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Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2502, 24 July 1888, Page 2

Amongst our last batch of Parliamentary papers, is the collection of printed reports from the several school inspectors, which forms very interesting reading. Mr Pidler in his report on the central Auckland district, which is generally favourable, says, " the number of lady teachers is excessive ; some of our very large schools have each only one male assistant," He also pays a tribute to Mr O'Sullivan, the late chief Inspector, and testifies "that his wise counsels, genial manner and kindly nature will be missed by tho3e engaged in the work of education here." Fro'ii Mr O'Sullivan's report we learn that 20,630 pupils were presented during the year at all the schools in the Auckland district, S,!)S9 passed whilst 2,520 failed. There were in the Primer classes, 7.507 pupils, 2,99G in Standard I, 3,254 in Standard 11, 3.063 in Standard 111, 2.15!) iu Standard IV, l,l2Sin Standard V, 444 in Standard VI, and 79 in Standard VII. The proportion of young children in the primer classes is very great, and it is noticeable that in the three first standards the numbers are tolerably uniform, but there is a great falling off between the third, fourth and fifth standards, and between the last and sixth, tapering off to a very small number iu the Reventh or last standard. Mr O'Sullivan's report alludes in very unfavourable terms to the relations between the Board, Inspectors, and Committees, in respect to the appointment of teachers and probationers, and the erection of school buildings. He gives as an instance the unnecessary expenditure in putting up new schools at New Lynn, with schools within two miles on eitlier side of it, against his and the local committees' opinions. This report, it will be remembered, created a flutter in Auckland at the time it came before the Board. Accompanying Mr O'Sullivan's report is a letter from Mr Upton, the chairman of the Board, giving a bare denial of the Inspector's statements, without refuting them. The eclipse of the moon was very distinctly visible last night. The French Chamber of Deputies has voted 67 million francs for increasing the naval defences. Over 6,000 shares in the Kauri Company had been sold in Auckland at noon yesterday. The Mercury Bay Timber Compan}' to-day, have agreed to the sale of their business to the kauri syndicate, and resolved to wind up the Company. Mr John Parr has in his window a huge Swede turnip weighing 221 bs, grown from Webb's Imperial Seed by Mr Bergan. of Raglan. The Hamilton Light Infantry parade this evening at 8 o'clock, at the Volunteer Hall. After drill the election to fill the vacant lieutenancy will take plnce. Emperor William, on leaving to visit the Czar, held a grand review of the Heet at Kiel. He purposes also visiting the Kings of Sweden and Denmark. Dr. Fitchett has made the delicate comparison that we are no more able to contend with the Chinese than wero the Egyptians with the plague of lice. The Government statistician of Tasmania computes that the wheat crop of that colony will be 200,000 bushels short of requirements for local consumption. A patient named Jones, in the Waikato Hospital, who broke hia leg at Te Awamutu about three months ago, died on Saturday of pneumonia and pulmonary gangrene. He wai buried on Monday. The Canadians, Drand MrsDuflot. have left Auckland somewhat suddenly, for Melbourne, where they say they intend to practice during the Exhibition. They will return to Auckland again. Dr Rennio remains in practice in Auckland. Mrs Hutchinson stated in her address on Saturday night that she thought the Hamilton boys well behaved aud good mannered. There was no larrikinism in Hamilton. To know what larrikins are, people should go to Auckland for the real article. The Eev- Mr Beatty preached very excellent sermons at St. Peter's, at the morning and evening services. In the afternoon he gave an address t« children in the Church, a larpte number being present. At evening prayers the Chnrch was filled with a Urge congregation. The North Otago Times suggests that the direct steamers might profitably be filled with potatoes. Oainaru potatoes oi'ff Iwtter than any prown at Home, and if landed neither heated nor chilled, might be expected to fetch £5 a ton, which would pay a good freight and a good profit,

The Oddfellows at Cambridge will give a ball to-morrow night, which promises to be as successful as they usually are. This powerful order now numbers about 700,0(J0 members. We understand a gross outrage was committed a few nights ago on Mr W. A. Graham's property at Tamahere. During the night, some malicious person or persons entered his orchard and cut down nil his fruit trees. We do not yet know of any further particulars, but believe steps are being taken to discover the culprits. We have much pleasure in drawing attention to the excellent programme provided for the entertainment to-morrow night for the benefit of Mrs Abbot and her family. Tho steamer Wuikato will run with passeugers from Ngaruawahia to Hamilton with visitors tc returning tho same night. The Ngaruawahia Brass Band will also be present to give their assistance. The first meeting of the Tauwhare Band of Hope was held on Thursday evening, 19th inst., and proved quite a success. The Band of Hope has been organised by the local school teacher, who occupied