The Waikato Times.

Waikato Times, Volume VIII, Issue 484, 26 June 1875, Page 2

The Waikato Times.

Equal and exact justice to all men. Of whatever &t..te or persuasion, religious or political; # # # # # Here shall Lhe P>ess fie People's right maintain, Unawed by influence and unbribed by gain.

The Auckland * Education A<jjb lias ''not been very popular in many parts of the Itaovince. This was to have been looked for in the town districts, per haps, but other results might have been expected in the country. In the town there were schools, some of them very good ones, and it was not at first very clear what an Education Act could do for them. Besides the denominational question became formidable in aud w aboui; tjfe towns. There was no reason wh^a'Tßomai^C^tiiplic school and a Church of England school, a"',J*r>sbyteTian and a Weslyan school should n^t all J^ye side by side in town, and it was felt as a serious hardship that free schools should cut the ground from under these Educational Establishments and leave nothing for it but to close them, or to make them very select indeed. For these reasons the introduction of the system set up by the Act of 1872 was naturally unpalatable in the centres of population. It did not appear tCPte urgent*^ needed then, and it dis. turbed existing j§tyangeme>its ttncf interfered with existing prejudices, and wWi *H%sii§dr • rights. It should, however, have been popular in country districts, ovving to the existence there of the very needs not felt in town, and to the absence of the very causes which in town militated ayainst its success. And we understand that in some country districts it has done much good, and is received with much favour. This cm scarcely be said to be the case in the Waikato. In no district was the tax more freely paid on its first imposition than here, and in none did it api>ea« l^iioKe, cte'tain that the new system would work wgUCknd gft^w popular. Hitherto this anticipation has-riot beenvrealteed^r From the first the tendency has been to gravy dissatisfied with the Act, and that tendency has increased from a variety of causes, until it may now be said that the Education Act of 1872 has become a most distasteful measure in this community. We have been at some pains to ascertain exactly how matters stand in this district, with a view to discovering how far the people of Waikato have special cause of complaint, or how far they only suffer as others have suffered from the scantiness of the funds provided by the Act for E^ortidh. s. , V Th? position\f(fhe mattW_is^Ms, so far as our own district is concerned. There are seven school districts now established within t^e limits of Waikato, and it is understood that two more are about to be established very shortly. There are at present seven schools supported by the B ><u\l, the cost of maintaining teachers at which is just now £834 a-year. At Alexandra, Ohaupo, Cambridge, Hamil ton East and West, at Kihi Kihi, and at Ngaruawahia, there areHschools, the number of pupils on the rolls being afout 43(X Very little has been done as yet towards erecting suitable brfttdinga for school houses, and this has, no doubt, been a reasonable ground of complaint. In Hamilton, for instance, nothing could Jjojnore utterly wretched than the accommodritiorttyroyided x for the** children. School teaching becomes a farce 'yhiei* a -mere hut is all that is provided to shelter tlie teachers andthepupils,

