THE Evening Star. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1869.

Evening Star, Volume VII, Issue 2020, 26 October 1869, Page 2

THE Evening Star. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 1869.

The meeting of the Commissioners appointed to inquire into the arrangements required for the more efficient working of the High School will be looked forward to with interest. It will be remembered that during the last session of the Provincial Council the subject was remitted to a select committee to be enquired into, and they reported that the High School buildings were not only in a very delapidated condition, but that the internal arrangements were quite unsuited to the purpose for which they were designed. The question was then considered whether a new site should be procured or whether it would be more advisable to erect new buildings on the

present site. The Council being unable to arrive at a conclusion on that subject, it was finally resolved to make it one of special enquiry during the recess. It is not very clear whether the committee of the Provincial Council rveie of opinion that boys and girls should be taught the same lessons at the same time, when they said, “ for a sum of less than L 3,000 ample suitable accommodation could be provided tor a “ boys’ and girls’ seminary as well as a “ rector’s residence. Your Committee “ are induced strongly to recommend “ the carrying out of this plan, as the “ present number of teachers could, “ with the addition of a lady superin- “ tendent, overtake the teaching of “ both boys and girls.” If it were not contemplated in this recommendation that the teaching should bo simultaneous, it follows that very great additional work would be thrown upon the present teachers: if it were, through the character of the education expected to be given to boys, girls would not only have to keep pace with them in their studies, but have the additional severe labor of acquiring those arts that belong peculiarly to the province of women. It is a sign for the better in the present age that women are cultivating the same classes of knowledge that have hitherto been thought peculiarly the privilege of men. Many studies at school to which youth are expected to apply, prove to be of no practical use in after life. Many a thousand men who were expert geometricians or mathematicians in their school days, have never afterwards the slightest opportuuity of putting their attainments to practical use. Many a thousand who could write Latin verses by the yard, never find further use for their linguistic lore than in _ the command it gives them over their mother tongue, or the readiness of apprehending the meaning and application of some classic quotation. Education does not consist so much in the actual amount of knowledge acquired, as.in the training of the mind to those habits that give it the power to acquire. What are wanted are,—capability of earnest patient investigation, power of application, habits of discrimination, clearness of reason, soundness of judgment, strength of memory. The study of the sciences necessarily fosters and develops these mental qualities ; but it by no means follows that girls, who will never be required to apply knowledge to the necessities of after-life, shall devote so much time to the development of each branch, that is required to fit youth for the business of life. It is necessary now-a-days even to discriminate in the education of boys. That general, and consequently, to a great extent, superficial education that was sufficient formerly to enable a lad to apply himself with some hope of success to any branch of art or science that accident or circumstances impelled him towards, is not now enough to give him the prospect of success, in an age where every branch of human knowledge is probed to its utmost depths. Perhaps one of the most difficult tasks that a parent or a teacher lias to solve, is what will best suit the peculiar bent of a lad’s mind. Since none, can possibly shine in every department of science, education is becoming a speciality. While that general knowledge is required, that is necessary to guard against gross mistakes, special preparation is needed for success in any particular department. The world of science is becoming like that of art, and a division of labor is not only a necessity but has actually taken place. While the geologist may bo able to group the constellations, as he gazes upward, at niglvfc, lie accepts, on the faith of astronomical labors, the record of the changes in position of the heavenly bodies, and the account that is given him of observed phenomena. On the other band, the astronomer, too intently absorbed in observation of the heavens to give time to the investigation of bygone changes in our own planet, receives as true the facts observed of the different strata and their contents. The chemist in bis searching analyses of the constituents of matter is content to leave to others an investigation and development of the laws of motion and mechanics. Even social science and politics though so intimately related lane each their specialties. It is true that to a great extent the same habits of mind that are necessary to success in one department may be brought into play in every other, and to the extent of the acquirement of those habits, the education of boys and girls must.be identical. But here they may safely part company, and consequently were there no other objections to educating boys and girls together in (the High .School, the difference of the degree of education necessary becomes a serious one. One would prove to a groat extent a drag upon the other, or be subjected to au amount of labor not warranted by after life requirements. Of course we cannot anticipate the repor t of tire Commissioners, but the subject is too deeply important for u$ to remain silent upon. It is

one on which the public should be prepared to pronounce an opinion, for it is intimately connected with present requirements and future progress.

Moris Saxby Days. —-Mr Saxby, in an able and moderate letter in the London Standard, warns us of probable high tides and heavy rains on the first days of November.

Port Charmers Town Council.— A regular meeting of tin Council was hold at the Town Hall, Port Chalmers, Last evening. There were present, Ins Worship the Mayor, Councillors Forme, O’Douoghue, Ennis, Dods m, and M‘Kinnon. Councillor Miller forwarded an apology for his nonattendance, which was accepted. The minutes of the last regular and a special meeting wore read and confirmed. The outward corrc-pondcncc was also read. Annul cst them were letters addressed to the .Da'dn Timer, and En-nimj Star newspapers, requesting information as to charges for advertisements. A reply from the latter office, submitting a scale of charges, was received. A letter from Mr M'Lcod, enclosing a plan and estimates of cost of the supply of water to the Port, was forwarded by Councillor Miller, who wrote ivc- mmeudingthe scheme, hut as there was no signature to the letter it could not ho received. Mr J. H. Harris wrote, informing the Council of the result of the taxation of Mr Mansford’a hill of costs, hi re the action Crawshaw and another v. the Corporation of Port Chalmers. The amount of the original chum was LI.'IS 7s 2d ; the taxing-master struck off LS.'t Ids (id, from which had to he deducted the cost of taxing, to be paid by Mr Mansford, L 8 17s 2d ; being a balance due to Mr Mansford of L 45 IGs Oil. It was resolved that a cheque for the latter amount he forwarded to Mr Harris for the purpose of settling the bill, and Mr Harris was instructed to watch the case when the ride niri for a new trial came on for argument. — An account of L 8 Os 8d from Mr Mansford, for preparing a lease, was, on the motion of Mr Dodson, ordered to he paid.—A tender was received was Mr E. Lock, for the lease of half of section 109, at LG per annum. Alter some discussion the tender was accepted. The s-tmc person offered 1.3 per annum for the lease of section 333, and Mr F, Sheriff off-red L 3 10s per annum for section ISI ; both tenders were accepted.—The following accounts were passed for payment: —Morris, [dayman, one month’s salary, LO ; Mr M'Lcod, L2 2s ; day laborer, L 8 2s (Id.—The Council then adjourned for a fortnight.

Captain C. Gr. BuiUl, an old colonist, will deliver a lecture in St. George’s Kail, on I'riday evening, on “ Life among the Maoris, or New Zealand in the olden time. We would ;ig;du remind theatregoers that Mr J. J. Bartlett takes a farewell benefit at the Princess Theatre this evening, when the comedies of London Assurance and '■ The Jealous Wife ” will be played.

We are requested to call attention to an advcitiscur.lit in our columns, requesting gentlemen taking part in “ i’be Grand Duchess of Gerolsteiu,” to meet at BcgTs Music Saloon, at 7. JO this evening. A full attendance is requested.

W k have received a copy of the Illustrated Hem Zealand Herald for October. It contains a large number of interesting views, including an excellent likeness of the late Hon. J. P. Fawkner, portraits of Tito Kowaru and other Maori chiefs, and the scene of the Wairau massacre.