The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1907.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2024, 8 March 1907, Page 2

The Gisborne Times PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 1907.

From the honorary Secretary of the Bible-in-Schools League, Wellington, we have received an interesting circular purporting to disclose the late Professor T. H. Huxley’s views on the bible in schools question as extracted from his essay on “School Boards” published, in the Contemporary Review, and urging upon school committees and parents to discuss the question “as a classic and its moral teachings” and to “form Leagues to co-operate with the Wellington Branch.” Until this circular came to hand we had cherished the notion that the League itself was defunct, and we cannot conscientiously greet this evidence of its survival with anything like pleasurable enthusiasm for the, reason that its efforts are calculated to destroy the national character of our educational system, and the means that could bring about that end is not one that, in the opinion of a vast majority of genuinely religious people, ought to bo encouraged. Professor Huxley, being an openly avowed agnostic, is largely quoted in the circular to show that even lie, who was supposed to be an opponent of the bible itself, was in favor of biblo teaching in public schools, and that supposition is advanced by the League as an argument in favor of its introduction in this colony. Now it is as well that there should be no misunderstanding upon that point, and it may be said at once that the fact that the late Prof. Huxley was an agnostic (it was ho who coined the word) does not necessarily constitute him an opponent of the bible. As a matter of fact there was no greater admirer of the sublime truths of the biblo than was that renowned scientist; but he did not believe that Jonah lived three days in a whale’s stomach, or that this globo was surrounded by a flood. Tie, in fact, looked upon the bible in a somewhat similar way to that in which it is regarded by what is known as the “higher criticism.” Other very good people do believe those stories implicitly, and in a country professing to be free each and every one of them are entitled to hold whatever beliefs they choose, and so are their opponents, in each case without force or oppression to give them up. li‘ therefore, we have no right to interfere with other people’s religious opinions (and that point will hardly bo disputed), we have . equally no right to interfere with other people’s children’s opinions, and that lands us in the inextricable difficulty of knowing how to teach the bible to, children in the schools without classifying them according to the denominations to which they happen to belong and finding denominational teachers according to each denomination. The thing is impracticable if not wholly impossible without reducing our national system to a purely denominational one, and that is just what few people desire. Professor Huxley recognised this difficulty when he pointed out the necessity to “eliminate, as a sensible lay teacher would do, all that is not desirable for children to occupy themselves with,” “and there still remains,” he says, “in this old literaturo a vast residuum of moral beauty and grandeur.” Now all, or nearly all, are agreed that to instil some part of that “moral beauty and grandeur” into the minds of children is most desirable ; but where is the “sensible lay teacher” to be found who has not prejudged the importance of some sectarian notion or dogma, and who would not wish to instil that notion into the pupils’

minds in opposition to the wishes of at least some of the parents ? The whole points of difference would be how much should bo eliminated and in what way the “residuum” was presented to tho youthful minds, and upon theso points we linvo never yet heard of anything approaching unanimous agreement. Until wo can arrive at unanimity it will be worse than,,futile to attempt any scheme of Bible touching in the public schools evon though all the professors in Christendom were to advocate it, for its only effect would be to convert our national system into ono of pure denominational ism, the natural sequence of which would bo State-subsidised sectarian schools. Whoever desires to bring about that state of things will join the Biblo-in-sohools Leaguo and endeavour to discuss tho question “as a classic,” whatever that may moan: But before discussing the question in any other sense it is incumbent upon the few who omposo tho Leaguo to show how tho matter can be treated in a way that would moot with tho approval of tho Anglican and tho Cliristadelphian, tho Roman Catholic and the Lattorday Saint, the Presbyterian and the Jew, tho AA’esloyan and tho Agnostic, tho Lutheran and the Unitarian; and until that can ho shown it is nsoless to proceed further with tho aims which tho League has in view, for all and every ono of those denominations, and all tho others as well, are entitled to have their beliefs respected and tlioso of thoir children.

Throe “drunks” will bo dealt with at tho Polico Court this morning.

The City Band muster at tho band room at 7.15 o’clock this evening to assist at Mr. Massey’s concert.

