Untitled

Temuka Leader, Volume I, Issue 77, 11 September 1878, Page 2

/ipVieeting of the Temuka School Comwas held on Monday evening. Igesent : Messrs Wilson (Chairman), Blyth, Gray, Storey and Russell. After transacting the ordinary routine business a report by Mr Blyth on the state of the master’s house, was read. Also a letter from Miss Klee, asking for an increase of salary, having been teaching more than a year. It was resolved to forward this letter to the Board o . Education, requesting their favourable consideration. Three applications for the office of Secretary to the Commit te having been read, Mr J. Lawson was elected to the office, it was resolved that the Secretary be instructed to write to the Board to ask if the Inspector’s report on the Temuka School had been laid before it, and to ask what recommendations, if any, had been made for an additional room, and what steps

the Board thought of taking in the matter. Mr Storey asked the Chairman what steps, if any, had been taken in the matter of increasing the teaching staff—there is now between eighty and ninety children in the infant school alone. Mr Storey, as visiting member, reported that the master was in need of several things, and that he had advised him to procure a few until the stock indented on the Board came to hand. Mr Gray again brought before the committee the matter of pupil-teachers flogging the children. Resolved, “That the attention of the master bo called to a former resolution on the subject, and that a copy of that resolution be forwarded to him.” Mr Storey was authorized to sign cheques with the Chairman. Messrs Blyth and Gray were appointed a visiting committee for the ensuing month. Messrs Gray, Storey, and Russell were requested to attend to a few small repairs to the master’s house. In consideration of the fact that the Board of Education for South Canterbury seem to ignore the applications of this committee, it was moved by Mr Gray, seconded by Mr Storey, and carried unanimously, “That the Secretary write to the Rev Mr Barclay, Messrs Inwood and Postlethwaite, and invito them them to visit the Temuka School, along with the Chairman of Committee and one or two members, in order that they may be able to form an opinion of the wants of the school, and bring the matter before the Board of Education at its first meet-

A meeting of the Temuka Race Committee was held in the Crown Hotel, Temuka, on Monday evening, the 9th instant. The following resolutious were passed :—“ That the ground privileges be advertised for sale on Wednesday, 2nd October, if convenient to the auctioneers.” Lot No. 1, a licensed booth, to include a grand stand, the takings to be the property of the buyer. Lot No. 2, a licensed booth only, to be placed where the Committee think fit on the ground. Lot No. 3, gate money and cards. Lot No. 4, refreshment booth and right of sports. The meeting then adjourned till Monday, 16th instant, at 1 p.m., when the full report of the Ground Committee will be received. We beg to call attention to an alteration in the programme of the Temuka races, the Race Committee having decided to make the Hack Selling Race a post entry race.

If the ‘ Otago Witness’s’ Lake country correspondent writes truly, Milford Sound will not long, retain its present secluded character. “ Landi” he says, “is being asked for at the head of Lake Wakatip, a dray road-is wanted to Martin’s Bajq then to Queenstown Valley, and practicable communication with Milford Sound—the natural harbour, of L ike country—is only a question of time, and that of a very short time too.” If the country at the head of-Lake Wakatip is settled as profitably as other portions of New Zealand, a communication with the western coast must be obtained. The head of the Lake is only about twentyfive mi'es as the crow flies from the head of Milford Sound, but is at least a hundred more from Dunedin in an equally straight line. If the nature of the intervening country is not too rugged, we may expect Milford Sound to become before the lapse of many years as great a port as it excellent as a harbour.

At a sale of yearlings belonging to the Cobham Stud Gompany, 33 of the best fetched a total of about 18,500 guineas. A bay colt by Carniviil brought 2500 guineas. ;

There are about 320 miles of railway open in Canterbury, and of these about consist of heavy bridges. At a meeting of the Church of England Parsonage Building Committee held on Monday evening last, tenders were opened from Mr W. G. Rutland (£750) and Messrs Clynch and Lloyd (£822 4s), the tender of Mr W. Rutland being accepted. It was resolved that the Standing Committee be immediately communinicated with, requesting them to place available funds at the disposal of the Building Committee. The offer of Mr Fildos to act as treasurer was accepted with thanks, and all subscribers are requested to pay in their promised donations as early as possible.

According to a 1 Gazette’ published last Thursday, the New Zealand railways earned during the four weeks ending July 27, 1878, L 43,585 11a 6d; working expenses during that time, L 33,012 16s 10d ; percentage of expenditure to revenue, 75.74.

