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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume X, Issue 126, 27 May 1875, Page 2

A correspondent of the Charleston Herald, writing ou educational matters, says : — " It is to be regretted that the duties of a teacher are not appreciated as they ought. There is no body of public men who hold a more responsible position tban teachers. On tbem mostly depend the training of the youth of the colony, and the future conduct of the rising generation. There is no body of men, I assert, to whom the public are more indebted tban tbe teachers j yet, strange to say, there is no body of men less remunerated "

An Auckland contemporary, in noticing the opening of theJVlercer line of railway, says: — The locomotive used yesterday was one of Fairlie'a patent engiuee, which have been used with such success, especially on steep gradients, in Great Britain. The engine is of considerably greater power than those ordinsrily employed on the Onehunga line, nnd worked most satisfactorily/ yesterday, running the whole distance^ including the necessary stoppages for water, at the rate of 22 miles an hour. Ottthuhu waa reached iv 22 minutes. Beyond Otahuhu, three miles were accomplished in six and a-half minutes; four miles, eight and a-half minutes;/ nine miles in 19 minutes; ten miles in 22 minutes ; thus running for that distance at a speed of about thirty

miles an hour. This on a new line, narrow gauge, aud with an engine which has only been worked once or twice since it was put together, must be considered very fast timo.

The Thames Star has seen a curious bird found by Mr William Logan on the top of the dividing range towards Tairua. It is black in plumage, with tbe long beak and wings of a sea bird, and web-footed. The finder says that' when discovered by his dog the bird was close to a " dwelling " scooped out under the roots of a tree, and it showed no disposition for flight. Since it has been caught it moves about only by night, retiring to the darkest hole it can fiad by day. Having seen the bird, we can aay it has manyof the peculiarities of a sea bird, but we do not profess to offer an opinion as to ita species. It has a strong— a very strong smell. The Auckland Star says :-r-The following conversation took place in a Queen-street restaurant last evening, the participators being very new chums, although hailing from Dunedin. Firs)/ speaker (looking at the Star) " Hullo ! English telegrams, eh ! (reads) Danger-" ous illness of Julius Yogel. Who the. douce is Julius Yogel to be put in halt text ? I never heard of any ouo of boat name at home." Second ditto (also looking at telegrams and picking his teeth) "Julius Yogel, why that must be the name of the new tenor that came came out just before we left. I'd almost forgotten bis name." First speaker (not liking to seem ignorant), "Oh yes, I recollect hearing him at Exeter Hall once. Didn't ihink much of him though — not half up to Sims Reeves."

On tbe subject of the four million, loan for New Zealand, the Eurorytm Mail, on the authority of " Anglo Australian writes: — The New Zealand loan for £4,000,000 was a big thing in loans, and so the loan agents wisely determined to put it in the handa of the Rothschilds, lightly judging fhat if the Prince of Financiers could not put it through no one else could. Indeed, I very much question if it had been allowed to go to the brokers whether more than £2,000,000 would bave beeu subscribed, and then New Zmjland would have had fo come again next year. The issue price waa £94, or £93 if the whole bond was paid upon allotment instead of, in cix instalments. I understand, however, that these conditions were rot complied with; indeed, a rumor has been going the round of the Exchange to the effect that £2,000,000 were taken by/the brokers at 91, and that the veudors secured the residue at 88. This, however, is not the case, as Messrs Rothschild will pay the New Zealand Government at the rate of 91 net. The feeling is pretty strong in the monetary world that" the colonies have been getting money 100 cheaply, so that intending borrowers will be expected to slightly modify their pretensions. Mr Vogel's detention has caused much speculation as to the fate of the Ministry. Ihe Thames Advertiser declares it will not live a wefck after tbe opening of the session, and says a choice will have to be made between Mr Stafford and Sir George Grey. It thinks if Mr Stafford will come down with a local eelf-Governraent scheme, and a proposal to abolish the provinces, he will not have mneh difficulty in carrying the country, and disposing of Sir George Grey's claims. It asks if there is nny probability of Sir George Grey modifying his views, so tbat the two may form a strong Ministry. The Bendigo Advertiser has been informed that Robert Gordon, a young man engaged in one of the printingoffices of Sandhurst, has received information to the effect that an eetate, the value of which is said to be over £50, 000 is likely to come into his hands through the death of a relative. Father Taylor once prayed for all tbe musicians and opera-singerp, and especially for the beautiful, young woman (Jenny Lind) who had just landed on our shores to gladden American ears with her songs. As he closed, a long, lanky fellow rose from the pulpit steps, nnd asked whether the preacher supposed a person who died in an opera house could go to heaven. Father Taylor replied, "All good people will go io heaven, but a *ocl will not, even if he dies on the steps of a pulpit."