NEWS FROM MELBOURNE.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 1905, 10 February 1875, Page 2

NEWS FROM MELBOURNE.

-«» A LETTER FBOM POL&Y PLUM!/ January 86. I have not much news to fend this time, as I hare been cut short in a fairlj prosperous career by a long and severe illness, necessitating painful, operations, and accompanied by so muck ferer that barley water and lemonade were the festive viands with which I beguiled Cliristmay Day. Well, I have been five weeks in bed, and shall be many more before I can properly raise the leg that has beeii operated on, so that it is a good job I am not at poor dear old Kauaeranga, or it would.be.a long time without a headteacher. I could easily get into the State schools here. The examination,for teachers' certificates is thorough, but not, as with us, too often far-fetched. Teachers are . expected to be thoroughly versed in all plain and useful knowledge; but absurd questions, such as asking for accounts of unimportant peninsular fights, are not asked. Very . little indeed ,is made of history, it is not taught in school; it is an extra subject. An improved edition of the Irish National School Series is used, but I do not like it. as well as Nelson's Eoyal Series. Drawing and Latin are extras; but/ a singing master attends once a week..and teaches .singing gratis. Ttie State sehoolis in Melbourne and .its -vicinity are some of them,truly noble buildings, highly ornamental, nearly always tw«,stories high, and capable of holding 70fo or 80() children. New ones are constantly being opened, and fyee compulsory education, as ftur as Victoria is coftcerned.seemß to^agrand suttcess. My son j^oes to the M&iel Schools, as they are called* I believe they wefc the first schools on the national system that were opened here, and, I think, the headmastery who was a very old friend of my husband's, has been in charge of them for consideraW/mdfe J than 2G yfors. 1 Think of that, ye Auckland teaqhers, who, if you manage to agree with your committee for' a couple of ytars, may be looWd oa as patriarchs in . the profession. These Model Schools, now more properly called the Central State Schools, are quite close, to where we live, atfd form part of* handsome block of buildings, including the Training School and the Department of Education. Wo have a Minister pf Public Instruction at the head of this', .department. Then there are great examinations, I think quarterly; called th|e matriculation and civil service examinations, of course, in connection with the University; but ladies, though not allowed to enter the University, are allowed to compete at these examinations, and often pass with flying colors. Of the three that passed last time, with credit, one was * ladJ» and at a previous examination oi iir who paswd, with Credit, four ..were. ladies. The principdTorT a "college at Ballarat did me the honor the other day of forwarding to me some of his prospectuses. His object is to secure a commercial education for girls as well as boys, .and thinking it would be pleasant to me to know 'of such a plan, he wrote me* a very kind letter. I have met with manr* marks of kindness, respect, and. good feeling, and am a member of one of the great Discussion-Societies of Victoria... I think we number about six ladies arid)* hundred and fifty gentlemen. There is -ft ' great deal of intelligence and free thoughts here, but the leading power in the community is most strictly conservative and constitutional. Everybody is complaining of things being .quiet, and dull times, but there must be much wealth here, jidging by the palatial houses, the grand P camagejj the liveried servants, the number of ser*< vants kept, frequently from four to %\% and the splendid costumes*, The ftanJj; of emigration' makes labor wages >u£ country very high indeed. A, gentle* man the other day assured me that .during the harvest' as -much its 17s ;6d per day hasibeen paid to farm laborers. But let those whom high wages would tempt from New, Zealand take into consideration the terrible heat, and if they can endure it. .To be sure they say th# four days* 'heat last week was the worst that has ever been experienced in Victoria; and it had need be, for it* reached 110 in the shade. The mortality was much increased. At Bajlarat a gentleman fried an egg on a' school slate by. the sun's rays. Just think of. it x for a '/minute, and then take :an iced drink to cool your heated imagination. /1 .h*v£ seen,thip schools,of the. Sisters pf Mercy- — splendid buildings. I, am sure the schools .are well conducted; everything i% clean, orderly and excellent. They hare 7 the prettiest looking drawing or receiving room, hate 'the good sisters, "that I have seen in "Melbourne. Polished floors reminding one of "la belle France," and cool pretty white and green fine matting in the centre of the room. Like all con., vent parlors there are numerous picture* and many pretty and artistic trifles; But I think I have seldom seen' such'perfection of taste in furniture and arrangement. This pretty room, that has called forth my raptures, is such a room as one only "hears about" in Auckland, like twt) rooms divided by a splendid arch, and with a fireplace at'each end. The superioress was very kind to me, and showed me over the whole*of their large block of buildings, but all the schools except the "select school were closed, in- conseqnence of measles. Four young ladies from the select school played a piece' in correct time and tune on four pianos. It wafs very nice, and I admired it very much, though I confess I would rather hare seen four good puddings they had made; but then lam so awfully utilitarian, and keep i my eye on the future, with its husbands, its babies, and its household cares". Being aprisdner 10 the house, lam afraid it is ' rather a dry budget I send you this time,

but I know you will take the will for til* deed, and I have tried to string together a few facts that may be of public interest. I thank you for sending me the Star to often. To me it is, a pleasure, thoujt somewhat a sad one, to see all theMr name* and read all the news of old' friends. Specially do I search for a line about Ji-auaoianga girls' school. Iv spite of bitter remembrances of the Thames, ' of my school I have no remembrance but what is happy. My assistant*, my trapilf, all were moje to my taste than «ny other work I have ever been enfcag«d ?in, tn i j; shall never cease to feel interested ia- the school, or to wish it every prosperity.— I km, &c, . . J / i Mm A. CoLCLOuak. 16, Nicholson-street, Fitzroy, * { v - January 6tH, 1875. J .