The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, JULY 1, 1882. Mr Farnie’s Case.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume III, Issue 677, 1 July 1882, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna Est Veritas et Prevalebit. SATURDAY, JULY 1, 1882. Mr Farnie’s Case.

TOWN EDITION.

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The case of Mr Farnie, the school teacher recently dismissed by the Education Board of Otago, is exciting a good deal of interest just now, while the arbitrary action of the Board is severely commented on. 'I he head and front of Mr Farnie’s offending appears to have been simply this ; A short time since the Board appointed an Inspector, and Mr Farnie wrote a letter to the Otago Daily Times, commenting on the appointment. He signed his letter “Teacher,” and this at once afforded the Board a clue to the identity of the writer, who was straightway charged with the terrible

offence. Mr Farnie very properly denied the Board’s right to demand an answer to the question as to whether he was or was not the writer of the obnoxious letter, but added that, as a matter of courtesy, he was quite prepared to “ acknowledge the corn.” He thereupon received three months’ notice of dismissal. In taking this very high-handed step the Board has certainly exceeded its legitimate func-

tions, and laid itself open to the gravest censure. It is a monstrous thing to suppose that the Education Board of Otago, or any other Board is to arrogate to itself the power to control the actions of its servants or

those subject to it in the way of business, outside of that business. So far as his scholastic work was concerned, Mr Farnie was of course responsible to the Board for his actions, but, apart from this, that body have no sort of right to dictate to him what he shall or shall not do, or attempt to close his mouth when he sees fit to open it. The press should be free to all, and any attempt to interfere with the privileges it holds out to the public should be promptly resented. 'lbe Teachers’ Institute of Otago have

taken the matter up, as stated, in a recent issue of this journal, and have passed a resolution to the effect that as Mr Farnie has not offended against any regulation of the Board, the Institute respectfully requests that the Board will reconsider its decision. We trust that the latter body, now that it has had time to look at the matter calmly, will, in justice, lake a common-sense view of it, and at once cancel Mr Farnie’s dismissal.

An ex-Ciiief Justice.— Letters by the mail state that Sir George Arney is recovering from a long and dangerous ill-

ness. Police Court. —There was no business at the Court to-day. The decrease, in the number of “drunks” in Ashburton during the past month or two is very striking The New Licensing Act. —The new Licensing Act came into force to-day. To-night all licensed houses within the Borough will shut at 10 o’clock, instead of 11, as heretofore, and the lamps over the principal entrances to each hotel will, from this date, burn throughout the night. Cry, Susan, Cry. —“O, Ma, I am so cold from the want of some clothes that would keep me warm.” “I am sorry, my dearest one, to hear you say so ; but, dearest, papa had only two days work this week, and your mamma can’t afford to buy new clothes.” “Ma ! little Susan told me that Mrs Hodge, who has baby’s clothes, sells what would keep me warm and good tempered awfully cheap. Dear mamma, just let you and me go and see the cheap things at Mrs Hodge’s dressmaksr’s shop, Tancred street.”—[Advt.] New Music. —We have received from the publisher, F. W. Helmick, of Qincinnati, Ohio, a new comic song, entitled “ Oscar Dear.” The music is very simple, and the air and words decidedly peculiar though decidedly American. Oscar Wilde, the now in America, is of course caricatured severely, and on the frontispiece is an amusing cartoon, showing the Hsithete in full “tig.” From the same publisher we received the “Verdict March.” On the title-page are chioi|io : lithographs of the judges and jury who tried Guiteau, the murderer of President Garfield. j Te Whiti and Tonu.—We learn from a special cablegram to the Melbourne Age that, in reply to a question addressed!to the Government in the House of Commons, the Hon. Evelyn Ashley, Under Secretary for the Colonies, has stated that it is not the intention of the Imperial Government to interfere with the native policy pursued by the Hall Ministry in New” Zealand. They have no intention of intervening in favor* of Te Whiti, the Maori prophet, who was arrested some months ago, and has been since kept in confinement without being brought to trial. Ashburton Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Society - —At a meeting of the above last night it was decided to provide pens for exhibition purposes. Several prizes were offered, including a silver cup, which it was resolved to award to the largest prize-taker in all classes residing within the Ashburton county. The secretary was instructed to make the necessary arrangements for advertising. Messrs Cookson and Silcock were appointed members of committee, in place of members resigned. After the transaction of some minor business the meeting adjourned to Friday next. 1.0.0. F. ,M.U, —The half-yearly meeting of the South Rakaia Lodge was held last evening in the Lodge-room, South Rakaia. Bro. Dunn presided. After the usual routine business was transacted, and one member iniiiated, the following officers were duly installed by the Installing Master, P. G. Bro. Joshua Tucker, the retiring G.M., and assisted by Bros. P.G. Reid and N.G Maynard, of the Loyal Ashburton Lodge, who acted as conductors, viz.G.M. Bro Dunn; N.G., Bro. Rowse; V.G., Bro. Wilkinson; E.S., Bro. Black; P.S., Bro. C. Tucker; the remaining minor offices being filled with energetic members^of -the Order. G.M. Bro. Dunn, on behalf of the Lodge, presented P.G,'Bro. J. Tucker with a chaste (and elegant gold locket, as a token of esteem and respect, and for his valuable services rendered in. organising the South Rakaia Lodge. 'The very Satisfactory position of thiaLt&lge at the present time speaks volumes for its management during tho past nine months of its existence. We believe it to be the only Lodge in the colony that can boast of a credit balance in favor of the management fund and a freehold section, without making a levy of any sort. The motto of the South Rakaia Lodge is evidently to secure the greatest benefit at the least possible cost to individual members. We hope they may prosper. Political Gossip. —Says the special correspondent of the Press, wiring from Wellington last night : —Among the first business of the Legislative Council at its noxtsitting will come up the followingquostion, of which notice has been given by Sir G. Whitmore :—“ Whether the Government propose to adopt the report and carry out the recommendations of the Board of Officers appointed to enquire into the Volunteer organization of the colony, and whether it is proposed to afford the Council an opportunity to consider that report, and, if so, when.” The same gentleman will ask for the Secretary of State’s despatch to the Government which led to the sinking fund on the LBOO.OOO of Imperial guaranteed doben tures being increased, as mentioned by Major Atkinson in his financial statement. The question of our colonial defences is exciting fresh interest in view of the recent menacing news from Home, and the subject is to be brought up in the L 'gislative Council next week. The Hon. Mr Chamberlain has given notice that he will ask the Government — l. If the Government are in possession of any torpedoes for defensive purposes. 2 Have they taken measures to form or encourage any torpedo services, and if not have they any intention of doing so, and when. 3. Will they inform the Council as early as possible what measures have been or are about to be taken to prevent any possible ra'd being made by any privateers upon the towns of the colony.

