Tuapeka Times AND GOLDFIELD REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1874. "MEASURES, NOT MEN."

Tuapeka Times, Volume VII, Issue 396, 3 October 1874, Page 2

Tuapeka Times AND GOLDFIELD REPORTER AND ADVERTISER. SATURDAY, DECEMBER 19, 1874. "MEASURES, NOT MEN."

Having- obtained a copy of the supplement to th<2 " Provincial Goremivenh Gazei&e," containing the ne tv regulations of the Otago Education Board, we desire to call the attention of our readers to tho same. We cannot afford, as journalists, to be so barberoua-aa to affect indifference to one of the stock subjects of politicians, and of our own guild. A few years ago our Otago system was held to be everything that was good ; a few years later, it "was assailed as behind the other Provinces jin New- Zealand and the Colonies in the Southern Hemisphere. "We had no inspection ; our teachers were incompetent; the expense was considerable, and the outcome extremely small. Such was the language of our discontents. "We never were of the number that indorsed these reckless condemnations. There were no doubt defects, but these were easily remedied ; but not in the direction the malcontents pointed — i.e., in the direction of deuominationalism. The inspection was no doubfc defective ; but we believe that faithful work was being done in spite of that defpetivencss. Now, however, we have no hesitation in saying that this is likely to be a matter of complaint no longer. The standards before us in the above .supplement for teachers, pupil teachers," and the classes in the common schools, are sufficient guarantee of the competence of the inspecting staff, and that it will only be because the material of competent teachers is not to be had in Otago, if they fail in securing proper -results in our public schools. But We have not so low an opinion of the teache.rs and the community from which the ieacliers are drawn. The standards for teachers are judiciously drawn up. They embrace a license to teach on trial ; a certificate of third claSs ; and of a second class in two divisions. "First-class certificates can only be . obtained by the holders of second-class certificates after five consecutive" favorable annual reports from tho Board's Inspector." The second-class embraces what is necessary for a sound English and commercial education. Holders of such certificates are eligible to the office of teachers in main schools, as well as side schools, though preference is given, costeris paribus, to the holder of a second-class certificate. To ' this arrangement the " Otago Guardian " has taken exception, as it is a departure from a rule previously adopted. But we do not regard this in the same light as the " Guardian." Much depends on the man selected, and the district for which he may be selected. Moreover, we have had an opportunity of examining the questions that were pnt to candidates for this class in Otago and in Tasmania and in Canterbury ; and we have no hesitation in saying that a third-class certificate is more valuable in Otago than in the Province of Canterbury or the Colony of Tasmania. There ia a thoroughness

about the questions put, in the case of an Otago examination, that we failed to find in either of the others ; and the standard for second-class will bear comparison with any in the Southern Hemisphere ; and those who pass it, if possessed of the requisite skill to apply their knowledge in the' art of communicating it, will not fail to be a credit to their profession. It is a new feature of our educational arrangements that a standard has been issued by the inspecting staff for the 'classes in the schools to be inspected. That standard is fixed high to afford scope to ambitious teachers to raise their pupils as near it as possible. This will no doubt prove an additional incentive to teachers already j enthusiastic in their work, and will have the effect of provoking to deeper earnestness the perfunctory and idle. We can only speak of the standards with approval. We do not, indeed, expect that in the majority of cases they will be reached ; but even in the case of shortcomings, they will have a stimulating effect. To teachers whose training for their office has been defective, these standards afford invaluable directions, and they bring before the trained teacher the I latest improvements in the art.

After some considerable efforts were made, , the inhabitants of Lawrence got their gaol accommodation enlarged ; not that they required it for their own delinquents alone, but as the receptacle for all short sentenced prisoners from districts farther in the interior. Some difficulty has been experienced in ac- J complishing the object in view ; but we are glad to say that difficulty has been overcome. During his stay in Wellington, our member — J. C. Brown, Esq. — has not been forgetful of the matter, and as the result of his efforts he hands us the subjoined letter, which we publish for general information. With the short sentenced prisoners from Switzers and the Dunstan districts, we may hope to carry out Borne of the many important public works in the town of Lawrence which have been so urgently needed. We would instance one work of a very reproductive character for the Government, viz., the cutting of a channel for Gabriels Creek through the point at the mouth of the gully, and the consequent reclamation of a large section of land, which could be readily disposed of" for building sites. We calculate thoro ia profitable work for a dozen men for some yeara to come in the town of Lawrence ; and, even with crime at a minimum, we can almost calculate upon that number as a certainty from such an extensive country as is comprised in the Tuapeka, Dunstan, and Switzers districts. " Department of Justice, " Wellington, 25th Sept., 1874.

" Sib, — I havo the honor to inform you, in reply to your letter of the 22nd ult., that, after communicating with his Honor the Superintendent of Otago, it has been determined to instruct the llesident Magistrates at Clyde and Switzers to commit' to the gaol at xtu,,.* — A ;-_..„,„, «.ntpnced to shortperidds -of imprisonment, and tnat Hie iicl-cdoE^ instructions have been issued to those Resident Magistrates accordingly. — I ha7e the honor to be, Sir, your most obedient servant, William Kexnoids. " J. C. Brown, Esq., M.L.A., Laworce."

The "Gazette" of Wednesday last, contains a proclamation to the effect that tho Hundreds hereinafter mentioned shall be open for sale or lease on the days and dates given below :—: —

We draw particular attention to the words in the proclamation, " shall be open for sale or lease." It will be remembered the Government promised, on the requisition of a public meeting held at Lawrence, to make provision in the case of the Tuapeka Hundred that a sufficient part of it would be reserved to be open for application under the Agricultural Leasing Regulations. As the proclamation reads, we should imagine the Government have wisely determined to deal with the other Hundreds in a similar manner. We would, therefore, advise those of our readers who are deairoua of obtained any land in these Hundreds not. to forget the gazetted dates as above given, but to have their applications duly lodged on the dates mentioned.

Tuapeka. - Lees Stream Dart Dunback - Waikoikoi Kaiwera - Pukerau - Otaira Waikaka Waipalieo IKturi-w-ao Herriofcfc - Spottis * Waikaia • - October 20, 187' " » 3) • December 20, 187' • January 4, 187 i • » » - January 15, „ • February 1, „ n n " n »