THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1877.

Auckland Star, Volume VIII, Issue 2295, 13 July 1877, Page 2

THURSDAY, JULY 12, 1877.

A comparison between the price paid in Canterbury and Otago for lands and that realised in Auckland is a favourite

subject with all Southern politicians. At Timaru on Tuesday, Mr Stafford did not fail to dilate upon' the fact that two millions of acres disposed of in 'Canterbury had brought three millions sterling into the Treasury, while Auckland had sold an equal quantity for three hundred thousand pounds. The announcement, of course, " brought down the house," and we have no doubt every elector present felt how much better and wiser he, as a Canterbury man, was than those poor deluded people away up North. Ml" .Stafford considered that this was one of the " lions in the path " of a satisfactory settlement of the land fund question. And, "as a preliminary, there must be some arrangement between those lands which have been

prudently dealt with and those which have been ruthlessly sacrificed." The nature of this arrangement the lion, membei did not explain, but we may infei from the context that it should take the direction of snuffing out the claims of Auckland, which " in the boldest way possible, says we are going to make ducks and drakes of our land, and you will have to husband yours and give us a share of the revenue." It is amusing to observe how provincial distinctions still pervade the mind of the great apostle of Centralism, now that " the aspirations of my political life" arc realised, and New Zealand is ruled from end to en I by one legislature. What Auckland says, forsooth, is of the least possible consequence in the Colonial Parliament in other matters, and if the Central Government found it prudent to maintain the land laws which provincialism had devised, it was,we suppose,because they saw that those laws were founded on a sound principle, and supplied the only means of advancing settlement in a part' of the colony where special natural obstructions existed. Let us examine, for a moment, New Zealand from Mr Stafford's own favourite standpoint. Placing ourselves with the pioneer settlers, we see in the North a stretch of country, broken, covered over a large part of its area with dense forests, intersected by wide tracts of the poorest description, and all held by a savage and warlike race, whose absolute title to the soil has received Imperial recognition. Turning to the South, the eye rests on rich, rolling "plains, clothed with natural grass, millions of acres of country, where (we quote Mr Stafford) "you have simply to put the plough in and get a wheat crop within eight or ten months after commencing operations," and all in the undisputed possession of the Crown. We can imagine Mr Stafford surveying the land, and indulging in one of those liiglisouled visions of which he is constitutionally so fond. He wishes to build up out of the raw material brought to his hand a prosperous united country, to transform its waste places into smiling pastures, its wild gullies into blossoming valleys, to plant civilization where barbarism and desolation reign supreme. What should he have done ? Surely a wise ruler would have taken the monies realised for lands that had dropped rich and unencumbered into his hand, and expended them in opening up those territories that were less favoured, and where settlement unaided could make but little headway. But what coursp does the history of the colony actually reveal ? The settlers of the South, located on a valuable estate, succeeded by a coup de main in gaining exclusive posses- j siou of it. They were then able to tell others coming in among them—those j people,who, Mr Stafford exultingly told his I constituents, paid £2 an acre for land which was worth £3—that every shilling given as purchase money would be re-expended in improving their own properties, while the

wkolc vost of governing would be borne ; fro&s. revenues which were chicily raised by t>c struggling settlers trading with the natives, and almost living -on sufferance in the North. Mr Stafford ?s well aware that for _a _ long series of years, Auckland, which it is fashionable now to revile, was the chief contributor to these funds out of which the Colonial Government was supported. Having sained possession of the best lands of New Zealand, and resolved to employ the proceeds from their sale in improving the holdings of purchasers, the Southern settlers still persisted in meddling between the colonists of the North and their Maori neighbours. The consequence was a war, which destroyed any favourable reputation that Auckland had before enjoyed abroad. The province was regarded by intending immigrants, and even by people in the South, as a place where life was unsafe ; where the settler went to rest with no certainty that his home would not be desolated, and himself and family murdered before morning. The small area «f land which the Government had in its possession was worthless, unsaleable ; the Government destitute of funds to open up communication to blocks that were lit for settlement, because the revenues which—in consonance with the very theory now urged by the advocates of a localised land fund,—should have been devoted to works of colonization, were exclusively appropriated for local improvements in the richest districts of New Zealand. If settlement was to progress at all, there was only one way of making it do so. The Government said to immigrants j " *Ye have nothing to offer you but the laud ; you must find your own way to it, male c the best roads in your power, and put what little capital you have in 1 clearing the land, and opening up the country." Hundreds who were offered land on these terms very wisely preferred the well-opened lands of the South, despite : the £2 an acre purchase money. To others, the Government awarded land for fighting the battles of the colony, and winning their grants at the point of the bayonet, while Canterbury fa;mers were lying peacefully in green pastures. In the face of such difficulties the wonder is, not that Auckland should have realised little for her lands, but that she should have made such extraordinary strides in settling the country. Without liberal land-laws, settlement in this part of the colony would still be ; confined to a few clearings on the : coast. Until the last year or two, ; ere Canterbury was forced to the fore by loans borrowed upon the credit ot funds to which Auckland was a larger contributor, this province had maintained its supremacy in population, in contributions to the State, and probably also in material wealth. If Canterbury has raised three millions sterling from Crown lands, has she not enjoyed the whole benefit of its expenditure ? In what, then, does Mr Stafford's " lion in the way" of making the land fund colonial revenue consist, unless it be tlicit Canterbury ought to disgorge some of the three millions sterling which she has wrongfully pocketed from sales of Crown property. The theory that a per ccntago of the land fund should necessarily be devoted to the construction of roads in the districts where the land was sold rests on a fallacy. If a mail gives £'2 an acre for his land, does he not first satisfy himself that he is obtaining full value for his money, and is he any better colonist, or more entitled to have roads made for him, than the man who pays ten shillings an acre for bad land, in a poor district, and tries to briny that under cultivation? Why should the wealthy Cauterbury farmer have; his roads made with money realised from the sales of the public estate, while the poor Wade settler ih compelled to construct his own roads out of local taxation ? The laud fund should, truly, be devoted to colonizing works, but appropriated in accordance with actual necessities, irrespective of local considerations. And where settlors are benelitting the colony by personal sacrifices —where they arc making roads from taxation wrung out. of their hard earnings ; it is the duty of the (Jovernmont to reward and subsidise ti.em in proportion to their wants and

