Judge Edwards on Education

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 192, 13 January 1905, Page 3

Judge Edwards on Education

Mr Justice Edwards has evidently a low opinion of the way the youth of the colony are taught to read and speak. A young man wu giving evidence at the Auckland Supreme Court, and his Honor found it necessary to remonstrate with bim several times for not speaking oat. The whisperings of the witness became intolerable, and his Honor remarked somewhat sharply, “ Will you speak out, witness ? Upon my word, I will fine you if yon don't da what yon are told.” Subsequently Mr Tole wu reexamining the same witness, who continued to speak in a low tone, bat hie Honor again interposed: "Will yea repeat what he says, Mr Tole? Do what you do with a four or five year old. I have told him I will fine bim, and tbat has had no effect, so 1 suppose he is childish.” Another witness followed who was a little better, and his Honor said: "Is this one of the .strong New Zealanders who cannot apeak lend ?" The case was a Cambridge one, and Mr Tole observed : " I thought people went to Cambridge to build up their lungs, and not to lose them. From these witnesses it seems they lose them.”