The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. “Te Oranga Moti Iwi.” . FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1901.

Motueka Star, Volume I, Issue 26, 8 November 1901, Page 2

The Motueka Star PUBLISHED TUESDAYS AND FRIDAYS. “Te Oranga Moti Iwi.” . FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 1901.

. In another column we publish the the report and summary of results of the examination of Motueka Borough School, recently held by Mr G. A. Uarkness, Inspector for the Nelson -Education Board. The report, on- the whole, is very reflecting'

*-:redit on the late teacher and also ■upon Mr Herbert Langford the present temporary master, who has done his best to maintain the high reputation of the school, gained by Mr Malcolm. There is one remark made by the Inspector which should be noted by the Committee and the parents of those children who attend the school. We refer to the irregular attendance of pupils. In country districts, where boys and girls are often detained at home to do light farm work, for which the parents cannot or will not employ labor, r egular- attendance is not looked for, but in a Borough like Motueka, with a school roll of 150, the statement

made is a reproach which should be re- ; jsgped. A child’s school life is not the most; when parents keep children away they are doing them an injustice and a wrong, and they also interfere with the evenness which should characterise the instructox-’s work. It is no wonder teachers are disheartened and disappointed at the result of a year’s work, brought about through no fault of their own but by the (we might term it criminal) indiff-

erence of those men and women who

evidently take no interest in their offspring’s educational welfare. The number of statutory holidays given now adays is appalling ; add to them those granted when a *‘dook,” a prime minister, or a trooper appears on the scene, and it will be found a considerable number of the 365 days contained in a year are lost. In Motueka it is customary for the schools to be closed during the hoppicking and small fruit seasons. The average attendance is not interfered with by such a necessar y procedure, but it is through absence on regular school days. If no Truant Inspector has been appointed for Motueka we would strongly advise immediate application to the Education Board for a sufficient sum of money to pay a man to hunt up the delinquents. If there is such an official he is neglecting his duties and should be cashiered at once, and a more nimble individual installed. To allow the present condition of things to continue will display crass indifference to the future welfare of the rising generation on the part of those in authority.

The S.S. Lily, after being fitted up with a new boiler and genei-ally overhauled, has once more commenced running. She makes a trip to Nelson from here this evening at six o’clock ; also on Saturday at 7.30 p.m. Intending passengers can avail themselves of excursion fares. We remind our readers of the cos--1 lime cricket match and all day picnic which will be held in Mr Thomas Macmahon’s paddock, at Riwaka, tomorrow, the King’s Birthday. Given line weather the attendance will be large. The compositor is responsible for substituting the word “toil” for “soil” in Mr Moffatt's contribution on the fourth page. The writer wrote “fruit of landlord’s soil,” not toil. Rain is badly needed in this district The soil has been baked by sun ami wind, making the work of poleing t be bop plants a laborious and sweat ' occ^P a fi° 11 - Luring the were indications of a down- ' jKmiy.-;md on Wednesday night a lighr, slower fell, but today the sky betokens weather. Captain Edwin is a p rently an “absent minded beggar” as far as thrs locality is concerned. A sharp frost was experienced at Rhvaka this morning, which did cons derable damage to the early potatoes of Mr Duncan and others in the locality. The dance held at Mr Macmahon’s on Wednesday evening was a most enjoyable affair, being attended by Terp-

sichorean votaries from Motueka and other localities. The music was supplied by Mr A McLean, and Mr Arnold performed the duties of M.C., dancing being endulged in till early morn.

A statement was made at the Fruit Grower’s meeting on Wednesday, which goes to show how far the spirit of reprisal is carried by petty, microscopic minded individuals in this twentieth century. TJpon hearing that a certain firm had been appointed agents for the Fruit Grower’s Union, the representative of another Wellington company told a leading individual in this locality that they would do their level best to cripple the Union by importing tropical and other fruits. The “live and let live” principle is to be discarred, and a vendetta established.

