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Patea Mail, Volume IV, Issue 412, 29 March 1879, Page 2

Some of the Educational statistics lately published are interesting. We note first a very handsome increase in the number of scholars throughout the colony. The total average attendance during the quarter ending December 31, 1877, was 41,773, while for the corresponding quarter of 1878 it was 50,848. This large increase cannot bo wholly attributed to increase of population, but must bo partly accounted for by. the opening of new schools in districts where before no children were returned, partly to the wearing away of sectarian prejudice against the secular system, and the consequent closing of denominational schools, and partly, perhaps, to the operation of the compulsory clauses. At the end of 1878 there were 748 schools in the colony, the average per school is therefore almost 68. There is also an average of a little more than two teachers per school, or one teacher for every 32 scholars. Of the Educational districts, Otago seems to be the most thickly-peopled, for she averages within a very small fraction of 100 per school, and a trifle over 42 per teacher. The contrast between Otago and Auckland is striking; the latter district showing an average of only 48 per school and of 25 per teacher. The attendance of Auckland is about two-thirds of the attendance of Otago, and number of schools' in Otago is about two-thirds of the number of schools in Auckland. Clearly, Auckland has more than her share of small schools, while one would think Otago, with lire high average of 100 per, school,

must have many neglected districts. Onr own district seems to he even richer in small schools than Auckland, though not so- well supplied .with teachers, the average per school being than 48, and the. average per teacher a trifle over 30. ■ 1 . ‘ ■ ' ,

I’llK Wanganui Chronicle of ’yesterday in a leading article on the proposed railway to Opiinake, says : —“ It would he very difficult wc know, to got many of the Patea people to believe that wo could disinterestedly advocate what would conduce solely to the benefit of that County. In the picsent case we will not pretend to do so, but, at the outset, admit that it is not solely because the interests-of Patea are threatened that we are induced to lend our aid to “ A Settler,” whose letter appeared in onr Monday’s issue, in exposing and in endeavouring to prevent further robbery by Taranaki of money which it is anticipated will be realised from tbe sale of the Waimate Plains. . ,

It will he little less than a disaster to the two townships named [Hawera and Normanby] should the railway be constructed as now intended, and whilst NewPlymonth will so largely benefit by the forcing to and through it of all the trade, nothing whatever can bn hoped for by Wanganui. It touches us on the tenderest part, selfinterest. Those in the Patea County who might be sceptical as to disinterested aid being given by us to prevent further injus tied’being inflicted on it, cannot doubt hut that wc shall work heartily where wo deem our ownintcrests samewbat at stake. We at no time, expected to secure the whole of the trade, and the progress being made with river improvements at Patea will no doubt tend to lessen what we otherwise might have hoped for. . None will deny the direct interest wo have In the progress of that distr-ct, and we candidly think it would be more beneficial and certainly more 11131 to Patea, that some portion of the money which is now intended to bo spent wholly for the benefit of Taranaki, should be spared for Waitolara, together with Opnnake and Patea. Better far Ilian that it should be altogeth tr absorbed by Taranaki. There should be no division of opinion bet ween Wanganui and Patea as to the necessity of strong effort being made to prevent the railway to Opnnake being surveyed as now ordered.” The extracts' above ' clearly prove upon what conditions the Chronicle prepared to assist this district. Self-interest first, and then Patea can come in for the scrapings. The latter portion has been onr lot too long for the people to be led awav now by any promises from Wanganui. Wo think with our contemporary, that it will bo difficult to get many of the Patea people to believe any disinterested advocacy could come from it (ihe Chronicle).

The Bishop of Wellington and the Rev Mr Tudor are expected to arrive in Carlyle to-day, and will take part in both services at St. George’s Church on Sunday next.

Purchasers of sections in Stratford Extension, can obtain their titles on application to Mr W. Dale. Mr W. Cowern will sell Messrs Jacomb and Co’s grain warehouse and land, to-clav. Tenders will he received up to Tuesday next, by the Patea County Council, for numerous contracts as per advertisement.

We are pleased to learn that tho now threshing- . machine imported by Messrs Hearn and Kenned}’’, of Kakaramea, is working remarkably well. It is now engaged at Manutahi threshing for the owners, who are quite satisfied with their purchase. The use of straw for heating tho boiler has been resorted to, which has proved far better than either wood or coal.

Hawera is still going ahead, and it is c\ideut that outsiders have a good opinion of the future of that district. Of late several newcomers have cast their lot in Hawora, and seem to be doing fair!}' well. We have now to announce the arrival of another new business firm from Wellington (M essrs Whittaker Brothers), who intend opening in the building between the Bank of New Zealand and Owen’s Hotel, on the Ist April, with a large stock of drapery, stationery, fancy goods, &c. Competition is the soul of business, and we trust that all may do well.

Mr W. Dale will hold a sale at one o’clock to-day (near Mr Gnyatts’ house on the river bank) of house blocks and posts ; also at his mart, at 2 o’clock, galvanised iron, fencing wire, &c.

