I

PAGE roux N THE GUARDIAN

Authorized II Second Class Mail Punt Office Department. Ottawa. The Island Guardian Publishing Co.

Editor Ind ltlInIging Director, Ian A. Burnett. Aasoclatc Editor. Frank Walker.

CIRCULATION "Covers Prince Edward Island like the dew"

"The strongest memory is weaker than the weakest ink".

cuAnLo1"ri:iiowivT.fTfianavfrian. 6, 1954 Federal Building Vote

It is reassuring to note that a 3i400,0()O vote has been placed in the Parliamentary estimates, tabled yesterday in the House of Commons by Finance Minister Abbott. for ronstruction of the long-awaited Federall Building for Charlottetown. This is in line; with the assurance given seine time ago by Hon. Robert Winters, Minister of Pub-

fic Works, that a start on the building would be made some time before midsum- mer of the present year. The estimated; cost of the building when completed willj be 551,250,000, and apart from the perman-I ent value of this expenditure, it will pro-i ride a great deal of employment locaily.: With other large building projects, such as) the new High School, the T. Eaton Com-l pony building. the new treatment centre at: Falconwood Hospital and show building at the Exhibition grounds, the present year promises to be one of the busiest on re- cord in construction activities.

Our representatives at Ottawa. par- ticularly Mcssrs. Neil A. Matheson and J. Angus MacLean, representing this County- in the House of Commons, are to be con- gratulated on their efforts in bringing the! Charlottetown Federal Building project to an early start. Hon. Mr. Winters also is to; be commended for being as good as his word in placing a substantial amount for construction work in the estimates. Underi I new ruling in the Work Minister's de-i partment, all money voted for purposes of) this kind must be expended during the year and not left over to be re-voted at the fol- lowing session, as has too frequently been the case in the past. .

With this added assurance that. the Gov-: ernment means business, our citizens havei good reason to feel that the earlier efforts of the late Mr. Lester Douglas and of Mr. W. Chester S. McLure, combined with the activities of their successors and the rep-' resentations made by the Provincial Gov-, ernment both under Senator Jones and thci present Premier, Hon. Mr. Niatheson. will

now come to fruition. .,

Educational Standards

Judging by our Forum columns. there

is keen public interest in the question of

. academic education in this Province. Thisl

.- is as it should be, for the question is ofi

vital importance. And it is a problem

which is being discussed all across Canada

, at the present time. It is evident that lead-

)? ing educationists are becoming alarmed at

' the continued pressure being exerted with

a view to lowering university and even high school standards.

In his current annual report as pres- ident of the University of Toronto, Dr. Sydney Smith warns that universities "should make sure that the energies of able teachers are not dissipated in the ef- fort to stimulate and develop students who are unfilled for membership in the com- munity of seliolars." The hurdle. how- ever, should he an intellectual one and not a financial one. Therein lies the true democratic objective in liigher education. It is one which, in Dr. Smith's words, will involve "a process of selection and sub- sioy." ,

Diseussim: the educational problem in Ontario, the P.r:n1iford PI::pnsitol' recom- mends, as an important objective. the measuring of academic aptitude and the weeding out of the academically incom-3 potent from the secondary schocls. This. it says, goes for the students who are just not cut out for "book learning" and for those who are too lazy to learn.

"For the former." says our Brantford contemporary. "incarceration in class rooms ; ' in I waste of time and a postponement of. . opportunity. They should be working at'

'what they can do. For the lazy ones, th-vi . sooner they are made to find out, the har-ii - way, that life is real and life is earnest, thcl . better. In either case there would be at conserving of the talents and time of the. . teachersga saving of the time, at least, ofi the average as distinct from the below-l average students. and a considerable reduc- tion of cost to the taxpayers. ' "The notion that a young man or young g woman should complete I high school ' come what may and no matter flfvwhen. is based on a faulty and dangerous concept of privilege. To require a boy or girl to go to scnooruniii completion of the! j or grade school course In all right. dive I deserving boy or girl the priv- or continuing free (the term is rei-

.HE' r

ative) education in the secondary schools is commendable. But to make such at- tendance 'routine' or compulsory for those who do not appreciate the privilege is to make a bad mistake in a fundamental les-I son in responsible citizenship."

It would be an even worse mistake to adjust the curricula of our institutions of higher learning to suit the requirements of the unqualified. The continuance of our democracy depends, most of all, on enlight- ened leadership. By all means let us equalize the opportunities for advancement in this direction, as the surest way of building permanently for the future.