Otago Hunt Club. —The Otago Hunt Club have fixed the 9th Sept, as the date of their race meeting.

The Dunedin Fish Poachers. —At the City Court, Dunedin, yesterday, Henry Birch and S. George were each fined 50s and costs, for catching salmon trout in the Water of Leith. Commit ted. —The Auckland Bench was occupied all day yesterday with the case of James Watson, charged with indecent

assault. The accused was committed for trial,- bail In the sum of L4OO being accepted.

Dunedin Benevolent Asylum Enquiry. —At the Dunedin Benevolent Asylum enquiry yesterday the evidence was entirely in favor of the management. Scott, who attended on “Black Jack,” deposed that every attention had been given, and “ Black Jack ” had expressed thanks for the attention paid to him Thanks. —Mr Harris, master of the Old Men’s Home, desires to return his hearty thanks to the ladies and gentlemen who attended the St. Stephen’s Church tea meeting on Thursday evening, and so liberally purchased the good things which they afterwards sent as a donation to the inmates of the Home.

Unclaimed Letters. —The following is a list of letters received at the Ashburton Post Office from places beyond the colony during the month of May, and remaining unclaimed on Ist July : —Ball, George; Clark, Thomas ; Doherty, F.; Muckle, Hugh; VToynihan, Maurice ; M’Cormack, John; Stewart, James; Travers, Mick ; Whitelaw, P.

The Principal Support of the District. — A good story has just reached our ears. A schoolmaster resident in o, little bit of a township, situate within the Ashburton County, was the other day required by his “ Board ” to furnish to it a report, which included the following question: —“ What is the principal support of your district?” —to which the pedagogue replied, “Bad Harvests.”

Wanted, a Divorce. —Application was made recently to the Registrar of Births, Deaths, and Marriages for the district of Wanganui, says a local paper, for a divorce by a man who had been married by the registrar some time previously. The applicant was very anxious, and pressed his suit with great earnestness, and was wofully disappointed that the registrar, who was equal to the task of uniting him to his life-partner, was not also equal to the granting of a dissolution of the partnership. Feats of Strength. —The Taranaki Herald relates that, on a recent Saturday evening, an accident happened to Mr Begley in a very singular manner. He was engaged with Mr J. Hoskins in atrial of strength—their elbows resting on a table, and they had hold of each other’s hands, trying whicli had the' most powerful muscular action. Mr Begley’s arm suddenly broke above the elbow, with the unusually heavy strain. Dr Leatham was sent for, and at once set the fractured limb, and we are glad to state that Mr Begley is now progressing favorably.