Mr George Boyce, of the Swan Hotel, has lately had the footpath under the verandah of the house asphalted, which is a good improvement upon the previous path, and besides being more comfortable to the feet will do away with the dust and mud which was carried inside in the past. If the Council could be induced to follow Mr Boyce’s example and asphalted the eastern side of High Street it would be doing good service. . Besides being a progressive citizen, Mr Boyce is likewise patriotic and to show his loyalty, he has called in Mr Andrew Miller to erect a flagstaff 30 feet high at the southern end of his verandah, from which the New Zealand Ensign will float to-morrow in honor of the King’s Birthday, which day, by the way, is also the natal day of Mrs Boyce, the worthy hostess of the Swan. Messrs Everett Brothers, High Street, wish to inform that their premises will her closed on the King’s shop will be open till 10 o’clock this evening.— Advt.

The S.S Wairca leaves Motueka for Nelson to-morrow, Saturday, morning nine o’olock, and makes a second trip the same day, leaving here again at 8.30 p.m.. She proceeds to Takaka and Collingwood on Monday at 9 p.m. To-morrow being the King’s Birthday a public holiday will be observed in Motueka. Bionics, tennis matches, and dances in the evening will take place in Riwaka and Moutere.

The Motueka Mounted' Rifles invite tenders for the supply of rations and chaff for the camp to be held on the 2nd of December. Specifications and particulars may be obtained from Captain Deck. The small bird’s question, was brought into prominence at the Fruitgrower’s meeting on Wednesday evening. It was generally agreed the birds do serious injury to the small fruits and that united action was necessary to cope with the evil. Mr H. Rumbold said his experience showed a larger death roll could be established if the feathered tribe were offered poisoned grain on frosty moonlit nights during the winter. Mr Pattie thought the local bodies should levy a rate to cope with the pest. If by paying a rate of say ten shillings a saving of .£lO is effected, growers would not object to the tax. The tenor of the remarks during the discussion demonstrated the necessity of united action if the annual loss through the small birds is to be cheeked.

The hop gardens all over the district are at present scenes of activity. Growers are fixing up the poles and doing other necessary work with thoughts dwelling upon the futrrre prospects of the crop, which at present are not encouraging. Others have taken a more decided step and ploughed up the ground, substituting raspberry canes, apple and currant trees.

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The question of dealing with the balance of funds in hand belonging to the now defunct Fr uit Grower’s Association was brought up orr Wednesday evening by Mr Banfield. It was stated a sirm of <£ls odd was in the Bank. Mr Banfield moved, and it was carried, “That as the old Fruit Grower’s Association is now defunct, a meeting of the late members be convened to consider the advisability cf transfering the funds in hand to the Nelson Fruit Grower’s Union.” Mr Thomas Pattie undertook to see the President, Dr Deck on the subject.

Asked as to what had been done in reference to the motion passed at a previous meeting re subsidising a direct steam service to Wellington, Mr Thomas Pattie informed those present on Wednesday evening that he had forwarded copies of the resolution to the Motueka Borough Council and the Riwaka Road Board. As will be remembered the former body has approached the Government on the subject. Mr E. James, a member of the Riwaka Board, said that body had taken no action so far, but if a public meeting was held they would give it their support.

A challenge has been received by the Motueka Cricket Club from the Sherry Cricket Club to play a match here on the 4th of December. This has been accepted. Play will start at 1.30 p.m, and if the game is not finished by seven o’clock the result is to be declared on the first innings.

It is estimated there will be fully 300 tons of raspberries grown in Motueka and adjacent districts this year. Satisfactory accounts reach us from all quarters.

Word has been cffciallv received that the Nelson Harbor Amendment Act, slightly amended has passed the House of Representatives. The effect of this will be the vesting of the Motueka Wharf and foreshore in a local Harbor Board, consisting of the Mayor of the Borough of Motueka and the members of the Moutere and Motueka Ridings of the Waimea County Council. A word of praise is certainly ue to Mr R. McKenzie for the interest he has taken in the passage of the Bill through the House.