The Waikato Times. AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Waikato Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1564, 13 July 1882, Page 2

The Waikato Times. AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

Equal and evict justice to all men, 01 whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. Here shall the I'icss the People's right maintain, Un.iwed by influence and unbribcd by gain.

THURSDAY, JULY IS, 1882.

The Public "Works Statement, delivered by the Hon. Mr Johnston on Tuesday evening affords very little ground for criticism. The statement is nothing more than a plain unvarnished account of the operations of the past year, and a clear business-like statement of the intentions of the Government in regard to the future. It is just such a document as might have been expected from a man of Mr Johnston's character, and is its own best commentary. On the whole it discloses a most satisfactory condition of affairs, and offers additional evidence of the returning prosperity of the colony. In respect of the proposals for the future, we have a word to say. In the first place it is satisfactory to find that the completion of the lines already commenced in this district is to be provided for out of the loan, but we arc somewhat at a loss to conceive why the construction of the main trunk line from Te Awamutu southwards .should be shelved, as the proposal of the Government .seems to indicate will be the case. As we have pointed out, on more than one occasion, the Northern lines cannot bo expected to pay so long as they remain in their present unconnected state, and on this account alone the main trunk line has a claim upon the attention of the Government and the House superior to that of any other railway work in thes colony. And yet all that is proposed to be done is to spend £10,000 in surveys ! It is probable that the fear of native oppo.silion may have had something to do in determining the action of the Government, but that, we trust, will have been ovei'comc before the end of three years. Wo hope, therefore that the House will insist on more immediate provision being made for this work.

It may be interesting at the present time, when two separate attacks are being made in Parliament on our educational system, both with the same object in view, and only differing in the mamior thoy are gone about to glance at a remarkable document recontly issued and called the report of the Inspector of Schools for the Auckland Educational District. Had the title ran " an epitome of the opinions of the writer on cortain points of school management," it would have more correctly indicated the scope and intent of tho roport. Loaving on one side the greater part of the report, we would direct attention to one paragraph on tho subject of half-time schools, in which the opinions expressed are so singular, and so utterly at variance with those usually hold by ordinary mortals, not haying the advantage of looking through official spectacles, that wo feol inclined to quote part of it verbatim for, the information of any parents in Waikato who do not know how much they are benefited in comparison with their neighbours. ■ Tho passage is as follows : — ■< "Among tho schools thirty-eight are taught half-time, ' that 1 ' is to say one master /fakes twp schools, teaching each for half-time, , it ,may be week about," 1 or some mother arrangement. These schools have succeeded admirably - where ;,? the i« teacher is competent and ene^efic^ j , - , A • , * - &"-. -