Why he Differed. —It is gratifying to know (says the Wanganui Herald) that Mr Green is losing a good deal of his sweet simplicity and modesty, and is commencing to learn the ways of the worldly. On Saturday ho succeeded in running two Maori members into the end of a blind passage in the Parliamentary buildings, and kept them there until he had thoroughly explained the principle of his Bill. It is sad to think, however, that one of the noble savages refused to give his support to the principle of eight hours’ labor. In replying to Mr Green, he spoke tersely and to the point, merely remarkin'*, “No fear. Two hours’ weak quite enough !”

The Electric Light at Auckland.— Messrs Porter and Co. have offered six li"ht Brush electric machines, 12,000 candle power, and Messrs Oppenheimer and Co. one of 4,000 candle power, to the Auckland City Council. The offers were referred to the financial committee. Councillor Aicken moved that a copy of Mr Kelly’s Electric Lighting Bill in the Assembly be procured without delay, and a telegram be despatched to the city members, requesting them to look after the corporation’s interests in respect to the Kill, and to oppose any concessions which may have the effect of establishing a monopoly. Councillor Goldie, in seconding the motion, said the Council ought to have a copy of Mr Kelly’s Bill, even if it were only just to see what were the powers sought for. The motion was carried unanimously. Novel Method of Pushing Business. —Recently a great crowd assembled in front of a shop above Montague’s Fancy Bazaar, says the Auckland Herald, and as many as possible forced their way into the premises. A report got about that someone had been run over by a cab, and had been taken in for treatment. Another version was that a man had been up at the Lome street Hall, heaving Professor Denton’s scientific description of “ The Fiery Beginning of our Planet,” and was being carried home on a shutter. Neither report proved to be correct, and an investigation showed that the whole affair was only the ingenius device of an astute tradesman, as the night was dull and wet, to get rid of his Yankee notions. He was swallowing eggs, thirteen to the dozen, behind his counter, and bringing them out safe and sound at the apple of his throat, to the delight and astonishment of his inside customers, as well as of the gaping crowd peering in the shop window from the outside. This is one way nf pushing business, but rather a novel one in the way of shop-keeping in Queen street. The shop-keeper explained that he could not afford to demolish the eggs he swallowed, as “ eggs were eggs” these times'.

Manitoba in Winter. —A private letter received from Manitoba says : —“ You have the advantage of us altogether in the winter. Here at the present time we have three feet of snow on the flat, and it ia drifted fearfully around all the buildings, stacks, fences, and timber to twenty feet deep. All the railway trains have been blocked very badly. There is no railway station within twenty-five miles of where I am living at the present time, but there are six lines and branches in course of construction, and one or two of them will go within five miles of my farm. I see that land has gone up with you in New Zealand a great deal since I left. Wheat in my locality averages about thirty five bushels to the acre ; oats, fifty bushels. Vegetables are very dear, as there is such a large inflvx of immigrants. Manitoba ia too cold in winter, and the summer season is too short to got crops off in the fall. I have lost nearly all my crops every year so far ; so that I have lost by the change in deserting New Zealand—that is in regard to farming. The land is, however, rapidly rising in value, and if I can hold it a few months longer, I shall be entitled to my Crown grant, and shall then sell out. I had four acres of barley this year—a good crop. _ The rain came, however, the night after it was cut, and it rained and snowed every day for two weeks after. At last I shovelled a foot of snow off it, and drew it into a stack. It heated, of course, and was only fit for pig-feed. My potatoes got the wet rot, and I lost 309 busies of them again this year. Our summer is very short, and we cannot do any ploughing until the Ist of May, and frost stops ploughing quite after October. We have just had two months of fearful weather (March and April), and I am q'uite tired of the place.” These remarks by an old settler can bo taken as almost absolutely true, and should tend to make New Zealand farmers more satisfied with their lot. Manitoba ia described by American papers, and also English journals of repute, as a perfect paradise.

Tendeus. — The South Rakaia Road Hoard invites tenders for re-forming and repairing road. LO,L. The usual monthly meeting of the members of the L.0.L., Star of Ashburton, will be held on Thursday, July 6 th.

A Young Lady Student.— Mias Lizzie Brown, of the Girls’ High School, Auckland, daughter of the Rev. Geo. Brown, missionary, yesterday matriculated at the Sydney University, winning a scholarship of LSO. This is the first time the Sydney University was opened to ladies.

Washed Up by the Sea.— A rudder of a vessel, some planks, and a piece of board bearing the letters “N,Z. S, Co. upon it, have been found upon the beach between Motonau and Stonyhnrst. Some tallow in casks has also been washed up. The matter has been reported to the Isew Zealand Shipping Company, but they are at a loss to account for the wreckage, as the Gareloch and the Brilliant were the last ships the company despatched for London that had tallow on board, and neither of those vessels would, as they were chartered ships, be likely to have a boat bearing N.Z. S.C. upon it.