The Wairarapa Daily. WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1882. CRUELTY TO CHILDREN.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 4, Issue 1070, 10 May 1882, Page 2

The Wairarapa Daily. WEDNESDAY, MAY 10, 1882. CRUELTY TO CHILDREN.

The Otago Daily Times, writing on home lesson work, says that both parents and children—and for that matter teachers, too, if they would only believe it-are indebted to McPetrie, a local inspector, for making such a warm protest against burdening children with an excessive amount of home-work. It will, writes our contemporary, be acknowledged by all thinking persons that five hours a day of confinement and work is a sufficient tax upon the energies of growing youth, and when to this is added the consideration that much of the so-called home-work is done in a perfunctory and slovenly fashion, often requiring to be undone on the following day, it will be seen that the practice apparently so prevalent in schools, of laying heavy burdens on the shoulders' of young children, is detrimental not only to the health of the body, but also to the vigor of the mind. "It should never be forgotten thai mummy hours of home study injure health, and mar happiness and comfort at an age when these interests shidd be guarded toith sacred care. Loss of health and sournm of W are far too great a sacrifice for the doubtful advantages to be secured." These are fences that should be well weighed both by parents and teachers, and they should be particularly borne in mind by those who determine to rush up y oU ng boys and girls with exotic haste that they may wm (or in most cases fail to win) a pme at the scholarship competitions. We have recognised for some time the evil to .vhich Mr P miE aiu i om . con . temporary draw attention, and would gladly see it mitigated in this district It is, however, a matter in which any local committee would be powerless The. Education Board, if convinced of the advisability of relaxing the practice which now prevails in the schools under its jurisdiction, could no doubt intervene with advantage. There is a severe competition between all schools to obtain passes, and no teacher will willingly relinquish the advantage winch he can obtain from home lessons unless _ his fellow teachers will join with him in discontinuing the practice; The desire to force children rapidly through the standards does not emanate from the parents, but is one of the drawbacks which are incidental to the pass system. ( One objection to homeessons which our contemporary overlooks, but which we know parents feel very strongly, is the fact that the services of the more advanced children (and these are the chief victims of the home-lesson mania) are required in the evening for the fulfilment of necessary domestic duties, A parent who gives seven or eight hours per diem of his child stime for scholastic purposes basin many instances to make a considerable \

sacrifice. When in addition to this one or two hours of evening study are onforced on the child an unreasonable pressure is put upon him. Pivo hours' study per diem are, in our opinion, sufficient for any child attending the public schools of this district, and we believe that the extra lessons given in many instances are a sort of compensation for the want of diligence in the teacher rather than of application on the part of the pupil. We fully recognize the admirable character of the education given in our public schools, and the great strides in advance which have ken made during the past few years, Still, there aro points on which it is yet defective, and one of the most glaring of them is the cruelty inflicted on children under 'the home-lesson system, ■ '

It ia reported that Kin§Tawhiaois "on the burst" at Alexandra, Ja.mos Rice, joint author with Walter Besant of a number of popular novels, is dead.

Phosphorous in any quantity not less than 101b can be obtained from Messrs Gilpin and Pardon, of Featherston, at 4s Cd per pound.

Notice is given that Air Waller Hare is appointed Creditor's Trustee in the bankrupt estate uf Mr E. Wrigley, builder, of Masterton.

Mr R, A, Wakelin, of Greytown, has been elected creditor's trustee in the estate of Cadenhead and Donald, builders, of Featherstoii,

A very handsome readme stand from the workshop of Mr Jago has been placed in the Institute readingroom, Itia made to accommodate four daily papers.

Another loafer was arrested by the police at Maslorton ibis morning, laboring under the influence of alcohol. He will be brought up to-morrow at tho Courthouse.

The House Committee of the Wairarapa Hospital met at the secretary's office, Greytown, yeslesday. Present-Messrs W. C, Cuff (Chairman), G. Wyett, W. Skeot, Rev H.V. White, and W. Booth. Tho minutes of the previous meeting were road and confirmed The treasurer reported a credit in bank at £lls 9s Id. Accounts amounting to 118 9s Id were passed for payment, It was resolved to ask the Rev Mr Drewsbury to act as a member of the Hospital comMr Skeot was reqnjstcd to act as visiting member for the ensuing month.

A first meeiingof creditors in the estate of Edmund Wrigley, contractor, Maslorton was held yesterday Rftevnoon, MiBeard appeared for the debtor. The statement of assets and liabilities shewed debts amounting to £433 6s 2d, assets £325. Mr W. Kanp was elected creditors' trustee.

