THE GLOBE. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1881. DENOMINATIONALISM.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2166, 3 February 1881, Page 2

THE GLOBE. THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 3, 1881. DENOMINATIONALISM.

The Bible in Schools Association who, as wo noted a short time back, scored a victory in Dunedin by reason of their superior organisation, havo proceeded, through thoir representatives on the committee, to enter upon the war path. Mr. Green has given notice of a resolution—- “ That tho use of the school buildings be granted free of charge, both on Sundays and week-days, to all and sundry ministers and Sunday school teachers who may choose there to collect the children of their respective denominations.” The “Dunedin Evening Star,” in writing on the subject, is very severe on the course proposed—and naturally so. It mentions that the last Committee yielded so far to the strong representations of certain city ministers as to grant the use of the buildings on payment of a small fee, sufficient, it was supposed, to compensate tho janitors for the extra work entailed in cleaning the rooms. These few shillings, however, acted as a great damper to the enthusiasm of the applicants, who at once found their Sun-day-school rooms sufficient for all practical purposes. But the new idea is to charge nothing; hence the “Star” infers that the rooms will bo crowded out of school hours, as well as in school hours. This would certainly be most objectionable, as pointed out. Not to mention the vast amount of extra work entailed on the care-takers, there is the consideration that a room, to be kept sweet and clean, must be thoroughly aired and turned upside down after the children have left. If tho rooms right through the day are to be crowded, when are the cleansing operations to bo undertaken ? However, we fancy the “ Evening Star ” need not be so gloomy over the matter. The enthusiasm of the denominationalists is much stronger when they are in opposition than at other times, and wo fancy the ministers are little likely to crowd the schoolrooms with pupils for any length of time. At all events this mnst be suggested by experience to all who havo studied educational matters in Canterbury. In the old Provincial days, before undenominational schools were introduced, the eagerness of Ministers to impart religions instruction was of the most shadowy order. In many schools they never darkened tho door from year’s end to year’s end. But, when the now system came into vogue, a cry was immediately raised that they wore shut out from much useful work, although they still had the power of using the schoolrooms out of school hours. Perhaps the use that the Bible in Schools faction may make of their victory in Dunedin will,, after all. prove one of the strongest arguments against their cause. They persist in stating that the State should care for the religions education of children, being blind to tho fact that the State wishes to

claim no control over the consciences of the people. After a few months of the Association’s meddling and muddling policy it will, no doubt, be instructive to enquire how school affairs in Dunodin are progressing.

THE “STAR” ON CRICKET.

Our evening contemporary, the “ Star,” has delivered a homily on the noble game of cricket. Its views on the desirability of our employing a professional bowler are no doubt sound enough, and although the reasons it gives for our want of success are rather mixed, yet there is nothing objectionable in them. But when it descends into the intricate niceties of the game it gets decidedly out of its depth. Perhaps nothing more ludicrous was ever penned than the following—“ It is noticeable that not one of our batsmen ever runs out to a ball, a course which becomes imperatively necessary if some descriptions of bowling are to be punished; nor do they manifest the carefulness to effeetually block the dangerous ones, and the sublime patience that waits the right opportunity to strike.” In the first place it is utterly untrue. Several of our players ran out a good deal, indeed one of our best batsmen was stumped. But why, in the name of common sens*, should players be invited to run out and punish the bowling, and in the same breath be told that they want the sublime patience that waits the right opportunity to strike. Of course the result of the game showed that “ they do not manifest the carefulness to effectually block the dangerous ones”; but that piece of information is rather too broad, for if a man can keep his wickets up he will not need much advice from the “ Star.” A more absurd hodge-podge in the way of cricketing suggestions was never delivered than in the article referred to. There is a fine old proverb with reference to a cobbler not leaving his own line of business which might well be taken to heart by our contemporary.

DESTITUTE DOGS. In even moderately sized towns the number of dogs to be found about the streets is very large. There are “ jolly dogs,” “ sad dogs,” “ destitute dogs,” and other varieties. The case of the “destitute dogs” has, we are glad to see, been taken up by a philanthropic band of citizens, who possibly intend to include in their benevolent operations the “ jolly dogs ” and the “ sad dogs.” At the meeting we find that a Mr. Jackson read a paper describing “ the injurious effects of the present arrangement, by which many valuable dogs, taken into custody by the police, were killed as ‘ stray dogs,’ although it frequently happened that the animals so made away with were of considerable value, and greatly prized by their owners, who were probably unaware of their perilous position.” We are happily in a position to inform Mr. Jackson that the jolly and destitute doge, although certainly run in by the police, are not immediately slaughtered. If Mr. Jackson were to pursue his inquiries further, he would find that on the following morning, capital punishment was generally mitigated into a pecuniary fine, showing the growing mildness of our laws. The picture, nevertheless, is sufficiently harrowing. The value of these “ jolly dogs,” and the way in which they are prized by thir owners—meaning, we presume, their wives —is brought graphically to the front. A scene is described of the owners disporting themselves, all unconscious of the perilous position of the beloved animals in whom their affections are centred. However, the present state of affairs is to bo terminated, and stray dogs generally are to have a “home” found them two or three miles out of Christchurch, so that they may be well out of temptation’s way. Hero they are to be left, amply provided with the luxuries of an advanced civilisation until claimed by their belongings. Everybody will gain by the proposal, except, perhaps, the Court-house habitue, who will miss many a familiar face.