Carnarvon.

Manawatu Herald, 26 February 1895, Page 3

Carnarvon.

(from our own correspondent.)

TUB WEATHER . is a never-failing topic in this ever ! changing climate and is said to be ' trying our people's constitution, bat \ this is surely a mistake as its variableness seems to promote health. , Last Tuesday was very hot here. A party who had sperm caudles in packages stowed away among clothing had them partially melted— so penetrating was the heat. Since \ then we have had some rain and iJdol breezes* OtIR UAtX fiOAD between the Rosina and Whale lines and further south—in all about 1£ iiiilea— Seettis to have been 4 Overlooked by the Oounty Council. All the rest of this road has been metalled and is in good order, but this portion winter after winter is almost impassable whenever It rains. Surely there could not be a more propitious time than the present for getting this much needed work to "; OUR SCHOOL ! '. here is under the superintendence of an amiable young lady, whose mild but firm discipline and mode of teaching is a Credit to the profession She has, however", an 1 a.&Utittye aver many teachers in some country schools, viz., her pupils are well brought up and their home training makes her work easy. But what I wish to point out in regard to this school is the dilapidated state of the fences, &c, round the buildings. It is well known that School Committees in country districts cannot get sufficient funds from their Boards to keep their school buildings in good order, but a good managing committee can always get the people to contribute the necessary balance by getting up an entertainment in the school room once or twice a year. I have heard several people in this district say — " We are very willifig to assist the committee with funds for improvements and prizes, but we cannot stand the begging system of boys and girls coming round for subscriptions. We want an equivalent for our mottey in the shape of a concert and dance in the schoolhouse/' Now, sir, I have had some experience in entertainments of this sort in aid of school funds in another part of the colony, and never Knew any harm to come of them. Indeed they were looked on as doing a deal of good— as a piece of refining education which enabled the young to better hold their own when they must leave their small localities and go out in the world. I may mention one small school — like ours here — which was insured against fire by the committee for £260 and for this they had to pay something less than 20s a year. When they wanted funds they fixed on a suitable date for a concert and ball. The chair* man or the most suitable party among them was empowered to carry out the programme. He had to look up the local talent for vocalists and generally invited some out* siderß as well. He had to look up the householders and get them to contribute towards refreshments, such as tea, sandwiches, &c. He had to buy special refreshments for the vocalists. He had to engage a violinist ior the dance, and to borrow or hire a piano for the concert. He had to get say 160 tickets printed, and get some of the young ladies to sell them, and appoint a man to sell at the school door. He had to advertise the affair in the local paper. He had to appoint a man to boil water all night for tea. The admission in small country schools was mostly fixed at 2s 6d and Is for school ohitdren. It generally tpok a third of the gross proceeds to pay expenses, but still they would have £7 or £8 to the good, as young and old are snre to patronise en* tertainments of this sorb in country districts. ACCIDENTS. It has been notified by some of the papers that the manager of the Carnarvon Estate, Mr Langdon, met with a severe accident by his horse falling the other day, while riding to Palmerston, but his numerous friends will be glad to know that the accident was only trivial and that Mr Langdon conducts his business as usual. A fatal accident occurred at Campbelltown yesterday. A young man of the name of Guss wbo was driving gravel was longer than usual in returning with his load and when some one went to look for him he was found buried in the gravel pit dead. 23rd February, 1895.