The Daily Southern Cross.

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVI, Issue 3893, 12 February 1870, Page 3

The Daily Southern Cross.

LUCKO, NON URO. If I h»ye boon extinguished, yit there rise A. thousand beaoom from th« spark I bore.

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 12, 1870,

Our Waipu correspondent struck the key-note on the education question, in a letter, published in the Cross \ of the Bth February. Speaking of j educational matters, he says :—": — " We " never need expect to have schools in " every available locality, till we have " a special tax, ad valorem or otherwise, " upon all property throughout the " country, collected and distributed by " Government. This is the general " substitute through the United States, " Canada, and Nova Scotia, for the " continental compulsory education." I In Waipu, however, our correspondent informs us that the main school is already established, and that they hope soon to have four branch schools in operation, as formerly. Thus, we conclude that Waipu is better off, in regard to schools, than the great majority of rural districts. But our correspondent is, apparently, not satisfied with this state of things. He desires greater facilities for primary instruction in his district, and we give him credit for this fueling. We regret that it is not more general throughout the province. If our correspondent had the Auckland Common School Act of 18G9 in hih hands, he would perceive that this measure contemplates the creation ot school districts, in settled localities, and the maintenance of the teachers in part by school fees, partly by a fixed contribution from the provincial funds in proportion to the salary agreed to be paid, and partly by a school rate. But there is just this difficulty in the application of the Act, that, although the Centi'al Board has power to enforce it, the levying of a rate is lett to the residents in the various districts; and, as a rule in this province, the settlers appear to prefer that their children should grow up in ignorance — devoid of even the elements of an English education — than to taxing themselves to provide school instruction for them. In the United States of America, Canada, and Nova Scotia, the school- Lax is cheerfully paid. In the State of New York, the education rate on property amounts to five per cent. In some other States of the Union this percentage is exceeded ; and, so far from grumbling at paying it, the owners of property regard the .school-rate as the cheapest investment they could make for securing their estates against the I levelling tendencies of an unsettled democracy. Moreover, the duty connected with the school committees, of i visiting and examining each school at least once a week, is undertaken with pleasure by professional and business men in the great cities, and by agriculturists in the rural districts. The x-esult is that the American population (we include the British pi-ovinces also) is the best educated nation, excepting the German States, Belgium, and a few Swiss cantons. It is quite true that there is a great deal of lawlessness in the United States, and that the American cities have an unenviable notoriety for their rowdyism ; but when we consider the constant influx of population to the States, largely intermixed with the scum of society from all European countries, this is not to be wondered at. The only wonder is that the " rowdy" element has made so little head- way in the United States ; and that it has been kept within bounds at all we entirely attribute to the excellent educational system, and the hold which it has upon the sympathies of the American people. In this province, however, we have not yet learned to regard om'selves as a people having mutual duties and mutual obligations. Hence the refusal to work the Common Schools Act, Elsewhere in New Zealand it is. different. In Nelson, for many years past, every householder has cheei'fully submitted to be rated for a common school fund, and the parents of children have been compelled to pay for each child whether they sent them to school or not. By these means, Nelson maintains an excellent system of free primary schools. In Auckland, however, the inhabitants prefer looking to the Government instead of to themselves. They expect the Government to make their roads, build their bridges, form and pave their streets, erect wharves, subsidise steamers for postal and passengers' convenience, build school-houses and pay the. teachers, without calling upon the people for a penny in the shape of local rates. They seem to regard "the Government" as an entity distinct from the people, whereas the Government simply represents the people, and dispenses the money raised, in. one or other shape, from taxes paid by the people. Now, if this province desires to hold a leading position, they must alter their views on many points, and on none more than on this one of education. It is not creditable to the settled districts of the province, to apply for aid under j the 40th clause of the Common Schools Act, and it is simply a perversion of the Act to give subsidies tinder that clause to localities which are able to maintain- a school, but which refuse to come under its operation ,to avoid tax- , atioxu The 40th clause was intended

