I.O.G.T. ANNIVERSARY.

Globe, Volume XX, Issue 1381, 19 July 1878, Page 2

1.0.G.T. ANNIVERSARY.

A public tea meeting and concert was held last evening in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Lichfield street, to celebrate the introduction of Good Templarism into Christchurch. The Ct-a provided by the sisters of the Order was on the tables at half-past 5 o’clock, the Hall being nearly filled by the friends and supporters, nearly 400 sitting down to tea. After an excellent repast had been partaken of, the tables were cleared, and the meeting commenced.

The Mayor of Sydenham presided, and the platform was occupied by Ministers of the several denominations and leading supporters of the temperance movement. The proceedings were opened by the per-

formance of the overture to Auber’s opera “ Masaniello,” by Mr Spensley and an excellent instrumental band composed of friends. The Chairman in his opening remarks said that his views on the temperance question were well known, and the principles of abstinence, whether advocated at a temperance meeting, a Rcchabite Tent, or a Band of Hope, would always command bis warmest sympathy and support. Through every phase of the evil influence of intemperance, for forty years ho had advocated its abolition, and would consider himself craven hearted if ho

held back now. The number of persons present proved that the friends of temperance in Christchurch were neither dead nor asleep, and the effect of the meeting would bo to give an impetus to the cause that must be attended with great results. He

would now call upon the speakers who had been invited to attend to address the meeting, and if there were any persons present who entertained diverse views to those they were advocating, he would be most happy to allow them to step forward and defend them, either b j argument or by questioning each speaker at the close of his address. He would now ask Mr Alfred Saunders to address the meeting. Mr Saunders, who on coming forward was loudly cheered, said that he had_ been under the impression he had been invited to speak on the political effect of the temperance question, but he found it was the political aspect of the principle, which was altogether a different thing. He would be glad if any person would come forward and speak in favour of the other side, as he was wearied hy the monotony of always advocating his side. In fact he would prefer to hear one good speaker against temperance than six in favor of it. [Laughter.!! In 1812 six abstainers came from Fife to Nelson, but in a very short time they increased to fifty, and in the course of ten years they numbered 800 in that province, which became so celebrated for the low ratio of the amount of crime committed within its boundaries as to call for explanation, on the supposition that a statistical error had been committed in the returns. Now what was so good in its general effect as a whole must be equally good in detail. For his part, he would willingly give half his possessions to bring about the total suppression of drink in New Zealand. In attempting to legislate in mitigation of the evil, impracticable ground was often taken up by politicians ; more toleration was needed. Mr Saunders humorously described the abnormal state of hilarity and liveliness induced by temperance, which he conjectured might possibly account for the Hon. Mr Fox’s occasional excitability in advocating his favorite principle. The question of compensation had been much discussed, under certain circumstances it was equitable, but should come out of a general fund. The English Govemmentwas always and justly credited forthe protection it afforded to the rights of property ; large sums of money were paid to persons through whose land a railway was taken, as compensation, oven when instead of sustaining injury, they were benefitted by the undertaking, and the same principle held good in the colonies. Public houses wore legal, not illegal, and owners of them might certainly be deprived of their licenses by a Bench of Magistrates under certain conditions, but then those were the terms upon which they had invested their money, and they did not calculate on being deprived of their property under another set of conditions which were not in existence in the beginning. Moderation in the advocacy of their views was most desirable, and without it no Act would be likely to be passed. He would advise such a system of legislation as would place in the hands of the people the power of determining the number of licensed houses they desired in their locality. The publicans, a most influential body, and whose influence it was not wise to underrate, and members favorable to the cause, could carry such a Bill, and so solve the question of compensation, as few persons would care to invest their money upon these terms. After some remarks of a complimentary character to Messrs Fox and Stout, the speaker complimented the chairman on the fact of his having recently given a political dinner without the introduction of alcoholic stimulants, an innovation which he dared to say would be highly pleasing to the ladies, whose presence on similar occasions had of necessity to be dispensed with. Mrs Gray and Miss Kent sang a duet, which was followed by the spirited song, “Ye Gallants of England,” by Mr J. Knox. Rev. Mr Tinshy, at the invitation of the chairman, was the next speaker. Ho said from the fact of Ms comparatively recent settlement in Christchurch, he had not manifested so great an interest as when he was ministering in the North Island, still the cause of temperance commanded his deepest sympathy. It was a noble cause to try and lift the fallen, and to educate public sentiment to a true conception of the temperance question. Public feeling, in whatever direction it was directed, carried groat weight. It was by public opinion that slavery in the West Indies had been abolished, and a grand organisation in favor of temperance would be rewarded by similar success, and would lead to universal happiness. Intemperance was the destruction of social happiness, and what could be more lamentable than the often described home of the drunkard, with the wile broken-spirited, broken-hearted, and often goaded to intemperance from sheer misery, and the squalid children who were devoted to destruction. In England, it was computed that annually there were 145,000 criminals, 108,000 of whom were criminals through drink, and the number who died in the same period from the same cause was no less than 60,000. It was a question for parents who had children to train to consider. He was not an advocate of extreme measures, but he could not speak too strongly in favor of principle being accompanied by practice —divided, nothing could be achieved. The great thing was to work with their object clear in view, and he had no doubt if they did so there would be a great impetus given to the temperance organisation. . At the conclusion of the rev. gentleman s remarks, the band played the overture to “Lr/Gazza Ladra,” and Miss Kent then gar jp in a feeling manner the song, “ Home brought her warrior dead.” Tphe Rev. H. O. M. Watson, on being •MjleA on by the chairman for his promised on the economical aspects of total stepped forward, and prefaced his by remarking on the sympathy / felt by the English clergy of the Established CHureh for abstinence principles. He reminded the audience that a revulsion in England had led to a temperance ministry, and by the action of Mr Saunders one more had been added to the party led by Mr Fox. It was a fact to be deplored, that more money was invested annually in drink in England than was invested in the four great staple industries, viz., worsted, cotton, coal, and iron. Drinking on the average could not bo indulged in under £2O or £3O a year, which would otherwise be invested in more legitimate channels. The widows and orphans, the gaols, asylums, refuges which in a great measure were necessitated by drunkenness, had to be supported by the sober, respectable portions of the community, and thus it was clear that, although a man might do as he liked with his own (if it was his own) he had no right so to interfere with the property of others. In New Zealand, if the drinking customs were abolished, a (man could save 33 per cent of his income. Again, drunkenness, while it increased crime and disease, decreased the value of labor. Before concluding, Mr Watson cited the prosperity of a teetotal village in England, which from this circumstance appeared to enjoy an immunity from crime and pauperism. The question was, not as he had heard, that people must not be made sober by Act of Parliament, but that they ought not to be made drunk by Act of Parliament, Mr Fox has placed on record that the Maine Liquor Law, in spite of what had been said to the contrary, was a magnificent success, and they wanted a Maine Law hero in New Zealand. With zeal, combined with moderation, they could go to the Legislature and say—“We have had 1800 years of drinking, let us now see what a little abstinence can do.” [Cheers.] Mrs C. M. Gray sang “ Auld Robin Gray,” and Mr J. Knox “ The Free Lance.” The concluding address of the evening was briefly given . j the liev. J. While, on “The claims of temperance on the agencies of the Christian Church.” The remarks were of an earnest nature, and were obviously endorsed by those who listened to them. Brother J. T. Smith then came forward and announced meetings of the several lodges connected with the Order that would be held in the course of the ensuing week, after which ho proposed a vote of thanks to the various gentlemen who had addressed the meeting, the ladies and gentlemen who had sung and played, the ladies who had so kindly waited at the tables, and lastly to the chairman for his able servicea in that capacity. Brother Bennetts seconded the resolution, which was carried by acclamation. The overture to “Fra Diavolo,” and the National Anthem, in which the audience joined, nem. con., concluded the business of the meeting.

