THE HIGHER EDUCATION OF WOMEN. Dunedin, Dec. 18.

Te Aroha News, Volume VII, Issue 430, 21 December 1889, Page 5

THE HIGHER EDUCATION OF WOMEN. Dunedin, Dec. 18.

Loku Onslow , in his speech afc the presentation of prizes to the Girls' High richool, which took place in the Exhibition Concert Hall to-day, said : — I think that it is more than necessary here for women, in the words of Chid, " carefully to acquire Ballet, Lett ret and fine art, which give polish to oui manners, and which substitute culture for barbaiism,'' and for this reason, that in New Zealand every man is engaged in doing a work fox himself. He is engaged in business or in commerce, 01 in agriculture, and but little time for leisure is left to him for the cultivation of what we call letter. I know there is an opinion generally in these colonies that c\ery man ought to work, that the whole colony ought to consist of working beos. Now, although that is a very excellent doctrine, 1 am not wholly satisfied that a leisured class is an unmixed evil to a community, and I do not look with that fear that some people do on what I venture to think is growing up in New Zealand as elsewhere in Australia, a class of men who will have sufficient lvoney to live on without working ; and I venture to say that if such a class grows up it will be far better, for they will acquire greater renown, and they will do greater work for their fellow-creatures if they devote themselves to the patronage of the aits and sciences in New Zealand rather than taking home their money after they have done what is commonly called " made their pile," to become an infinitesimal unit in the great crowd of London socioty. (Applause.) Every woman has her appointed place in the great structure of society. Every giil has before her certain appointed duties to perform ; and, in order that she may fill that plaoe in society — in order that she may be able disoreetly to perform that duty — wo seek to give her what we call the higher education of women. We endeavour, so far as lies in our power, to fit her for her career in future life, that we may make her, as far as human possibilities may, as Kingsley has truly said— '* A perfect woman nobly planned, To warn, to comfort, and conunar.d ; And yet a spirit s>t ill, and blight With something of an angel light."

Some surprise has been caused in Melbourne by the ai rival of a large ve«sel from a South American port with a cargo of maize. The cereal is one that grows luxuriantly, nob only in many pares of Victoria colony, but in every other colony of the Australasian group, particularly in New South Wales and southern Queensland, and therefore why it has been found necessary to send away to such a far away port as Rosario, situated well up the Parana River, in the republic of La Plata, South America, will no doubt cause considerable speculation among most people who desire that Australia should bo self-supporting, especially in productions such as this. The vessel referred to is bhe Contest. Yen ! It is certainly true. Aek any of your friends who have purchased there. Garlick aud Cranwell have numerous unasked for and very favourable commendations from country customers on their excellent packing of Furniture, Crockery, and Glass, &c. Ladies and gentlemen about to furnish should remember that Garlick and Cran well's is the Cheap Furnishing Warehouse of Auckland. Furniture to suit all classes ; also Carpets, Floor Cloths and all House Necessaries. If your new house is neai'ly finished, or you are going to get married, visit Garlick and Cranwell, Queen-street and Lome-street, Auckland. Intending purchaser* «%n have % oat^cuzue sent fie*.