LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1369, 23 July 1885, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL.

Cavalry Drill.— The Geraldine contingent of the C.Y.0., nine in number, met at Kaukapuka for drill on Tuesday. Masonic. —The regular monthly meeting of Lodge Southern Star, No. 619, 5.0., will be held this evening »l half-past seven in the Lodge room, Geraldine. Monthly Stock Sale. Messrs J. Mundell and Co. are now receiving entries for their monthly stock sale, which takes place on the sth August. Postmasters Appointed. —The appointments of A. W. Mann and F. Bethune as Postmasters at Temuka and Pleasant Valley respectively are notified in the N.Z. Gazette of the 16th inst. The Grain Season. —The number of sacks of gram received by rail at Timaru up to the 18th instant was 179,701, and by road 74,233, making a grand total of 253,734 sacks. Temuka Parliamentary Union. —We remind the members of the above that the usual weekly meeting takes place this evening at 7.30 p.m., when business of importance will be transacted. Geraldine Town Board Reserves.— From the N.Z. Gazette of the 16th inst. we learn that 34 sections in the township of Geraldine, aggregating 36a 2r lOp, have been vested in the [’own Board as an endowment in aid of the Board’s funds. The Agent-Generalship. —Wellington correspondents give currency to the rumor that Sir Julius Yogel is again casting longing eyes on the AgentGeneralship, as Sir Dillon Bell’s term of office shortly expires. Supposed Suicide.— From telegrams to hand on Tuesday we learn that a man named Jus. S. Barnett, a tailor, was found dead on Monday at the Waiau, with a fearful gash in his throat. The deceased had been drinking heavily. It is conjectured that the unfortunate man referred to is identical with the J. Barnett who was in business in Temuka about three years ago as a tailor and hairdresser —occupying the little shop in Commerce Street, almost adjoining the Wallingford Hotel.

Death of a Horse.— Mr A. W. Ensor sustained a loss yesterday through the death of his buggy mare. Ho left Winchester with her yesterday intending to go to Timaru, and when he reached the Temuku Bridge he noticed her staggering. He turned back, but had not come far when she fell down. Ho unyoked her, got her up again, and succeeded in bringing her to Nicholas’s stables, where she died shortly afterwards. Mr Levens, who was called in to see her, stated that she died of rapture of the intestines. She was a very useful mare. Geralbine Exm.es. Yesterday this corps held an out-door drill attended by almost the full strength. The men fell in at the drillshed, and marched to the Domain, where they were exercised by Drill-Instructor Sergt.-Major Jones. This being the first time the corps hava been seen out great interest was taken in the proceedings by the townspeople, a large number being on the ground. We would advise them on future occasions to keep the ground clear for the men. With a lot of people standing about and talking the men can neither move about nor hear their officer’s commands. Concert at Woodbukt. —To-morrow evening a concert will be held in the Woodbury Schoolroom, in aid of the gymnasium fund. The programme is a first-class one, and the performers are nearly all old favorites. The Misses Fiali will preside at the piano, and the chair will be taken by the Rev. Jas. Preston at 8 o’clock. The admission is very reasonable, viz., two shillings and one shilling, and with a good prograrae and good object before them, we trust to see the people of the district show their appreciation by filling the schoolroom. Hunting. — A meet of the South Canterbury Harriers took place at Raukapuka yesterday. The pack ware under the charge of the Master, Mr John Rutherford. A large field attended the meet, and a very successful day’s sport was had. The huntsman, Watson, met with an accident during the day through his horse falling. He sustained a fracture of one of his ribs, and was somewhat cut about the head. He was conveyed to the station, where every attention was paid him, and it is not expected the result will be anything serious. A report of the run will appear in onr next issue. Young Men’s Club, Geraldine.— On Tuesday evening, a well-attended meeting of the members of the Young Men’s Club was held in the Club rooms, Mr W. Coltman in the chair. The meeting had been called in accordance with advertisement, for the purpose of considering the advisability of closing the Club, owing to the little support now accorded to it. This ia the third meeting that has been held for the same purpose. It was decided, after consideration, to endeavor to keep it open, and a-Committee was appointed to canvass the district for support in the shape of new members or subscriptions, and to report to a subsequent meeting. An offer from Mr G. Kruse to undertake the duties of caretaker for the sum of 3s per week and the use of two hack rooms was accepted. In order to liquidate the present indebtedness of the Club, a Christy Minstrel entertainment, got up among members of the Club, will be held in the Oddfellows' Hall in a short time. This being all the business, a vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the meeting. Thb Salvation Army. —The Salvationists held a great meeting in Christchurch on Tuesday last. Marshal Booth gave a long address on the objects of the Army. In the course of it he said in writing home to his father he had stated that the New Zealand troops were enthusiastic, powerful, and loyal, as also was Major Pollard. From statistics he gave it appeared there were sixteen different War Crys printed in thirteen different languages, and the British circulation, including the Little Soldier, was nearly half a million. There were 400,000 soldiers marching beneath thoir colors, and in their rooms on Sunday nights fully 600,000 persons, who had previously spent their time in drinking and gambling, listened to the gospel from the officers. There were 2750 men and women whose whole time was given up to the work, and 1500 corps, and every week 5,000,000 persons heard the gospel through the Army’s officers. Concerning the colonies, the War Cry had a ciicula'ion of 74,000 copies weekly. There were 305 officers, 157 corps, 252 depots, and seating accommodation for 125,000 persons.