and in Hamilton this has been, and is still the case. We understand that the Board have no?r gone so far as to authorize the purchase of a suitable building, and this most crying grievance will soon be done away with, we hope. There is. however, an impression abroad as to the taxation levied in this district, which is erroneous and misleading. A good deal of the dissatisfaction expressed m Waikato has arisen from the idea that tlw district paid much more in taxes than it received in outlay upon schools. This, however, is an error. The total amount of taxation last year raised in the Waikato under the Education Act was £901 4s Od. From this had to be deducted ten per cent for the cost of collection, which only left a balance of about£Bll 0s Od as the actual income from the district. From this source it is not easy to see how the Board of Education could have done more than they have done, although it is also clear that much more is required to place education on a satisfactory footing in our rising but scattered district. It would be quite vain to expect a fund for building to be raised from Educational taxes. What we have said above shews that, if there were as many schools here as thereshould be, there would not be enough raisedby taxes in the district to pay the teachers. The one thing needed in the matter is money. The Board of Education, we can scarcely doubt, would very gladly avail themsel vesof any opportunity of * n^etfbing 'and providing for our wants. If there-^we^e^'suitaye no doubt the Board woul(ftuTve nTeans\j)ay teWwiers' salary, as there were scholars to be tartght, but to find suitable school-houses has hitherto been the difficulty. Provision was* made by the Council at its last session which ought to remove this difficulty. A sum of £10,000 is to be raised forthwith upon loan and placed at the disposal of the Board for building purposes. Of this money Waikato should get her share. There is need of a good many schools at present, and it is by no means unlikely that if we do not get them now we may not have them for along time to come. At Ngaruawahia, a school is pcessingly required, and should be built without delay. At this place, although something is now being done, much more is required. A .school-house is wanted bet ween*Carn^>ridge.and*(^haupo; andanother at Te Awamutu/\Now is^heL titns when these things may be dbfoin&iUif theVarS lodged after. It is true, perhaps, that the Boa\d of Education is supposed to know Jiow to do what is right with the funds ; but the very meaning of the existence of School Committees is that their local knowledge may make up for the necessary ignorance of the Board at a distance. Our District Boards should take the matter up and agitate the question. Even though we may not get all we need, still less all we could wish for, we shall likely to get a great deal more than if we do not move in the matter. Other districts will not neglect their interests if we neglect our's, and the Board will have plenty of applications. There are special i^asona_why Wjjaikato should have her representat3ltog,ttenaecl tdujv^h. in preference to most other couiffciy^ist/icV Mm t^s district the need of schools is a growin^one, while in many other districts things are all\ut stationary. The scholars requiring accomodation next at any one of the points we have named, as suitable for schools, will be much larger than now. If possible, a superior or a High School should be established in the W-iikato, where other branches of education might be obtained besides those of the common course, and this als-> might besecured by energetic i*epresentation as to its necessity and feasibility. Once more,thereare scattered throughout the wholedistrict numerous reserves which should be made some use of. Perhaps no great revenue could be at once obtained from these, but at least a beginning should be made — and here agarn js work for the Local Committees. It is not tneSc^xd's work, as some say, that we shall do by lookmgVfter these things, but our own. The Board cannot judge of these things as we can, they cannot even care for these things so much as we can, because the need of schools does not press upon them as it does upon us. Hitherto, however, they have shown a desire to spend at least all they raised from the district upon Education within its limits, and the more we can raise by indirect means, the better for all parties concerned. Our real grievance in the past has been the want of suitable schoolhouses, and we have shown that the opportunity now offers for getting rid of this. But our own efforts must be used in this as in other matters. School houses to be had for the asking are not things of every day occurrence, and we should not be backward in making our wajits known. Where a Committee exists, now is the moment for action. Where no Committee exists, the people should be their own Committee, ami should meet ajjd forward \lieir views to the Board. There is no 6aus^W^*doubt v^that> the\ will receive attention, because Jhe* intereltt of|fche\Board is, and must be identical with bur owrLinNfliis^atter, and we must begin and end with the\jesire as far as the funds will carry them, to make thef Educational system which they administer, at once efficient and popular in the country districts of this province.

