in reality anybody wth the requisite cash, to settle at Te Aroha under their auspices ; and as soon as they have completed these arrangements to their own satisfaction, they will no doubt close with the Waste Lands Board, and pay the purchase monoy of the land ,out of the money that they have sold it for. But pure speculators, like Mesaieurs Grant and Foster, who take no interest in the colony except as a place to make mo7iey out of, and who, for all we know, may never set foot in it, airain, clearly have no particular object in hurrying the arrangements for the occupation ot their block, so long a-> they themselves have no money outstanding upon it. We are quite willing to believe in the excellent intentions of these jiilltiential gentlemen. We are quite ready to discern the enormous benefits that they have in their power to confer on the colony by furniehing it with a sturdy yeomanry from the best farming county in England. But, we say, let them pay their way, just as the colonists themselves have had to do ; and that will be the best earnest o both their intentions and their performances."

At a recent meeting of the Tauranga County Council the subject of rating lauds of absents owners was disciihsed, and the very decided opinon expressed that it was little short of dishonesty for owners of property to seek to profit by improvements carried out in the district, -without contributing a single penny to the cost. A joint conference of delegates from the various governing bodies in Waikato says the local paper, was held the other dvy when this matter among others came up for dibcussion. It was mentioned that it micrht be difficult in some cases to define the boundaries of the properties of absentees, which would have to be done, as the summons has to be posted on some conspicuous p.irt of ! each property. The chairman suggested that the circumstances of the case could just as well be provided for by posting the aummons in some well known place, and, after a discussion, it was agreed that an alteration should be recommended, so as to enable the summons to be posted at a Post Office near the land. Another I proposal made by the chairman, that the local body should be empowered to sell an absentee's property in the event of a six-months default in satisfying the judgment, was also adopted. These amoudments would much tend to facilitate the recovery of rates, and .so disposing of defaulters' lands in case such a proceeding should be deemed necessary.

The following is a fair sample of the mode of reasoning adopted by those who see, or at all events profess to sea virtue in the dogmas professed by Sir George Grey. It hails from Thames and is extracted from the columns of the ' Advertiser: — " An important subject was ! referred to by Sit- Georce Grey which I concerns every colonist — the proposal to introduce the Poor Law system into NewZealand. It might appear to be an essential element of charity to make provision for the poor and destitute of every land, but there are few who give the proposition that consideration its importance demands. It is sometimes said that comparisons are odious, though it is by comparing the working of any particular system that a jußt estimate can be arrived at as to the prudence of adopting anything of a similar nature. The usurption of the lands of Great Britain from the general populace, and turning millions of acres into deer forests for the special amusement of aristocratic sportsmen, is a crying disgrace to the nation, for these lands produce nothing of a remunerative character, whilst they shut out the tillers | of the soil from making it re-produefcive. The acquisition of large blocks of the public estate by wealthy capitalists who hold it for speculative purposes in New ' Zealand, can have no other tendency than to ultimately produce much poverty at no very distant epoch in our own history ; for there are those in the colony who inherit the deer-huntinsr and fox hunting proclivities of their kith and kin in the mother country, and they will not hesitate to copy the example of their predecessors in creating a landed aristocracy in this colony, where freedom her banner hath ever unfurled, and never been tarnished nor soiled."

It may be within the recollection of our readers that, consequent upon the unemployed cry got up during last year Government a^ked for and obtained a vote of £70,000 for the purpose of providing 1 employment to destitute persons. We have it on good authority that not more than £500 of the amount -was expended as on the 31st March last. Hon. members and others will recollect of the unseemly fracas the member for Dunstan Mr. Y. Pyke — kick up over this item ; be (Mr. Pyke) being determined if possible to get it appropriate tor the prosecution of work on that political sham the Ofcagro central railway scheme. The row which ensued resulted in the House sitting to 8.30 a.m. the following morning. Mr. Pyke having ia the meantime been consigned to the custody of the ssrgeant-at-arms. Had Government been weak enough, to concede the demand we venture,to say that not only would the £70,000 bare disapeared tut that, the Dunßtan member's demands would have been as far as ever from being satisfied.

The report of the Board appointed to iurestigate the oiwunwtaaws attending 1

the Cerberus torpedo calamity has been it>Biied. It concludes that the explosion was due to the presence of the electric current between the bitteiy ".nd the torpedo. The arianprements ra-ule for carrying out the experiment are judged to have been faulty.