the chair during tho meeting. A good programme was gone through to tho satisfaction of all present. At the close, thirtyfour signed the pledjebook. Judging from the interest taken in the first meeting, the Tauwhare Band of Hope will go on and prosper. Mr J. W. Ellis has procured 200 young trout about five inches long and liberated them in the The whole lot arrived safely and were let go in the presence of a great number of natives who were greatly pleased at this prospective addition to their food supply, Mr Ellis has conferred a benefit on the public at large. Can some one else not follow his example ? There are other streams round that district which are good trout streams, notably the Mangatutu beyond Orakau. We beg to remind those who are desirous of obtaining fruit and forest trees, and plants of every description, of the extensive sale to be held to-morrow by Mr J. S. Buckland at Mr John Sharp's nursery, Cambridge. The catalogue comprises trees and flowering plants of every variety, among them some very rare specimens, and as Mr Sharp is starting a new nursery, all lots offered will be sold, thus affording a chance not often met with to obtain plants of almost any variety, and in any quantity. The sale will begin punctually at one o'clock, as there are many lots to dispose of. The following from the London Era, is a fair sample of the rubbish written about New Zealand by people who have been temporary sojouruers in our colony: Miss Florence Ward, had some quaint experiences in Sew Zealand. The theatres there, she says, are some of them very tine, and lit with the electric light. At Waipawa, a small place where she played, she issued Is, 2s, and 3s tickets, printed in gay and distinctive colours. She noticed how fond the Natives were of the brightest tints, and although they came with money in their hands fur Is seats, they willingly paid the higher price, 3s each, for tho scarlet tickets, because they were the smartest. It was the colour of the card, and not the seat, that they thought about. A London correspondent writes = —Sir Julius Vogel, with Lady Vogel and their daughter, have arrived in London and have settled dawn for the present in apartments in Piirchester-terrace. Sir Julius is promoting a company, with a capital of £50,000, for the publication on a magnificent scale of the projected "Picturesque New Zealand and the South Pacific.' , I do not know how far he has proceeded with his arrangements, but I am told he has had very satisfactory Communications from publishers in this country and in France. The celebrated M. deLosseps has accepted the dedication, and it is said that Mr Chevalier is willing to assist in tho artistic work. Sir Julius offered a seat on the board to Sir Walter Buller, but that gentleman declined it. There was a very large gathering at the Salvation Army meeting in the Public Hall, Hamilton, on Saturday night, many leading residents being present. Mrs Hutchiuson delivered a long and interesting address on the rescue work in Auckland and described in touching language many instances of the destitution, shame and misery amongst the fallen in that city, and how by the exercise of sympathy, love and care many had been brought to the knowledge of God and to live useful and respectable lives. She appealed to the female portion of her hearers to look with pity on their fallen sisters, and instead of turning from them in disdain to stretch out their hands to help them out of the mire. Mrs Hutchinson was listened to very attentively throughout. She returned to Auckland yesterday. The Wellington Press thus refers to those who, on Mr Withy's amendment, passed as friends of the working men. It says:—"lf the working man would only look behind the scenes he would send a great many of his 'friends' to learn a little honesty m an enforced retirement from political life. The mere fact of a man posing as a friend of the working men should make them suspicious. The real welfare of the working men depends upon the wise government of the colony and the just consideration of the interests of all classes of the community. A man who poses as the special friend of the ' working man' is his worst enemy. It is by misgovernment, jobbery, squandering and taxation that the colony is brought to its present position, and the working men compelled to leave it by thousands, and no men are more responsible for this than the socalled ' Friends of the Working Man.' It is stated that, with a view to ascertaining the position of Civil servants and their ability to stand reductions of salaries, a form has been circulated amongst them, to state their ages ; if married, how many children; what tent they pay; whether they keep a pig, cow, dog, or other animals; and whether they have to support any poor relations, and, if so, their number and ages. This document has greatly annoyed the civil servants at the Seat of Government. We do not, however, see that there is any cause for annoyance. Civil servants, it has been represented, are so situated that they are unable to suffer any diminution of pay, and thn object of the Government is, we suppose, to ascertain whether this be true or not. in order that they may be able to deal with their case. Of course, there is great sympathy with the Civil servants, and that is to be discerned in the manner in which the report regarding the »bnoxions form is worded. But our sympathy is with the taxpayers.—Exchange.