to assist settlers living remote from centres of population, but we find that practically the rich and populous districts avail themselves of this section, to the exclusion and deprivation of the poorer districts. The 40th section is as follows : — 40. It shall be lawful for the Board at its discretion to grant any moderate sum or sums of money in aid of the efforts made by private individuals or associations for the promotion of education in the goldfields districts or in localities or districts in which from the smallness or scattered position of the population or from other causes no educational district shall have been proclaimed : provided always that in all cases in which aid is granted from money appropriated by the Superintendent and Provincial Council of Auckland for the purposes of this Act the Inspector may at any time inspecq. and he is hereby required to inspect and report upon the application and educational results of such grants in aid and tipon the want or otherwise of school instruction in such localities. We may be told that the words " or " from other causes" affords a loop-hole for the present practice ; but we maintain it does not, except by the sanction of the Superintendent. The 14th section makes it compulsory on the Super intendent, "as soon after the passing of " this Act as may be convenient/ to proclaim educational districts, and therefore it is for the Superintendent to determine where the Common Schools Act should be brought into force, and where it is not expedient to enforce it. But it never was contemplated by the Council that a provision for the benefit of the remote bush settlers should be so interpreted, as to enable gentlemen who live within an easy ride of Auckland to keep their trousers' pockets buttoned. We commend this point to the attention of the Central Board of Education. The education vote is too small, in our opinion, to meet anything like the wants of the province; but, however small the appropriation may be, let it be spent in accordance with the letter and spirit of the Act so long as it remains in force. We admit that there is a great difficulty in -working a permissive law in this province which involves taxation, but the Superintendent may enforce this law. However, to do so would be, even in the cause of education, to provoke strong opposition, and the only aHernative appears to us to be that suggested by our Waip i correspondent, that the General Assembly should pass an Act taxing propei ty for educational purposes

Mr. Cableton's motion for admitting the Superintendent to a seat in tlie Council, without the right to vote, was rejected by a large majority on Thursday last We entirely approve of the vote. The effect of the resolution, if it had been carried, would have been to place the Superintendent in an undignified position in the Council, -without ensuring any corresponding advantage. His Honor would simply have occupied the position of" a special pleader ; and the Council must have submitted to be led by the nose by the Government, or most unseemly collisions would have arisen between the Executive and the Legislative branches. Another effect would have been to impede the despatch of public business, and to create a feeling of dissatisfaction and perhaps disgust, at provincial institutions, in the minds of the public at large. We believe that Mr. Carleton's intention was to simplify the machinery, and to put an end to " the sham of responsible Government." In our opinion, he would have failed in his first object if his proposal had been adopted ; and, inasmuch as the present Executive practically ignore the principle of governing by a majority of the Council, the resolution was superfluous so far as attaining, his second object was concerned. As a matter of expediency, therefore, and as a matter . of principle also, we are glad the motion was defeated. We heartily sympathise with Mr. Murray, however, in his complaint. This* child of great travail to the Mahurangi. Heform Association, has made a valuable discovery, namely, "that the members appeared to be " there like a lot of children, not knovr- " ing what they were doing, or what they " could do ;" and this estimate of their legislative usefulness appeared to be recognised as a fair appraisement by other members, to judge of the cheers with, which it was received. This surely will be a sad discouragement to the reforming majority of country settlers, who returned a Eeform Plalanx to the Provincial Council. "We want " a change" was the hustings cry, and they effected a change ; — when, lo ! the hopes of the province are found, on their own confession, dancing to the piping of the Executive, " like childi'en, " not knowing what they were doing or " could do." This fact is so patent, however, that ifc requires no corroborative testimony, and perhaps it is as well that it should be so. If a majority of the Council, or a considerable minority, consists of political babes, the wisest thing they can do is to be entirely guided by the Government. Infants of tender age, if left to themselves, are apt to stray into mischief ; and we hope the honourable member for the Northern Division, and the other political babes who cheered him, will have as much sense left at their disposal as to cling to the apron-strings of the Executive dry-nurse, and be good boys, and do as they ai'e bid for the rest of the session. It will be better for their own peace of mind, and in all probability, better for the province also. Mr. Murray supported Mr. Carleton's motion, because, " so far as he had " discovered during this session, Pro " vincial Government was a sham and " a delusion." Therefore, to be con- | sistent with his apprehension of the theory of Provincial Government, he supported a motion for making it more of a sham and a delusion than it is at present. Perhaps, however, this gentleman made no discovery whatever regarding Provincial Government, but just began to have a glimmering perception that he was incapable of understanding it ; — that, in fact, he was an. illustration of the not "uncommon politicals blunder 1 -in this c6uhtry7't)f' sending a child to do a man's work.

