CORRESPONDENCE

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2057, 18 April 1907, Page 2

CORRESPONDENCE

BIBLE TEACHING IN SCHOOLS

To the Editor of the Gisborne Times. Sir, —My attention lias been directed to your editorial of April 5, in which you referred to the manner in which the “Nelson scheme” was carried out at the Boys Central School, Nelson, of which I am headmaster. It is quite true that ibout two years ago I used to exnress pretty freely and forcibly my disgust at the way in which some if the teachers of the Bible classes neglected the duties which they had undertaken. One teacher in particular was more ofton absent than present, and even when he did "Oimi was generally about ten minutes late. Had I been’ asked to report upon the success of the schemo at that time, my verdict would have been very unfavorable. But in common fairness I must state that for a, considerable time past there has been no cause of complaint in this respect. The work of the Bible classes has been carefully organised, and it is only very rarely now that a class is left without a teacher. As a. result, the percentage of children attending the classes is steadily increasing. Some minor inaccuracies in your remarks may as well be corrected. The Bible class is held for half an hour on only one morning of the week, not on every morning. The children are not all sent into one room, but a toacher is provided for each of the four standard classes taken at this school. The Bible teaching has not been confined to

the Central School, but has beat' extended to all of the six schools in the town.—l am, etc., F. G. GIBBS. [Our. correspondent here corroborates all that he had previously told us, viz., that at that time the experiment had not been a success. As to the alleged “minor inaccuracies,” we made no mention of other Nelson schools, and merely quoted Mr. Gibbs’ evidence on the condition of things in the main school as they were then and as ho now describes them to have been. Our statements are thus, relieved of any suspicion of being' “untrue” as suggested by the Rev. Mr. Chatterton. —Ed. G.T.]

AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT’S MANAGEMENT.

To the Editor of the Gisborne Times. Sir, —Your article in the Gisborne Times issue of the 13{h inst., where reference is made to the rabbit pest, discloses a serious condition of affairs, and must cause concern to pastoralists in this district, who are at present immune from the rabbit scourge. Wo appear to have rabbits all round us, and cannot expect long to remain in our present happy position. It was only the other day that a deputation of settlers waited on the Minister of Lands at -Te Awamutu, and urged the Government to adopt effective means to cope with the rabbit pest, which was increasing in the King country to an alarming extent, and it is not long ago since two residents of Wairoa visiting the high country at the back of Moliaka found the country there over-run with rabbits (vide Wairoa Guardian). Referring to the record tallies obtained by trappers and sent to the freezing works in Otago, I have turned up a copy of the annual report mentioned by you, and what is further found from the pen of the Secretary for Agriculture, written in July last: “From large areas of country which were for years huge rabbit warrolls the pest has’practically disappeared ,and beyond the laying of a little pollard the work is left to the natural enemy to complete.” Again he writes, referring to Otago and Southland: “It can bo said without fear of .contradiction that during the past two or three years a marvellous difference has been made in the pest. The trapper’s vocation is rapidly disappearing,” etc. Yet in the face of this tlie following summer there are record tallies sent to the freezing works from the very districts he refers to, and, according to Press Association telegrams, trappers are making from 12s to 18s a day in one locality, and in another their catcliings average them £1 per night, and we uro asked to believe that tho “trappers’ vocation is rapidly disappearing.” No more misleading statements could be printed and are a discredit to tho Department. The fact must bo clear, sir, that the Secretary for Agriculture can have absolutely no personal knowledge of the state of the districts or of the class of work being performed by the Department be is trying to administer. No favorable season for the breeding of rabbits can surely account for such alarming increases that have taken place throughout the colony last season if they had been well in hand “during tho past two or three years.” when, according to Mr. Ritchie, “a marvellous difference has been made.” There must havo been a substantial breeding stock in existence the very year Mr. Ritchie was misleading the public in bis flattering testimony of the work of his Department. The rabbit question appeal's to be going from bad to worse under bis administration, and natural alarm must be felt by the farming community.—l am, etc., SHEEPRATE.