A special meeting of the Land Board was held at New Plymouth on Tuesday last, at 4 o’clock, when the Crown Land Commissioner read a telegram from the Hon. Mr Balance, directing him to call a meeting of the Board to arrange for the sale of the Waimato Plains. The Commissioner also read the draft copy of an advertisement that had been telegraphed to him, which on the approval of the Board, would at once be published in the papers throughout the colony, and also in Australia. The advertisement notifies that the sale of the Waimate Plains will take place on Tuesday 6th May at the town of Carlyle, and shall consist of 60,000 acres of land. Mr Kelly in moving the resolution authorising the sale, said it would be as well for the members of the Board not to make any observation on the matter, but leave the Government to take the responsibility upon themselves. MrSyine seconded the resolution, merely remarking that he thought it would have been better to have held the sale at Wellington. The Boaid then proceeded to classify' 1 the land, but the upset prices were not fixed at the meeting. It was mentioned in last issue, that on account of the railway line passing through certain sections belonging to the Patea Harbor Board, and which were advertised for sale, it was the wish of some of the members to withdraw them. This does not seem to have been approved of by others, upon what ground it is bard to say. However, a special meeting of the Board had to be called, and. the result was the withdrawal of sections 75, 76, and, 31. If these sections had been sold, it is doubtful whether Government would have completed the branch line of railway to Carlyle, as private individuals would be likely to cast obstacles in the way, by demanding compensation, and Government, possibly, Would only be too glad for an excuse to hang back. Those members of the Board who strongly urged the withdrawal of the sections, are deserving of the highest praise. We have been informed,, on reliable authority, that Government intend to commence the branch line immediately', and every settler in the County' should do the utmost in his power to assist. No cold water shoull he thrown on the scheme, because it happens to be on the other side of the river, for the’benefit will.be exactly the same, although perhaps not apparent to some. We believe the best lino has been chosen, and what more can we expec*.

By a private telegram rcceivcrl last night from Gr ivernnv'nt, a well-known gentleman of tbis.to v wn lias been authorised to organise a corps of military settlers, to occupy the Waimate Plains*. It is proposed to give them a‘ grant of land, arms, and rations—the land to bti taken from proposed native reserves on the Plains. It his step is carried out, and real good men soured, no doubt, with other assistance, die matter will soon be settled. Tbe telegram further stales that the sale will proceed notwithstanding attitude of natives. Yesterday the services of the police were sought to remove what was thought to he an incapable in front of Mr It. A. Adams’ shop. Upon the arrival of *he police, it was found to he only the showboy, who had been blown off his peich into the footpath. A general meeting of the Hawera Light Horse will take place to-day, after the inspection parade.

The Maoris have a horror of Dunedin, as will be seen by the following :—On Wednesday last some persons near Otouto were having a little rifle practice, firing very fast, which was mistaken by several Maoris thereabouts as a signal for hostilities. They, rushed breathlessly to a settler’s house, and exclaimed, “ Who make acannon. No good Dunedin. Too cold.” Upon being told if was all right, they said the bush was tbe best place, for the climate down South did not agree with their constitutions. A little wanner place might be found for some of them.

Sale of Harbor Board Reserves takes place at the Court House to-day.

The regular monthly meeting of the Wanganui Education Board was held on Wednesday last. Present—W. H. Watt in the chair), Sanson, Ross, Peake, and Uuthie. A letter from Hawera School Committee was read, asking for an extra grant of £l2 on account of extensions ; granted. Letter from Kohi committee, respecting drainage, &c., and enclosing resolution announcing the suspension of Mr M'Cortnick. Letter from Waverley Committee, asking for forms for good attendance certificated, and calling attention to errors in the Education Act. Letter from Carlyle Committee, giving information as to High School. The voting papers f om the different school committees were opened, the result being—Sanson, 33 ; Fox, 30 ; Noake, 19; Godwin, 13; Baker, 13 ; Doull, 13 ; Horner, 9 ; Peacock, 7. The first three were declared elected. Report of Library Committee, apportioning grant, was read and adopted. The grant of £226 12.5, was divided amongst the eight libraries in the district at the rate of 8s 7d for every £ collected : —Patea, £44 10s 8d ; Hawera, £22 3s 6d ; Wanganui, £ll6 7s 9d ; Otaki, £6 Is 7d ; Bulls, £l4 Is ; Sandon, £4 18s 8d ; Maxwell, £l2 17s 6d ; Upper Tutaenui, £1 2s 9d; printing, &c., 1-3 8s Bd.

A meeting of Church of England members will be held in the Court House, Carlyle, on Monday next, to ascertain the feeling as regards the raising of a General Diocesan Fund, for the following purposes : 1. To provide adequate stipends for the Clergy. 2. To build Churches, Parsonages, and Schools. 3. To train young men for the Ministry. A circular left with us by the Rev A. Dasent, says : —lt is estimated that if the Church of the whole Diocese is to fulfil her mission at all efficiently, no leas than twelve new clergyincMi will have to be f*btaine<i. rfifficiilty of obtaining suitable men from England, is notorious, and no doubt for the future they would have to depend upon themselves to supply their wants. More churches and parsonages were wanted, and they ought to be prepared within the next two or three years, to build not less than ten chuches and seven parsonages in the country districts, if they would not fall hopeless'y into arrears with the work that had been entrusted to them. Provision for the support and training of Theological students, was also required. There were at present several young men in the Diocese who would gladly offer themselves to the Bishop as candidates for Holy Orders, if the opportunity for special study could be afforded them. The Diocese, when fully organised, would require, for above purposes, something.like £20,000 a year, but probably half that sum would enable them to make a very satisfactory beginning of a new era of substan ial progress. The undertaking was no doubt a large one, but no true Churchman would be disposed to deny that the veiy utmost ought to be done to bring it to a successful issue. The circular then goes on to suggest a means of raising the necessary funds, as follows; Say 4,000 persons could be induced to give a small weekly subscription according to such a scale as this : 1,000 subscribing 6d each ; 1,000, Is ; 1,000, 2s ; and 1,000, 4s a week—the grand total at the end of the year would be £19,500, This scale would not exclude larger or smaller sums. All those who love their Church are asked to ponder well over what the success of this scheme means.