Be that as it may, we are ready to give Mr. Murray credit for good intentions. These cover a multitude of shortcomings in this life, and are said to be useful in another way in the world to come. If his constituents are satisfied, we are perfectly so. But Mr. Murray does not stand alono in making important discoveries. Mr. John 3Lerr, a veteran politician, it appears, possesses the apostolic gift of " discerning spirits." He is reported to have said that he supported Mr. Carleton's motion, because it was "a " step in the right direction, as simpli- " fying Provincial Governments, by " bringing them back to what they " were intended for." Clearly, Mr. Kerr knows more about the Constita- j tution Act than the Act expresses. It i is an admitted principle, we believe, that the intention of the Legislature is to be gathered from its Acts ; but Mr. Kerr speaks of an original intention distinct from the Constitution Act, of which he appears to have cognisance, but which is not embodied in any legislative enactment of which we have any knowledge, except the New Provinces Act. But as this Act was passed many years after the Constitution was in operation in New Zealand, it cannot be regarded as expressing the original intention of the framers of the iNew Zealand Constitution. It is clear, therefore, that Mr. Kerr possesses special knowledge on this subject. He does not grope after truth, or spell out the intention of the Legislature from an Act of Parliament. He has only (to quote a phrase fiom the jargon of the Spiritualists) to "draw " upon his inner consciousness," and he at once becomes master of the secret springs of thought which actuate men in every place and at all times. This fact, which is now patent, must be highly assuring to the public at large. Extremes meet in the Council. We have the innocence of confiding childhood, and the most exalted wisdom to which men can aspire. In a Council BO constituted, surely, it never could be necessary for Mr. Speaker to "fine a " member for improper behaviour, or "send him to gaol for a month," — a contingency which Mr. Brookfield seemed to think by no means improbable ? We can, therefore, look upon Mr. Brookfields remaiks only in the light of pleasantry. He did not wish the public to be overwhelmed by the contemplation of so much docility and wisdom combined, and thought it advisable to remind honowable members, that however uncommon then attainments might be, they were only mortal men after all. For this display of home-spun sense we thank Mr. 'Brookfield ; and we likewise thank the Council for not being led to ramble through unknown paths, in company with political babes and sucklings and venerable discerner.s of spirits.

We believe we fauiy owe an apology to the public for taking any notice of a Mr. Murray, who happens, in some unaccountable way, to occupy a seat in the Provincial Council for the Northern Division. But the foregoing article was in type before we were made aware of certain proceedings m the Council last evening in which that member made a prominent figure. If we had been at all aware of this fact, we should not have honoured him by taking any notice of his silly talk in the Council ; but not having any personal knowledge of the member in question, we imagined that he was possessed of at least common sense enough to perceive that our only object was to restrain him, in future, by a little caustic criticism, from making a public laughing-stock of himself But we are now convinced that we quite mistook our man. He is the prototype of Dogberry ; and the united efforts of the Council could not restrain him yesterday from having himself "written " down an ass." Touching the farce which was enacted in the Council, we have only a word or two to say, because the remarks made by Messrs. Brookfield and Swanson leave us nothing to add. "We regret that the enemies of provincial institutions can point to the model Council, elected by this province, for an illustration of the abajrdity of continuing a ridiculous caricature of Parliament. We take some little credit to ourselves for having fought the battle of Provincialism in the past; and we grieve xo see it dragged through the mire, when it has a fair chance of showing that theie is something in it. However, as we began by an apology, we shall conclude with a promise. We assure our readers that we shall avoid all reference in future to this Mr. Murray, who may console himself for our neglect by saying, like Dogberry in the play :—: — " O that he were here to write me " down — an ass ! but, masters, reuiem- " ber that I am an aBS ; though it be " not wiitten down, yet forget not that " I am an ass."

Mr. W. E. Sadler writes to us, commenting on Mr. Grant's letter on "Education." He wants to know, in short, what religious teaching has got to do with arithmetic, or why a person employed to teach children the multiplication table, and the art of reading, should offend parents by "a pretended teaching of either morality, or the wonderful nature of the infinite eternal Grod." He likewise informs us that we forgot, in a recent local paragraph, when replying to a correspondent who wrote on the same topic, to state that members of the Jewish Church, as well as Catholics, would be offended by the use of the authorised version of the Scriptures as a class-book. We do not go quite so far as Mr. Sadler in hiß letter, but we see no reason why the fears of Mr. Grant should be realised in our common schools. It does not at all follow that, because the Bible may be excluded, "the doctrines of the Sadducees and David Hume should be substituted." We think this is most unlikely. Why should it be thought probable *t all ? Nowhere does the Common Schools Act sanction any such teaching. Are we then to suppose that the school teachers are so enamoured of inculcating points of doctrine, that if the Bible were excluded from the comtaon schools as a class-book — and we do not Itnowitsuseinapublicschool except as a class book — they would at once fall back upon I " the doctrines of the Sadduceea and David Hume"? If this be the real state of the case, then we must say that there is a most dangerously active missionary body amongst us, whoso zeal in teachingrenders them quite indifferent to the nature 1 of the doctrines they may inculcate. Now, we do not believe thia of the schoolteachers, either individually or

