LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Kumara Times, Issue 618, 20 September 1878, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[press agency.] Wellington, September 18. A deputation, consisting of Messrs Harff, Reeves, Woolcnck, Gisborne, Bonar, and Luhiuan waited on the Minister of Education to-day askin'* lor an increase of Government aid for the Westland educational district. Mr Bonar said the real difficulty of the Board lay in the scattered nature of the district, and the absence of large centres of population, which »e -essitated the establishment of a large number of small schools which in proportion to the attendance, were much more expensive than large ones.

Mr Ballanee said Mr Bonar had hit the right nail on the head, and the great fault of the present system was, it made no distinction between thickly settled districts like Otago and Canterbury, and sparsely populated districts such as Westland, where education was proportionately much more expensive. The aim of the Legislature was to secure uniformity of education and its cost, and this might have been accomplished had it not been for the strong wish for local self-government, which would have made the people of Westland crv out against the amalgamation with Canterbury, He could hold out no hope of any exceptional aid being granted to Westland. Last year it received a total of <£5927 in excess of its proper grant of £9342, and they were still in debt, and had largely anticipated the building grant of this year. If special aid were granted to them, every Board in a similar position in the Colony would have unequal claim to consideration. No doubt the Education Act must be amended, as its working was far from satisfactory; but it would be well to continue the present system for another year, when its faults would be more clearly seen, and consequently more easily remedied. After some further conversation the deputation withdrew. The Maori war dance, with 50 aboriginal performers, passed off with great success at the Imperial Opera House last night ; hundreds were unable to obtain admittance. The Governor was present. The proceeds were originally intended for the Benevolent Society, but as the latter objected to be benefitted by such a performance the takings, after defraying expenses, are to be devoted to other charitable institutions. Christchurch, September 19. A man named Edwards, who was seriously burnt at Albury a few days ago, died in Christchurch yesterday from injuries received. The prospectus of a new Temperance Hotel has been issued, with a capital of £10,000—10,000 shares at £1 each. At the annual meeting of the United Cricket Club last night, a suggestion was made to import a professional bowler, which the Association will be recommended to do. Nelson, September 19. At a meeting of the representatives of the different Volunteer corps of the district, held last night to discuss the proposed Rifle Association, it was decided to send delegates to Wellington to attend the Volunteer Conference next month. It was estimated that 200 members would join the Association in Nelson.