The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1880.

Temuka Leader, Issue 251, 29 April 1880, Page 2

The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, APRIL 29, 1880.

. *St B Jlff^l^iSitiSSStis£SSafe«ttifc2srfSS6 The Conference of Chairmen of School Committees, held in Timaru last Saturday, was a success, most of the leading schools being represented. The first resolution — proposing to do away with all .Boards — drew out the feelings of the various representatives in a way which showed very . plainly that, although they were taken by surprise, the sympathies of the majority were with the resolution. Nothing comd be more clear than that the Committees consider the South Canterbury Board, at 1 least, is not acceptable to the people. It is not likely, however, that the Boards will bo swept away for sometime ; but the resolution, and the discussion upon it, will set people a thinking, and the more they think tiie matter over the more they will come to S' C the advisability of doing away with such encumbrances. The utter failure of the S.C. .Board is now so universally admitted, that wo sh uld think it will be difficult to get gentlemen,who have a;;y respect fortheir name,to become members of it for the future. For making the S.C. Board a bye-word and a mockery, it has only itself to blame. From the first, party feeli g and narrow-miadness was prominent, which should never have shown itself in such a body. This, ns we foresaw,would soon bring it into contempt with every nght-iu fueled man. For our outspoken, just, although" unfavorable oriucism, wo were punished by a withdrawal of the trifling patronage' we received by way of advertisements. Wo expected this,our knowledge of most of the members taught us, that they were not men that could brook opposition. It is pitiable, though, to see men, who set themselves' up as leaders in our eduon. tional departments, stoop so low. Wo have the satisfaction,how over, of knowing that the views we then expressed are nowaccepted b}- a great mass of the people,and that it would be considered by them a good riddance to be relieved of their sorvi- os altogether. Tills may not take piece for some time, as wo find men of littlo minds, not largely endowed with a spirit of high-toned honor, the fearful bung-* ling and waste of time and money ta.- ing plp.ee; also cries fur putting r.n end to their doings. Tiie late shameful, selfish, and unscrupulous procedure,in connection with the scholarship examinations, put on the capstone. Wc will say no more about thorn, in the hope that the institution will soon die a natural death. The knotty point, touched upon in the resolution to restore the Bible to schools,is very delicate to handle, which, if not carefully made use of, may lead to Denominational'■’Education, which we would deplore. The cowardice of our Legislators is allowing the very book, from which the laws of every | . Christian country is drawn, to be ruth- | 1 lessly expelled from oar sahneb, vm, ao •'

uubt, a disgrace tof.ua, as a Christian community; but, two evils will never make one good ; therefore, wo say, let well alone. An important point was touched upon which will call for greater attention by-and-bye—we mean the question of rating. New Zealand is not in a position to support free education; and the time will coma when every district will have to put ita hand in its own pockety to keep education alive , amongst -- them. So long as any Government is made for educational purposes at all, that grant, in our opinion, should be for the purpose of instruction, any grant for buildings might be conditional on its being supplemented by rates. If rates are to be x’aised —as raised they must be—the people would rather submit to pay’for buildings, if they have the conducting of their own affairs as formerly,than to put (heir hands into (hefir pockets to give theirjnoney to an outside body to do as they like with, without 5 the - slightest control of any su -prrior or check of any sort, In the district within the Board’s control, there will soon he schools required of a more substantial and ornamental character than the present existing eyesores. The time bus gone by for timber make-shifts. Any demands made upon the Boards at the present time for anything like decent buildings could not bo listened to for the simple reason that there is ho money, and the chances of an increase in the grant next session is very] small indeed. The only alternative, therefore, will'bo to provide as in former times—say due-fourth—-of tho cost, and let the Stale provide tho rest, it is a pity that our legislators evo r departed from this rule. There will be this Bntis r a:tion in doing that—lf any dis. ; tried wishes to "have expansive, buildings, they must pay for thorn. Another matter that was discussed’at the Conference was the question of voting, an alteration in the manner of voting is much needed, cumulative voting having proved|“irnpracticable almost everywhere. A return to the old system in this, as"«lso,injtbe"term of office, would be a judicious procedure. The retho Boards to put | the Compulsory Clause in force, is a step i in the right direction. ♦hey. will have to putln motion to carry the resolution out, we are not prepared to , say ; but it is quite plainly that (the aCom- ; mittees cannot do it, and equally plain that it must bo done. The statement by the Chairman of the Timaru Committees, that it must,so far as Timaru is concerned, remain in operative, for the reason that there id no room to hold the outcasts, was rather a startling statement. If Timaru is to supply the colour with young bush-

rangers, they are adopting the proper Course 5 hut if it i° nvdto our State Education accomplish what was intended, to wit, to educate the masses ; this state of affairs must not bo allowed to continue It is alarming to think that such crowds of young”raacals are being reared at cur very doors, in «uclx numbers that room cannot befgprovidod to i'hokr then!. No wonder Timaru is . turning out such accomplished criminals ! This is a matter t.hat'thegßoard shouldjsco to?at onoo. The only other point that we shall notice is tho resolution to divide-;the;;district into wards and limit the number of votes. If the district were divided into •■.' aids it would then be unkindly under stood how many members the country districts were to elect, and how many Timaru is to elect. This would save a good deal of heartburning and jealousy of the «town against the country. Taking it altogether the Conference has been highly useful; indeed, it may be fairly said to have clone its part better than did the Christchurch Conference. One thing is lacking—that is a Royal Commission,- Why the Hall Government cVd not create a Royal Commission of Education is a puzzle to. us. The Government liave many loyal adherents in the Board, who would most gladly liave accepted a holiday, and to get their expenses paid too. Why did the Government not complete their scheme, and add also a Royal Agricultural Commission ? 'Many farmers ■'••’mild only bo too glad to relat'j ihcir grievances, even although it were only to a few gentlemen who did not know “a B from a bull’s foot,” as the say* iag is. It is not too late yet to spring another mine of political wealth; and tho Hail Government will need them all.