The Waikato Argus [PUBLISHED DAILY.] A Guaranteed Circulation of Over 6000 Weekly. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1903.

Waikato Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1598, 3 July 1903, Page 2

The Waikato Argus [PUBLISHED DAILY.] A Guaranteed Circulation of Over 6000 Weekly. FRIDAY, JULY 3, 1903.

The usefulness of every institution depends mainly upon the capacity of those engaged in its working. This hypothesis is, perhaps, more strictly applicable to those engaged in education than in any other pursuit. We are spending a large sum of money annually upon education, so much so that the cost is a serious strain upon the finances of tbe colony. That expenditure, provided that the teachers employed are not prepared for the responsible work they have to perform, is rendered nugatory in proportion to their unpreparedncss. At one time we had properly-equipped and staffed training schools in each of the large centres of population, and, notwithstanding that every other country has institutions of the sort, ours were abolished, mainly we believe on the plea of economy, a plea which we believe to be absolutely false. True economy means the highest standard of efficiency, and anything short of that is extravagance. We are glad to learn from the reply of Ministers to a question that proposals are to be submitted to the Hoose dealing with the thorough equipment of training colleges for teachers. These cannot, ol course, be established and maintained without expense, but for the reasons we have given above we believe that tbat expense should be incurred. At the present time those who are in training to be rendered fit to fulfil the duties of teachers are trained in a sort of haphazard manner by the headteachers of the schools in which they are engaged. We write haphazard, because it is frequently the case that these headteachers have not been trained then-selves to a high state of efficiency, and, in many cases, could with advantage to themselves and the cause of education, attend a courße of instruction in one of the colleges it is proposed to establish.

The housebreakers have been at work again in Auckland. On Wedaesday afternoon Mr Isaoo Hill's house, situated in Bradford Streetf Parnell, was broken into. The thieves carefully overhauled the drawers, etc, but only elected to appropihle £3 10s in gold.

We have to acknowledge the receipt from Mr Buxton, District Traffic Manager at Aucklaud, a copy of the new railway timetable which came into operation on the Auckland section yesterday. There arc practically no alterations in the local services.

A witness at the Supreme Court at Chriatchurch, who was giving evidence regarding a poultry farm, threw some light on the antecedents of ' shop ' e ccs there. She stated that the egg* which proved infertile in the incubators were taken out and sold to retailers.

A petition from the dentists of the colony was yesterday presented to the Hamilton doutists for signature. It asks that dental education should be placed under the control of the New Zealand University, with a view eventually to the establishment of a school of dentistry.

A Government wrapfc in the I luxurious blankets of a large majority is apt to console itself with the thought that it has votes laid up for many dayß, and to neglect that intellectual application to political facts and principle* which is the only safeguard against emergencies,—Pall Mall Gazette. The Hon. T. Y. Duncan yesterday, in answer to a question in the House, refused to make any promise about abolishing the sheep tax. On the contrary, he thought in these days of veterinary surgeons and other experts, the owners of cattle might also be asked to pay a little, so as to bring them into line with aheepowners paying a tax.

At the Police Court, Auckland, on Wednesday, Henry Canning Turner, a livery stable keeper, was charged with assaulting Theophelis Green, one of the Electric Tramway Company's motormen, by catching him by the neck- and shoulder and holding him down over the apron of the car, He was convicted and fined £5 or in default one month's imprisonment.

The Haygarth Comedy Company staged ' The Private Secretary' last night at the Volunteer Hall, Hamilton, keeping a large audience laughing from the rise of the curtain till its fall. Mr E. D. Haygarth, who took the title role, was particularly good, and he was ably sup* ported by the minor characters. The dates for the Waikato tour of the Com* pany will be found in our advertising columns.

The following is the complete list of the tenders received for the construction of 10 locomotives for the New Zealand railways : Price Bros. (Thames), £28,000 (accepted); J. and A. Anderson (Christchurch), £29,630 ; New Zealand Locomotive and Engineering Co. (Weh lington), £31,410 ; Scott Bros. (Christchurch), £32,000 ; Macalister (lovercargill), £33,500 ; McGregor and Co. (Dunedin). £35,750.

Recently a contemporary stated that the Parliamentary party to the islands must be classed as ' moderate,' as although several hundred pounds worth of liquor had been taken on the Manapouri only some £6O or £7O was consumed. An explanation was forthcoming last evening hy Mr Major, who incidentally informed his hearers tint the whiskies and other liquid things consumed on board ship had to be paid for out of members'own pockets.

A Cambridge correspondent writes us asking why an Inspector of Weights and Measures does not visit that district, He says no one knows if their weighr.B are correct, and, according to the weights he had. many articles receives from the stores are not as heavy as they should be, and 41b loaves of bread are shrinking perceptably. He further says in most small places the local constable is the Inspector of Weights and Measures, and why should not the rule be carried out in Cambridge.

