CONDEMNING THE NEWSPAPERS

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2522, 8 September 1888, Page 1 (Supplement)

CONDEMNING THE NEWSPAPERS

Mr W. Colexso, F.R.S., P.L.S., in his place as president of one of tbe branohes of the New Zealand Philosophical Institute, complained that newspapers ignore the claims of Science, Literature and Art, aud went on to say—" On the contrary, what do we find in thera ? Firstly, in importance, some foreign and colonial telegrams, often interesting and of service ; but, secondly, what do we find! A horrid dissonant uncivilised semi-bar-bariun lot! Column after column of most wretched information, composed of raoes and their vicious belongsngs 1 Football and cricket matches (even those of schoolboys and Maoris!) usque ad nauserm! Inhuman pigeon matches, at which tame birds • issuing from a trap box are fired at, many wounded, a few killed! dress balls ; lawn tennis ; pugilistic encounters ; skating rinks ; footrace matches ; illiterate rustic clownish holiday pastimes ; a legion of theatrical performances in endless variety, regularly kept up with their standing exaltations in puffing—written, 100, by the actors themselves! and so dressed up for the nonce, as if now the expressions of the audience themselves ! All making a con- ' tiiiuous round of folly, leading'to a complete dissipation of mind, and consequent loss of health, morals, and manners. In * fact, to such- an extent has this low craving after plays and pastimes, full, frolic,frivolity and buffoonery been carried in this district that it is almost impossible to find a single daily local [paper] without its news columns being more; than hall filled with such trash 1—"