BOARD OF EDUCATION. The Board of Education for the District of North Canterbury held their usual fortnightly meeting yesterday, at 3 p.m. Present Messrs John Inglis (chairman), H. J. Tancrod, A. Saunders, H. R. Webb, Rev. C. Fraser, W Montgomery, A. Duncan. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. TENDERS. The following tenders for school buildings were opened and read ; Chertsey Wadey, £1215; Greig, £957 15s; Gee, £943 15s ; Parkin, £986; Hollis and Williams, £9Ol (accepted) ; Connon, £IOSO. Kyle —Greig, £999 ; Parkin, £986; Connon, £1010; Gee, £916 15s (accepted) ; Wadey, £1264 10s, Southbridge —Harman, £528 10s, and £ll for fencing gates (accepted) ; Greig, £539 15s ; Wadey, £629 10s ; Gee, £620 15s. Gust —Boyd, £9OB 10s ; Brown and Butler, £842 (accepted) ; Keats, £866 ; Bluett, £BB6 ; Gee, £897 10s ; Wadey, £1215 ; Greig, £937. Seafield—Parkin, £986, Gee, £906 15s (accepted); Wadey, £1264 10s: Greig, £999. South Malvern—McColl, £BBO ; Connon, £990 ; Gee, £866 15s (accepted) ; Wadey, £1264 10s; Gn ig, £999. Brook ile—Pantelow, £253 (accepted) ; W. Hall, £3Bl ; Browning and Dickey, £29219s ; Wadey, £434 10s. Leeston —Connon, £432 ; Bennett, £367 ; Anderson, £3BB. DEPUTATION, Mr E. C. J. Stevens (chairman of the East Christchurch School Committee), his Worship the Mayor of Christchurch, Messrs J. P. Jameson and Mitchell, waited on the Board as a deputation for the purpose of laying before the Board certain disadvantages under which they considered they labored. Mr Stevens, as spokesman, said that the East Christchurch School Committee were placed in a very difficult position, and the interests of the district demanded that persons of experience should take a part in the management of the schools, but their experience was of no avail under the existing state of things, and their degree of efficiency was impaired by the limited power they possessed. In the case of the compulsory clauses of the Education Act, it was the duty of the school committee to see them carried into effect, but they had not the power to do so, and they failed to obtain the assistance of the Board. The Board stated they had no funds for that purpose, and left the matter to ho done by the committee. If they had a specific sum, say limited to £l5O, the committee would endeavor to do with that, but as it was they were helpless, and the efficiency of the teaching power was seriously impaired. Mr Stevens cited the case of Mrs Field, whose services had been lost to the school through the Board declining to allow her the salary recommended by the committee, and which had been received by her predecessor, Mrs Hill, on the ground that her abilities were not so great. Another case was that ot Miss Clease, whose resignation the committee had been forced to accept, as she considered she was underpaid. The committee had offered her £SO a year, but the Board had decided that £4O should be the maximum; she had accordingly left. The committee had advertised for another teacher to fill her place, but there had been no more applications, and consequently the teaching stuff was one short. Mr Stevens also referred to the condition of the Bingsland side-school, which was utterly unfit for the accommodation of the children, although the committee had strongly recommended that it should be examined, but their recommendation had not been attended to. The East Christchurch school was one of the most important in the district, with three side schools attached to it. Great economy was practiced in their management, but they reaped no benefit from it. The committee considered that more promptitude should be displayed in attending to their recommendations, and a distinct allowance of funds granted to them to properly carry on the business of the schools.

