A CORRECTION.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1043, 14 December 1882, Page 2

A CORRECTION.

TO TilK EDITOR.

Siu.—“Permit me to correct an error which appeared in Tuesday’s issue of the Leader. In your excellent oWtuary notice of the late Mr Mendelson you state that no inquest was held, as you understood that ‘ Dr Hayes had certified to the cause of death.’ The facts are that I was asked to certify, because an inquest would be objectionable, I refused, however, being quite unable to specify the malady which destroyed such a valuable life, though in a letter to the Coroner I told him it was most probably due to some disease in the head or chest. An inquest is, as a rule, held in cases of sudden death, though the Coroner has discretionary powers to order burial without one : for example, m cases where the deceased has been previously attended by a medical man for attacks ot illness similar to tnat which caused his death, and where medical evidence is forthcoming to the effect that most probably death was due to a repetition or exaggeration of such attacks. ‘

Some people labor under an erroneous impression that an inquest is only held where suspicious circumstances warrant it; such is not the law, for, if so, van inquest in many cases would be an invidious proceeding and an imputation that the deceased, in sudi case, met his death by foul play. An inquest where there is apparently little or nothing to recommend it, at any rate, if it serves no'other purpose, removes any possible imputation which might in future be m\\de against a relative or other interested person, as the case might be. I know there has been much discussion and surprise because no inquest was bold on Mr Mendelsou. 1 know also it has been said that a (sortitionto was given in Mr

Mendelson’s case because he was wealthy and influential, and that had he been a poor man an inquest would have followed as a matter of course. My chief reason for penning this letter is for the reason stated above ; as the imputation of writing a false certificate because a man is wealthy and influential is not a flattering one. Whether an inquest in this particular case was .necessary or desirable is a matter of opinion I think myself that all the requirements of the case might have been met by a private postmortem examination, which would have enabled a doctor to certify to the cause of death.

Burial without a proper certificate is undesirable if for no other reason than that it stultifies the Death Register, and vitiates statistics based on it ; also, in the interests of science it is highly desirable that such cases should be investigated. r I hope that no one will deem that I touch on this painful subject without feeling. I deeply regret Mr Mendclson’s loss as that of a true friend, and one by whose frendly advice and counsel I have often profited, and I know the same sentiment will find a responsive echo in the hearts of many in this district. —Your’s etc., J, S. Hayes, Temuka, 18th December, 1882. [We regret that the error pointed out occurred. The report was current that Dr Ilayes had given a certificate, and we took it for granted that it was correct, as he was in attendance immediately after Mr Mendelsou’s death. However, as we made the mistake, we have no option but to insert Dr Hayes’ correction. It is the first time we have had occasion to publish letters correcting our statements, and the error would not have occurred in this matter only that we thought a medical certificate was necessary, and that Dr Hayes had given it. We suppose that the letter forwarded by Dr Hayes to the Coroner was regarded as a certificate, and that the mistake arose in that way.— Ed. T.L.]

TEE TEMUKA PUBLIC SCHOOL. • A $ / t . ( ~'The public school broke up yesterday /or due month. Previous to the breaking Up a distribution of prizes took place, at which there were 310 children present, and also many of their parents and friends, A song was first sung m the infant school, and afterwards an adjournment was made to the large room where the prizes were distributed. Mr I). M. Mackay said he had been told by their teacher they had been working very hard. He was glad to hear this, and now they were tc get four weeks’ holiday, but previously prizes would be distributed amongst them in recognition of the way they had worked*. Mr Wood would now read bis report. Mr Wood then read the following :

| Mr Chairman and friends, —It is about j six months since I came amongst you to take chai’ge of this school, and now, at th* close of the session, I am happy to ear that my opinion of the Temuka children is a highly favorable one. It often happens when a new teacher takes charge of a large school like Temuka, the scholars are at first inclined to resist his authority, but, happily, there has been nothing of that kind in my case From the first teachers and pupils .hay*, wrought harmoniously together, there has 1 not been a single -jar. The pupils hare been diligent and attentive to their lessons, and uniformly respectful and obedient. I think this a fitting occasion to bring one or two points under the notice of the parents. The first is the necessity of more regular attendance on the part of some pupils. 1 would urge this strongly, as no one but a master can thoroughly realise the ' loss to a boy or gild through absence from i school. The parent may think it is only for ' one day, but on that day explanations may f bo given that will,affect the boy for three months of his school life. The pupil should not be absent a single day except in cases of necessity. The second request I have to make is, that as soon as the school is reopened the parents will send their children at once; The prizes have been awarded in the follow infr manner: —About four months ago the teachers commenced to give marks in the various classes for good work done in school. This plan was continued up to the end of last week. To those pupils who obtained the largest number of marks the prizes have been awarded. I think this method is the best in deciding what is always a c.ifilculb matter who should obtain prizes—as it invariably brings to the front the hardworking, painstaking, and diligent pupil, and to such I consider the first honor ought to be given. Special prizes have been decided by competent persons, who willingly gave their time and trouble for that purpose- Some pupils who came to school recently have not had sufficient time to obtain prizes by marks, but as the same method will bo continued next year their time will come. I may add that the sewing prizes were decided by Mrs Mendelson and Miss Paterson.