A working man whose identity has not been made out, deliberately lay down in front of a train between Sandhurst and Melbourne. The engine was reversed, but too late to prevent its running over and mangling tbe/efo de se. The following comes to us as hona fide from Christchurch : —“She was a smart, nice-looking girl, and she knew it. Her terms were £3O a year ; must get out three times a week, including all Sunday afternoon from two o’clock. Further, she must be allowed followers, and to entertain them in the back parlour, and finally have liberty to use the piano one hour per diem.Tnis latter clause seemed more than flesh and blood could endure, but there were six in the family, besides a helpless husband, to consider, so the bargain was stru k, the only concession vouchsafed being timt if she pra tised on the piano it would be during the absence of her mistress. Visitors who called when the lady of the house was said to he from home wondered to hear the piano, and puzzled themselves very seriouslv with the problem of what could have been their heinous offence that they had been refused an audience. But this state of tilings could not last. Our paragon of slaveys had to be advised that her genius was wortliy of a higher sphere. She took the advice and her swag, shook the dust from her feet, and swept away in a two horsed four-wheeler which she had ordered for the occasion.”

Mr MTherson are glad to hear, recovering from his late painful accident. It will, however, probably be a month before he will be able to resume his duties. In the meamime the district may congratulate itself on Mr M‘Pherson’s having obtained a substitute so efficient as Mr W. Williamson.

Father Henneberry finished his mission at Geraldine on Sunday last, having drawn great congregations during the week, and completing with the usual procession, in which about 170 took part with their banners. The eight would have been satiafactory but for the heavy downpour of rain during the whole cf the time.

The Governor and the members of the House of Representatives returned from Dunedin to Christchurch on Monday, leaving the former place at 7.23 a.m. The party on the down trip had most enjoyable wcatuer,- but the return was made through a cold wintry rain nearly all the way. Christchurch was reached at 7.35. and after a final banquet to the ladies and northern members, the visitors took special train to Lyttelton, reembarked, and sailed for the North. The ‘Press’ says: “The whole of the arrangements were in the hands of Mr Horace Bastings, M.H.R., and his provision was perfect. Everything was done to add to the comfort of members, and if any deserves a memento of the trip it is the gentleman referred to. Throughout the whole celebration has been, a complete success, and not one hitch occurred to mar the pleasantness of the trip or the enjoyment of those who took part in it.

The agents in Canterbury for the Osborne Harvester and Binder—Messrs Robert Wilkin and Co. —have received by

the San Francisco mail from America the machine for our next harvest, which Contains many important improvements suggested by the experience of last season, and also of the present season in Texas and California. During last harvest, a representative of the firm, with Mr J. W. Case, the American agent of Osborne and Co., visited the various large grain producing districts of tin South, and in the course of their travels a number of little improvements suggested themselves from the practical working of the reaper and binder, many of which have been incorporated in the one under notice, making it thoroughly applicable to the requirements of the farmers of New Zealand. This machine was heavily handicapped last season, a single one only being in farmers’ hands, and consequently the advantage of getting practical suggestions from farmers who were working the machine were impossible, and the agents had to rely almost entirely on their own observations. We are glad to be tible to record the only machine available for last season, which passed into the hands of Mr Shepherd, of West Melton, cut and satisfactorily bound over 400 acres of grain. Several alterations have been made in the machine, and the idea seems to have been to strenghcil the whole without adding too much to the weight or increasing the draught. We arc much struck with the completeness and utility of the machine, and think farmers will find it thouroughly efficient in the field. We are informed by the agents their Mr Robert Wilkin, on his way through America, visited the works of Messrs Osborne and Co, who were busily engaged at the time on the machines for New Zealand, and was highly pleased with the factory, which employs a largo number of hands, and turns out an immense number of machines, over 2000 having been sold this season in the States alone, besides a large quantity shipped to Europe. In travelling through the States ho made particular enquiries of independent farmers, and found the improved Osborne machine had given such great satisfaction that he is very confident that it will take a very high place in Canterbury, and accordingly ordered for shipment a further large quantity. As independent testimony of their worth 1 , two Canterbury importers, who have also travelled overland, tried hard to purchase machines direct from Messrs Osborne and Co., who, however, refused to deal except through their agents.—‘ Press.’

The weather s 1 ill continues wet and cold down South, much restricting farm-

ing operations.

The £ Saturday Advertiser ’ says “The Timaru papers are taking the first word of scolding against any person who shall reflect on the defective capability of the place' as a. seaport. A breakwater will make all right. Let the land-owners in the neighbourhood, who are getting big prices for their land, make the breakwater.”

At a late trial of corn-binders in Illinois, six different machines competed. The jury placed the Wood Machine first, the M'Cormick second, and the Osborne third.

All Australian, writing to the Christchurch Press, makes the excellent reply to Mr Neilson’s expression of opinion that the successes of the Australian cricketers in England are “ flukes” that the only defeat they suffered in the 20 matches played in Australia and New Zealand (that played at Christchurch) was possibly a “fluke.”