Evidence of Greatness

Most people probably think of Albert Schweitzer as the 20th cerituryls most re- nowned medical-missionary, one of its out- standing philosophers, and a humanitarian as great as any in modern -history. These appelations are, of course, justified; indeed, they fall short of describing the worth and distinction of a man who has been called ”the world's first citizen." What is some-' times overlooked is that Dr. Schweitzer is a noted music composers and critic; to mention only one of his attainments in this field, he is considered one of the great- est living authorities on Bach.

A few months ago Dr. Schweitzer paid a short visit to the small Alsatian village of Gunsbach where he was born. While there he sat down at the little organ in the parish church and played a number of selections from both Bach and Mendelssohn. As he played, tape recorders went to work, and another album of immortal music was released for the enjoyment and inspira- tion of music lovers the world over. For this purpose, Dr. Schweitzer could have had the use of an instrument in any of the worlds great churches; that he selected a little old-fashioned organ in a small out of the way place is one more evidence of the man's true greatness. It may well be that there, on his native soil, rich with the memories and associations of his childhood and youth, he found an inspiration which no other spot, however important in cul- ture or in world affairs, could bring to his heart and mind.

EDITORIAL NOTES

New Zealand Day.

0 0 I

Tomorrow, the 5th Sunday after Epiph- any. 0 Accession of Queen Elizabeth II, 1952. As from today, Canadian statutes will be dated ”3 Elizabeth."

Now that nominations are complete in the Civic Elections it is up to Mr. and Mrs. Citizen to get out and vote Wednesday

next.

No one act or series of acts could do more to cement Commonwealth relation-

ships than that being performed by Queen

Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh. Their present tour is reaching a climax in Australia. The deep affection held for the Throne is everywhere in evidence. It is none the less a tribute to two young people so ably and unassumingiy shouldering re- sponsibilities given and known to few. O O I Christopher Marlowe. English dramatist and poet, was born this date 1564. He found English drama crude and formless but left it a mighty force in English liter- ature. He took large serious subjects for dramatisation, that appealed to the pop. ular imagination, and converted the old stiff blank verse into a medium of delicate and plastic beauty. ”Come Live With Me fwd B9 My Love" is from "The Passionate Pilgrim”. I

0 c

lilvidcncc that Canada is moving for- ward in jet aviation is found in a report from Ottawa that, for the first time, the Canadian aircraft industry last year built more jet aircraft than piston-type planes. During 1953 Canadian manufacturers deliv-

ered nearly a thousand military aircraft at

a price of about 5300 millions. Most went to the Royal Canadian Air Force, but some were exported to Britain and the United States.

Masculine dignity was a sign of mascu- line authority, and much has now been lost, notes "The Printed Word". It was be- ing undermined as the emancipation of women began and they were able to earn their own livings. Then along came Mr. Gillette with his handy little invention. De- lilah-iike, the' women began to praise its advantages to their men-folk, and the men swallowed the propaganda, hook, line and sinker. The authority of the heard was a bulwark of masculine authority in all walks of life. Beard-growing was one thing that women could not accomplish, so beards had to be Ibollshed. The women got their way, and they gotthe vote, and they've moved

rm: GUARDIAN. .. CHARLOTTETOWN

Slick Chick

cleanliness Ind:

PUBLIC FORUM

This column ll open to the discussion by correspondent! of questions of interest. The Guardian does not neceuah Iiy endorse the opinion of corrupondentn.

l

CHANGING A NAME

sir,-"You not I nor nobody knows how oats, peas, beans, or barley grown". So no one seems to know Just. when the town of Kenslngwn first got. its present name. It. is like one that Albert Edward Prince of Wales would sug- gest, having been to our Province in 1860. Let. us suppose that 1862 would be the year for dropping the old name of ".Barret.'s Cross" and adopting the present. label. In support of this we find it marked on "Lakes" inup of P. E. Island - Kenslngton which was issued in 1863.

We also find that the district school was reported in 1863 by the school visitor. as Kenslngton. Mr. John Sharpe being the teach- er. Still the Post. Office name continued to be Barret.'s Cross until 1884 and may be longer. I imagine it would be more difficult for Mr. McNaught to convince the "powers that be" at. Ottawa that we needed Just. such ll beautiful and commodlous Federal Building and Post Office as they have granted us, it he had called the town-Barret): Cross. The old name was hard to get. clear of and for years, some farmers would ask the question-What. are they paying for park at ”The Cross"?

