The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY). SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1879.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 5825, 29 November 1879, Page 2

The New Zealand Times (PUBLISHED DAILY). SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1879.

During the last few weeks a series of articles has appeared in this journal, intended to draw public attention to the present system of education in this colony, from the New Zealand University down to our primary schools. The object of these articles has not been antagonistic to education, but they have been penned for the purpose of guarding our educational authorities from that excess of zeal which is far more calculated to damage than to further the true interests of any good cause. That our educational system is now well within the limits of the enthusiastic, few practical men, who have given the subject due consideration, will be prepared altogether to deny. We are now acting as if the attainment of a high education were the beginning and end of our existence, and to obtain this end we are making serious mistakes. We are treating the mind as if it were a machine, the value of which we estimate in proportion to the work that can be got out of it. We are making a futile and abortive attempt, as the result will show, to overtake as much mental work—in a word, to make our children learn as much in one year as their fathers did in two. To secure this end we have recourse to forcing, a practice which is the reverse of healthy, and in -the highest degree dangerous. Take the case , of our colleges and higher educational establishments. Let anyone who has the time and the patience read the Report of the Commissioners on Higher Education; let him pay particular attention to the examinations of the professors, and there he will gather that each one thinks a foremost place should bo given to his branch of science. This appears to justify a remark that appeared in these coluranssome time since, to the effect that “ Professors are not the “ men to go to for advice when devising “ a curriculum of instruction.” Consequently, we have a curriculum embracing as many subjects to which special attention must be paid as there are branches of study, and which is practically unattainable. Throughout our colleges and higher educational institutions there is a strong tendency to overtax the mental capabilities of the students. It is clear that such a state of things, apart from the danger to the students and pupils, consequent upon over-work, must necessarily be the cause of a want of thoroughness in the work itself. Take the case of the teachers in our primary schools. To obtain a first position they must now hold the degree of M.A., and.to attain a respectable status they must hold a B. A. degree. During the last few years, influenced by a laudable ambition, some have tried this on their own account. A few, very few, have obtained the degree. Some have brought themselves to a premature grave by over-work ; the minds of some have become unhinged ; others, listening to the friendly admonitions of nature, have given up the unequal strife. And if we consider for a moment, these things are not to be wondered at. The work of the teacher is a constant strain upon the mind. His life is a constant study, not only of the subjects to be taught, but of the dispositions of his pupils. His mind is constantly on the rack, both to place information before his pupils in the moat concentrated form, and also in such a manner as to reach the dullest capacity. This is surely enough for any ordinary person to: do; but the Department of Education thinks differently. <f The powers that

be” have not only increased the teacher’s work in school twofold, but they have increased his work tenfold out of it, by demanding such high literary attainments from the teaching staff. To what end is all this vaulting ambition 1 We might almost as well require a lawyer to study botany, or an engineer to be versed in astronomy. If the public teachers, as a whole, are now doing good service to the State ; if they have hitherto performed their duties well, and instructed our children in an able and efficient manner in the subjects required by the State, what need is there to impose additional and unnecessary burdens upon them ? If the classification and pay of teachers is made to depend upon literary attainments only, and profession, knowledge, and ability are not important factors in the calculation, are we not offering a premium to teachers to neglect their work in order to qualify themselves for a higher classification, which, in the eyes of the department, is more honorable than faithful service, and to the teacher himself far more lucrative ?

The House was occupied during the whole of yesterday in considering the Estimates, and got through a considerable amount of work, not adjourning until a late hour.

There has been some gossip about town for the last day or two with reference to the formation of another Middle Party amongst the new members of the House. It is stated that the movement originated amongst some of the Opposition party, on account of the termination to the late no-confidence motion. Mr. De Lautour has been chosen as Leader of the “Young New Zealanders,” who threaten to do great things during the coming session of Parliament. The new, party is said to be load in its professions of “ Liberalism,” and we are informed that “ economy ” will be the principal watchword when they bringup their forces to the attack next session. With Mr. De Lautour, however, at the head of the movement, we are inclined to think the new organisation is one of the outcomes of Greyism, and that, as the latter is now politically dead, the career of the offspring will not be a very long one.