In our issue of yesterday we referred to the fact that the Southern papers had published some sensational telegrams from Wellington regarding an Auckland plague patient, and we expressed the opinion that surely there mast be some mistake. We now learn for the first time that Auckland really does possess a plague patient, but as to who is the victim and how he contracted the dreaded disease no particulars are available. We congratulate the Aucklanders and the Health Department on the reticence they have displayed in the matter, but it is a marvellous thing how 'murder will out.'

Farmsrs and others interested would do well to keep in view the important clearing sale which the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company (Ltd.) are holding on Friday 10th inst., at ' Auburn ' Pirongia, on account of Mr J M. Hall who has sold his farm. All the cattle are really good and include, besides a number of young stock, 50 dairy cows to calve in September and October, and 30 choice springing heifers. The draught horses and farming implements are also first-class, and are all worthy of inspection. Full particulars will be advertised in tomorrow's issue.

The fortnightly meeting of the Hamilton Mutual Imprr.vement Association was held in the Methodist school • room last evening, Mr E. White being in the chair. There was a good Attendance, many of those present being ladies. The subjeet under debate was : " That woman has done more than man for the elevation of the human race.' The affirmative was ably sustained by Mr G. Skene Dixon, who was assisted by Messrs Scott and R. Webber. In the absence of Mr S. Knight, Mr S. V. Bracher took the necative, and was supported by Messrs Bell, J. A. Young, P. White and Tidd. A most interesting and entertaining discussion was the outcome, and on a vote being taken those supporting the negative were the victors by the narrow margin of one vote.

One particularly hard case of mis" fortune is attributable to the prohibition vote. This is the case of a license holder who disposed of a hotel in the Ashburton district and took a hotel in Christchurch. Unfortunately for him, it now appears that the owner of the hotel in Ashburton still holds a reversionary claim upon the ex-licensee for the balance of the lease. This individual is clearly under the impression that his interest in the closed hnuse censed with his sale of the balance of the lease, more particularly as the ingoing tenant was accepted by the landlord. He has now, however, to face a writ tor a sum of £250 and a further demand that he shall pay the full rental of the closed house, £5 a week, until the expiry of the lease in 1906. The case will probably be ventilated in Court.

As will be seen in our advertising columns', the No 1. Company Waikato Mounted Rifles will fire for the Company's belt and other trophies on Tuesday next, 7th July. The Compauy have been particularly fortunate this year in having no less than nine trophies presented to th<»m for competition which has already had its good effect, men being on the range practising every Saturday afternoon since the camp. Amongst the trophies are a gold medal presented by Mr Howden, a silver medal from Mr Harker, a silver plated flank from Messrs L. T>. Nathan and Co., box of grocries from Messrs Whittome Stevenson and Co., and trophies from Messrs Manning, Speight, Richards and Panthon. On Wednesday a team will fire a match with the Piako Mounted Rifles at Te Aroha. On Saturday the same team will fire a match with the Auckland Mounted Rifles at Auckland. The team will return home by the late train on Saturday evening,

The licensee of the Shades Hotel (now closed), in the Chalmers electorate, has been fined £i and costs for supplying liquor on Sunday. The Rangitikei Advocate asks:— Is it not somewhat suggestive that several new members of Parliament are displaying great anxiety about the state of the lunatic asylirns ? The Wellington Land Board has been exercised of late over breaches of the regulation that settlers on rural lands must no 1 ; take three successive root crops iu three years off such land. A circular upon the subject is to be issued by the Board to all holders of such land. The Mangaweka correspondent of the Manawatu Daily Times says that as far as he can ascertain, the only three persons in that locality who have been faithful to "the cam-c " who have not received adequate recognition from the Government are a newspaper editor, a Chiuese fruiterer and night porter. Mr George Edgecumbe has been nominated for a seat on the Auckland Education Board by members of the followine committees :—Bombay, Hamilton East, Huntly, Cambridge East, Wairanei, Tamahere, Kirip*ka, Parkhurst, Pukerimu, Te Awamutu, Npahinepouri, Whatawhata, Waiorongomai, Hukanui. Otorohanga, Te Rahu, Elstow, Pai Kauri, Kama Rama, Mauku West. SYNOPSIS OF ADVERTISEMENTS For sale : Berkshire boar and sows. Wanted : General servant, Fencourt. Lost : Berkshire sow ; black and white half-bred pointer. Found in Voluuteer Hall, Hamilton : Brooch, shoes, umbrella. Westfield Potato manure: New announcement on front page. For Bronchial Cough take Woods Great Peppermint Cure, 1/6 and 2/6 everywhere No. 1 Company, Waikato Mounted Rifles: Annual shooting competition Tuesday uext. Why pay rent ? One hundred pounds will buy a four-roomed cottage and full quarter-acre section in Main Street, Hamilton West. Easy terms arranged. Apply sharp to W. Thompson, Land Agent.