The Temuka Leader. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1878.

Temuka Leader, Volume I, Issue 97, 20 November 1878, Page 2

The Temuka Leader. WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 20, 1878.

When a certain member of the General Assembly opposing a measure for educating the people said if all were educated where would our bullock drivers come from, he opened Ids mouth, ami, like many more, uttered the first words that came to hand without calculating the consequences of In’s indiscretion. A wise head said a little learn ing is a dangerous thing, and the truth of this saying is demonstrated in our midst every day, but this is a very different thing fiom saying education incapacitates a man or woman from doing their part in the active affairs oi ii(h. What occupation is made more irksome by the artisan having his head well stored with ideas ? Even the bullock driver, who has been so often (pioted, does anyone believe if he had been well instructed in the law of kindness he would ever make use of the disgusting language so often and foolishly made use of? On the contrary, he would remember that it is better to flatter even a fool than to fight him, in every walk in life. The young man who lias studied mathematics for instance has no dreamy notions of how large a lever it would take to lift the earth. Tho question—what is the difference between an educated and an uneducated person, and tho reply that the one is as good a man at fifteen as the other is at thirty, is best confirmed by the experience of those who have been broken off in tlie middle of their studios and have had to make up for this by long and weary years of self culture. On a recent visit to Christchurch we were struck with the number and massiveness of tho educational buildings. The sight reminded us, by contrast, of the time, only some twelve to fifteen years ago, when the old grammar school, with its five days work, and six days play, and St. Andrew’s School, whore the master, being an old horse jockev, was well up in drill, were the best institutions of the kind. Now we have some of the finest buildings in tho colony with their staffs of teach; rs hard at work, with a heart and with a will. Christchurch in this, as in other matters, is pressing hard upon the heels of Dunedin, but the race is not won yet. Only those who have been living amongst our fellow settlers in the South can estimate each at its proper value. Dunedin, with its hundreds of enquirng young men, thanks to Mr Ilislop and a crowd of willing helpers, has laid the basis of many a human structure which will ceme prominently to the front before long. A few isolated cases there may be in Christchurch who are next to marvels in their attainments, but the case is different in Dunedin. The great mass of the young men, aye, and young women too, are far above the average of any other town in New Zealand, it not in Australasia, Christchurch is advancing but it has yet much to learn. We do not wish to disparage when we write thus, hut we cannot shut our eyes to the fact that Christchurch yet lacks much. We will give an instance taken from the statistics published lately which show that Dunedin is doing its pari and doing it well. In the School of Art the teachers and puj.il teachers Cass, free to all teachers, open from 5.45 to 6.45 p.m., for the study of freehand outline drawing from the flat and from solid models, practical geonvtry and perspective drawing. At the examinations certificates for excellence were granted to 16 tor freehand, and to 16 for model drawing, to 9 for practical geometry, and to 9 for perspective. The students in training attending the Normal School were also examined with tlie following results ; —l3 passed in freehand, and 9 in model drawing, 7 in geometry, and 7in perspective, A number of tlie above continue their studies in shading and painting in monochrome Irom the round. A large proportion of the students were girls. In the ladies’ class, open Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from 2 to 4 p.m., for tho study of painting in oil and in water colors, prizes were awarded, one tor oil color, and one for water color—the first and only prize awarded since the opening of the school in 1870. This judicious procedure on tho pmt of the managers must have a very beneficial effect. Besides theoj portunities afforded to the more opulent to advance their sons and daughters in that which refines and elevates, there are classes opened in the evenings for artizans, reporters, shop-keepers, government officials, and others. In addition to the brandies already enumerated there are taught, mechanical and architectural drawing, which are much appreciated the students. The students are c’assified thus ;—-26 carpenters, 1 bricklayer, 7 joiners, 20 mechanical engineers. 2 brass founders, 9 civil engineers, 4 surveyors, 3 boiler-makers, 1 iron turner, 3 pattern makers, 2 architects, 1 clerks, 9 painters, 2 gardeners, 2 reporters, 3 wood carvers, 2 coach-makers, 6 diapers, 2 teachers, 3 goldsmiths, 2 plasterers, 3 storekeepers, ] 'merchant, 1 hanker, 1 stonemason, 2 plumbers, 2 watchmakers, 2 ironmongers, and 13 students, In addition to this we find there is a very considerable number of tradesmen and clerks attend regularly the professors classes for the study of French, Latin, Greek, Hebrew, and other branches ofliterature. We would adv then where in Christchurch do wc find even a counterpart to this. It is not uncommon for our highflying friends in the North to talk slightingly of our more calm and jfiociding settlors in Otaggy as they call it, hut wo toll them they had better look well to their laurels, they are far behind i yet.