The LegislativeCouncil sat till ten o’clock last night. In the two sittings—afternoon and evening—a considerable amount of business was done, although three hours of the combined periods were spent in committee on the Registration Bill. In this measure a large number of amendments, but none of an important character, were made, several clauses being postponed, in order that they might be more lucidly drawn. Much amusement was caused by some of the amendments on the original Bill introduced by the Lower House. These were generally of a negative character —the amendments to the latter portion of a clause being in direct contradiction to the first part of the same section. One clause Mr. Wilson naively , proposed to postpone, as he wished to add a little amendment, but on being pressed to state its purport, observed it was only a proviso that names should he only on one roll in the colony, which caused loud laughter. The Council refused to postpone the clause, and' so settled the fate of the hon. gentleman’s amendment. Luring the sitting a suggestion was made that the Council should sit on Mondays, but it was not formally agreed to.

Active preparations are being made for laying the foundation stone of the new law courts, the ground being in process of clearing, and sitting accommodation being erected. We would suggest that as Whiunore-street will be much used by vehicles on Monday, the trench that has been opened across the street be filled in, and a large spar lying in the roadway be removed, otherwise we shall probably have some accidents to chronicle in connection with the ceremony.

It is currently rumored that one of the whips of the Maoandrew-cum-Grey party has thrown up his post. The position did not afford enough scope for the talents of this enterprising and modest young statesman. The directors of the Tramway Company have notified their intention of reducing the rate of wages paid to the guards and drivers, and also that in future overtime will not be paid for work done either on Sundays or week days. The directors state that they consider the rate of wages was fixed at too high a standard in the first instance, and they find that the undertaking, to he profitably conducted, cannot continue to pay the present rates. Those who wish to remain in the service of the company will in consequence have to accept the modified scale, and the increased hours.

A disgraceful scene was witnessed yesterdayafternoon in Willis-street between 4 and 5 o’clock. A man named Walker, who keeps a shop near Hill’s boarding-house, was quarrelling with his wife, and he several times dragged her violently from the premises out into the street. A large number of people were passing at the time, and a crowd collected. While the row was in progress a constable was standing under a verandah on the opposite side of the road, calmly looking on, until he was asked by a gentleman why he did not endeavor to; pacify the wranglers. Upon this the guardian of the peace stepped across the road with some alacrity, and made a show of doing the duty he had up to then been neglecting.

A meeting of creditors in the estate of A. B. W. Goldsmid will be held on Friday next, tooonaider an application made by the debtor for his discharge. The band of the Wellington Guards will perform selections on the Basin Reserve this afternoon, on the occasion of the annual meet ing of the Wellington College Athletic Club, which will be under the patronage of his Excellency the Governor and Rady Robinson. The third recital at St. Mark's Church, presided oyer by Mr. Angelo Forrest as organist, took place last evening. The most noticeable feature of the recital was the marvellous execution displayed by the organist, and the wonderful verve with which ha performed. This was especially noticeable in the “ Coronation March,” when the grandeur of the tones of the organ seemed almost too much for the building. In the flute concerto, the dulcet notes of the flute stop mingling with the deeper tones of the organ, the manipulation was truly wonderful. A fugue in G major, a superb composition by Mr. Angelo Forrest, was exquisitely rendered ; but the “ Ave Maria,” by Liszt, was to our mind one of the moat chaste performances of the evening. The singing of two lady soloists was very highly to be commended, “He was despised ” being rendered by a charming alto with great pathos, as was also the prayer from Eli by the same voice. “ I mourn as a dove,” by one of our leading sopranos, was sung with much sweetness and The recital was brought to a close with the “ Hallelujah Chorus,” which was given with great effect, as well as Wely’s grand offertory. Altogether the performance was a rare musical treat. The church was fairly filled, although doubtless the inclemency of the weather was the means of preventing many who would otherwise have attended. Messrs. Charles O'Neill and L. Levy, J.P.’s> presided at the Resident Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Patrick McCullough, Patrick Donovan, and H. 0. Beckford each pleaded guilty to creating a disturbance at Barrett’s Hotel on the previous day. They were fined 20s. and costs, and a man named Henry De Lacy, tor being drunk and committing a nuisance in Lambton-quay, was dealt with in a similar manner. A druukard was discharged with a caution. A man named John Cummings, charged with stealing 19s. fid. from a fellow lodger, Alexander Simpson, was sent to gaol for a month. - ■