— — — T; ; and receives the support and encouragement of tho parents. Where the p irents are opposed to the plan .the schools do not- get on so f , well / ''hive, no douU myself 'that ■ a,well conducted half-time school will produce as f/ood results - as - a well conducted whole : time school, and in a far ' i healthier toaif. I havo long thought that ..this plan is especially adapted for the higher education of girls. * * * 1 am convinced that the system "could be well applied in some form to the larger elementary schools. The half-time system has great possibilities If tlie value of the halftime schools were generally , .understood, carpenters, dress-makers, and others would probably take boys and girls as apprentices at an earlier age than usual on thq understanding that the apprentices should attend school on every alternate week. lam certain that neither the school nor the workshop would suffer. The elasticity of mind produced by variety would ensure better work in each." There is no doubt that opinions such as those expressed by the inspector of schools, and put on record in his annual report might considerably influence the board and encourage them in the reduction of full-time schools to half-time, until they had succeeded in putting all the schools in the district on a footing, which, according to Mr O'Sullivan, seems to be a sine qua non in school management. We would fain hope the school committtes view the matter in a very different light, and would suggest that it might not be amiss for these committees who are blessed with the much admired halftime system, which has, great " possibilities," to send a note of dissent to the board, and inform that body that owing to their educational blindness they are unable to recognise the advantage of the system, and would be quite content with the old-fashioned style of full-time schools, even though it may not be in accordance with the advanced spirit of the age as enunciated in the inspector's report. We will attempt a slight sketch of the " possibilities" of the half - time system from another point of view. The usual system in these schools is to keep them open every alternate week. The parents make use of their children at any work they can do during the off week, and the majority of children naturally prefer such employment to going to school. By the end of the week they are far more interested in their work at homo than in that of the school, and have forgotten part of what they learned the previous week. Meanwhile, some of their classmates who may happen to live nearer the other half-time school, or whose parents may be gifted with more enlightened views for their children's welfare, are attending that also, and consequently going a-head of those who stay at home. When the next week comes, the child who was not at school last week might prefer staying at his occupation, or perhaps he has been so useful that his parents want him for that clay at least, and will permit him to go next day. Perhaps that day may be wet, or one of the numerous holidays may occur, and then it is hardly worth while to go that week, or if ho does go, he finds some of his classmates who attend the other •school arc a-hcad of him. He is, consequently, all at sea, and the teacher has to make up a fresh class. Gradually he loses interest in his books, and takes more in what is going on at the farm, and any little work he can do forms an excuse for staying away from the school when it is open. So it goes on until he is fifteen, when he is too useful to be spared any more from home, and he goes out into the world able, it may bo, to crack a stock-whip as well as any boy in the neighbourhood, but not sufficiently educated to know his deficiencies, or the value of the opportunities he has lost and which in the majority of cases never can be regained in after life. We appeal to parents in those districts where the half-time system prevails, if this is not a more reasonable view of its " possibilities" than that so earnestly, we will not say ably, advocated by Mr O'Sullivan. How naively he remarks, " When the parents are opposed to tho plan, the school does not get on so well." We can quite believe this, but can Mr O'Sullivan give any instance in which the parents are not opposed to the plan. Further on, the inspector in some remarks on the score of economy, sa y a ; — "Under the half-time system, the same building and the same staff would be enough for twice the number of pupils." We fail to see how this could be, unless both halftime schools were to ; meet in the same schoolhouso, in which case it would occur to ordinary minds that they might just as well combine and form one whole-time school, unless they are impregnated with Mr O'Sullivan's idea that, the half-time is so much better. Surely he- does not mean to,, economise in buildings 1 by dividing ,', the children, into* two relays? No doubt there- would be a saving in the pay of teachers, but the question arises,- Is.- it 1 ' aJIa J1 wise* economy,?, We certainly." thinOtot. j When the State takesy upon^itself the education of the; youth '/of- its population,', it ( assumes Hhe 'highest resppn^ibjyiity.^ahd \ the f mostimportant duty wlup]h"^any^py^mrait kni perform 1 , ati o.n& .^m^k^^Cs^^Si allowed,*to militate agamstlthe^per-!

possible^manner. The^youthHf this colony have as fair a prospect before them as could reasonably be expected- in any. country in the. world, and'let it ji6t- be? maWed by want of sufficient educational opportunities. We have enough difficulties to overcome in the natural disinclination of the .children to attend school regularly, and the. inclination on the part of too many 1 parents to make use of their' children, even at the sacrifice of their education, without having the in-" spector urging further relaxation in the efforts towards educational improvement. While we have referred to what we consider a serious error of commission in the. report,, we must not forget to notice one of omission. We cannot find anything about the inspection of schools : where, how often, or in what manner they are inspected, or whether they are inspected at all. We are aware that in some schools the inspector is not seen on an average oftener than once in two years, and unless inspection is more thoroughly and systematically carried out we shall be led to 1 conclude there is room for further economy in the administrative department.

The Egyptian Question has now assumed a definite aspect. Arabi Pasha having refused to surrender the forts, the English Admiral commenced the bombardment of Alexandria on the morning of the 11th, and at latest accounts two of the forts had bpen destroyed and another silenced. The French fleet has taken no part in the bombardment, and the Foreign Consuls have protested against the action of Sir Beau champ Seymour. The Suez Canal has also been blockaded. Matters appear, therefore, to be greatly complicated, and further news will be anxiously looked for.

The first of a series of articles on the Patetere country will be found on our fourth page.

The usual weekly meeting of the Hamilton Literary and Debating Sooiety will be held in the Court-hoube to-night.

Captain Barry had a very successful meeting at Alexandra on Monday evening. Sir Charles Burdett occupied the chair, and the Alexandra Band played during the entertainment.

The ladies' working party in aid of the Orphan Home will be held this afternoon at 2 o'clock, in the schoolroom atS. Andrew's, Cambridge.

At the usual monthly meeting of the Cambridge Town Board, held on Monday evening last, the chairman was requested to make enquiries as to the cost of lighting Cambridge by electricity.

This evening a meeting of the members and committee of the Hamilton band will take place in their practice* room, Gwynno's Hotel, at 8 o'clock. Members holding instruments are partioulary requested to attend and bring them in order that an inspection may take place. The public are respectfully invited to attend.

