North Otago Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1895.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8163, 18 April 1895, Page 2

North Otago Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. THURSDAY, APRIL 18, 1895.

The meeting of householders to be hold in the various Or ago school districts on the evening of Mod i ay, the 22nd instant, for tho election of school committees will afford resident < an opportunity of testifying to the interest thoy tnko in our education system Hitherto that interest Ims in many instances been allowed to nsscrt itself in a negative form. Ib has bcon ns if, although fumly bo ieving in a *' free, secular, and compulsory " Bystom of education, they have yet been content to allow an active interest in the Bubjeob to go by default. This should nob be the case. It does not always follow that because a thing is cheap it n necessarily nasty. Our eduction system is neither cheap nor nasty. Tt costs a grunt deal of money, as everything good is bound to do, and tho citizons of tho colony have to find the nvnoy. Tho payment is not direct, but it is none the Icrs actual and tangible. Therefore that which costs so muoh ia worth careful cvei sight by thoao who provide the means. In m«ny school districts an active and spirited iutorest is taken in school matter.', bub in others there is i.s much lethargy displayed us would qualify the householders to rank with the fat boy in the Pickwick Papors, who was wont to go to sleep while he was asking a quos ion. Everyone shou'd take an interest equival u nt to the stako he has in bho country, and if this wore done wo would find the managcmont of tho affairs of tho colony conducted wi h the prudence that is roquirod. Wo hope that wo shall not have to intimate that on Monday night tho householders of any district took so littlo interest in tho selection of a school committee that no committee has been electod. Every householder should bo patriotic enough to give the requisi o time to tho management of institutions that have conferred and are conferring so much good on tho colony ; at all events, if ho cannot do this ho should at least tako soino interest in tho eoleotion of thoso who will give tho time.

The members of the White Star Association Football Club will play a scratch mutch this afternoon, The anniversary ball of the Pride of Ngapara Lodge, P.A.F.S.A , will bo held in the Athonrcum Hall, Ngapara, on the night of Tuesday, the 14th Juno. The National Mortgago and Agency Company inform us that the steamer Mat a tun is expected to reach Oamaru on Monday morning next from Lyttelton. Mr (ieorge Sumptor reports having sold, on account of Mr Ardagh, part section i 2, block 7i Oamaru town, with fronUgo to Thames street, to Mr J. D. Sievwright for LSO. Mails for Honolulu, Samoa, America, Kuropo, and United Kingdom, via 'Frisco, per Mariposa, clone at Auckland on Saturday, tho 20th, at 1 p.m., and are due in London on May 22nd. The annual concert and dance in aid of tho funds of the Hampdon public school takes to-morrow night, when an enjoyable event is confidently anticipated. Hampden is renowned for its capital concerts. Mr Herbert Jones, F.tt.fi.S., tho \vt\\known lecturer, will lecture in Oamaru on Saturday and Monday evenings next. Mr Jones' lectures, which are of an Interesting character, are illustrated by lime light views. The champion foura, carrying prizes of L5O, LIO, and L 5. at the Picton regatta, was won by the Q neon's Drive Boating Club, Port Chalmers. Tho Union (Christchurch) won tho champion pairs. Tho champion sculls was won by M'Urath (Dunedin). Quite a number of our citizens are payiug visits to tho Old Country. Yesterday Mr John M'Laron, who is one of the old identities of Otago, loft on a visit to the Old Country. He goes by the s.s. Ruahiue, which leaves Lyttelton to-morrow. The annual social and ball of tho Waiareka Lodge, 1.0.0. F., takes placo this evening in the Weston Public Hall. The grand march takes place at 0 p.m. A conveyance will leave the Post Oftko for Weston at 8 o'clock, for tho convenience of Oamaru friends intending to be present. It is intended to form ft Gaelic society at Hakatcramen, and all those interested in tho subject aro request od to meet in the Hakateramea Hall on Saturday, tho 20th, M 2.30 p.m. Thero are a large number of residents of tho Upper Waitaki who hail from the land of "brown heath and shaggy wood," and it is expected the effort to form a Bociety will be eminently successful. A meeting of men out of employment, and of those who sympathise with them in their position, is called for this evening at 8 o'clock, in St. George's Hall Tho meeting, wo believe, is called for tho purpose of asking the Government to start the work of road ing tho Maerov/heiuta Estate this waiter luotead of waiting till after the present occupiers havo completed their

grazing leases. As an illustration of tlio beneijt pf ambuance classes wo have only to mentioii a circumstance in connection with the accident to Mr Edtnonstono at tlio railway atation. Mr J. D. Scott, who had been a member of the ambulance classes, was on the platform, and applied •' first aid " to the sufferer. This camo in very opportunely, and while it relieved the suffering man it expedited his removal to the Hospital, where the operation of amputation was performed. The largo number of stranpe facet in town yesterday was very noticeable by townspeople. The fact was that the Waimato Catholic school children and their parents and friends paid a visit to Oamaru> coining by the morning train. They wore in charge of Fathers Regnault and Bowers and three Dominican nuns, Tlio day was beautifully fine, and the visitors enjoyed thomsolves greatly. On their arrival they woro conveyed to St. Joseph's school in expresses and tiaps, whore they wore hospitably entertained. They were afterwards taken to the public gardons, whero an enjoyable hour or two was spont< Tho oxcuraioniits loft by tho afternoon train with ploagaut memories

of their visit. Read Clayton, GAnoiNKn, and Co.'. adrcrtisomont at the foot of the third pages James Gkmmell invites inspection of his Winteu consignment (ex Aorangi) of Scottish and English suitings, coatings, and trouserings, including some real Harris Tweed*. A choico selection of exclusive novelties ; also Oamaru and other Colonial goods of tho best quality. This Establish merit lias long been noted for tho first-class character of its productions. Suits from 7Cs upwards. Waterproof overcoats to ordor and ready made at lowent current rates.— James Gemmell, Tiamei Street, Oftniaru