BLACK’S CEMETERY AND SCHOOL.

Dunstan Times, Issue 906, 29 August 1879, Page 3

BLACK’S CEMETERY AND SCHOOL.

(TO TIIK EDITOR OF TUB DUNSTAS TIME*.) Sir : —1 see by your contemporary—the Tuapeka Times, of the 9th instant—a letter from “ our own correspondent,” where in he comments on our Cemetery and School. I have not the slightest doubt that “ our own’s ” motives personally are laudable, and his kindly hints may possibly do good, but “ our own ” should take eircumstances into consideration before blaming the Managers of the Cemetery for not keeping the fences in good repair. The drawbacks, which “our own” seems not to be aware of, are twofold ; namely— Funds required to pay the necessary labor, and the weather—and even if funds had been available, the repairs could not have been effected, on account of the frost. If “ our own ” 4 would kindly put us in passession of a plan whereby we might raise the funds to repair the fencer, &c., the Trustees I believe would admit, their being under a life-long obligation to him, 'as they have tried every means, hut in vain, to raise the wind, and even at the present time they arc not in possession of the necessary funds to undertake the work required to he done. Our district is a very healthy one, and as we have no deaths to speak of, onr source of revenue is very limited. Philautrophy is at a low ebb I fear hereabouts, and those who have no friends interred in the Cemetery, cannot.be persuaded to fish-up half-sovereigns, or even half-crowns, to enclose the remains of their departed fellow cieaturcs. Experience teaches that, non-contributors clamour the loudest, and that the even-handed and openhearted charity—though a scarce commodity in our midst—is nevertheless present, and we hope to ho enabled shortly to testify to the fact. As to the unhappy state of our school and the deficiency in its attendance, if “ our own ” took the trouble to call during school hours, or even after, I believe he would find our teacher courteous and willing to let him examine the register, and be would there see that we can compare favourably with any school on the goldfields. “Onr own” would then he posted up in the numbers actually on the roll, as well as the attendance, which stands thus : First, quarter, on the roll, 37 ; average atI tendance, 23 ; second quarter, 44 ; average , attendance, 31 ; third quarter, 41 ; average attendance, 27 ; fourth quarter, 50 ; average attendance, 33 ; making a total on the roll for 12 months past, 172, and attendance 119. This proves our present teacher to have succeeded well in securing attendance, Of course parents who prefer keeping their children at home for the sake of an hour or two’s work is the real cause of the numbers on the roll of any school register showing a low average attendance. I would remind School Committees that they have a compulsory clause, which they can and should use, “Our own” seems not to

have considered the scarcity of teachers ; nor has he the many dodges resorted to to procure one. The number of children on petitions presented to the Education Board are often only on paper, as many teachers find when they accept an up-country appointment. And very many Committees do not exert themselves in the matter of salary of a first-class teacher when they get him. What then is the result ? Not one out of ten give satisfaction, and why ? Because they are themselves dissatisfied with the treatment they receive. I have not the slightest hesitation in saying that, before the late Mr Graham and our present teacher, none gave satisfaction, nor bad they the ability of imparting knowledge to the youngsters, yet, some of them held first-class testimonials from the Education Board. 1 assert that there are many men, not classified as now required, who have the knowledge and ability to impart the same to children better than many “ professors,” with a cart load of tails to their names. Personally I admire “ our own,” for like him, avere I of opinion that the young were not taught properly, I would consider it a duty to procure the best teachers possible, but half school and half attendance, with the present cry of Denominationalism, is not the way to obtain the same. In my opinion children should he educated even in a Mahomedan school • —if none other be available, and if they are not able to earn their own livelihood hereafter, it will not be the fault of their parents, on the score of schooling. Whilst they are young it is also the parent’s duty to instruct them in their belief in God ; take them to church, and at home show them the example ol a true Christian. The clergyman only comes in after the parents in religious instruction, many of whom of all denominations get a better living than the most of us and our uneducated children, who have to work for their living six days a week, and have not time to pamper the flesh, and grow fat in hypocrisy.— Yours, tea., -Bachelor. Blacks, August 270h, 1579.