A correspondent, writing tinder tlie nom de | plume of “Bridge,” complains in an ironical , strain of the dilatoriness -of tlie Fire Brigade 1 in starting for Geraldine on Monday night, j We do not think it fair to publish his letter, because, as the Brigade was going so far from \ home, some time was fairly requisite to make fit preparations, and because they went on something like a wild-goose chase after all. The celebrated and popular Cbeevers, Kennedy, and Bent, or as they are familiarly called, the C.K.B. Ministrels, arc advertised to appear in Temuka on Friday night. The praises they have won from tho Press in towns they have already visited, prove that they merit the patronage of all who enjoy good singing and genuine fun. At the Resident Magistrate’s Court, yesterday, before A. LeG. Campbell, ,Esq., R.M., Annie Robinson, who had boon previously before the Court, was brought up charged with being drunk and behaving in a riotous manner in a licensed house. Accused pleaded guilty, and pleaded hard for a lenient sentence. She was committed for 21 hours’ imprisonment, at the same time receiving a strong caution as to her future conduct. The weather we have lately experienced is in most cases unfavorable for the growing crops, and, unless a change occurs very soon, its effects will become damaging to the harvest prospects. The heavy and continuous nor’-westers, which culminated in tho gale of Friday last, has parched the ground very considerably, and in some cases forward crops in exposed situations have been damaged in appearance by the severe knocking about. Taken altogether, however, the crops throughout this distinct are, up to the present, looking remarkably well. The excellent conditions under which the crops were got in at seed time, assisted by an early and genial spring, has resulted in there being every appearance of heavy crops. Instances are not wanting in this district in which tho dry weather will be of great good in checking an I excessive growth of straw, while no widespread injury will result if we are favored with a day’s rain in tho course of a week or 1 two. In a great many of the early crops the last blade before coming into car is already up, and another fortnight or so should bring some of the early wheat and oats into car. The pastures arc very much in want of a day’s rain, as they will very soon commence | to get burnt up except on swampy lands. Tho hay crop will also again be light if dry weather continues much longer. On Friday evening last Mr Moritz Bowron gave a lecture on Life Assurance, in connection with the Austra’ian Mutual Provident Association, at the school-room, Waitohi. The room was not well filed. The lecturer handled his subject in a very interesting and able manner, quoting numerous examples, showing conclusively that every one of his audience who had not already taken out a policy should lose no time in doing so. lie a l so gave statistics, actuary s reports, etc. in order to prove that tho society he represented were in a position to offer greater advantages to assurors than any other. I lie lecture was listened to very attentively, and at its close ' the lecturer was rewarded by a few proposals for policies being made in the room. Tho meeting held yesterday at the Crown Hotel to consider the formation of a Coursing Club, was not so well attended as might have been expected. This was partly due to the hour fixed for the meeting having to bo changed through tho Fair being held on tho same afternoon. Several persons, however, who were unable to bo present, signified their desire to become members. Mr Boyd Thompson proposed, and Mr Chatoris seconded, the following resolution ; —■“ That a Coursing Club be formed, to be called the South Canterbury Coursing Club, and that tho persons present at tin’s meeting, and those who have signified their willingness to become members, form the neucleusof the proposed club.” Tho resolution was carried with enthmiism. A code of rules was road and adopted provisionally. Mr Launcelot Walker was proposed as president, and Mr Orbell and Mr A. Cox as vice-presidents of the club. A committee of ten was then appointed, consisting of the following : —Messrs B. Thompson, T. Hardcastlo sent - ., J. Kennedy, S, Burrows, B. Chalons, A. M'Bratncy, 11. D. M’Phersou, W. Wiliam son, G. Levens, and J. Patterson. Mr Williamson proposed, and Mr Burrows seconded, “ That a vote of thanks to Mr Boyd Thompson be recorded for his conduct in the chair, and as an especial recognition of his labours in forwarding the establishment of this club.” A meeting of the committee was held immediately on the termination of | the public meeting. Mr. B. Thompson was j voted to the chair. Mr Bolton was appointed secretary, and Mr Burrows treasurer to tlie club, and it was resolved to keep the funds of tho club at tho Bank of Now Zealand, Temuka. It was resolved to have two hundred copies of tho adopted rules printed for the use of members. The committee will hold their next meeting at the Royal Hotel on "Wednesday, the 4th December. Tho second Temuka Fair was held yesterday. It was well patronised by sellers, (54 head of cattle and 600 sheep being entered. Buyers, however, were very cautious of operating, and most of the lots submitted by auction were passed in. South Canterbury, it is said, is full of stock just now, and the late nrr’-wcsfccrs have checked the growth of grass, and still threatens greater injury in this direction. We may herein find sufficient reason for the dulness of tlie sale. This second fair was much better attended than tho first, and opinions were freely expressed that in a few months the Temuka Fair would become a valuable and firm commercial fixture if some energetic and fib person would undertake the charge of it as a commercial speculation. Mr Wildie and Mr L. Maclean submitted the various lots by ■auction. Tho sales effected by auction were 50 fat sheep, shorn, at 9s 3d ; three fat cows at £ll 5s ; four young cows, fat, at £lO 7s 6d ; one ditto, £9 2s 6d ; and five young pailfed stores at £3 17s 6d. Several lots changed hands privately after the public sale. Several of the lots sold went at prices far below their value, the few btivcrs present having it nearly all their own way. Wo hope that a better attendance at tho next fair will give the sellers a chance.

