HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1779, 18 June 1913, Page 4

HUTT AND PETONE NEWS.

(Prom Our Special Corrcapondsnt.) * — CANON GARLAND'S CAMPAIGN.

At the Anglican Schoolroom, Lower Hutt, last night, Canon Garland addressed a very larga audience, hia subject being: "Tho Bible-in-Schools." The Kov. J. ll'C'aw opened the ( meeting and briefly introduced! the spealiler stating that he was pleased, as president of the Bible-iii-Schoolb Lcagus at Lower Hutt, to introduce Canon Garland. The Loan lie was doubtful if the people of the Hutt were sufficiently interested to attend such a meeting, but it was very inspirating to 6eo sucn a largo uttendanoe. Canon Garland', who was received with applause, stated at tho .outset that tho subject jvas important as it all'ected every child in the Dominion, and therefore affectcd the people as well. People who neglected the education of children in every particular failed in their duty as parents. As time went on it was realised more and more that, every child needed an education whiclr would be more complete than one which was merely secular and embodied only a certain development of mental power. There was a time when the child was not educated physically, but we had learned that children xuust be educated both, mentally and' physically. Then what about tho spiritual side of the question? The child, however well educated in thoss respects, was deficient if it had not been educated spiritually. The State thought that "twice t mado i" was more important than that there is a God. Under present conditions tho child was taken from its parents and put under tho control of the State for tho best part of the day. Tho State said that during that time the child should finish the work it had started. His League firmly supported tho Stato school system. But what they claimed was that it could bo improved. In 1877 there was a Bill before Parliament which contained a clause providing for religious instruction, but the clause was struck out-without consulting the people. The speaker then outlined the appeal of the- League. He would oslc them to put away all prejudices and look at facts. The same system had worked smoothly in some countries for nearly 50 years. It had worked in New South Wales since 1866 and in Tasmania since 1868. In Norfolk Island tho denominational schools disappeared upon the introduction of the New South Wafea system. Canon- Garland then dealt with the question from tho teachers' standpoint, Ho claimed that teachers who had onco thought that it would be troublesome, now stated that it worked smoothly and well. Ministers of Education, and Under-Secretaries in Australia were loud In their praise, and school inspectors also spoko well of it. Ho would admit that complaints had been made by teachers, but perhaps they would bo surprised to hear that they complained that the ministers of religion did not pay enough fisits to tho schools. (Laughter.) Briefly, tho scheme was: Bible instruction in school hours by the teachers, and ministers to be allowed the right of entry to teach those who wished the faith of their fathers to be maintained.

Canon Garland was accorded a hearty voto of thanks.

UPPER HUTT TOWN BOARD. Tho fortnightly meeting of the Upper Hutt Town Board was held on Monday evening. Present: Commissioners Webb (chairman), Benge, Bennington, Edwards, Kemp, Quinn, and Robertson. In regard to a complaint that owners of land adjoining Wakatike Road (at present a map road only) had not, as notified, removed fence obstructions, it was decided to renew the application to have tho same romoved within sixty days. Plans and specifications as submitted by Messrs. Seaton and Sladden for improvement to tho main road: opposite tho post office and tho contemplated footpath of fifty chains from Trentham Hotel to Town Board Boundary, opposite St. John's Church, were received. It was decided to call for tenders immediately in connec. tion with this work, omitting tho concrete channelling portion as being prematura and cxpensivo, in view of the limited allowance for new works generally. Owing to delay in getting the Hutt County's permission to lay water mains across the present wooden, structure at Akatarawa, it was decided to ask the board's engineer (Mr. G. Laing-Meason) to submit plans, specifications, and estimates of the cost of constructing a pipe bridge in the vicinity and the alternative cost (if thej country will submit) of an adjoining structure for the purpose on the down side of tho present Akatarawa .traffic bridge. Further, that Mr. Joseph Dawson, of Hukanui, bridge architect, be invited to visit the locality, report on the matter, and prepare plans, specifications, and estimates. Commissioner Robertson moved: "That the board' take the necessary steps to fill the position of clerk to the board." (Carried,) The rood foreman reported good progress with metalling and general road maintenance works; a sum of .£6O has been spent during the past few weeks.