It's not "Ned and the First Reader": it's "Ned IN the First Reader." The "First Reader" refers to McGuffey's First Eclectic Reader, which was first published in 1836. The McGuffey's readers were the standard texts for teaching children how to read throughout the 19th century and into the 20th century. They are still in use today in some private schools and are used by some homeschoolers.
Lesson VII in the First Eclectic Reader is entitled "Ned" and is about a little boy who feeds a black hen.
No, "Ned" and "first reader" are not inherently racist terms. "Ned" can refer to a person's name or various fictional characters, while "first reader" typically denotes a beginning or basic level of reading skill. However, context and intent can determine if these terms are used in a derogatory or offensive manner.
Ned was 12 when he first started bushranging
No Ned was born in 1855 a long time after the First Fleet.
Ned Kelly's first job was a tree cutter at the age of 16
Ned Kelly was 16 years old when he first went to jail for assault.
Ned Kelly killed his first victim, Constable Lonigan, on 25 October 1878.
Ned Kelly's first name was short for "Edward".
Ned Blanchard Williams has written: 'Antigenic components of lactobacilli of human oral origin' -- subject(s): Microbiology, Mouth, Antigens and antibodies, Lactobacillus
Edward
First sung by Ned Miller
Edward
Ned Kelly was around 14 years old when he committed his first known crime, which was assaulting a Chinese pig farmer.