TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2,I880.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1302, 2 November 1880, Page 2

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 1880.

, Theb,e can be no doubt that it will be found- necessary to extend the retrenchment policy to the educational system ,of the Colony. It has for the past year or two been felt by thinking people that the present enormous expenditure on education out of, Colonial revenue cannot be maintained .;, and it is quite possible that another session of Parliament will not be allowed to pass without strong efforts being made to bring about a change, either in the direction of a reduction in the existing expenditure, .or, the imposition of a special rate for educational purposes. The people of Dunedin have already, we observe by our Southern files, demanded that powers for raising the suras necessary for the erection and maintenance of school premises be conferred on the local bodies, and that such sums locally collected should be supplemented by grants from Government ; and in Timaru, we learn, that the local School Committee has resolved to request parents of children to pay one shilling per head per month towards incidental expenses, provided that the total f>aid monthly by each parent does not exceed half-a-srown. The Committee announces that unless parents are willing to do this it cannot carry on, owing to the reduction of the grant by the Board ; and this is in a town where there are one thousand children at the schools ! It is therefore evident that on the one hand the State is, unable to provide for the increasing demands, and on the other that unless money be forthcoming, the, Public Schools cannot be carried on on the present scale. The question is a very grave one, demanding much earnest thought. Education is as necessary to the welfare of a people as steam is to machinery. Where education has been neglected or improperly managed, we see the worst passions ruling with uncontrolled and incessant sway. Good sense degenerates into craft, and anger rankles into malignity. Restraint, which is thought most salutary, comes too late, and the most judicious admonitions are urged in vain. In the words of Socrates, " they who provide much wealth for their children, but neglect to improve them in virtue, do like those who feed their horses high, but never train them." We think we may safely assert that in a hundred men, there are at least ninety who are what they are — good, bad, useful, or pernicious to society, from the instruction they have received. For our own part, we are opposed to much that may be found under the existing Educational regime. We are of opinion that too much is being attempted with the funds at the disposal of the State, and remembering the embarrassed condition of the Colonial Exchequer ; but we are the last to advocate any hurried alteration, and sincerely hope none will be attempted. At the same time, it seems to our mind clear that some change in the present system will be found necessary, and rather than witness a falling off in the means of providing education to our youth, we should be prepared to entertain the proposal of levying a Special Education rate, on parents of children attending State Schools only, if only on the principle that by so doing parents and guardians — having their pockets directly touched — might, and probably' would, take more interest in the education of their young than they at present do.

The nomination for the Mayoralty of the Borough of Hamilton takes place on the 17th of this month, and so far there is little or no excitement about the matter. Perhaps this is only natural ; intelligent ratepayers have indeed long ceased to take any active interest in the concerns of the Borough, contenting themselves

mjpi allowing those who have been instrumental in getting things into^ 'fr'iness to get out of it as best they may. The one or two expressions of opinion which they have ventured co offer have been so studiously disregarded, so violently opposed indeed, and the town's affairs have drifted so far to leeward that very few will care to take the onerous and- disagreeable office of setting, them to rights. Clearly, however, something must be done ; there must be a change, or, in addition to its financial losses, the Borough will degenerate into a laughing stock for all its neighbors. The eccentric way in which the present Mayo* conducts' the business of the Council is no d6ubt very amusing, but it wonld be much more so were its effects not so detrimental to the interests of the constituents whom he does not represent. Brilliancy of intellect and the power of eloquence — the possession of which qualities we will not deny to Dr Beale — are not so necessary in the chief magistrate as a decent modicum of common sense, a dash of good breeding, and a disposition to accord to the opinions of others just a trifle of that respect which men are in the habit of paying so freely to their own. We think such characteristics belong to one of the candidates at the forthcoming election — Mr John Knox; they certainly have no affinity with one at least, of , those who will oppose him — we mean the present Mayor and the burgesses will not, we think, be slow to endorse the truth of a proposition so obviously correct.