The usual monthly meeting of the Cambridge Fanners' Club, called for last night, was allowed to lapse, consequent upon the special meeting held in the afternoon ; a report of which will be found in another column.

Our Cambridge Correspondent telegraphed last night — "There was a considerable disturbance among the natives and certain Europeans here on Saturday night, and again to-day. Several legal actions are talked of. The natives are leaving fast, and the town weais a much quieter appearance than has been the case for some months."

The following appears in the Rangitikn Advocate :—lt: — It is understood that Mr A. P. Halcotnbe has succeeded in purchasing the celebrated Patetere Block in the Waikato on behalf of the E. and A. Aid Corporation, and that Mr D. H. Macarthur will be retained m the service of the Corporation after the termination of his present engagement next June. i s ome time since we were informed by Mr Halcombe that he would not stand for Manawatu at the next election if he succeeded in obtaining a block ot land in the Waikato, and hence we presume that he will not now be a candidate.

Hamilton Cricket Club meeting advertised for Friday 13th mstat Waikato Cavalry C Troop monthly meeting advertised for Saturday, 14th inst. Edwin Thomas Hedgcock, cabinet maker of Cambridge, has hied his shcdiile, and the first meeting- of creditors will take place at the Court-house, Hamilton, on Saturday, the gth (') inst. Meeting of Kirikiriroa Highway Board is convened for tst June iet\\e imposition ot one shilling rate. Time extended for preparation of valuation rolls for Highway Districts in County of Raglan. Messrs B. Tonks & Co advertise sale of farm implements just landed. Mr J. S. Buckland will sell by auction on Saturday, iOth inst., <it Cambridge, heavy draught geldings, hacks, &c, and .it Messrs Campbell Bros, yards, Waitoa, on Wednesday 25th inst , good dairy cows, young cattle, &c. Messrs Maclean & Co. invite tenders for diaining works. Messrs W. J. Hunter aucl Co. have determined in future to hold lortmghtl) sales at the Cambridge yards, commencing next Ihuisday, May 9, when a 1 jrgc numbi r o! T.it c ittle, heavy weight wetheis, dairy cows and horsco will be submitted. Mr Penzholz, for eleven years in business in Auckland as manut.u tunng jewollei , has commenced business m Grey-street, Hamilton East. Thomas James North, of Cambridge, solicitor's cleik, lias filed the first meeting of his creditors takes place at Hamilton on ilaj 14th .it 1 p.m. Mr J. Forrest has for sale a large assortment of well-grown forest, fiuit, and ornamental trees, quicks, etc No. 17, L.0.L., will meet at Ngaruawahia. on 'Ihursday evening at half-past se\en. A special meeting of the Waikato Council will he held on Fnday next at 11 a m. The Waikato Lady and Gentleman Novelty Minstrel Troupe will gne 1 grand driw ing-roam entertainment in th'j Oddfellows' Hall on Ihursday e\enmg Messrs W. J. Hunter and Co. '3 next Ohaupo cattle sale will be neld on Thur-idav. Mr A. 0. Field is authorised to collect accounts due to Mr C. E. Johnson, late of the Ro\al Hotel, Hamilton. The new puie cash system now being initiated by G. and C. will certainly pro\c .1 benefit to the public It has been a great success in Sydney and Melbourne, and when strictly carriLd out the customer who buys at an establishment where the goods arc maiked low to ensuie .t 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 ad\ antages of a shareholder in j. co-operative socict\, without the risk oi being called upon to bearaportion of the loss should the ycai's business prove unsatisfactory. Garlick and Cranwell will urn to retain the confidence which the public h.nc hitherto shown them, and arc determined to give the pui c casn system a fair trial; whether they gam or lose the first jeai. Country buyers on remitting cash with order will be supplied with goods at co-operative puces ; 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 .it our own factory, will be marked at the lowest remunerative prices, and a discount of five per cent, will be allowed to those who p iv at the time of pttrcfnse G. &. C. having realised the entire value ot then stock during their late cash sale, the present stock is nfw avd chkaply bought. An inspcrtion is inutcd. — G\rlu k and Cjmnwi i 1 ,City Hall FuiDishing Arcade Queenstreet, Auckland