We are glad to see that at least one local body in Hamilton is taking up our suggestion, with regard to the erection of a public h.ill in this township. We j learn that at the usual weakly meeting of the H!ope of Waikato Lodge, I. O. G-. T., on Thursday evening, the question of forming a company to build a ! hall was discussed, and a Committee appointed to draw up a report on the feasability of the scheme, and report at a future meeting. We believe it will be found that other Friendly Societies in Hamilton i will be willing to co-operate in the pioject, and that I there will be no difficulty in raising the necessary capital. It is understood that a Good Templar is prepared to make a gift of a suitable site, so that the cost of the building will be the only outlay involved. We are glad to learn also that many of the leading settlers in the neighbourhood are favourable to the scheme, and we trust that the inhabitants will co-operate as a body to provide this most pressing need. The Hon James Williamson, who is now on a visit EoT^ <jtatricT^ias Kjperjiily offered to subscribe a sum, o£ j£2s to vtordsMlm .cbst of the proposed building. ' " *• *$ The motto orHhe footballisravof Hamilton is evidently " Try again." Their devotion to this noble old English athletic sport is not to be damped by rain or any other circumstance. Defeated by bad weather on two successive Saturdays, in their attempts to form a club and bring off a match, they will make a third trial this afternoon in Mr Martin's paddock, when it is to be hoped that the clerk who is popularly supposed to preside over the meteorological influences, will smile upon their efforts. We hope to see a good muster of the athletes of Hamilton, and some spirited play. They have enjoyed an enforced inaction for sooioweeks past, and will doubtlesff^terVupon^e with renewed energy.^ \^ C'^V^--At ths half-^aVljNntietingW)? Tne^oyal Hamilton Lodge, 1.0\F., VJ.U.,\.D., held in the Royal Hotel, Hamilton E*st, on Tuesday evening U-Jt, the following' Brothers wer-j elected to till the respective office duriag the e isuing term : — (rr.uid Master, Br J. (Jjombes; Nobli G-r.m-l, Br W. Revell ; Vice -»rand, Br R. Land; Elective Secretary, Br H. Tristam.

