LOWER VALLEY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2958, 24 July 1888, Page 2

LOWER VALLEY.

(Prom Our Own Correspondent).

About a foitnight ago I paused with pleasure an excellont article that appeared in your paper commenting on our State education, in, which you clearly showed the uselessn'ess of the standard principle, or standard stuffing as you more appropriately termed it. There can belittle doubt by anyone who takes any interest iu the matter, that the system requires some radical change, as, instead of being a vigorous, natural, robust education, that will develop our children into sensible well-informed men and women, able to do battle with the world, its tendency is to turn thorn like jackdaws, calculating maohines, and bookworms, It is evident that if there is not some sweeping reforms made in our State education machinery that the whole thing will collapse from its great expense with no corresponding usefulness. I herewith quote from a British magazine a stanza which I think appropriately describes our education system: One hard, faßt rule, moat unyielding rigorous, Presses on stroii? and on feoble,' (ho same; '..;'■• • Children, though dull, must compete with ■'■':.■'■' the vigorous,.■'-

Delicate scholars-no meroy can claim.' Nothing is thought of the varying facility This child or that may for learning :'■''' -v. possess,' .'.:•''."':■' ?'■''.•■,•■,'■ All are expected with equal ability -I" On through tho exigoiit ''standard" to .. . ■" .press. -';• What wouldbe far more useful to twothirds of' the ohildre'n'attending 'our public schools, would be a system on the lines laid down by you in your article on the 18th inst., in which'you malte suggestions to the Town Lands Trust of Mnsterton, to utilise their available property'by converting it into a model farm or agricultural school. I hope to hear that your admirable suggestion has been acted on, and that your township mil sot the example that should speedily develop into a Colonial project, if our Legislators really have the welfare of the rising generation of their Britain! of the South at heart. " Cromwell" was only a farmer, the dictator of the. British Empire, Scotland's illustrious poet" Burns," was also a farmer, and so were many others of our British heroes.

With regard to general news I am afraid I shall not be able to send you anything very interesting. The very unpropitious weather wo have had here this week seems to be the leading topic of talk, Human nature never seems satisfied, for, with the exception of this week, this winter- so far has undoubtedly been, the mildest and finest that is known to the memory of the oldest inhabitants in the Valloy, Touching this subject, I might mention that the sudden change from very mild to cold has been rather severe on young sheep, which have developed in its worst form that serious disease', lung worm, from which both large and small farms have lost a good. many. Messrs Bidwill Bros., with their accustomed enterprise, have this week had a fumigating house built on the latest and most improved principle, with a view to at least checking the disease. They will test the efficacy of it next week, the result of which I will report in my next. The same, firm purpose having extensive alterations made to their woolshed, particularly with a view to giving much more accommodation for sheep at night. Our lair equestrennes seem to be the leading spirits in Show matters, for I notice that many of them are giving their favorite palfreys every attention, and the show of ladies hacks bids fair to bo even a greater attraction than usual, and as this is undoubtedly one of the leading attraction to spectators of the day's programme of events, I hardly think the fair, riders receive sufficient remuneration for the expense they aro necessarily put to in getting their steeds into show condition. I would suggest that the first prize bo double the original amount, and second and third pro rata. If some one would act the gallant knight, as the Secretary of the W- J. Club used to do in early days, when canvassing for subscriptions to the Ladies' Purse.the amount might easily be trebled, I hopo the Show Committee will pardon me for denouncing tlie medal-system, as in these times hard cash is the most acceptable, besides our Show medals seem to be getting smaller every year, beautifully less, At first, they were the size of orowns, the last year's were I notice, about the size of shillings, and at the same rate of diminution next year they will be about the size of 8d pieces. i