The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1882.

Thames Star, Volume XIII, Issue 4245, 9 August 1882, Page 2

The Evening Star. PUBLISHED DAILY AT FOUR P.M. Resurrexi. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 8, 1882.

It is gratifying to find that the Governors of the High School are clothed and in their right mind once again. They have at last consented that children attending the Thames Government Schools who succeed in obtaining Provincial Scholarships shall be entitled to receive their education free at the institution of which they are the controlling body. It will be remembered thet a few months ago some scholars at the Government schools in this district became entitled to receive in. terms of the regulations a certain amount of money, £30 we believe, and free tuition at a more advanced school. In Auckland no difficulty exists with reference to this mat* ter, for when children obtain scholarships that much more pretentious educational institution than our Thames High School —the Auckland College and Grammar School—welcomes them within its fold.. The Board'of Education was of opinion, that the, Thames High School would as readily acknowledge the claims of merit amongst the children, of those who could not afford to pay for the instruction of their children at other than elementary schools; but they reckoned without their host. The Governors of the Thames High School contended that that institution was intended for only such children as could pay for their instruction; in fact, not to mince matters—for the " upper crust" of the district, whoever they may be. " These children have received £30," said they, " and let them pay for their' teaching out of that." This decision placed the Board of Education in a dilemma. They could have provided for the gratuitous instruction of the children in Auckland, but their parents could not afford to send them thither to attend school, and irrespective of their ability in that direction, it would be unjust and manifestly contrary to the spirit of the regulation under .which the scholarships were established, that they should be called upon to do so. But Mr V. E. Rice? the indefatigable secretary—we beg his pardon, ruler would have been the more correct term—of the Board of Edu« cation, was not to be checkmated so easily. By a strong sense of' affinity, educated by lengthened experience, he at once hit the vulnerable point, the breeches pocket. The Board, recommended to the Govern* ment that in future any grants in aid should be conditional upon free instruction being given to the holders of scholarships from the common schools. This; had the effect of bringing the Governors to their

senses. Dr Kilgour declared that it had always been his opinion that such free education should be given, and the other two gentlemen who went to compose the meeting; deeming it unnecessary to yinJicaie themselres, being only too pleased atf the prospect of the matter being un fdit\ accompli, it became a resolution of the High School Board that Thames childreil obtaining these Provincial scholarship shall henceforth be entitled to free instruction at that institution. How the Governors, could, ever have entertainecl any other opinion it is difficult to conceive. The fees obtained are a mere bagatelle in comparison with the grant in aid from Government, and the revenue derivable from endowments. But it follows as a corollary that if the institution is practically a Government educational etablishmsut, that the Governors were ignoring entirely the spirit of the legislation in connection with these institutions namely that each class of school, be it primary school, grammar school, or college, is a link in the chain of educational establishments, supported 1 or" substantially endowed by the Govern* men', and that each is intended to hinge upon and help the other in some degree.

At a meeting of the Auckland Harbor Board jeeterday afternoon, atelpgram was read from Mr W. Swaneon in reference to" amendments in the Harbors Act, in which he suid: "If you wish me to act jointly with Sir GK Grey in any matters, you will please to remember he stated in the House that be would not attend a meeting where I was present."

We notice that Mr Sawyer, the Pollen elreet cordial manufacturer, has decided to open a branch of his business at Te Aroha, the necessary plant having arrived for the purpose.

Messrs Peice Bbos. will in a few dajs lay the keel of an iron steamer, intended to trade between here and Te Aroha. Her dimensions will be—Length, 56ft 6in on the keel; beam, 10ft; depth of bold, 4ft 6in. Besides having plenty of room to stow a large amount of cargo, she will be well fitted for passenger accommodation, aj her cabin is to be 24ft long and 6ft 6in clear ia height. She will be propelled by twin screws, each driven by a pair of 6Jin high-pressure inverted cylinders, with a Tin stroke. . Steam will be supplied by a boiler of Ihe usua 1. marine construction, of large size, end made to carry a high pressure. The speed expected to be obtained is about eleven statute miles per hour.

A MAX named Powdrell (who was with Daldy Me Williams when they were shot at by tbe Ohinemuri natives three years ago) was brought to the Hospital yesterday from Bagnall's bush. He and another man were felling a tree, when the axe of hi.< companion slipped f ud cut him on the leg.

The state of the road between the Thames .and Purivi may well be imagine j. from the feet iliafc the journey thither and backr-cannot now be done conveniently by ahorse and cart in one d;iy.

A3 will be seen by announcement in another column, Thompson's- Colloaaal Mirror of the Zulu War will open at the Academy of Mv ie on Tuesday the 15th instant' for a shoit season of five nights. It ha 3 been pronounc:d by the p: ess and public to be a splendid exhibition, and is now mining in its sixth week in Auckland. There will also be a distribution o< gifts every evening, one hun.rcd vrlu:ble and useful pr.-sents being given away. We anticipate a successful season for the show..

Thb monthly meefchg of the Bonanza (Otinui) shareholders, called by advertisement, was held last ni^ht at the Pacific Hotel. The attendance was ralher sparse, owing, no doubt, to the concert being then held in the Academy, but there were enough t.j form a quorum, and therefore business was proceeded with. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and passed, as also the balance ehoot, &c. The statement of the men employed in pushing the drive ahead to in ersecfc the Eureka reef was that they are making good progress in splendid country, and hope before long to cut the reef. Mr Pearce was authorised to receive caHs on behalf of the Secretary. After the ÜBual business of declaring the call for the past forl night (the 4th), the meeting closed.

In the Legislative Council yesterday Government assented to the following motion by the Hod. Mr Wilson, which was then passed : ".In the opinion of this Council it is inexpedient that Justices of the Peace who have become bankrupt or insolvent should be retained on the Commisßioa of the Peace, and that such Justices should adjudicate in matters either criminal or civil," .Applications for five thousand ebares in tho new Mutual Fire Insurance Company have been received jn Auckland'from Gisborne. ■ • ' .