An Electoral Revision Court will be held by Mr Lawlor, at Ngaruawahia, to-day. Mr Holloway, the Immigration Agent, fractured his knee-cap in a fall on his voyage home. At the usual weekly meeting of the Hope of Waikato lodge, 1.0.G,T., held on Thursday evening last, several new members were initiated. A preliminary rifle practice of the Cambridge Cavalry Volunteers will commence at 10 o'clock this morning 1 . The estate of Robert Stuart, of Waikato, who died in July last, which is under £100, has been placed in the hands of the Public Trustee. We are conv>elled by pressure of telegraphic and other important initfer, to hold over a special report of the operations of the Waikato Swamp Company. ' A general meeting of shareholders in the Hamilton Flour Mill Company, (Limited), will be held at the Hamilton Hotel, at 3 p.m. on Monday afternoon, to receive the report of the liquidators. A meeting of persons interested in Presbyterian Church matters at Pateran^i, Alexandra, and Oliaujw), vrill be held in Mr Seconbe's barn Puteratigi, at one o'clock to-day. The returns of the Registrar-General shew the population of the city of Auckland to be 13,054, the total births during the month of May, 37 ; deaths, 48 ; death rate, 3.67 per 1000. We learn that three separate informations for alleged pig-stealing were laid on Thursday against a man named Dilly, recently of Ohaupo. He has been " wanted/ for a day or two, but is supposed to have migrated to Ohineruuri. Should Sir Julius Vogel resign the office of Premier, the act will involve the resignation of the Ministry as a body. There can be no doubt upon this point. The question was put to Mr. Vogel by Mr. Stafford4ii tij^essiok of 1^73, and definitely answered. V *>• T* . '" The prospects of the permaiWieeOT tHVCalifornian Mail Service aptaear to be rern^bid from all doubt. Six applications n\ve been made\i England for the contract, and it is rumoured that should the Pacific Mail Company fail to secure it, an opposition line will be run. It appears to be be clear that Dr Pollen acted illegally in impounding the capitation allowance in j payment of sums due by the province as interest in the Onehunga railway, even if 3uch interest was j dueatall. Sub-sections 3, 4, and sof the Public Works Act, clearly provide that the interest shall be charged monthly against the Land Fund of the provinces, and in the event of the Land Fund being insufficient, it shall be met by direct taxation levied within the province. It is purposed to hold the following religious services in the Waikato to-morrow : — Church of England — Cambridge, 11 a.m. ; Hamilton, 6.30 p.m. ; Ngaruawahia, 11 a.m. and 6.30 p.m. ; Te Awamutu, 11 a.m. ; Ohaupo, 3 p.m. ; Alexandra, 7 p.m. ; Roman Catholic. . . . Presbyterian — Hamilton, 11 a.m.; Cambridge, 3 p.m.; Wesleyan Methodist — Cambridge, 6.30 p.m. ; Pukerimu, 3 p.m. ; HamiltoiL 6.^0 p.m..; Alexandra, 3 p.m. ; Kihikihi, 11 a. rru^frnited and Congregational — Te AwJi&utu, S^LtiK^ >^ Why do not sotoe lo&thoaratoien act upon the suggestion which, emanated froV the Boating Club of Ngaruawahia, by organizing a club at Hamilton, to compete with theNgtruawahians. A week has gone by and wehave made no sign. Really it is a pity that so much bone and sinew should be going to waste. To s^e stalwart younj> men with the muscular development of gladiators beguiling their time in " pushing about large m irbles with a stick,"asthenoblegameof billiards has been irreverently described by a novice, is really a pity in tine, weather. What are such indoor pastimes to the healthy and invigorating exercise of boating, and the spirit of emulation and perseverance cultivated by friendly aquatic contests. We sincerely trust that some admirer of the noble exercise will come torward and redeem the honor of Hamilton. The subject of ergot-in-rye has been lately discussed in the Auckland papers. A correspondent signing himself " Jock fiae Buchan," st-ited that he found ergot amongst his rye-grass and cocksfoot, and had found it worse where the grass was richly manured. The writer of " Farm Gossip" in the " Southern Cross," takes him to task, contending that the ergot is most abundant in sour nndrained, poor, and exhausted lands. He says that underground draining and high firming are a cure tor poisonous vegetation, and that the radical cure for ergot is a thorough improvement in the general system of farming. The first appearance of the fungus in Auckland is traced to Remuera, where it was found iv some rye, but it had been previously heard of in the Rangitikei district, and it is believed that it has been quietly spreading for several years unobserved. "Jock frae Baehan" rejoins claiming to have found ergot aV;rop of rye-grass seed 15 or 1 6 years ago. s \ > Sihce flj£n lite has- found it more or less abundant uj^td last yeatCwlie^ it was worse than usual. Cook~sfoot, he i^vsY'is liable to ergot than rye-grass. He haY found ergot most prevalent in neighbourhoods where fresh mtnure has been used, and that sourness in the soil induces it. He recommends alkaline earth to counteract or neutralize the acidity, and top dressing with lime or salt as likely to check the evil, with thorough underground drainage. A foreigner, who recently arrived at Wellington, has been causing a little breeze of wholesome excitment in that usually quiet city. He brought respectable letters of introduction from clergymen and others iv Melbourne, and for a time was regarded as a bright and shining ornament to the society of the Empire city. There was something just a little peculiar about the distinguished stranger's walk. He " locoinoted " himself along much after the manner of one who had been accustomed to what are playfully termed " hobbles," by the very old hands of Tasmania, to wit, leg-irons. Forthwith the suspicious of the lynx-eyed guardians of the peace were excited, and the stranger received considerable attention from those officers. The next mail from Melbourne cleared up the mystery. The Superintendent of Pentridge gaol forwarded a photograph, with a verbal description of a notorious character who was supposed to have taken New Zealand er\ route to Sydney, whither he was bent on v little mission of fraudelently increasing the floating capital of the Ban-fca^The "recoil" showed lhat he was a native of Autw^jfr and he had arrived in Australia in 1860." t\\ -bis lV yfe&s' 4£louial experience he h<x<l received s<jnteiiees\>f pen.a.l servitude to the extent of 16 years and 5 v days, although through good conduct Li gtol a portion of his sentence had been remitted. He had been five times convicted — once for horse-stealing, onca fjr uttering, and three times for forgery. Tiie Melbourne police further stated that ho was an adroit draughtsman, and that in his hands B ink of New South Wales £1 notes very often marvellously iucrfisa.l iv value, developing in fives and tens. On learning these facts the police communicated them to the parties who had b-en gulhd bj the interesting visitor, and a deputation, cm3^iag «>f insi'jßCtqr Atohison an 1 Serg«u.it AI m is?' 1 ** l > * iterVSswfai* th£ mdividu il, uinf warned Jnm tint WVllingtOfl was no longer a de->ira jIo place of reiid^nee for oae .so peculiarly <utletl. His introductions are beliveJ. to have been forgeries, and he pa>*-* ' under an alias.