VISIT TO THE JAPANESE WAR VESSEL.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 4325, 27 March 1884, Page 4

VISIT TO THE JAPANESE WAR VESSEL.

The following is the concluding portion of our reporter's interview with the doctor of the Japanese warship :—. Growth of Modern Ideas. The doctor went on to inform us that a very satisfactory system for the administration of justice had been established throughout the Empire. There were four grades of courts, presided over by judges of great eminence and culture, while the advocates formed a special class, similar to their European brethren. Like them, also, they passed searching examinations, and on being admitted to practice were engaged by litigants to conduct their cases. The Emperor had recently proclaimed his determination to grant a representative constitution, including a national assembly. Republican ideas are being rapidly disseminated amongst the people, and popular opinion seemed to be setting in the direction of such a modification in the form of government. The lower classes had ceased to hold the nobility in the awe and veneration of former years, and the nobility, on their part, have abandoned many of their ancient customs. The mode of self-destruction known as haribiri had almost ceased, although there were isolated cases of its practice now and then. It was a mere relic of barbaric times, however. Europeans in Japan, The conversation then turned on the foreign element in Japan, and after consulting a book of statistics, tho doctor informed us"that a census taken in 18S2 shows the following to be the number of the foreign population :—British, 933 ; American, 414; German, 300; French, 180; Dutch, 70; Portuguese, 57; Russians, 55; Swedes, 32 ; Spaniards, 30 ; Danes, 23 ; Italians, 22 ; Chinese, 3,700. Of the foreign languages, English is the most popular, and the German which is one of their scientific languages, the next. French was considered easier than either of these and was generally known amongst tho educated classes. The doctor considered Italian tho easiest to learn, in consequenco of the analogy existing between its pronounciation and that of Japanese. The present Government is more favourably disposed towards the British and Americans than to other nationalities. The English are highest in the popular regard, and the American and French next in the order given. Under the former Government, tho French were held in most favour.

Tho Day of Best. Tho Japanese people have no national day of rest like our Sunday, their ordinary occupations being carried on day after day the whole year round. In the official establishments, however, European Sunday is observed as a holiday, no work being done upon it. The masses do not seem disposed to follow this innovation. The Tsuliuba's Movements. The doctor, after expressing the opinion that the climate of Auckland was very like that of Yokohama, and saying how well he liked tho place, mentioned that the vessel would remain here for about four weeks, and then go on to Chili, where she would make a stay of equal duration. Thence she will go on to Honolulu, and after remaining thero three weeks will proceed home. It wag now our turn to be placed under examination, and the doctor asked a great number of questions about New Zealand and Auckland. He informed us that a local scientist had offered to place his services at the disposal of the Captain during the stay of tho vessel here, but that it was intended to seek the advice of Professor Tucker before any action was taken. The doctor then courteously nhowed us round tho vessel, pointing out the engineroom, the beautifully clean quarters of the men, the hospital, where eeveral patients were busily engaged weighing themselves; the schoolroom,, where several cadets were engaged in working out some observations, as well as doing somo arithmetical problems, which were stated in English on the blackboard. Adieux were said on both sides, and our boat being ready, we left the vessel and took our departure for the shore.