Tho box plan for Mr. A. J. Massoy’s concert to-night is open at Mr. Miller’s, where day sales take place.

Sergeant Williams, of the Polico force, is making satisfactory progress towards recovery, though he is still confined to his bed.

Tho sale at the Trocadero Dining Rooms will bo continued at 2 o’clock this afternoon.

A striking example of what) can be dono by careful cultivation comes to us from AVacrenga-a-liika, in the shape of a splendid sample of Spanish onion, grown by Mr AA’. Brown. Three onions, taken without any particular selection from the crop, turn the scales at 51 pounds.

A good programme has been arranged for, the farewell concert to Mr. A. J. Massoy, to be hold in His Majesty’s Theatre this evening. The admission to the ' whole of the floor of the theatre will be ono shilling, and seats in the dress circle can be reserved at Mr. Miller’s. The City Band is to assist at the concert.

Dilating on the' necessity for girls learning cooking at tho Technical School last evening, Mr. DeLautour said that it took a Frenchman to teach the English how to cook in the Crimea, and even now all menus were printed in French —“and you have to take your chance as to whether or not you get what you want,” he concluded.

A sitting of the S.M. Court was held yesterday morning, before Messrs Akroyd and Clayton, J.P.s, Judgment was given by default in Common, Shelton and Co. (Mistook) v. Jos. Mulligan, claim .LG 16s 2d, costs £1 13s 6d, and Robert Carlile (Mr Sievwright) v. Chas. E. Davies, claim £2, costs 15s. Two judgment sumonses cases were adjourned for a fortnight.

For Mr. Jas. McKee’s new building the following tenders were received:—John East £3684, Geo. Smith £3686, Mackrell and Colley £3799, J. Pheathean £3850, AA’. AA’ebb and Son £3862, Clayton £4OOO, O. B. Hubble £4200, J. H. Colebourne (Auckland) £4255, Jas. Lye and Sons (Auckland) £4319, Black Bros. £4469, Mr. Geo. Smith’s tender was aoccpted.

A disgraceful sight w-as witnessed yesterday morning in the main street, a venerable Maori dame , being seen staggering about under the influence of liquor. In view- of tho fact that the Legislature has made special provision for the protection of Maori women, there seems a pressing call for tho invest'gation of tho case just mentioned, especially as tho street was crow-dcd at the time.

At Tolaga Bay yesterday Kuhukuhu and Powdrill, charged with having uttered a forged cheque for £97 14s in Mr. G. M/. Reynolds’ name to Mrs. Ollivicr, wore dealt with by MiBarton, S.M. After, tho evidence had been heard the Maori pleaded guilty and was committed for sentence. Powdrcll pleading not guilty was committed to tho Supreme Court tor trial. Detective Maddern received advice of the proceedings by telegram yesterday.

A pony caused a slight diversion in Gladstone road yesterday afternoon. Ho had been left standing in the road at the corner of Lowe street, and w-as soon to start walking towards the bridge. After going a few yards be set off at his best pace, and the crowd in the street' stood and waited to see a sensational accident; but tho pony did not gratify tho crowd —he bolted only as far as tho horse-trough at the bridge, where ho stopped to have a drink, submitting quietly after that to being recaptured by his owner.

The business at the S.M. Court was delayed for about ten minutes yesterday morning owing to the non-arrival of Justices. Some system should be devised of having these gentlemen notified in good time' as to when their services are required, as it 'is 'annoying to counsel, litigants, , and .others whoso business takes them into court to have to sit idly . about waiting for proceedings to commence. The delay yesterday morning was not very serious, but under the present system it appears possible that a delay of half an hour might occur. The annual meeting of the trustees of the - Makaraka cemetery was held on. Tuesday. Present: Messrs It. J. Reynolds, (in the chair), C. Gray, and J. AV. Bright. The balance sheet (which was adopted) showed that the receipts from all sources for the year were £ISG 19s Gd and the expenditure £142 16s 3d, the balance of cash in hand being £2SS 11s lid. During the year 104 burials took place and 27 plots were purchased, H was resolved to give the sexton a bonus of £25, payable in two half-yearly instalments, on condition that the grounds are well kept during the coming year.

