The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1895-09-07
Ed. The iNDEpENDENr;


According to tho Gazette Of Aug
ust ~; the seminary at Lahainaluua
is described to the world as a popu-
LARGO school. Its popularity is well
attested by the rapid decrease in the
number of pupils which has been
going on for the past few years.
The number OF boys in attendance
asst year was 30. For the instruction
OF these 30 Hawaiian boys 4 teachers
were employed at high salaries.
Many persons arc indignant at this
waste of public money on school
where ono teacher could do all tho
work. As to any increase in the
future attendance we are sceptical,
but will believe when we see it. Mr..
Abbott is very sanguine that the
next term, soon to commence, will
see between sixty and seventy pupils
assembled, We shall soon know
whether his expectation will be rea-
Used
The Seminary at Lahainaluna has
no right to a further existence. 1t
is failure-has long been so-and
the huge expense in maintaining an
institution, which can only muster
30 pupils, would amply justify the
closing of the place, or, better still,
the converting OF it into a sanato-
rum, for which it is admirably suited
on account of its elevated position.
"Osmer Abbott, tho progressive
teacher of | ahaina" How very nice
to be so described Certainly the
teaching staff of one seminary is
guiltless Of anything approaching
modesty or difiidence in advertising
itself, From Lshainaluna is issued
au ambitious little print called "The
Progressive Educator" edited by III.
S. Towsend, A. NJ" Every endeav-
our is made by this paper to per-
suade people, teachers especially,
that the teaching staff at Lahaina,
luna is of very exalted order:-in
other words progressively This
last word is really done to death, in
the hands oi III. S. Townsend and his
able assistant, o. Abbott. The Pro-
gressive Educator we may frankly
state, without prejudice or love OF
criticism, has never yet contained
anything of practical value to teach
ers or anybody else. The articles
are for the most part badly written,
full OF COMMISSIONS and grammatical
errors The writer's are thoroughly
up in that kind Of English which
isknown as "Engiish as she is spoke"
The superficial reader of this print
is led to imagine that it is "clever"
and that il emanates from practical
and superior educationalists. But
he is sadly mistakenl
The teachers meetings organized
and conducted by H. S. t. and o.
A. have long since proved a failure,
the teachers having discovered that
they were got up for the. sole pur-
pose of advertising the progressive"
teaching and teachers OF the Semi.
nary on the Hill,
"We are all enthusiastic over La
hainaluna," SO says Mr.. Abbott; but
il the "we' includes Others than the
teaching staff Of that decadent es-
adjustment, he is vastly mistaken.
Mr. A~ought to hear some of the
remarks passed by tho Lahaina resi-
dents on the institution, out OF
which be and his get such a remun-
erative livelihood.
We are informed that Mr.. Fred
Abbot, who has not been in the
country twelve months, has been
appointed to the school at Kaupo at
a salary OF $1,000 year. Mr.. Rose
crauz, brother-in-law to Mr.. A., and
still more recent arrival, has also
received an appointment, namely,
TO the school at Kipahulu. 1t is
evident that to be relation OF the
progressive" Mr.. A. means got ting
speedy appointment and a decent
income. METHUsALEH.