The new Wesleyan Church, Kihikihi, commenced some months ago, is now near its completion. It is a substantial and really handsome edifice, and the work is very creditable to those painstaking contractors, Messrs Thomas, Allen, and Maunder. The site is commanding and well chosen.

A Melbourne telegram dated 11th inst, states!— Sir Julius Vogel is now staying at Menzies Hotel, Bourke-street West. His departure for New Zealand has been postponed owing to an attack of gout from which he is suffering. It is stated that Sir Julius Vogel's stay in the colonies will be but a brief one.

" A bill for the Better Protection of Women and Children in England from Crimes of Violence" has been introduced by Mr T. D. Sullivan, Mr Justin McCarthy, Mr Sexton, and Mr Richard Power. It proposes that persons convicted of assaults on women may be exposed in a public pillory, the words "woman-beater" or "wife-beater" to be placed on a board over the pillory. On a second offence within three years the offender may be whipped. The Act is not to apply to Scotland,

It will be seen by an advertise- i ment in another place that the Royal J Australian Circus will open again in Hamilton to-morrow night, when •' Turpin's ride to York" will be presented. The prices have been reduced to 3s stalls, and 2s pit, children halfprice. Mr Milne, of the Commercial Hotel, will run a 'bus from Hamilton East, conveying visitors to the circus free. From Hamilton the circus goes to Te Aroha.

A correspondent, Mr John Goodwin, of Hamilton, hearing that many people in the district are suffering from rheumatism, sends us the following recipe, which he assures us is a perfect cure:—2oz. sarsaparilla root, 2oz. gentian root, 2oz. bitter sweet, or quassia chips, 2oz. hops, 1 stick liquorice. Boil in four quarts of water, to ac simmered down to wee quarts. When cold add |oz. iodide of potash. One wineglassful to be taken three times a day.

The mortal remains of -the late Mr E. McGarrigle were interred in the Hamilton West cemetery yesterday. The funeral, which was largely attended, left the deceased's late residence at 3 o'clock, the cortege being' headed by the brethren of the H.A.C.8., Hamilton Branch, in regalia, and the Mayor and' members of the Borough Council (of which the deceased was a member) following the mourning coach. A large number of residents followed in' buggies, on horseback, and on foot. The service at the grave was performed in an impressive manner by 'the Rev. Father O'Gara, 0.5.8. ' \ -

The Australian cricketers commenced a match on Lord's ground against the Marylebone Club on, Monday last, and our cablegrams state that the Home team have.made 113 for the loss of two wickets. -This team is the strongest that the Australians have yet met,- and- include the liam'es of Lord Harris, A".' G. Steele, C. T. Studd, G. D. Studd, W; G.Grace, A.W. Hornby, -A. P. Lucas, E. F. 0. Tylecott, and Barnes—the pick of ! England—besides' two professional bowlers, Flowers, and' Morley. Great interest is centered in this match, and ,the result will.be anxiously looked for ,in cricketing circles! *} .4 f» V -t t • j. s; v * *,"

,! At'thVSupreme Court,' Auckland,} fchareeCwittfcbtegla'ry;attWhangafehwa^

years' penal servitude; Joseph Hayes, charged with stealing £6 from Mr Stone's premises, West Queen-street, was sentenced to 18 months hard labor. The • Grand Jury -ignored .the.bill against Jacob Bauer,/charged with'forgery and uttering.

The Melbourne Weekly Timeshas the following on foot-rot in answer to a question as ,to what is the best remedy : —The foot-rot, in our opinion, is, 1 more to. be dreaded,than scab., It is no doubt contagious, and, as soon any of tEe"flock "are affected, a hospital paddock ought to beat once formed. Although it will; yield to proper treatment, if thoroughly 'and perseveringly applied, still it is no small job to rid one's station of it. First pare the diseased hoofs as closely as possible, cutting off with a very sharp knife all diseased parts, but upon no account draw blood. Dress with butter of antimony according to directions upon each jar. Hayes scab specific is also considered a favourable curative. Keep the sheep upon as dry a run as possible. It is a good plan to run the sheep through a trough of quicklime when the disease is first noticed. Mr Graham Mitchell recommended the use of mimosaline.

In the House of Representatives on Tuesday, the Colonial Secretary in answer to a question, said the Government did not propose to make any further amendment in the Corrupt Practices Act. Replying to another question, Mr Dick said the Government would, in accordance with the recommennation of the Joint Committee on Bankruptcy, bring down a bill to amend the Bankruptcy Bill. On the order of the day for the resumed debate on the National Insurance motion being read, Major Atkinson said he could not accept the amendment moved the previous night, that the proposals of the Government are unsatisfactory. Mr Sheehan said he did not intend to raise any party question by the amendment; he therefore withdrew it and the debate Mas adjourned till Monday week. The House then proceeded to discuss proposals affecting the order of business.

