WHENUAKURA.

Patea Mail, 21 December 1881, Page 3

WHENUAKURA.

The yearly standard inspection took place at the School-house here on Thursday last, the 15th instant. Nine children were presented for the standards, and eight passed. Two boys also Avere presented for re-examination in standards Avbich they had previously passed in Nelson, but failed, OAving to the more exacting nature of the interpretation set upon the standards in this district; which is said to put them-considerably above those of most of the other districts.

On very short notice, a feast was provided for the children through the kindness of some of the ladies residing near—parents and friends of the children. It is scarcely necessary to say that it was ample, still less so to say that it was duly appreciated Avhen school children Avere the consumers.

Daring an interval, a few ®f the children favored the company with some recitations and a little chorus singing. Mrs Honcyfield was then kind enough to distribute the prizes. Patrick Sheaban, a very little boy, received a book awarded to him by Mr Foulis for his smartness at the examination, and the quaint though correct way in which he delivered his little verses. Daniel Hurley, prize for most regular attendance, given by Mrs Davidson, also for cleanest copy-book, given by Mrs Harley, Alt. Symes, for perseverance, given by Mr Robert Horner. John Sheahan, for recitation, given by Mrs Symes. Mrs Honeyfield has also promised two books, which are to be awarded at the re-opening of school. The teacher spoke briefly on one or two subjects ; cheers were given for the, ladies who had provided the feast, the givers of the prizes, and the teacher, when the company dispersed. Oat-door sports were prevented by the weather.

There is every prospect of a largo school at Whenuaknra in a few years, judging from the number of infants present on Friday last.

JAMES CROWE RICHMOND

A jewel of gold in a swine’s snout—in plain words, a weighty and notable article in tlii New Zealand Times —compares the two candidates for the Waimea. Mr Shephard is “ a man of mediocre ability, of political opinions chamclcon-liko in their changeable variety ; a man who never has, can, nor will ever make his mark in the history of the country.” Mr Richmond, on the other hand, is “ a member of a family in which genius is hereditary—a family whose name will ever be closely connected with our political history—and a civil engineer by profession, who has, since his arrival in the colony many years ago, devoted his services to the use of his adopted country, and studied its politics with a master mind.” It is much such a comparison as That between Mr George Hutchison and Major Atkinson. The result of the rejection of men like Mr Richmond is that “ men of intellect and ability seem disinclined to bring themselves forward, and demagogues, political charlatans, et hoc genus omne, form the majority of those offering themselves to the electors. Sometimes an electorate, blinded by personal and local feeling, will reject a man of colonial fame to elect some candidate of local popularity, but ignorant of the first principles of political economy and government, and, outside his immediate district, unknown.” The writer concludes that if we had Hare’s system of voting, local nobodios would retire to their native oblivion and men of real fame be returned who would render our House of Representatives a credit to the colony.