Sale of Trees. —Our readers are reminded that Mr K. F. Gray holds a very extensive sale of fruit and forest trees, flowering shrubs, etc., etc., at Mr Wheelband’s Oxford Nursery, Tetnuka, to day. The sale commences at 12 o’clock. Particulars will be found in our advertising columns.

The San Francisco Mail Service.— Captain Sutter gave notice in the House on Tuesday when the House goes into Committee to consider the proposal for a San Prancisco mail subsidy ha will move, as an amendment, that the figures and words “ to £30,000” be struck out, with a view of inserting the following figures and words : “ That the PostmasterGeneral will pay to the contracting party at the following rates—-letters, 12s par lb ; packets, Is per lb ; newspapers, 6d per lb.” A Great Proposal.— ln the House on Tuesday afternoon, Mr Macandrew gave notice to move on Wednesday, the 12th August—“ That in the opinion of this House, the time has come when efforts should be made to unite the whole of the English speaking people throughout the world in one grand political confederation, having for its object mutual defence against foreign aggression, the maintenance of the peace, and the promotion of the brotherhood of nations. That a respectful address be presented to His Excellency the Governor requesting that he may be pleased to transmit this resolution to the Queen in the hope that Her Majesty may still further distinguish her illustrious reign by endeavoring to bring about a conference that shall represent the whole of the British Dominions and the United States of America, to meet either at London or at Washington, to consider the question of the political confederation herebefore mentioned.” Temuka School Committee. —The usual monthly meeting of the above was held last Tuesday night. Present—Messrs Hayhurst (Chairman), Bolton, Brown, Gray, Blyth, Miles and Lee. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Correspondence was rend from the head Teacher reporting that the number on roll was : Boys, 198.3 ; girls, 154 ; total, 352.3. Highest attendance : Boys, 129.5 ; girls, 94.3 ; total, 223.9. Working average : Boys 134.7; girls, 98.7 ! total. 233.4. Highest attendance, 253. From the Board of Education, to the effect that no drawing objects were in stock ; also, that £3 had been passed for shingling the grounds ; also, in reference to the pupil teachers to the same effect as has already been published ; and adding that the pupil teachers had served their apprenticeship, and their term of office would consenuently terminate on the 31st July. The Board also requested the Committee to recommend two pupil teachers to take the place of those whose term of apprenticeship had expired. The Chairman said if the two pupil teachers were to leave it would interfere with the examinations, and he suggested to request the Board to retain their services till the end of the year. On the motion of Mr Gray, seconded by Mr Brown, it was resolved to request the Board to retain the services of the pupil teachers at their present salary to the end of the year, as it would interfere with the working of the school. Accounts to the amount of £9 Is Gd were passed for payment. Messrs Bolton and Leo were appointed visitors for the ensuing month. The meeting then adjourned.