Mr J. E. MTxenzie, of Dunedin, purchased the Grcymonth Company’s coal mine at auction for £II,BOO. Tlie Reefton coach met with another exceedingly narrow escape on Friday, at Nine-Mile-Creek, where a mountain torrent washed the horses off their legs, swamped the coach, and endangered the passengers lives. Father Ilennoborry opened his temperance mission in Auckland on Sunday last. He is having a large marquee erected to hold four thousand people, for next Sunday. The Australian cricketers are to be accorded a grand public reception gn their arrival at Auckland.. A largo building at Westport, occupied as oftices by two mining companies and the looal agency of the curator of intestate estates, was destroyed by fire on Sunday morning. There was no fireplace in the building, and it was left all safe on Saturday. James Houghan, a shoemaker, recently from Wellington, mounted the flrebcll stand in Queen-street, Auckland, with an accordion, gave an address on religion, mixed with some remarks on medicine, and rang the bell creating an alarm of fire. A constable seized him, when be proclaimed himself Christ, and was taken into custody as being insane. He was subsequently committed to the Lunatic Asylum,

The Agent-G-eneral telegraphs that he has despatched the ship Western Monarch with Tib immigrants for Timaru, and 220 for Lyttelton. > The ‘ Wanganui ’ says ; “ Now that the worthy representatives of the people have returned to their homes to enjoy the rest denied them in Wellington, it may be as well to glance back at the session, and see the result of their labours. They met on 64 days for an average of seven hours per day, 380 hours being spent before midnight, and 60 after that hour. One hundred and thirteen Acts passed through both houses represent the labours of the session. Most of these arc those known as “Private Bills.” The San Francisco ‘ Post ’ says a single woollen mill in the city of Lawrence, produces every week 1,000,000 yards of dyed or printed cloths. It pays £32,000 a week as wages. It employs 5300 persons, paying them an average rate of 90 cents a day to women and girls, and Idol, and 40 cents a day to men. It consumes 500 tons of starch and expends 400,000 dollars for printing and dyeing materials every year. The wool it requires calls for the fleeces of 100,000 head of sheep. It secures food, clothing, and usually respectable savings, to 5300 persons ami their dependents —not loss than 10,000 souls altogether. This, with the freights paid for transportation of its materials and products, shows what one mill contributes to the wealth, power, and prosperity of the country. The woollen industry of the whole country amounts to more than 200,000,000d015. ayear. There are nearly a thousand woollen mills in Ohio and other western states. A London telegram to the ‘Times’ of India gives the following important particulars regarding the failure of the City of Glasgow Dank -. —“ London, 4th October. In connection with the suspension of the Cjty of Glasgow Bank, the city article in to-day’s ‘ Times ’ says that Smith, Fleming, and Co. are liable for cash advances amounting to £853,000, and for acceptances to the value of £900,000 sterling. Another firm owes the bank £600,000 for advances, and £1,600,000 for acceptances. A third figures in the list for £1,200,000, for cash and acceptances. A fourth exhibits a debt of £500,000 sterling, making a total of £5,823,000, lent by the bank directly or indirectly to four firms, the reputation of one or two of which has boon anything but good for some years back. The advances granted to these four firms, coupled with the negligent system of general mismanagement, is the direct cause of the suspension, and is hardly short of criminal. It is now estimated that the bank will show a deficit of £3,000,000, which to the knowledge of the directors and managers has been accumulating from year to year. Yet the dividends steadily increased.” Commenting upon the recent agrarian outrages in America, the correspondent of the 1 Otago Daily Times ’ says : —“ It will be impossible to continue largo estates in any family for generations. The form which the land question appears to take in the public mind, judging from political platforms and speeches, limit in future all purchases in land to 619 acres as a maximum, and render it impossible to demise any greater quantity. This would prevent land monopoly in future, and break up existing estates within the lifetime of the present generation. Should an attempt be made to evade the second provision, regarding walls by transfer before death, the tax