Notes by Colonus.

Bruce Herald, Volume XI, Issue 1011, 21 May 1878, Page 6

Notes by Colonus.

♦■■ REPRESENTATION. I am rather disposed to coincide with 'the opinion expressed by Mr Stevens, when ad- i dressing his constituants at Canterbury lately, that representation on the basia ef population will not give undue advantages to towns. It seems to me tnat the interests < of the inhabitants of town and country are for the most part identical. The interesti of such of the large town houses as deal with the runholders and large landed proprietors, may be somewhat antagonistic to the interests of the smaller country settlers and agriculturists, but as regards tradesmen in general and other towns-people, it seems to me their- welfare depends to & considerable extent upon the welfare of the country settlers, arid that the population of the country and settlement f on the laud will advance both internal and external trade. During the Provincial regime, when tbe Provincial Governments administered the Provincial funds, it may have been necessary that the outlying districts should be well represented in the Provincial Councils in order to secure that iv allocating the revenue, the outlying districts should not be neglected, or an unproportionable amount of the funds be voted, for the benefit of the larger towns. -But- the like reason does not exist now, when the General Government undertakes only main or arterial works, and local works are .done by County Councils, Town Councils, and Road Boards, out of their respective funds. Again, if it be desired to make the' General Assembly a popular body and' a true representative of the nation, I think this desideratum' is more likeiy to be brought about by representation on the basis of population, rather than insisting very strongly upon the representation .of minorities in country 'districts. The large towhfl are generally, I think, more likely to choose popular men as representatives than the. country districts are. In country < districts the candidate is not uncommonly a runholder or large land owner, whereas in towns the candidate for political-honours is more often a, man ofthe people, who has no particular sympathy with our landed aristocracy. As regards Dunedirfj both Mr Macandrew and Mr Stout are popular men — Mr Stout especially, seeming to have expressed democratic sentiments, and having opposed > himself strongly to land manopoly, I do not think country people need be afraid of a system"

of representation based, much more thari is ! the case at present, upon population. THE BIRCH; ( lam disposed to agree with the Rev. Mr Watt when at the late meeting of the Educational Institute of Otago, he said that he disapproved of the forcing system, because it failed to produce a lasting benefit and constituted simply a waste of time and effort; also ; that young -children he would; have taught: with story books and historical tiles. Yes, ''-I think the more, we can awaken jthe interest of children in their studies the more , progress the scholars are likely to, make) I found hryself, however, disposed Ho fly off at a tangent when 1 T observed the rev. gentleman went on to. express "his disapproval of morld suasion'- without birching^ arguing that the axiiirial^ nature;- in : children came fore the spiritual,' and it was necessary to flog the' animal out of- them at times.'' I think that is rathnr a .barbarous sentiments lam no -advocate for. the rod or juvenile walloping, notwithstanding Biblical advice. I doubt: whether we can effectually tbrjash either/ learuirig^ orririghteousness into > the young. I^4«nlt the %hip is more suitedjfor horses yariu^d^ even with our; quadrupedal servants it is better not to be with the USe-'of it. I rather Buspcct 'i we are just as . likely; to drive the aniriial^nto; children, by the use of the birch as to drive it out of them. Well, I never tried- my .hand at school-mastering, and I suppose ! ' some schoolihasters will plead they find the occasional use of the cave necessaiy to preserve- discipline. However, that may be, I do "not altogether like ,to| see j juvenile corporal punishment, publicly^advocated as an element in the method of education. ; A,.;.], v,'; y7J' BOYJtL WORK. .., > It is generally thought bur Kinga and Queens arid members, of the] Royal Paniily donot work very hard for a living; nevertheless a loyal^riitibn seems to provide some ■of.' ,, tneiit-' , .wltk--.-.a;^,iole*ahla. supply of wfcrk not exactly, in the way. of knife polishing j»,nd boot cleaning; but wprk of amore exalted iarid-' dignified' description. i: At. a levee lately held at St James- Palace by his Royal Highness the Prince of Wale 3on behalf of Her Majesty,' I observe it is stated "The following presentations, 'among many others, were made to the Prince of Wales." Here follow the names of .over one hundred individuals. So perhaps the worthy Prince^ on this occasion, had to undergo the infliction of being introduced consecutively and indi-' yidually -to some two hundred persons. This might be considered rather heavy work! for, H.R.H; Might it not be convenient to Royalty if this sort of work was done' by contract," tenders lieifig called for; the' lowest not necessarily accepted?. Certainly work of this;? sort is Jnpt quite so stiff asjthe splitting up of a twisted black pine Tog, [but it must - be :,. so far .irksome, :_thattrin jhot weather His Royal Highness might reasonably; be excneed £ 0r ... .taking :_ off -hia coat, anclgoing through the< job in hi^Bhii-t steeveaj