Recitations were then given by Misses Elizabeth Ackroyd. Lilian Austin, Maggie Russell, Isabella Morton, Annie Hawk, Gertrude Rowe, and Elsie Brown. They all recited very well, Miss Austin’s part being exceedingly well given. The Chairman then called upon Mr Cox to distribute the prizes. Mr Cox said he felt great pleasure doing so, and was proud of having. honor of taking part in such a proceedmg. He did not think he was the right man to do it. Ibo Committc**

who had dene the work, ought to haw had that honor. He would remind the children that they were possessed of advantages which many of their fathers did not enjoy. They had the advantages of a good education, and it remained with themselves to benefit bv it. It was their duty to do so ; a duty which they owed themselves, their parents, their teachers, and the rulers of the country, who had provided for them a better system of education than was to be found in any other country in the world, (Hear, hear.) He had been present at a similar ceremcuy at the Christchurch College, and had the pleasure of seeing his own son win the first scholarship. He also had the pleasure of seeing another Temuka boy take first prize, although the boy had been only a .few months in the school. That boy had been educated in the Temuka School, aud when he went to Christchurch he was put in the lowest class. He very soon got up, however, and won first prize, They ought to feel proud of him ; at an} 7 rate lie (Mr Cox) did. Was it necessary to mention his name ? Several voices : Joe Lee ! (Loud cheers.) Mr Cox continued to say that if they all worked like that boy they would be successful, and if they were not all prize-takers they would give satisfaction to their parents and teachers. The Bishop of Christchurch had pointed out at the Christchurch College that the boy who had taken first honors was eaplain of a cricket team, which had gone over the country playing cricket, and also that the first prize-taker in science was also a first prize-taker in athletics. That would show that both could be combined. (Cheers.) The prizes were then distributed by Mr Cox as follows : STANDARD VI. Girds— lst, Isabella Morton ; 2nd, Elizabeth Akroyd, 3rd, Isabella Marshall. Boys—--Ist, Charles Eauvel. Writing aud map drawing, Lottie Pilbrow. Composition aud free hand drawing, Annie Guy. STANDARD V. Gists —Ist. Ellen Morton; 2nd, Amy Pranks and Maggie Russell (equal) ; 3rd, Elsie Brown. Boys— lst, William Storey; 2nd, Daniel Moore ; 3rd, William Dunford. Reading and composition, Mary E. Johnston. Writing and drawing, Alice Lewis. Reading, Gertrude Row. STANDARD IT. Girls— lst, Harriet Sweet; 2nd, Annie Roddick ; 3rd, Elizabeth Lyon. Boxs —Ist, William Ackroyd; Williarn Mackay and William Russell (equal) ; 3rd, William Brewer. Arithmetic and writing, Robert Nicholson. Writing, Andrew Boulter. Arithmetic, Amy Elkis. STANDARD 111. Girls —lst, Robina Morton and Mary Eliza Pilbrow (equal) ; 2nd, Mary Ellen McCallum. Boys —lst, William A. Morton ; 2nd, Joseph Bryan ; 3rd, Richard T. Austin. Girls— Arithmetic, Agnus Isabella Austin. Boys—Arithmetic, Henry Voyce. Girls —Writing, Ellen Pilbrow. Boys— Writing, Francis E. Storey. STANDARD 11. Girls —lst, Jane Palmer; 2nd, James Findlay ; 3rd, Horace Edmonds. Arithmetic, Samuel Bolton aud Ada Ackroyd Writing—Duncan McCallum and Alice Jackson. STANDARD 1. Girls— :lst, Maggie Lyon; 2nd, Ada Philips and Amelia Rump (equal); 3rd, Elizabeth'Austin aud Nellie Radford (equal). BoYS —lst,Dudley Morris and Tracy Wills (equal); 2nd, Arthur Metsor. and William Ackroyd (equal); 3rd, Johu Hawke. SEWING. Standard Vl—lsabella Morton. Standard V. —Ist, Elsie Brown; 2nd, Ellen Morton (Miss Johnston’s prize.) Standard IV.— Bhoda Burton. Standard lll.—lst, Ellen Pilbrow; 2nd, Robina Morton (Miss F. Johnston’s prize.) Standard II. —Jane Pilbrow. Standard I.—Lizzie Austin. SPECIAL PRIZE. A special prize was given to Miss Florence Brown for general proficiency. After the prizes had been distributed, Mr Cox congratulated the children on being so well looked after. The fact that the attendance had increased showed that the district was progressing. He would now wish them all a “ Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year,” (Cheers.) Mr Brown was glad to hear of the success the school had attained. He hoped by next year they would have a better school.

Mr Gray felt very much pleased with the result of the day, and with the manner in which the children had acquitted themselves. It was very much to be regretted that there was not a large school so that there would be a better opportunity for doing the work. He knew, however, that good work had

been done, and he was well pleased with the progress his children had made. He thought the Committee had done well for the school, and that the children ought to he thankful for the splendid prizes they had provided for them. (Cheers,)

A song was then given very creditably by the children, under the leadership of Mrs Rowe. Cheers were given tor the teachers, for Mr Cox, and for the Chairman of the Committee after which tlm proceedings came to a close.