, 1876-02-09
T R D A D
From the Chronicle. }

The trade-wind blows strongly, By night as
by day, but the weather is less settled than
usual at this period. We have now and then
. day of much rain, which rather throws back
the commencement of crop by retarding the
ripening of the canes, and Furnishes the weak
roads and all who must use them.-Tonnage ar
rlves, but there's scarcely anything ready toship.
We refer to the table of produce shipped 10
date.'-We have met with few samples Of
dark new sugar, and are rather impatient to
see the imminent change to a better quality SO
slowly realised. Low sugars cost as much in
haulage, freight and storage as the best, and
are much less easy of sale at home than form
srly-except at r%uinously low prices.-A good
average crop is expected. if the season does
not disappoint us.-MeaSles, which has affect
cd quite an extraordinary number of persons
rarely other than children), has not yet de-
parted though nearly all recover, and after
a very short and simple fever and treatment,
a few fatal cases bring sorrow to a family here
and there.-phe provision trade is much an.
noyed, and naturally, at the opening of a Civil
Service cooperative store in the yard-rooms
Of the Post-of6ce premises, where articles are
sold at much below shOp-pricesy by public
employees, who pay no rent or trade tax and
should be at their public duties,-or be shop
men, pure and simple. The competition is un-
fair, and the manner of it unblushing.-We I'M
derstand these new epiciers are ready to sell
10 all cOmers-at least, not to cOnGne the
cheese and ham and bacon-mongering, the
lard and beer and candles.deliyery to the
officers of the public servioe.-The annual
Exhibition of stock, and island products falls
of year by year, in werth and public interest.
The object is excellent, the occasion a pleasant
and cheerful one, and. the means of making it
attractive. instructive and varied, abound.
And many would willingly contribute to make
it what 1t should be-but q something is want.
ing-a real interest in the matter by the natu-
raj leaders of society. Those who manage 1t
have got into q groove which leads them from
the follies and failures of one year to
the same in another The. whole, thing
wants recasting, if any good is 10 come
Of it.-In education matters, we much
regret to say, retrogression is the rule.
instruction was extending and being appreci-
ated, yearly more and more many difficulties
we're passed, and though serious ones remained,
Roadway was bong made, and there was some
hope of at last absorbing the greater part Of
the mass of ignorance, superstition, vagabon.
dage and crime. The Common Schools were
free, and the reward of the teacher depended
considerably on his own eforts-the larger the
number of boys, the better the average atten.
dance, the higher his Own proficiency, and that
Of those he taught, the more did be receive.
The spirit Of change has come over-not all,
bat too much of this. The authorities OF the
colony ABDICATE their great function as leaders
of common instruction, and the children of the
poor are left to wal1ow in the mire morally,
hoping the priests will take them in hand
which they are generally-we may speak at
least of one great organisatien-very willing,
over willing to do,-if the State will iud the
means. Nov If this 10 not retrog rading, ask
Birmingham aud the friends Of the widest edu-