The balance-sheet of the Standard Fire and Marine Insurance Company of New Zealand for the half-year ending 30th June, 1878, shows that L 34,274 had been paid on fire and marine losses, and that L 38,112 had been received f,r premiums during the half-year. The company has L 82,474 invested. A dividend of 10 per cent, was declared.

The rebels in New Caledonia still hold out, and are being joined by other tribes. Two hundred soldiers have been brought from Cochin China to assist in their suppression.

The ‘ Australasian,’ in an article referring to Mr Stout’s lecture on “ The Study of Politics,” says : —“ What do the ignorant classes in any ccmmunity care for a scientific demonstration 1 To an educated man, living an intellectual life, and submitting his beliefs to the tribunal of reason, a scientific proof is something of absolute cogency, which he can no more throw over than he can reject the moral law. But if he thinks that it is the same to the mass of mankind, he has devoted very little indeed of his scientific inquiries to the race of which he is a member. To them the nearest, though it may be the meanest and most sordid, interest is of more weight than the most triumphant demonstration that science ever framed. Any idea of a science of politics in this sense of the term —that is to say, of a general submission of every practical social question to the test of reason and known laws, and an abiding by the result—must be relegated to a very remote and dim future. The laws of nature, indeed, are not abrogated, because they are disregarded. But they will operate much more conspicuously in punishing their breach than in guiding the masses to their observance. And while this continues to be the case, the philosophic study of politics, to which Mr

Stout invites general attention, will be little more than a humiliating experience of the folly* the stolid unwisdom, and the stupid credulity and gullibility of the great bulk of mankind.”

The following letter is stated by iEgles, in the Australasian, to have been sent to a colonial Board of Education as an application for a mastership :—“ Honourable Secretary: I beg leave to tender my application for the situation as teacher of the public school. I learn the seat is vacant and des-titute of all inheritance and quite ignorant of all rudiments relating to the board of education though nevertheless I am Thoroughly acquainted with the habits of the young pupils and all the style and taste of their rurals in this vicinity and firmly believe I would suit them to a nicety ; and not that only but it is a great pity our beautiful little cemetery a credit to the neighbours and the public at large should be one day exempted from the care and protection of a trustworthy Teacher ! if the approbation of this note is nominated please to give timely notice. I beg to have the honor of being yours most obclnly.’, We have seen a few queer schoolmasters’ letters, but this one bears away the palm.

A supplementary ‘ Gazette ’ dated Aug 23, publishes bye-laws fixing a uniform scale of fares and charges on the New Zealand railways, commencing from the 22nd instance. Passenger rates —First class, single 3d per mile ; second 2d : return, a fare and a half; children, half rates : minimum charge, 6d first class, 4d second. Special trains with one large carriage, 15s per mile. Season—annual tickets, £3 per two miles to 21 miles, and so in proportion for six, three, or one month. School tickets, irrespective of distance, iOs per quarter ; school parties, |d per mile; family tickets for four persons, two-thirds of ordinary rate. Season tickets for news boys, half the ordinary rates. Each passenger is allowed to take 1121bs luggage free, but pays Is per 501bs extra. Dogs, 6d per 25 miles, the maximum to be charged 2s 6d. Grain, 2|d per ton, per mile, with a terminal charge of Is 9d per ton on goods consigned to, or from, private sidings or sheds, owners to load and unload. Minerals, 2d per ton, per mile. Wool, undumped, Id per mile per bale, not exceeding 4cwt.; double dumped, 1| per bale, owners to load and unload. Timber, -|d per 100 ft super, per mile Live stock, sheep, pigs, &c., 10s per truck up to 10 miles; for each additional mile up to 50, 4d. Freight for a lot of sheep, not less than 9000, for a distance not exceeding 170 miles, £360 ; cattle, 15s per truck up to ten miles, for each additional mile 5d per truck up to 60 miles ; horses, single, 8s 8d up to 10 miles, 2jd per mile after. Hay and straw, 6cl per truck for 50 miles, for each additional mile, 7d ; postsand rails, firewood, 10d per truck per mile up to 50 miles, per truck for each additional mile. Corpses, Is per mile, minimum £l. Native coal, Is 6d per ton for three miles, 2d per ton for each additional mile up to 15s. General regulations—a truck load is to be computed at five tons. Drivers of public vehicles are charged an annual fee of £1 for a license for plying for hire within the precincts of any station. Boad metal Id per mile.

Sandy Abroad. —A worthy Bailie having pain a visit to Paris, was describing to a select circle of friends the won ders he had seen there. While he spoke of the Louvre, Notre Dame, &c., he declared—“ What astonished me mair than onything else was to hear the bits o’ bairns nae higher thon that ’ holding his hand about three feet from the floor, “speaking French wi’ as much glibness as bairns twice their size in oor ain countrie speak their mither tongue.