By a strange fortuity St. Mungo's "Eohoes from the CafF* on Saturday, appeared without the digaatnre ; we regret ibe' omission.

There were Very large congregations at both morning' and evening services in the Roman Catholic Church, Hamilton East, on Sunday, the Eve of the Great Feast of All Saints, when the Rev. Father Luck, the successor of the Reverend Father Golden, preached elo- > qUent sermons.

In another Column will be found an interesting description of " A Cup Day in Melbourne," by R.E.

The Cambridge Cavalry commenced the*ie bi-annual drill yesterday, under the cbmmand of Captain Runciman. The troop mustered at the Public Hall, and after various evolutions proceeded to Mr W. J. Taylors paddock, where the usual inspection took place.

The committee of the Young Men's Christian Association have been fortunate in securing the services of Professor Fraser to give a series of lectures, commencing about the 12th or 14th inst.

Cambridge letters were not deUrered on Saturday night till half past ten o'clock. Many were the surmises as to the cause of the delay as the evening wore on, and those who expected friends, expressed much anxiety. However, matters were set at rest when the coach hove in sight, and a sense of relief passed through the waiting crowd on the explanation of delay being given.

We learn that Mr W. H. Floyd, Until recently, and for many years Electrician to the New Zealand Government has gone into partnership with Mr R. C. Jorden, auctioneer, Land and Commission Agent, Tauranga.

The Rev.B. Y. Ashwell has within the past few days been on a visit to Waikato, and on Sunday held Divine service at Huntly for the resident natives. The Rev. gentleman was accompanied by the Rev. Mr Tonge of Birmmghan, a clergyman on a flying visit through New Zealand.

Further rich discoveries of gold are (says Nature) reported to have been made in Northern Queensland and Tasmania. It is also stated that gold has been discovered under the basalt in the Brook Mountains, in New South "Wales, the first instance of the kind in the colony.

Mr F. Hicks left Cambridge last week for Napier to bring a flock of sheep over to the order of the Waikato Land Association.

Referring to the banquet given to J. B. Whyte, Esq., JM. H. R., at Cambridge the otlitr day, the N.Z. Tunes says, " the hon. member made an eminently practical speech ; better, in fact, than anything accredited to him in the pages of Hansard. It occupies, as reported, five columns of the Waikato Times."

The train which arrives at Te Awamutu at 6.28 p.m. was on Saturday delayed considerably owing to au accident which happened to the engine belonging to the Onehunera branch. The engine in question went off the metals at Penrose, and the south train had to wait over two hours at Elleralie until she was replacod.

To-night the new bandmaster will take charge of the Hamilton Liigrht infantry Volunteer Bund. No oue will be admitted to the room (luring practice, and it is to be hoped that those who have been in the habit of attending will take the hint.

At a meeting of the members of the (Jomus Dramatic Club held on Saturday ereniufir, a cordial vote of thanks was passed to Mr R. G. Park in acknowledgment of the valuable services be bad rendered to the Club in the capacity of honorary property man, and considerable regret was expressed at bis departure.

A meeting will be held at Mr Dawson's house to-morrow night to discuss the proposition for an amicable settlement of the rival Board in the Newcastle district., as suggested by Mr Whitaker. It is to be hoped a spirit of consesflion on both sides will be evinced, and a solution of the difficulty effected without more law, it will thus sooner get the unfortunate contractors paid, and do away with mnch heart-burnings.

Arrangements were made last evening to entertain the competitors on the' forthcoming Cavalry contest, to be held on the 12th instant. After the match is concluded, there will be a spread, to be followed by a dance in the evening. The Cavalry being such favorites with the ladies a large attendance may be expected.

It will be seen by advertisement that the p.s. Delta will make a special trip to the Cambridge Races. We would suggest to the Race Committee the advisableness of putting the landing in repair, as at present it is anything but suitable to the purpose for which it is employed.

The: attention of the Telegraph Department should be drawn to the fact that since the alterations in Victoriastreet, the telegraph poles are on the footway.