The following taken from "The Islander" newspaper of August 20. 1881, will be of local interest:

"Tile subscriber offers at. pri- vate sole for or few weeks. that valuable property, crop, stock, ei.r., now occupied by her and situated at Barrett's Cross, Lot. 19. For particulars apply on the premises to Margaret Barrett, Barrett's Cl'os.s, Lot 19, July 19, 1861."

Also the following death notice appeared in "The Island Argus" of January 11. 1872: "On Monday. Jan, 2, Mr. John Carruthera aged 53 years. He was the proprietor for many years of an hotel at Bar- rett": Cross, noiv Kensington."

It should be mentioned that. the residents of Lot 19 petitioned the Provincial Legislature in Al-lrli. 1851, for l Post. Office at. Barrett: Cross. This was more than 20 years before the railway was built. the mails being carried then from in; City to st. Eleonora by Alain coach. This request for.I D05.tV0i' flee was granted and Mr. William Glover received his appointment. on Jilly 15. 1851.

This writer being too young to remember the above facts, had to depend on Mr. G. A. Lcard of Soul-is who ramsaeked his rilcs nnd "brought forth from his treas- ures, things new and old." He has our sincrrc thanks.

I am, sir. etc.. ARCH MacKENZIi-'. Kensington.

,.......a--- A FAULTY SYS'l'Eitl sir.-I have read with much in- tcrut. the many letters about the sad state of our educational syl- tern Ind where we should put the blame. It is only too true thlt this state does exist. so far the con- cern iii Ibout. those entering col- lege-tlhe seemingly bright. OMS- Whut. of the vast. majority of our children who never reach even this goal? They too are deservinif of some education. Ask any of our merchants who employ help from this class-those who may have failed Grade X and they will tell you that they have ruched this grade Ind Ire not capable of doing Inything in the way of arith- metic. Yen-they can find tfne nine of In even cloaen of eggs but anything that does not. make an even dosen or yard or pound hIa them puzzled-In actual not. They cennot. handle fractions or the tabla of weights-and rneaisui-ea. Before the family Iiiovnnce

BEAUTY l

I have seen damn Ind sunset. on moon and windy hills I Ooming in Iolemn beauty like Iiow old tunes of Spain: I

I have seen the lady April bring- ing the dnlffodila, l Bringing the wringing grass lndl the soft warm April min. i l

Ihsvehesrd hheeongoftbe bios- Ioms and the old dune of the sea.

the arched white

ships;

But. the loveliest. things of beauty God ever has shown to me

Are her voice. and her hair, and!

eyes, and the deer red curve.

of her lips.

rails of

-John Maoefield.

I school. That stale doesn't. exist today. In talking with A teacher or high standing and with many, years' experience in many different schools she voiced the opinion that I very small number (about 5 per cent.) of the children she had taught. was incapable of passing Grade X. The reason she gave for the many failures was poor teaching in the lower grades and I agree with her. The fault does not lie with the professors in P.' W. C. Without I good foundation your building is bound to toppie.. I can safely say there are many first year student: who do not know Grade VIII work sufficiently. How then can I professor hive nny- . thing else but failure in his clasalli

The numerous books in use to-l day in Ill grades should be used.i as I expect they were intended, as guides for the teacher to enlarge, upon', instead in most schools the guide book is all that is ever taught. Take arithmetic guide! book, say Grade IV. A child starts- onc It the beginning of the year. He works along doing some right,l some wrong and passing by the ones he thought were hard.

Often 3. month, or months, go by with none of this work ever being corrected. when finally it is corrected, of what benefit is that. to the child? He isn't. asked to go back and make his corrections or told how to make them. Se he just blunders along and It the end of the year he goes into the next. grade never having niastered the work of the last. one. Can you won. der then. why he reaches grade VIII or X not sure of Inythlng and knowing so little?

Yesterday "Pro-Grammar" gave a clear picture of the grammar taught. How can a child know the correct form to use? Usually in his conversation with his chums. at his home and, sad to any even. with his teacher he hears the wrong way much more often than the correct one. Here I'd say a more sensible way would be for the teach- er to correcj. the children uch time she hears them use the wrong word at work or It play Ind leave the remedlIl corrections to Grade xx when the reIIonI for wuectlons could be given Ind understood.

