LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXVII, Issue 26, 31 January 1891, Page 2

LOCAL AND GENERAL NEWS.

Statutes for 1890.— We would feel obliged if the party who borrowed tbe Expbess copy of the Statutes for 1890 would kindly return them to the office. Clean Sheep Districts.— The MarL borough, Nelson, Miranda, and Waikau Sheep Districts are officially declared clean. Tenders. — Contractors are reminded that lenders close at noon on Monday for additions to the residence of Mr J. O'Leary at Tua Marina. Compdlsort Vaccination. — The Thames Anti-Compulsory Vaccination Society have decided to petition Parliament to have the compulsory clauses of the Vaocination Act repealed. The New Native Minister.— According to an exchange the new Native Minister, Mr Cadman, is a fluent Maori speaker, and has a good grasp of native matters. MAHAKIPAWA GOLDFIELDS REWABD. — Yesterday Mr C. H. Mills tabled a question as to when and m what manner the reward for the discovery of the Mahakipawa goldfields will be paid. Go3pel Addbesses. — Mr Corrie Johnston will speak at the Good Templar's Hall tomorrow at 3 and at 7, dealing with " Adventists and the books of Revelation and Daniel, and their views on Atonement." He is also to speak m the open air to-night. — The great sale of Heyhoe's assigned stock, now being held by the Northern Clothing and Drapery Company is drawing to a close, and it is announced that some wonderful bargains are to £c obtained m the various goods offered.^^ Education Board. — Nopinations for the three seats on the Education Board, vacant by effluxion of time, dosed to-day. So far as we can learn the three retiring members, Messrs Ward, Paiker and Hutcheson, are the only persons nominated, and consequently there will not ba any election. Station Hands Accommodation. — In Friday's order paper we find the following question down, but have no means of saying whether or] not it was replied to:— Mr Buick to ask the Government, if they will instruot the Mounted Police m the various districts to examine and report by the first day of May, 1891, upon the accommodation provided for labourers and station-hands employed on the various sheep- stations throughout the colony, and allow the report to be laid before this House. Stbeet Lighting.— Glancing over a tabulated return compiled by the Invercargill Borough Council, we notice that there is a great disparity between the cost of street lighting m Blenheim and most of the other towns m the Colony. There are only 20 lamps, which are lit on an average 4 \ -hours, and the cost is £9 per lamp. Leaving out of account the four cities, we find the cost of other places is as follows : -Invercargill £3, Wanganui £3, Westport £4 3s, New Plymouth £4 4s, Masterton £5, Oamaru £5 7s, Nelson £5 lls, Gisborne £7 103, Napier £7 15s. Oob Member. — The New Zealand Times thus suma up Mr Buick's maiden speech : •< When he (Sir John Hall) finishes Jlr Buick gets on hi 3 feet and makes a first rate maiden speech. Standing up m the middle of the labor section he gets a grip of the House at once. Mr Buick speaks with great fluency and polish, he moderates his voice like a practised elocutionist. The experience of the lecture platform has done him great service evidently. Confidence and neat sentences, picturesque m color, combined with a calm manner, and well balanced pose, " mark Mr Buick as likely to be ono of the best speakers m the House. As a debater on the spur of the moment he has to win his spurs yet, however." Last night's Post says;— "The debate cannot be said to have been equal to no confidence form, and after the discharge of a few big guns immediately after the challenge had been thrown down and acoepted, it dragged perceptibly until midnight. The only relief from the general dulness was a polished oration by Mr Buick, of Wairau, who is the youngest member of the House, and might well claim to rank amongst its most eloquent speakers." Visitors to Blenhein (the garden of New Zealand) can procure any article of gentlemen's wearing apparel at the New Zealand Clothing Factory's Branch at the same price as charged m any of the firm's branches m the larger towns. They keep a well selected stock of Gentlemen's Clothing, Boy's and Youth's Clothing, and a splendid assortment of Hats and Hosiery.

The Education System. — Daring last election the educational question was put before the country rather prominently, and though a large number of members, including tlic Premier, were elected who favoured giving assistance to the Catholics, there is not a majority m favor of th it alteration. A correspondent writing to an Opposition paper remarks : — " Some fear has been expressed that the prosence of two Roman Catholics m the Cabinet (Messrs Ward and Buckley) wa3 ■t possible source of danger to the present education system. It is, however, significant that the actual holder of the education portfolio (the Hon. Mr Reeves), is ono of the strongest supporters m the House of the system m its entirety, and there is little doubt that he will strenuously resist any innovation unless it happens to be one that -will strengthen the scheme." School Committee. — The monthly meeting of the School Committee was held last night, when there were present: Messrs Birch (Chairman), Cross, Purser, and Taylor. Mr Lucas reported that the average attendance since the holidays had been 335, and Miss Morgan that the attendance averaged 122 at the girls' school. Inspector Smith wrote stating that Mr W. Nosworthy had been appointed auditor for Blenheim school accouufo, and that the capitation due to the Committee would be paid m the course of a few days. Ho also forwarded an invoice of books amounting to £7 12s 2d. Letters were received from Messrs Hutcheson, Ward, and Parker, asking for nomination as members of the Education Board, aud the two first mentioned were nominated. Miss Morgan reported that since the first standard had been drafted from the infant school the roll had increased from 120 to 145. She had now m her room about 70 children m Standard 3, which necessitated her devoting her whole timß to teaching, which rendered her unable to supervise, with any degree of thoroughness, the work of the other teachers. Sue therefore considered that another pupil teacher should be appointed. If the Committee cou'd see its way to make such recommendation to the Board she would suggest that Miss E. H. Millington be recommended till Christmas. Misa Millington had been assisting without remuneration m order to gain experience, and had held a Nelson college scholarship, and matriculated at the New Zealand University. If appointed Miss Morgan thereforj asked that she be entered on the statu3 of a 3rd or 4ih year pupil teacher. The Committee recommended Miss Millington as a 4th year pupil teacher. Miss Alice Williams, an applicant for tha vacant pupil teaohership m the infant department, asked that her application should be sent on to the Board. Resolved that it be forwarded with a recommendation by the Committee. Mr Lucas reported that previous to the holidays Miss Ptoberts requested him to make application to the Board for permission for her to reiruin oc the staff of the school for a further period of six months, but before the school re-opened Missßoberk wrote stating that it was not her intention to remain, and he recommended that Miss Milliagton be paid for the month of January. The sparrows were a cause of annoyance m the infant room 3, and he would be glad to have some wire netting placed m the openings of the ventilators. He recommended Miss Williams to fill the vacancy caused by the retirement of Miss Roberts. It was resolved that Mr Lucas and Miss Morgan be requested to furnish the number of scholars on the roll with each monthly meeting. Mr Luoas' recommendation re paying Miss Millington was forwarded to the Board. Notice of motion was given by Mr Purser that a bonu3 of £2 10s be paid to Mr GiHaspie, secretary of ths Commifiee. This conoluded the business, and tha mieiin.» adjourned.