The Board of Education have appointed Mr George Maberly, head teacher of theGisbomeSchool,tobe head teacher of

the Hamilton East School. Mrs Maberly .will f}ll the position of female teacher.

The receipts of the Hamilton bridge toll for the month of October aaaount to £77.

The usual monthly meeting of the Hamilton JDauiaiib ßoard was hejJU in the Borough Council Chambers lait night, when there were present : Messrs Peat (in the chair), Kuox aud Davis. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and Confirmed. The Clerk reported that th& leases for the Domain Lands were now ready and waiting for signature. The Clerk also reported the lale of the leases of certain ot the reserves on Saturday last. Mr JB. Edwards wrote, asking for permission to erect a sod fence with wire on lots 5 and 7, on account of the wet nature of the foil. Granted. Mr GK Edgecombe wrote, asking permission to fence road at lot 4, as it was not at present .required. Granted. Several accounts were presented and deferred till nertt meeting, when arrangements would be made with a view to the payment of all outstanding accounts. The Board ,then adjourned till Wednesday to take into consideration the matter of the drain bounding the lots near Seddon's, together with the accounts.

The drawing for Mr S. W. Buck's sweep on the Melbourne Cup took place last evening in the Hamilton Hall, with the following result: —1, Valetta 1 ; 2, Zambesi; 3, Terrific; 4, Respite; 11, Columbus; 13, Calamiaj 14, Alethe; 15, Geide Olgethach; 16, Imperial ; 17, Grand Flaneur; 18, Odd Trick; 20, Bathurst; 21, Royal Consort ; 22, Darriwell ; 24, Aiblins ; 26, Queen Bee ; 29, Chatterer ; 29, Napper Tandy; 31, Yardley; 32, Rivalry; 33, Jester; 34, Baron Yon | Muller ; 36, Western Princess ; 37, Latrobe ; 38, Rita ; 39, Lord Harry ; 40, Euclid ; 41, Bertie ; 42, Lord Lisgar ; 43, Fau Bias ; 44, Kinsman ; 46, Dover ; 48, Secundus; 49, Echo; 50, Woodlands; 100, Pimpampa ; 101, Glenormiston ; 102, Progress; 103, Mata ; 104, Bandalbion; 105, Lothair ; 106, Remembrance : lftl, Elon; 152, Sir Joseph; 153, Mullyan ; 154, Stockbridge ; 155, Tomboy ; 156, Chatterbox ; 157, Cinnamon ; 163, Rothschild ; 175, Robbie Bums ; 192, Sunshine; 196, Moonbeam; 198, Riverton ; 199, Juventaa ; 200, Dynamite ; 243, Riohmond ; 301, Pawnbroker ; 302, Lowlander; 303, Aurora; 310, Firbt Water; 351, Lohengrin; 352, Foul Play; 353, South Hamilton ; 354, Elastic ; 356, Levant; 356, Tide; 357, Chester; 358, Kamularoi ; 309, Banter ; 360, Tidal Wave; 361, Grand Prix; 362, Stag; 363, Boeworth; 364, Gloster ; 365, Audover; 370, Nellie; 371, Euos; 372, Guinea; 373, Wellington; 374, Thorntopper; 399, Traveilyn ; 400, Cambalio; 40 J, Lion ; 402, Friday ;42i, Middlesex ; 427, Constance ; 436, Cynic ; 450, Avernus ; 451, Auokland ; 452, LorJ Burghiey; 4.53, Martindale ; 456, Nerissa; 466, sweetmeat; 467, Surprise; 471, A. 8.C. ; 472, Scoop • 473, Delamere ; 478, jßapid Bay ; 481, Totalizator ; 483, Wandering Jew ; 486, Japan; 487, Star of the West; 488, Adventurer; 490, British Workman ; 492, Aspen ; 491, Democrat'; 497, Geraldine ; 499, Herbert.