exertions

The beautiful diorama of the American War was exhibited again last evening in the Theatre I'oyal to an admiring audience,* who frequently expressed their feelings of

approval at the pictured incidents so vividly represented, and clearly described by the lecturer. The music of the orchestra, under the direction of Professor Cope, was really good, and gave an additional charm to the entertainment. An extra number of

valuable gits were distributed, ■with much satisfaction. The diorama will be repeated this evening—the grand fashionable night —when extra gifts will be distributed, including gold and silver watches, and

sixty presents of more or less value. Mr Thompson will give a gtand matinee tomorrow afternoon at three o'clock, especially for young people and the children of the several Auckland charities. Every child present on this occasion will receive a present, as there will be no blanks.

: The Prince of Wales Lodge of lustruc- '■ tion will be held tliis evening- in the Masonic Hotel, Princes-street, at the usual hour; to which visitors will be admitted. A School of Art has long been a desideratum in Auckland, and that need is about to be realised at the Model Training School of Mr Josiah Martin, in the Choral Hall. A class has been formed under the direction of Mr Watkins, whose taste and abilities eminently qualify him for the position, and which will be commenced to-morrow morning at eleven o'clock, as per announcement in another column. There are many schools of this character in the old country, and in continental towns and cities, where a love of art would appear to exist in a greater degree than in this city of ours ; still, we have many indications that we have artists amongst us whose particular talents require aid in discovering the means by which former artists attained their power and subsequent excellence. The legitimate object of art study, or that part of it which seeks to shorten the process of art education, is to ascertain the way which popular artists have pursued in disciplining their minds towards individual perfection. In this manner the student learns, not to pilfer the works of others, but to turn to the best account his own ability and industry, and to produce originals, instead of mere copies of other men's ideas. As civilization advances, so will the necessity for artistic work increase, in order to associate the beautiful and useful in our homes and public buildings, as shadowed forth in nature. We trust, therefore, that Mr Watkins will meet with satisfactory support in his endeavour to assist others, in the culture of artistic tastes. We are glad to notice that Mrs Addey lias re-opened the school for young ladies at Spring Villa, Ponsonby. High-class educational institutions for girls are too few in number for one so favourably known as Mrs Addey's to be easily spared. We understand that a large number of former pupils have notified their intention to enter upon the new term, and we trust that the school will receive a renewal of the support which it for so long a period enjoyed. The lady principal possesses an extensive knowledge of the best systems of educational training for girls, gained by personal experience in England and on the Continent. The closing of the school, as was at one time in contemplation, would, therefore, have been a misfortune to the district in which it has become established. The "Otago Guardian favourably notices the Mahurangi cement, and says:—"As concrete buildings arc becoming so popular in this district, we would strongly recommend that some of our builders should give this product their attention." Ladies awd gentlemen desirous of subscribing to Herr Schott's Saturday morning concerts are requested to forward their names and addresses by Saturday, the 21st iust. * \

The sporting writer of the "Australasian 9 says : "The Melbourne and Carlton match of Saturday last, on the Melbourne cricketground, with its attendance of from 8.000 to 10,000 people, and receipts of over £200, pretty clearly demonstrates that football is by far the most popularof our outdoor sports. Who ever heard of such an attendance at a club cricket mateh —cups given in?" "liu<Jby Union," writing to the same journal, makes the following remarks on slipping: — '"' Sir, —Last Saturday I went to see the football match Carlton v. Melbourne, and ■was surprised to1 see so much slipping especially when a remedy is so easily obtained. The remedy I mean is having three slips of leather,' about gin. broad, :]in. thick, tacked'obliquely on the sole. I have had my boots so for two or three seasons, ami always iiud it most useful, even on very slippery ground. — l am, &c, —Rugby Union. "

Thomas Kuowels, a bushman, who had lately been drinking', was charged at Onehunga to-day by the police with indecent conduct in the street, yesterday afternoon, and the charge being proved, be was sentenced to 14 days hard labour by His Worship the Mayor.