Speaking on Major Atkinson's National Insurance motion on Monday night, Sir George Grey condemned the scheme, which he regarded as a fresh means of taxation. There was, lie said, only one bright spot in the Treasurer's speech: it was that the land was the property of the people, and should be used for the support of the people, but he did not tell them that he and his friends had robbed them of the best of these lands. They made laws to their own profit and the plunder of the people of this colony. Poverty was threatening the country, and it was no wonder. The Treasurer would have done his duty better if he had put a tax on these properties. He would prefer a land to a poll tax. The effect of the proposed law would be to break up all mutual and benefit societies. In that way the independence of the people would be struck at. It was a blow at the family. It was a blow at Christianity. It was a great attempt to introduce, communism. He comibatted the idea that the people could afford to pay the tax. The Treasurer had asked what was the duty of the Government ? He replied that it included the making of laws that would encourage and protect friendly societies, instead of crushing them out, as was attempted to be done. He would do his utmost to prevent the motion passing. It was the duty of the Opposition to insist upon this being put to the vote, and not allow the Government to retire from the position. He asked the members to stand by him, and bring the motion to a vote.

An assistant teacher is wanted for the Cambridge school. A notice by the Te Awamutu poundkeeper appears in our advertising columns. Mr J, R. White has been appointed auditor for the Kangiaohia Highway Ho.ird, vice Mr Bndgman, resigned. Mr W. F. Jones, piano tuner, has arrived in the district. Address Gwynnc's Hotel, Hamilton. The will bo no sale at Mr Knoxs auction mart on Saturday, in consequence of Mr Moses' clearing sale. The annual meeting of the ratepayers of the Tow n of Kibikihi Hig-lnv.iy District will be held in the Town jidll on Thursday, the 27th inst., at 0 p.m. Mr W. Moon, Cambridge, offers a reward of £1 for the recovery of a brown aod ' white pointer dog. Attention is drawn to Mr W. Kincaid's special advertisement re drapery, milinery, dressmaking, Bee, &c, in another column. Mr T. Wells, merchant, Cambridge, notifies that he is selling job lines at half-price to effect a clearance. Mr R. Gwynne requests the person who borrowed his riddle to return t>ame, to save further proceedings. Mr J. S. Buckland notifies that he ha« received instructions from Mr Frank Vialou to sell the whole of his live and dead farming stock, at an early date ; also, the equity of redemption of his farm on the Hamilton-Cambridge road. The nomination of candidates for the. offices of trustees, auditors^ and fence viewers for the Newcastle Highway District, will be hold at Mr Limmci's house, Ohctc, on Thursday, the 20th inst., and the poll (if necessary) will be taken On Saturday, the 29th July. 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 m 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 ffreat gainer. G. and C. sell their drapery, millinery, 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 aportion of the loss should the j ear's business prove 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 thefirstyear Country buyers on remitting cash withordet will be supplied with goods at co-operatve prices ; just the same as though they made apersonalselection. Furnishing goods, such as carpets, floor cloths, bedsteads, beading and general house furniture, the largest portion of which is turned out at our own factory, willbe 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. and C. having realised the entire value of their stock during their late cash sale, the present stock is new and chbaply bought. — An inspection invited. — Garlick and Cranwell, City Hall, Famishing Arcade Queen street, Auckland

Judicious advertising is the keystone of success. , Censure is the tax a man pays to the public for being eminent. — Swift. A correspondent asks a southern contemporary: — "Can' you inform me if a man can belong to a brass band and be a Christian !" To which the editor replies :—": — " We see no -impediment in the way. But if he is a member of a brass band, and is given to .practising on his cornet at home; it is an impossibili.y for the man living next door to be a Cristian." In presence of all that has been written in connection with the proposed Channel tunnel concerning ah invasion of England, the following Iron mot of Count yon Moltke may be appropriately^ quoted : — "iThave five different plans for invading England)' , but I have not yet been able to discover one for getting out of it."-'' '" "~, / '-* *' . Darwin acknowledged himself sold when his little niece asked him seriously, • ,wHat i& cathas'that^rio otKer' animal has. fiejgaye'it up" after matitte^delibfefatibri^ add\then the ,sly.»little^puss" aris^erld.i I \?'iWjiAF^Sk'i'pi^tfplr '^nSgnseVsomef