shedule is to be so framed as to render the possession of unimproved estates exceedingly costly. I don’t say those provisions will bo generally adopted at first, but I am strongly of opinion they will be embodied in the new consitution of California, winch suffers enormous evils from the multiplicity of large estates.” In an article on the “ Bible in Schools,” the 1 Christian Record ’ says : • —The secular system is already felt to bo thoroughly godless, and strongly despotic, and unless concession is made in time to the religious feeling of the community hy permitting the introduction of the Bible into our existing national system, we venture to predict that it is doomed to speedy overthrow'. Instead of it w'e shall find a denominational system with its great expense, its probable inefficiency and its widespread rivalry and heartburnings. A Melbourne correspondent writes that the most important event after the Reform Bill is the re-opening of the education question, and a general movement on the part of the Roman Catholics and Protestant clergy, and the Oon-cvatives in favour of a separate subsidy to the first sect, a religious text-book introduced into state Schools for the second sect, and an embarrassment to the Govern ment for the third division of the attack. The prospects of the assailants are not very bright, although not only has Bishop Moovhonse hem stirring up his flock in this city, hut the Archbishop of Sydney has invaded our northern frontier and delivered two lectures at Sandhurst, point blank against our secular system. Dr Vaughan is evidently an able speaker, and is as good a representative of his church as Dr Moorhouso is of the Anglican body. The first is far more wrathful, and deals largely in invective, laying himself open to easy refutation by a vain endeavour to torture the history dogma of his sect to accord with mordern ideas ; the second has a wider and more winning culture, a more philosophic and profound address, but both are distinguished by exceptional abilities and undoubted earnestness in their faiths. But with all their influence they only awaken a transient interest in what the people persist in regarding as a settled subject, and the very quietness of the Liberals is as much a sign of conscious strength as the vehemence of their opponents discovers weakness.

The Kaiapoi Farmers’ Club, which attracted so much attention last year by its reaper trial, propose, says the ‘Press’, to hold a similar one during the coming harvest. The bona fide farmers of over 25 acres present at the trial will bo allowed to ballot for the machines. The committee will place each reaper on as even terms as possible, allotting about four acres to each, if possible (two of light grain and two of heavy), each machine to be drawn by two horses. The width of cut and draught will be decided by a committee of live, and publicly announced before the machines enter their allotments. The time of each will also be announced. Holders of ballot cards are to be requested to take note of (a) strength and durability, (b) draught (c) mode of tying, (d) size of sheaves, (e) manner in -which sheaves are left, (f) simplicity of management, and (g) other points, which would render the harvester voted for likely to prove the best adapted for Canterbury. However interesting it may be to read of the trials of harvesters at Paris and in England or the Highlands, the farmers of the Canterbury district are still more interested in local trials, which will enable thorn to arrive at a conclusion as to which machine will be best adapted to reap successfully the particular crops grown in different localities, where the grain may bo shorter or longer in the straw, or thicker or thinner than in others. Ip the Dunedin Police Court on Monday morning, a man convicted of drunkennes addressed a note, with a Tl note enclosed, to the reporters to keep his name out of the paper. The money was put into the poor-box, and his name inserted.

Mr Blair, C.E., has returned to Runedin, after examining the Clutha district. The damage is much greater than was reported, and he is strongly impressed with the necessity of taking steps to prevent the croachment of the river above the township.

. There are several -cases for hearing in the Divorce Court opened at Wellington on Monday. The Rev Fathers O’Malley and McEnroe, of the Society of Jesuits, arrived in Dunedin on Tuesday morning by the s.s. Arawata from Melbourne. It is their intention to establish a Catholic College there. The number of sheep in the world is estimated from 481,000,000 to 000,000,000.

