Local and General.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume I, Issue 158, 16 June 1884, Page 2

Local and General.

Mr. Booth.—Mr. Booth, Resident Magistrate, arrived by the Omapere from Napier this morning. Football.—A scratch football match was played on Saturday afternoon between the Pakehas and Maoris.

Pakirikiri Ferry.—Notice is given by the County Engineer that the Pakirikiri Ferry is now in good order, and may be crossed at any time of the tide. Supreme Court.—The Supreme Court did not open to-day, on account of the nonarrival of the Waihora, which is to bring the Judge and staff. The Court is adjourned until to-morrow morning.

U.S.S. Service.—The Omapere left Napier at seven o’clock on Sunday morning, and arrived here early this morning. The Waihora did not leave Napier until 9.20 this morning, and may, therefore, not be expected here until sometime during the night. The Election.—Great excitement has prevailed in town all day on account of the election, the streets being crowded with people, a large number of whom came in from the country. The footpaths in places were blocked up by the crowds, who were howling, yelling, and cheering up the candidate whom they severally supported. The polling has been proceeding at the Court House since nine o’clock this morning, and the result will be made known to-night about seven o’clock. Most likely the result of the polling at Ormond, Te Arai, and other places near Gisborne will also be declared to-night.

Willmott’s Company.—Our Ormond friends are about to receive an unlocked for treat. Wilmott’s Company is announced to perform there on the 18th of June. The pieces they intend to present are entitled “ The wrong man,” and “ Black eyed Susan.” The prices of admission are very moderate, and the residents in that locality should take care and not lose the opportunity of seeing this talented company’s performance. Sergeant McGuire.—Sergeant McGuire, who has been fourteen years in the Constabulary force, has been dismissed from the service in a manner that, we cannot but think, is exceedingly harsh, and which we are under the impression would not have been his portion if the Minister for Defence had been fully acquainted with the circumstances of the case. Early in May last Sergeant McGuire received a communication while stationed at Awanui ordering him and his family to proceed to Napier as soon as possible after a constable could be sent up to relieve him. On arrival here on the 19th May he was shown the instructions under which he had been ordered to be removed. These were, in effect, “Remove Sergt. McGuire from Awanui as soon as possible, and call on him for an explanation why he took active steps in obtaining native signatures to private deeds.” Sergt. McGuire’s explanation was that he had never taken active steps to obtain signatures to any deed whatsoever, and that during the five and a half years he had been stationed in the Awanui district he had always refrained from mixing himself up in native land matters. To this explanation a reply was forwarded to the Inspector here from the Defence Department to this effect: —“ Under instructions from the Hon. the Defence Minister, Sergt. McGuire is dismissed for travelling about witnessing native signatures to private deeds, and for receiving remuneration for so doing, permission to do which he must have been well aware would not have been granted him.” We understand that there has been no charge brought against Sergeant McGuire as a police officer, and in the face of his distinct denial of having mixed himself up in native land transactions the punishment of dismissal seems preposterous.— Daily Telegraph,

East Coast Election.—l am told that one of the candidates for the East Coast election has given £2O each to several Gisborne public houses for free liquors, hoping in this manner to unlock the hearts of the voters in his favour. The election will cost the candidates at least, it is said, some £3OO each. I remember at the last election one candidate being charged some £250 for advertising and printing, by two very inferior rags of newspapers published in the chief town of the district. And what was worse than this was that the candidate was foolish enough to pay the bills. I have often had serious thought of printing them full, and may yet do so before the next election, to show what little good is found in the Corrupt Practises Act.— Labor.

The Avaricious Maori.—During the sitting of the Supreme Court, recently, after the two Maories, who were charged with forcible entry, had been discharged for want of prosecution, the Maori jury, which had been specially summoned to try the case, were informed their attendance was no 'longer required. They did not appear glad to be relieved of their duties in this way, and some of them showed in their countenance unmistakeable signs of dissatisfaction, A happy thought, however, occurred to the Registrar at this point, and he told the interpreter that if the Maori jurymen would retire to the Clerk’s room they would be paid for their attendance. This information quickly changed the aspect of affairs in the eyes of the Maoris who made straight for the Clerk’s room, muttering Kaipai.—Taranaki Herald.

Does it pay ?—For a system of education which is termed “ national ” though it may well be questioned whether this word is lightly used in such a connexion, the Colony of New Zealand is being taxed at the present moment to the tune of something approaching half-a-million of money. It is well to ask ourselves at this juncture, is the scheme working satisfactorily ? and, does it pay ? It seems unjust, that the Colony at large should be called upon to subsidise High Schools at the rate of £8 per head, in order to benefit a comparatively small proportion of our children. More than this, the adoption of an extended curriculum, leads inevitably in the long run to a system of crams, to weakness of memory and to want of proficiency in any one subject. The system too acts detrimentally on the physique as well as on the mental faculties of our young people, as who shall not believe that has noticed the weary and woe begone expression of the child that is set to study some matter far beyond its ken ? We are compelled then to enquire, Has the State any right to concern itself with aught in the matter of education beyond the rudimentary branches ? We are aware jhat there are many parents, if not the majority, who would actually prefer to pay small fees, and by so doing insure for their children companionship which shall at least not be the roughest of the rough. One result of the plan of forced education, which is not too pleasant to contemplate, has already begun to make itself felt. The sons of the hardy settlers who made New Zealand what it is, are beginning to feel it beneath their dignity as scholars—save the mark—to lay their hands to the plough. They must enter the Civil Service, become a clerk, or at least serve behind a counter. The young women of the Colony sneer also at the idea of domestic service. We plead, therefore, for a reimposition of school fees, the Government bearing the expense of tuition in the t.iree R’s only, if they will, but the parents to pay the demands necessary for “ higher education.” To put the whole question on a broad basis, it is not honest to live in debt and pay for luxuries.— Fortuity Nezvs.