The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1880.

Temuka Leader, Issue 250, 3 April 1880, Page 2

The Temuka Leader SATURDAY, APRIL 3, 1880.

A MOVEMENT iu the right direction hus b-een set on foot in Christchurch, and we bear in Dunedin also —Tliat a Conference of Chairmen of School Committees should take place for the purpose of discussing what alterations are necessary in the Education Ordinance. We hope a similar step will speedily be taken in South Canter-, bury, which gruans under a comparatively useless Education Board. We understand the main object of the promoters iu Christchurch is to secure more power to committees. Wo sympathise with this movement, but would go further than that ; we would suggest the advisability of demolishing all the present Education Boards, and in their place establish one Central Board in Wellington. The Minister of Education is for the must part residing there, the general Inspector the same, and .other subordinates. What then is left •for.the Other Boards to do that Committees could not do 1 Wo have Road Boards m every important district. To those is left much work than Boards of Education, and .of ispi d, if not greater, importance. Suppooing the-Assembly vote a certain sum for Elucaiou, to bo divided pro rata to each Oom niti.o v < then: any evidence tliat them i-ouimi!toes iru incapable of juuioiously oxpo.uliug the money entrusted to tlr-m. If there is not, wmdd it not be a great saving to the country to do away with Boards ! The -time is not fur distant whoa

ema di rict will have to uphold to a Dive extent the education d establishments in their midst. Would they not take a hearty interest, and contribute more willingly to school buildings and teacher 3 sahui-s. it they found that they iiad the power to economise in their own'hands 1 ■ A change in the 13d»--<»il<m Or liiuv.ee is muon tmoded for other reas- •nm As tin* Boards are now constituted, their power is absolute. Th-v .may ap ( j::.], •ad do spend — the money as they please, ana none di.iv ■S ty —Wh»i do- 3t thou i A-other fea-a.n for Chairmen of Cmuniittecs meeting is that U.icy may come to an undcratamlingabout ti.'o c-mpalsmy clauses. Scores of urchins are still roaming about tiiat ought to be at school. Several attempts have hf'.'u made elsewhere to bring the compulsory .1 -.u.-.es of the Act into force,: but hi iicrto.without success. We would sugto the Chairman of the Timaru School Committee the advisability of calling together tlm other chairmen, to meet him in Timaru on an early date.

Two very valuable dogs, belonging - to a party iu Temuka, «hu were Out shooting on Monday last, were poisoned. We are of course not in a position to say the poison was laid For the purpose of destroying sportsmens’ dogs. If wo thought such was the case we would say it was a mistake ; if for the purpose of destroying mongrels who prowl about on sheep runs, it was quite justifiable. There seems, however, a disposition on the part of landholders to shut out al’ chance of sport by any one bm owners or leaseholders of land This is carrying out tho obi-.oxous game laws so much cried down in the Old Country, and if act'-d upon here would lead to as ruinous results as in the Old Coimtiy. Even now some gardens are harried by bn res. Ducks would soon become a nuisance jf only every other old crippled farmer were'alone allowed to hobble about occasionally to provide himself a savoury Lit. Another thing, if farmers adopt the way referred to, with regard to sporlmeu’s dogs, they may rest assure 1 that sportmen will have their revenge. There is nothing to prevent sportsmen shooting on riverbeds and ‘sea beach. What is to prevent them dropping a bit of poisoned meat to desti’oy harmless sheep dogs. It is to be hoped tho case referred to was a mere accident, and we feel sure the 1 gentlemen who got out occasionally for a day’s amusement wouldn’t harm a mouse far less a valuable sheep dog. Let us hope that both parlies will avoid going to extremes, or do anything to provoke retaliation.