The East and West Coast Railway. —l* the House of Representatives on Tuesday, the Hon. Sir Julius Vogel made a statement to the House regarding this line. He said Government had received a communication from the delegates who went Home to make arrangements for the construction of the line to the effect that a good firm of railway contractors (Messrs Meiggs and Son) had agreed, in writing, to construct the line, provided they were guaranteed a payment of £97,000 for twenty years in addition to working expenses. It is intended to finish the line in from three to five years. The £97,000 is 2i per cent, on the estimated cost of the works, which is as follows ; —Actual coat of works, £3,025,000 ; interest during contraction, £400,000; engineers and administration, £50,000 j and expenses of underwriting, £385,000 ; making in all £3,860,000. Sir Julius Vogel argued that the construction of the line in this manner would be less than if the colony borrowed the money for the work. He held that if the colony did the work £615,000 would be spent in interest before the line was completed ; and when it was completed the colony would be liable to a payment of £123,000 a year for interest. He then defended the proposed subsidy of the Company with grants of land, and stated that he believed the line would in the beginning pay at least 1 per cent, on the cost of construction, thereby materially reducing the £97,000 required to be guaranteed. Half of this sum he proposed to make the provincial districts of Canterbury (north of ths Kangitata), Westland and Nelson liable for. He thought the maximum rate would not exceed a halfpenny in the £, property tax valuation. He proposed to ask the House to consider the question in Committee of the whole on Friday. Sir George Grey objected to the motion for its consideration on Friday being given without notice, and the Hon. Sir Julius Vogel said he would give notice on Thursday that it be considered on the following day. The Hon. Me Stout on Education.— The Hon. the Premier delivered a statement on Education on Tuesday evening, but owing to its length, and pressure of other matter, we are unable to publish it. In the course of the statement he said there was one thing that might be taken as some test of what education was doing far the colony, and that was the number of teachers who had been trained in New Zealand, and who were teaching in our schools. Excluding pupil teachers, there were altogether 1550 teachers, and of these 1034 were trained in New Zealand, of whom there were 333 who were born in New Zealand, 307 who, though born elsewhere, have been educated from boyhood or girlhood in New Zealand, and 389 who were mainly educated out of the colony but first became teachers after their arrral in New Zealand. One main objection, and one which was always difficult to overcome in our present system, was that in order to conduct even small schools in country districts there must be a large number of classes. Supposing there were six standards, there would require to be more than six classes, because there were usually some children not yet able to undertake even the first standard, and it was impossible for a single teacher to do all this work. What, then, was to be done ? He would so arrange the standards that a teacher would be able in a country school to reduce the number of his classes. Ho bad, therefore, divided the subjects to be taught in schools under three heads. They ware what might be termed compulsory subjects, class subjects, and additional. Compulsory subjects, of course, were those in whioh no child who did not

puss could obtain a certificate. Hj had included drawing as a compulsory subject, aa it was tlis first .step to technical education. Ho also proposed that attention should be paid to elementary science, and believed that elementary science could be taught, not from text hooks, but orally by the teachers, and it should be taught to our children from their earliest years, and without any technical names. Geology conld be called “earth knowledge botany, “ plant knowledge,” and so on, and the principles of mechanics could be taught without text books by means of object lessons. In country schools teachers should ho able to give special bias towards agriculture, and in schools in various town districts special bias might be given towards those manufactures that had been or were likely to be established in those towns. He entertained a hope that perhaps from private munificence, if not from Government aid, we might see established, at all events in each large centre, some working schools where the handling of tools might be taught to children, if only for an hour or two a week. The Mount Peel Road Board inyttes tenders for willow stakes. Tenders close on the 2nd August. Mr W. R. Turton, Waihi Bush, inyites tenders for cropping 46 acres turnips, and for ploughing, harrowing and rolling 60 acres for turnips. Tenders close on July 31st. Lovely Clime. —There are lovely climes and places in which the evening zephyrs are loaded with malaria and tfce poison of fever and epidemic?. To dwell there in health is impossible, without a supply of H°P Ritters at hand. These American Co’s Bitters impart an equalizing strength to the system and prevent the accumulation of deadly spores of contagion. Be sure and see Advt.