Now what. in the remedy? Strict- er supervision. In city schools ex- aminations from Grede I corrected by I central board. If too many failures occur in my trade, find out who or what. is to biIn-ie.

In the country schools the only remedy lies with the inspector. bet. his visit to the school be In in- spection not I flight. I specto . now can Ind do cover two Ind sometimes three schools in one day. They cIn do prIeticIliy no good in that short time. The only supervision our Ichools receive in renrd to grading in from the in- spector, and so far I hIve never heard of an inspector making in clunge in any child's gndlng. Now you may Icy the inspector hasn't the time: he me to visit. all the schools in I specified time. Well.

came in this was attributed to the

in everywhere. And look at the beardless world today!

carelessness or greed of the parents in not rendin the children to

as things are now. their work in of little use: so put on more in-

And seen strange lands from underi

iicii to I will made by the late

i17ih June, 1832, I few days after

in daughter, and on the 5th day

beloved. have Iiwnys obeyed, not Is in my

Wherefore, my ll ye presence only, but: now mudl more in my Ibeence, work out your own II.lvIidon with fear Ind trembling. For it in God which

worketh in you both to will Ind to do of his good pleasure.

Old Charlottetown uu r. I. I.)

SPECIAL JURY CASE

From the Royal Gazette, July 12. 1836: .

"An important special Jury cue. relative to the validity of a cod-

John Stewart, Esq., of Mount Stewart, the trial of which we: commenced in the Supreme Court on Monday the 4th instant, did not terminate until- yesterday. having occupied the Court exact- ly seven days.

"It appears that the late Mr. Stewart, during the short inter- val which occurred between the death of his second wife and his subsequent marriage. made I will. by which the house and farm of Mount Stewart were bequeathed to his granddaughter, Mrs. Lit- tler, wife of Lleut. Col. Littler. of the H. E. I. C. S. Mr. Stewart's last marriage took place on the

which, he embarked with his wife for England, and returned here about twelve months afterwards.

"Mr. Stewart was I person of advanced age, and those who had occasion to see him on his return, were forcibly struck by the great change which had occurred during his short absence. His bodily strength was falling, and his men- tal faculties were evidently givli.1,

Iy. "On the 15th of October fol- lowing, his wife was delivered at

of January, 1834. he made I cod- leli to his wiilwby which he evok- ed. the bequest to his grand- daughter, leaving Mount Stewart to his wife for the term of her natural life. afterwards to her daughter and the heirs of her body. with the reversion, in the event of her dying without heirs, to his granddaughter, Mrs. Lit- tler. On the 22nd June, 1834. Mr. Stewart riled. aged 76 years. His widow remained in possession of

the house. but admits Col. Littler-

lnto possession of the farm, by sanctioning the 'hiring of it by his agent to certain individuals, in his name. It would seem from this. and from subsequent pro- ceedings which were produced in evidence. that the widow had abandoned the idea of proving under the cohlcil. Be this as it may, it would appear that in July, 1835. Ibout the time. or it little before her rnardiage to Dr. Conroy, having obtained the opin- ion of counsel (Mr. W. Young, of Halifax). it was determined to insist on the validity of the cod- ieil. For this purpose, and in order to bring the matter to is- sue, an action of ejectment was taken against Col. Littler and wife by the plaintiffs. Dr. Conroy and wife. in order to eject the former from the farm.

"The trial hinged altogether on the state of Mr. Stewart's mind at the time he made the carlicil in January 1834. Mr. Young appear- ed for plaintiff. and Mr. Johnston (both of the Nova Scolia par) for” the defendant. The first two days were occupied with the plaintiff's case. On Wednesday. Mr. Johnston opened for the tie- iendnnt. and his opening speech occupied the greater part of two days. The whole of Friday was occupied In xemlniniz the de- fendant's wltneuu. On Saturday

money spent. The Government doesn't hesitate to boost their own

The Passi

FEBRUARY 5. 1954

ng Scene

By Observer HIE BATS OF STE EPLE BUMSTEAD

I

Bats are not the most attractive animals in the world but they do have intriguing ways. Many times it hen I have been fishing a stream at dusk I hIve marvelled It the way they appear suddenly in if from nowhere. frolic around I bit, and then. as quickly Is they came. disappear into the unknown reg- ions of the night. They have the distinction of being the only mani- mals which are capable of flight. Perhaps for this reason no other animal has any social relationship ivtih them; birds rather look down on them.