The weekly sports in connection with the Amateur Athletic Club were held last evening at the Basin Reserve, a large number of persons being present to witness the contests. There was a very fine race for the quarter-mile handicap, which was won by Lambert, with Bishop second ; time, 56sec. The mile and a half walking handicap was won by Beswick, with Berry a good second ; time, 12min. France dropped out in the fourth lap. The through traffic on the Wellington and Featherston line was resumed yesterday, the landslips whh-h filled the Blue Rock cutting having been entirely cleared away. A correspondent signing himself “ Old Fogey ” supplies the following interesting information “It may be interesting to some of your readers to know that they can make an excelleot microscope of the conoi i lump in the bottom of a brandy or other clear glass bottle, merely to break off the glass around it, and it i»;,tben easy to make a little case for it. ‘ Some I. have got will magnify one hundred times. All of them are lees or more magnifying.”

One branch of colonial industry has received decided encouragement at the hands of the Government. We have been le 1 to understand that the contract - for supplying the Wellington, Napier, and Foxton-Wanganui railways with coat has been given to Mr. Martin Kennedy, formerly XI.H. It. for the Grey. After the first of next month steam power will be used on Vie tramway line as far as Newtown. Since the extension from Adelaide-ro id was completed, that part of the journey was done with horses, which has caused considerable dissatisfaction. The new arrangement will therefore be welcomed by the residents of the suburb.

Cricket matches will be played to-day between the Wellington and Bohemian Clubs, at the Hutt ; between the Excelsior and Telegraph Cadet Clubs, at Polhill's Gully ; and between the United and Government Printing Office Clubs, at the Hutt. A practice match will also be played at the Hutt between the non-players of the Wellington Cricket Club. The train leave* at 1.15 p.m. The banks, insurance companies, and the barristers and solicitors, will observe Monday as a close holiday. A special train will leave Featherston at 6 a m. on that day, arriving at the Hutt in time to catch the first train. There aie three Masonic lodges in the Wairarapa, and this arrangement will enable the members to arrive in Wellington iu time for the opening ceremonies.

The ship Artheusa, which has 350 Government immigrants on board, is expected to arrive in port in the course of a few days. The ship Opawa, belonging to the New Zealand Shipping Company, arrived at Nelson yesterday morning from Plymouth, after a passage of 96 days, with 300 Government immigrants oa board, who are intended for distribution in Nelson, Marlborough, and the West Coast. After landing the passengers at Nelson the Opawa will come on to this port, where she will be an object of some interest, as the peal of bells for St. Paul's Church are on board.

It is scarcely to be credited, but it is a fact nevertheless (says the Standard), that the palings on the fence which encloses the Greytown Police Building* were imported from Hobarton. Taking into consideration that Greytownis, comparatively speaking, situated iu the raidd'e of a forest, the timber in which would have made palings, if not eq lal, quite good enough for the purpose. It has been pointed out before in this journal that architects and engineers have been much to blame for specifying foreign timber to be used when the New Zealand timber would have been equally as serviceable, and the using of which would have prevented the money from going out of the country, besides giving employment to a number of people. These gentlemen appear to have one fixed set of ideas as to what timber should be used, and to get them to understand anything different would be as difficult as to get a madman to talk sensible. Not a little stir was caused at Waipawa on Friday by the news that one of the piles of the railway bridge was broken or loosened by the force of the river. Apparently the pile has not been driven very deeply into the ground, and the scour of the shingle round it has loosened it. Shortly before the midday train passed over to Walpukurau, the loose timber work which was being washed about by the action of the current, was secured to the other pile. A large number of people were down to watch the train pass, fearing that it might not be - afe, but the railway authorities were well assured of the perfect security, or they would not have let the train go over. Since the bridge was erected, the course of the river has greatly changed, and the force of the current is now “ broadside on ” to the piles.

As an incident of American competition, it is stated that eggs imported from Chicago are being eaten at Dublin breakfast-tabUa, tnd good American butter at Bd. per lb. is on sale at the Dublin quays. The levy for the Russian army this year is estimated to increase the force by 218,000 men.

A sale of produce, &c., will bs held at the rooms of Messrs. Laerv and Campbell to-day, at 11 a.m.: and at 2 p.m. the usual Saturday’s sale of horses, drays, &0., will take plrce in Manners-street. A sale of furniture, dog cart, fowls, &0., will bo held by Mr. Francis Sidey to-day, at 1 p.m., at the Arcade.