The Mayor referred at considerable length to the matter of Mr Exall, whose dismiss d h d le m recommended by the school committee tor having on two occasions inflicted corporal punishment upon the pupils. A large amount of correspondence had passed between the Board and the committee, but the wishes of the latter had been utterly disregarded, and Mr Exall had remained in his position in spite of the committee’s recommendation for removal. On the point of economy, compared with the average cost of other schools in the district, the East Christchurch school was one of the cheapest, and that fact entitled them to more consideration.

Mr Mitchell referred to the removal of teachers who had displayed unusual efficiency in the main school to the side schools, thus rendering their position much stronger in point of teaching power. Mr Jameson reiterated the arguments of Mr Stevens, and in reply to a question from the chairman of the Board if the committee had come prepared with any definite proposal— Mr Stevens said what they wished was that the committee should have more authority in the management of the school, and funds at their disposal, to be economically administered and duly accounted for. By the former the Board would be relieved of a mass of detail and correspondence on matters of trivial importance, and the latter would enable the committee more efficiently to carry on the management of the educational requirements of the district.

The Chairman of the Board pointed out that as things existed they had not the power to vote a specific sum of money for general expenditure in teachers’ salaries, as they had been provided for by a graduated scale. No more delay than was absolutely unavoidable had taken place in attending to the wants o any schools in the district, considering their number and the mass of business to be transacted at the Board’s fortnightly meetings in connection with them. The Board frequently sat for five or six hours at a time, and there certainly was no unnecessary delay in attending to communications from the committee or disinclination to carry out their recommendations.

Mr Stevens did not wish to anticipate the decision of the Board upon the matters they had been conferring upon, but at the same time he thought the committee should have the power of using their own discretion in the remuneration of teachers, so as to ensure that efficiency which it was impossible to obtain under the present system. The Mayor reminded the Board that their recommendation to increase the salary of the late head master had not been viewed in a favorable light, although the probability was they should not have lost his valuable services had their recommendation been carried out by the Board. Considering the largo amount of work he had to do in connection with the main school and three side schools, it was absurd to suppose bo would remain contented with the same remuneration given to head masters of other schools whose duties were so much lighter. Mr Stevens said their position was as a deputation, to urge on the Board the necessity of giving them discretionary funds, and the authority to add to the salaries of teachers, if they thought fit, without reference to the scale.

The Mayor was of opinion that if their economy in the management of the school was a benefit to the Board, then the school should have a share of it, but, as had been pointed out by Mr Stevens, there was no advantage to be gained by making an economical recommendation.

Mr Jameson said that if everything was to be done by scale, and only by permission of the Board, the intelligence of the committee was of no use. There were a great many matters of detail that they should not have to come to the Board for. Mr Stevens hoped that the Board would be able to see their way to comply with their request. In answer to a question from the Mayor as to the relative position of the masters of the East Christchurch sclicol and the Normal sc’ 001, the chairman said the Board had not had the appointment of the latter. Rev. C. Eraser reminded the deputation that if their school was placed in an exceptional position in respect of privileges, other schools would demand the same. The scale

had been adopted in order that all schools should ho placed on an equal footing, and the deputation should bo able to see that no departure from it could bo fairly allowed. .After some further remarks from the Mayor, Mr Webb remarked that the Board had contemplated a classification of teachers, with a view to a better adjustment of salaries. After thanking the Board for their courteous hearing, the deputation withdrew. INSPECTOR OF SCHOOLS. Nine applications, accompanied with testimonials, were received and read for the vacant appointment of inspector of schools, and after careful consideration of their respective merits Mr W. L. Edge, M.A., of Lyttelton school, was appointed. After the transaction of some business of a routine character, the Board adjourned.