A meeting of the local branch of the H.A.C.B.S. (St. Patrick’s 373) was held last evening for the purpose of selecting a delegate to represent the lodge at the triennial meeting to be. held in Auckland on March 13tli, and to decide which remits to support. Mr M. O’Halloran (secretary) was chosen as delegate. It was resolved that the "delegate should strongly support the proposal to shift the District Chambers from Auckland to Wellington. He will also support a proposal that in the event of a member of '• a branch dying all branches should strike a Ivy of 3d per member, which should be paid to deceased’s family in addition to the £2O already paid in.

GISBORNE DEBATING SOCIETY. OPENING CONCERT. The Gisborne Debating (Society celebrated its nativity by a concert and conversazione in the MasonicHall, Childors Road, last night when tho hull was comfortably filled with and their friends, a big majority of whom wore ladies. The programme, which was got up by Mrs (Dr) Collins at tho request of tho Society was one of tho best submitted to a Gisborne audience by local amateurs, and it included some fresh voices that are quite an acquisition to tho town, notably those of Miss Bonar Millar, a new arrival, who possesses a mezzo voice of fare sweetness, good range and finish, and Air Griffiths, a line, rich, sonorous, baritone who knows how to interpret tho ideas of the composer. Tho President of tho Society, Mr. J. A. Connell, in his opening address, load ajiologies from the Rev. Dawson Thomas, vice-president, and Mr. G. E. Darton, .member of committee, who wore unable to he present, and explained tho objects and intentions and advantages of the Society, and pointed out tho need for social and intellectual enjoyment, a want which tho Society was destined to fulfil. He announced that open lectures woidd bo given once a month by His Honor tho Chief Justice, Sir Robert Stout, Dr. Collins, who would discourse on bacteriology, tho Rev. Herbert AVilliiuns, on meteorological conditions, All-. Hill, Inspector of Schools, Air. Darton, on botany, and himself on astronomy. Theso lectures would be interspersed with debates on most interesting subjects every Alonday night in tho Choral Hall, Palmerston road, which had been secured for the weekly ‘mootings. The musical programme was opened by a violin solo by Air. Lielitwark, who acquitted himself most creditably. Air. T. Dalrymplo was in excellent voice m “Aly Sweetheart when a boy,” and Mrs Collins’ first number was that favorite old song “Douglas Gordon in which her lino, well-trained voice was heard to full advantage, though a larger hall would have suited it hotter. In her second number “Tho Irish Emigrant’' she was equally pleasing, and both brought forth the hearty plaudits of tho audience. Mr Barlow kindly filled in the place of an absent performer, and afterwards sang “Mona” which was decidedly his host effort, though both were extremely acceptable items. Aiiss Bor.ar Millar made her debut in Gisborno in that sweetly pathetic old song “Pierott,” in which she displayed a voice of rare quality, and had to respond to an encore. Her second number was tho serenade “In Summer,” and again she had to respond to a recall. Messrs Clirisp and Dalrymple put the house in a laughing mood with tho duet “Marjorie,” which had to bo repeated, and Air. Dalrymplo also sang “Awake” in his well-known finished style. Aiiss Redstone also appeared twice, her first essay being that old favorito “Daddy,” which she sang exceedingly well, and w.as decidedly her best item, though it failed to secure a recall, which however was compensated for when she next appeared. Air. Griffiths submitted a nautical song, in which the fine range and timbre of his voice was displayed to full advantage, and he showed his versatility as a. vocalist selecting “Bid mo to love” in response to a recall. Air. Ernest Clirisp contributed a piano solo, and played all the accompaniments in first-class style at short notice. A half-hour’s interval was spent in pleasant conversation over a cup of coffee and light refreshments, and at tho conclusion Dr. Collins, AUce-Pre-sideiit, in a humorous speech; proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the performers which the audience most heartily accorded, and separated fully appreciative of the evening’s entertainment. The first debate of the season takes place on Alonday, 18tli inst.