Untitled

Evening Star, Volume IX, Issue 2679, 18 September 1871, Page 2

The Chinese Agitation.—We are informed that a petition originating from tho Arrow District Miners’ Association to the General Assembly, praying that steps may be taken for preventing the gr at influx of Chinese to the Goldfields of Otago, is in course of signature in Dunediu.

Supreme Court. —It will be seen by our law report in another column that the prosecution for libel against Alex. M'Leod has been abandoned, a satisfactory apology having been tended to Mr Driver. '1 he civil sessions commence to-morrow with the trial of the case of Larnach and another (trustees in 15. M'Glashan’s estate) v. Bird—a new trial of a case heard last term. Death op a Maori Prisoner. — Tamati Te Ponewhakaruru, aged (53, widower, died in the hospital this morning at 3 o’clock. Deceased was under a sentence of 7 years, penal servitude, for high treason in the North Island. This day, at noon, an inquest was hold at the hospital by Doctor Hockcn, coroner, when, after hearing the evidence of Mr Caldwell, governor of the gaol, and Doctor Yates, resident surgeon, the jury returned a verdict of died of consumption. Deceased was a Wesleyan and belonged to the Ngataruinui tribe. Princess Theatre The Comedy and Burlesque Company were received on Saturday by a very good house, which no doubt induced them to give another performance rhis evening. To-morrow Air Thornton, the scenic artist, will take a benefit, on which occasion his daughter, “La pctilu Amy" will make her appearance in comedy, burlesque, and dance. Besides being a painstaking artist, Mr Thornton, has a speciality for stage Frenchman, of which he will give the public a touch of Ids quality tomorrow.

Saturday Evening Concerts. — There was a good attendance at the concert held last Saturday evening in the Hall of the Congregational Church, .Moray-place. Aliss Lack presided at the piano, and the even ing’s entertainment, consisting of songs, recitations. and instrumental music, pleased the audience, and several of the singers were deservedly encored. A dialogue “the drunkard’s plea,” was very nicely given by Alessrs Nicol and Lambert, Miss Lac'-', and Master Parker’s “ Tan Credie” was well executed. The chairman, before dosing the concert, informed the members of the “ Abstainer’s i nion ” that a gentlcm -u present had presented the committee with one pound towards paying any expenses they might be put to in getting up Saturday evening concerts. He (the chairman) hoped that those who wished the concerts to bo a success, would supplement the sum already given. The singing of the National Anthem closed an evening well and pleasantly sprout.

SciIOOLMASTBKS’ ASSOCIATION.—One of the most num rously attended meetings of the Otago Schoolmasters Association, which has be-n held for some time, took place on Saturday last in the Old Provincial Council Library. After a considerable amount of discussion, the following resolutions in reference to the new Education Bill, were unanimously agreed to.—l. That this association, while strongly in favor of a Colonial system of education, and approving generally of the 15 location Act, is of opinion that the system of denominational schools, sought to be introduced under the provisions of the Aided Schools 01 uses, is highly objectionable, and calculated, in the course of time, to affect very injuriously, if not to entirely subvert the system of national education which forms the main feature of the Act. 2. That all teachers should be classified aaeording to their r- spective attainments, experience, and success in teaching ; and that the amount of salary paid to such teacher should be determined by such classification. 3. That demon 1 ary education shou’d be free and compulsory. 4. Til it this Association is of opinion that, it fees are charged, the General Board for the district should fix a minimum fee, the whole of which shall be pai I to the teacher or teachers ; local committees having the power to levy an additional fee for other purposes as they may sec fit. 5. That in all cases head-masters, being held responsible for the cifieieney of their schools, should have the selection of their assistants previous to their appointment by the Proyincal Boards, as the case may be, 6. That as the payment by results system has been tried and found unsatisfactory in many respects, particularly in lowering the quality of elementary education, any scheme embracing such a system could not be appro ved of by this Association. 7. That public schoolmasters should have one member elected by themselves to represent their interests at the meetings of the Education Board. Should no steamer be going North before the end of the week, the secretary was instructed to send the resolutions to Wellington by telegraph.

We have been requested to announce that a bazaar for the purpose of reducing the debt ou All Saints Church, will be held during the first week of October.