Friday, the 26th day of May, is the day fixed for taking a poll in the Masterton borough district for and against the increaso of publicans' or other licences. On this occasion wo may expect to see the Licensed Victualler lions voting with tho Good Templar lambs against extending tho number of existing hotels.

The N.Z. Industrial Gazette reports: Encouraged by his success at Mnstertnn Mr McArdle is now making arrangements for laying out au extensive orchard at Pfthiatna, a new sottlement in the Forty. Mile Bush about 45 miles from Masterton. The land chosen for the site ia very suitable for the cultivation of peaches, which are to be the principal fruit grown.

The Auckland Fire Brigade are paid a shilling an hour for every fire they are "rang" to, no matter whether the alarm be false or not. Someone gave an alarm over the recent display of the Aurora Australia, and the Brigade claimed as usual, The Corporation official, however, objected'to pay, on the ground that it was ." out qf the district."

1 ho'Masterton Hospital Coininitleu met yesterday. Present— Boddington in tho chair, Bennett and Payton, The minutes of the previous meeting having been road and confirmed, the Treasurer reported a credit balance of £lB9 10s sd, a Government subsidy having been received of ,£lO5 53 I'd, and accounts to the amount of i'ol 14b H were presented for payment, These accounts, viz., T. Jm £8 10s,- Woodham 2s, Mackay 12s, M. Gtt S olber K £llissld,T, G. Mason £B, and Rountrce £22 15 Gd were passed by the mooting. At tho request of Dr Hosking tho Committee appointed Dr Bey an honorary surgeon of the Hospital, Mr J. Bennett was appointed visiting member for the ensuing month.

Juvenis in the Otago Daily Times writes :-I will notice two singularities as to tho new House, one of which, may cause confusion when debates are sent along tiie wires at midnight—that is, the large number of names double. There are two Browns, two Buchanans, two Greens, two Johnstons, two M'Kenzies, I woJiWilsons, and two Whites—though Waikato's member changes "i" to "y." The last House was fortunate enough in havini only one name in duplicateFisher. Then there are two brother M.H.R.'s—the Johnstons. I cannot recall an earlier instance of this, and I do not think two brothers have vet sat togather in a New Zealand Parliament. The Alexandra correspondent of the Press association says: I had a long conversation with a Masterton native to-day on the condition of the Kingito tribes, winch he contrasted unfavorably with the Maoris of his own district. He said that while the Kingites did not appear to carry on systematic agriculture, had notlun' but potatoes to eat, and miserable dwell" mgs, tho Masterton natives lived in good weatherboard houses, and their crops cattle, and sheep equalled those of the Europeans. They kept five flour mills going in the district, He attributed this backwardness of the Kingites to want of systematic industry, the absence of leasing land, too much talk, and love of drink. The place was not so good as Masterton.' him why he had taken a journey of four weeks to come here, he replied "curiosity." He said if he had a chance he would avail himself of Saturday's return railway ticket to go and see Auckland. I believe the meeting will have good effects on strange natives, by showing them the general poverty of the resident Kingites; The want nf any flour, sugar, or tea ia specially complained ofj the and pork diet constantly servedjup being very unpalatable to Maoris accustomed to better faro either in the form of tea, flour or fresh fish.

The programme for next Thursday's Winter Evening Entertainment iu St. Matthew's schoolroom is a strong one. The pianists on this occasion will include Mrs Paige, Miss Meredith, Miss Keeling, Miss Thompson, and Miss Feist. Six songs are promised from Mrs Beard. Miss Mason, and Mrs "Warren, and from Messrs Moove, Sellar, and Gant; Readings and Recitations are expected from Messrs' Ford, McGregor, and Beard. The part music will include the usual glees and a triobyMessreßeetham.

" The proof of the pudding is in the eating,'] the proof of tea is in the drinking, and if you want a real good cup of tea, buy Rapp & Hake's favorite blendedt 2a, mixture. Higließt price given for Buter, eggs, and all dairy produce, | AdvtJ,

Several Mastetton residents are making arrangements for a coursing matoh in the Lower Valley, whero hares are now tolerably plentiful.. ■; ■

After the usual drill of the! Gveytown Volunteers Jaafc.evening, at which all the officers and about 40 members were pre-, sent, Sergt; Webstur was elected ColSergt., Corp.Trotman Sergeant and Vol, F. Maxton Corporal.