A Native woman named Pahaokere, over 100 years old, has died at the Kaikoura. A cablegram was received in Dunedin on Monday stating that Wheeler and Wilson’s now straight needle sowing machines had taken the grand prize at the Paris Exhibition.

During the month of July the enormous quantity of 117 tons 11 cwt. of fish was seized at Billingsgate as unfit for human food.

In the foot race of 200 yards for the championship of Australia, Watson beat Applet! easily in 191- sees. Solomon Pohio writes to the ‘ North Otago Times’ denying that the Maoris at the Upper Waitaki have been guilty of any of the acts laid to their charge. lie says : —■“ Wo have not in any way interfered with the squatters, or used any violence whatever. We have not used loaded rifles, "nor yet flourished tomahawks in the face of anyone. Wo have not killed any sheep. Mr Dalgotby came to the kaik with four shepherds. Each had a gun. Before coming they shot two of our dogs and hamstrung another. This is the only case of violence in connection with the matter. The land belongs to the Maori, and the squatter has no Crown grant for it. Mr Sutherland called at the kaik and said that the statement in the paper that we had been using violence was an error, and that he had in a measure rectified it. A great many people are trying to find fault with ns for endeavoring to take possession of what justly belongs to ourselves. We have done no harm to anyone, and have no intention of doing so.”

A ‘ Globe’ special states that the Hon J. Sheehan, accompanied by Mr Taiaroa, proceeded to the Upper Wahabi last Wednesday evening to settle the Native difficulty, and there met 300 Natives. In a discussion lasting over an hour the Natives urged many pleas in justification of their occupation of the squatters’ lands. Mr Sheehan stated that his object in meeting them was to tell them they must immediately retire back to the West Coast settlement's. At first they objected, on the ground that they had planted crops, but on Mr Sheehan saying that lie would allow a few to remain to look after the crops, they agreed to comply. Wo learn from an English paper that a notification has been issued from the War Office to the effect that the present “ Volunteer year”—the nineteenth of the organisation of the force —-will terminate on the 31st October. The returns are expected to prove that the total strength will be the largest yet attained, bringing the figures up to, if not exceeding 200,000 of all arms in the service.

It is generally considered (says the ‘ Waitangi Tribune’) that the Volunteers of this colony arc a respectable body of men; yet we find that some of “ our gallant defenders” while on their way to take part in the review at Dunedin, valiantly charged a table at the Waimato Junction refreshment saloon, clearing off all the edibles in double quick time. The exploit must be pronounced a most noble one indeed —-especially when the faff-1 tat the brave men refused to pay for what they had unlawfully appropriated is taken into consideration. 11 ut that is not the only feature of the gallant charge. When the unprotected lady in the saloon requested payment, the bravo warriors gave her insolence, and one sergeant even went so far as to make use of most unbecoming language. It would be reallv a pity to permit the gallant conduct of the warriors to go unrewarded, and, therefore, wo suggest to the Native Minister the propriety of Ids appointing the brave fellows to some position in the wilds of the North Island where skilful foragers are required.

The ‘ .Bombay Gazette ’ says that a scare has coma over soma soldiers who are teetotallers in a regiment quartered at Ceylon. It seams that two of their to nr l ies who recently fell victims to cholera, were total abstainers; and it is remarkable that the effect of this circumstance was to cause the dcso;tiou from the temperance cause of 13G out of 188 teetotallers iu the regiment, many of whom, it is said, have since given unmistakable proofs of their change of principle. This act of moral cowardice is ascribed to the youth and inexperience of the men. A Cardiff paper states that Mdmo. Adelina Patti lias purchased Craig-y-nos Castle at Ystradynglais, and so she ought. Them Hitaliiin sniggers, as you cant toll a single word they say, ought all on ’em to go to some plane where they can’t pernoun.ee its name theirsclves.

The General Manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company has received intelligence that the Piako, which left Plymouth for Timaru on the 10th October, put into Pernambuco on tiro before the 14th inst. Ihe passengers are well, and there is no sickness on board, and no apprehension of serious damage to the ship or cargo. The Union Insurance Company lias £SOOO risk on her, hut £2OOO are re-insured.

The electric light has already been put to various purposes (says London ‘ Brief ), but the most novel is that contemplated by the Rev Connor Ragot, Rector of Athy, and a well-known agriculturist. The canon announces bis intention of doing his harvesting this year by the aid of the electric light.