The improvidence and wastefulness of the natives has this year reduced many of their number to absolute want. Several /tapm living between Waikato and Taupo have been obliged to return to the customs of their forefathers, and are subsisting mainly upon fern-root, with little prospect of bettering the character of their diet except by the sale of their patrimonial estate, for so far no provision seems to have been made for the coming year by planting, and the big meetings held during the early part of this year demolished the bulk of their provender. It is hard to account for this exceptional disregard of the principles of thrift even among the natives, and the only solution of the matter which is at all feasible is that they contemplate migrating to the more immediate neighborhood of the King Country, after the manner of the natives in the vicinity of Maungatautari.

The Poverty Bay Petroleum Company have, at 70ft depth, struck a vein of oil. These veins are like leaders in a quartz mine. The manager expects to strike the main reservoir in about a fortnight, and dams have been erected to catch the oil should the well overflow. There is considerable excitement about the shares whidi are changing hands, as 3s 6d is only being paid up. If the Gisbourne well turns up trumps, companies will probabty be formed to sink wells in southern portions of the province. As indications of petroleum beds exist within a few miles of Napier and (iisboiiriie, they will probably be shortly prospected for gold as well as oil, a rich piece of quartz having been picked up among metal carted from the river to make roads. It was much waterworn. Other similar pieces of quartz were found, but none showed cold.

We (Mattawatu Tunes) haV6 often heard of a certain class of persona who, it was said, went out in the morning seeking for work, bat praying in their hearts, not to find it. We, ourselves, have never come across one of the genus but Mr Dalrymple has been more fortunate, and appears to have unearthed a perfect genuine specimen. A few days ago a fine able-bodied man applied for work, which was given upon the following conditions : — He was to have fifteen shillings a week and found, and if it was discovered that he suited, he would get his wages raised to £1 and an engagement for twelve months. He appeared quite delighted with the terms, but after two hours cutting of a drain — which, it must be stated, he performed in a very satisfactory manner — the spirit again moved him, and he sought fresh fields of labor without the ceremony of leave-taking. We mention the matter, as the billet it* one which many an industrious man would jump at.

"We draw attention to the advertisement of Ireland Brothers.

We beg to draw attention to Messrs Hunter and Nolans cattle sale on Thursday next, when a. choice lot of good bullocks will be sold.

James Lindsay, Esq., manager of the W.S.N. Company, announces that the p.s. Delta will run from Ngaruawnhia, Hamilton, to Cambridge on Friday next, for the Cambridge Races, leaving Ngaruawahia at 7 a.m., Hamilton at 9.30 a.m., returning at 5 p.m. Return tickets 5s and 3s. The Abstract Statement of the accounts of the Waikato County Council for half-year, ended 30th September ultimo, is published in our Gazette columns for the information of ratepayers. A first-class investment in freehold, in the rising township of Te Awamutu, is announced in our advertising columns. The new pure cash system now being initiated by G. and C. will certainly prove a benefit to the public. It has been a great success in Sydney and Melbourne, and when strictly carried out the customer who buys at an establishment where the goods are marked low to ensure a rapid sale must be a great gainer. G. and C. sell their drapery millinary, and clothing at such prices for cash as gives the buyer the advantages of a shareholder in a co-operative society, without the risk of being called upon to bear a portion of the loss should the year's business pro\e unsatisfactory. Garlick and Cranwell will aim to retain the confidence which the public have hitherto shown them, and ] arc determined to give the pure cash system a fair trial ; whether they gain or lose the first year. Country buvcrs on remitting cash with order will be supplied with goods at co-operative prices ; just the same as though they maue a personal tolection. Furnishing goods, such as carpets, floor cloths, bedsteads, bedding, and gcncr.il house turniture, the largest portion of which is turned out at our own factory, will be marked at the lowest remunerative prices, and a discount of five per cent, will be allowed to those who pay at the time of purchase. G. &C. h.-nintr ronlHed the entire value of their stock during their late cash sale, the present stock is ni-.w and chkaply bought. An inspection is invited.— Garmck AND Ckanwku., City Hall Furnishing Arcade, Queenireot, Auckland.