Under the heading "(lood News for New Zealand," " Foggy" writes to the Oamaru " Evening Mail" : —" Sir, —Will you allow me,through the medium of your journal, to tlumk Captain Brown, of Auckland, for having discovered, and the Press Agency particular for having disseminated the fact that New Zealand possesses 100 coleoptcro, while Europe only boasts of 44. Every New Zealander should feel proud of this. I don't want to know what it is—the fact that the Colony out-numbers Europe in the article is suilicient glory for me. Whether it is something to eat, drink, or shield us

in these warlike times, it must be satisfactory to know that we have a large stock 'on baud.—l am, &c, Foggy." j At the building of Mr Holdship, in course of erection in Custom House-street, the precautionary lamp was fixed aw usual on Wednesday night, but early in the morning it was found literally smashed, some miscreant, or mischievous boy, having thrown a stone through it. Fortunately, the night was calm, and the light continued burning, or there would have been a case at the ; Police Court, and a line imposed upon the owner.

Articles were signed this afternoon for a third race between the sailing boats Pet and Brothers. As, to all intents and purposes, each boat has won one of the races already sailed, it will he interesting to see which will score the rub. The start will take place on Moudaymorning at 10 o'clock, from the 'Queen-street Wharf, provided there is a good sailing breeze. The agreement stipulates that there shall be as nearly as possible a dead beat one way, so that it is left to the umpire and starter to tell off the course before the boats go to the starting place. Jf Monday should not prove a suitable day, the race is to take place the first day following which the umpire shall decide to be so. No time allowance will bo given or received. In other respects llegatta rules will bo adhered to.

To the Editor : .Sir, —I beg to inform the very worthy party, who in his attack upon mo which appeared in your issue of yesterday, criticising my spelling, and disputing the a'ceuracy of my reply to the query of 1: Subscriber," that if my spelling is had, his is abominable. In the first place,

" Cassclton" is not "Castleton," and "Buhalt" is not "Anhalt." Before lie again rushes intf) the columns <>i a. newspaper, I would advise him not to Cl'.illl so many blunders into so limited a space. As for my spelling, I refer him to " Bceton's dictionary of geography," but there perhaps, this very learned and would be critic can refuse that.—l am, Sec, " CASTL.KTOX," not "Casskltont."—[We are afraid the printer is responsible for some of the spelling.—Ed. K.N.I

The action between English and Brissendeu, in the Supreme Court, yes'erday, terminatcil in a verdict for plaintiff. His Honor remarked that it was strange that neither the nor. inal defendant, Mr Brissenilen, nor the hook-keeper, Jones, were present, as their evidence would have been of great importance. The plaintiff, although his evidence was not very satisfactory, had offered to explain to Mr Morton, the trustee in the estate, any apparent dilliculty in the accounts. The jury paid great attention to the case, and gave a verdict for plaintiff*, for f ISI 7s Sd. This concluded the civil sittings.

A football team selected to play tho Walkato boys arc to huvo a unit -li to-mor-row with an all comers team on the Metropolitan ground. Tho following are the teams:—Alt Comers:—C. Sltarland, Adams, Rweu, Moss, Orchard, Reid, Wil-

limns, Anderson, Sonierville, Kew, (Jreen, M. Clarke, A. Tonks, Mciifs, Buttle, Dynau, Colemaii, and Glccson. Waikuto Team :—C Burgess, E. liurgess, Henderson, lling, T. and J. Macky, Warbrick, J. Philson, \V. Philsou, Shakespeare, Carter, Mowbray, Gudgeon, Bonner, and Stowfiold.

To the Editor : Sir, —As your first correspondent's query on this subject involved the poor letter IT. I naturally t'.ought he was a Cockney, but they all seam lo bo unaware that there is a llamaiilt within thirty miles of London, Haiuault Forest, Essex.—COCKNEY.

The Primitive Methodists are becoming very numerous in the South of England, and with that zeal in good works which has ever been one of their chief characteristics, they have been making strenuous efforts to raise a chapel, institute, and road-ing-room at Alder.shot, to be called " The Soldier's Church." They have recently held a successful bazaar in the Western Hall of the pleasant hill-side town of Guildford, in the furnishing of which the ladies were most conspicuous. The bazaar was largely patronised by the members of the connection in Stokcficld, Woking, and adjacent villages, and a goodly sum towards the Soldier's Church has been realised.