collectively ; and we regret that a reasonable letter in favour of the use of tlie Bible in our common, schools, should have been marred by such an illogical argument against the Act ; — an. argument, moreover, which is fatal to the project of entrusting to the teachers the tremendous power sought to be delegated to them, of forming the religious opinions of the rising generation. In the Provincial Council yesterday, Mr. Murray made an effort to raise a question of privilege upon a leading article which appeared in the Cross of Thursday. Mr. Murray seemed not to know what he wanted, and he certainly failed to sketch an intelligible motion. He succeeded, however, in resisting advice to withdraw the motion, and on a division he stood alone as an aye, against all the other members present (24), who voted with the noes. The Estimates were afterwards resumed, and were concluded ; the Appropriation Bill being afterwards proceeded with ill committee far enough, it was said, to enable the payments of some p v essing accounts to be made. Then progress was reported on the motion of Mr. Swanson. The consideration of the Auckland Municipal Police Act Amendment Bill was resumed in committee ; and the opponents of barbers shaving on Sunday morning managed to burk the bill by adopting the motion, "That the Chairman do leave the chair. " As to the question of the public buildings at the Thames, a resolution was adopted, declaring that, if the Government had to make an election, the Shortland site should be preferred. We observe with great pleaiurothat Major Heaphy, V.C., is about to add another work to our colonial literature, in the shape of a centenary edition of Captain Cook's description of New Zealand one hundred years ago. The edition will be accompanied "with notes, anecdotes, reminiscences, &c, on the history, topography, natural history, and ethnology, to illustrate Cook's narrative, with copies of the original maps and views, showing the changes that have taken place in the country. " Major Heaphy is a gentleman thoroughly well qualified to undertake the work, possessing as he does first-clasa literary abilities, added to extensive scientific and local knowledge. We have from time to time peeped into the valuable set of volumes of Captain Cook's Voyages now in the possession of the Auckland Institute, and we are sure that the portion relating to New Zealand will be read with deep interest by every New Zealand settler. The simple yet forcible narrative which Captain Cook wrote has never been approached in excellence by any subsequent works. The great navigator's wonderful powers of observation, his scientific knowledge, and the fidelity with which he recorded everything of value that came under his notice or that could be learned from the natives with whom he conversed, have excited the admiration of those who have lived after him. The illustrations and maps which accompany his works are also characterised by the same minute accuracy, and even the local names are suiprisingly correct. Indeed in many cases Captain Cook's spelling of the names of places and individuals is to be preferred to the present mode. Major Heaphy will have conferred a real benefit upon the community, and advanced our colonial literature, by placing within the reach of the general public a cheap edition of the most interesting part of Captain Cook's works Jn the words of the advei tisemenl, "such an account of the changes in the ccounty,t ty, physically and politically, that have taken place during the past century cannot fail to be most interesting to the lovers of science and history, and it is hoped, may also assist in recording the customs of a race that is fast diminishing, and which has already lost many of its peculiar characteristics . * The seveial places of which Cook gave illustrations will be shown by photographs or drawings. The work, which is intended to form a first-class gift book, will be edited, illustrated, printed, and bound in Auckland. The price is, to subscriber before publicatiou, 10s. 6d. ; to non-subscribers, 155." It is an old notion mentioned in Shakespeare, that on the fourteenth of February, St. Valentino's l)ay, birds begin to couple, and hence perhaj)s the fashion of young people exchanging protestations of love through the jDost at that season. In the good old times, St. Valentine's Day was celebrated in a somewhat more practical and pleasant fashion, to which Sir Walter Scott alludes when he tells how "the fair maid of Peith" stole a kiss from her sleeping lover on St. Valentino's Morn. However, the pleasant season does not pass unhonoured even now, and we doubt not that thousands of pretty missives will pass through the postoffices of the colony on Monday. Already some of the thoj^s are resplendent with valentines. The old-fashioned type of the mock kind, which are intended to ridicule and deride the receiver, does not seem to have improved, juduing by the specimens we have seen; but the real sentimental true lover's article, with its cupids, roses, lilies, orango blossoms, lace, gauze, and silver foil, has risen to the level of a work of art. In London one can buy a valentine from a shilling up to ten guineas, and the latter are marvels of beauty. Here, we have seen a very pretty assortment, some of exquisite design and finish, while in many cases the aid of photography has been called in to give increased value to those elegant trifles. It is pleasant to think that the preparation of those valentines gives employment to many poor women at home, and that theiefore the money spent for a temporary gratification is rot altogether thrown away. We trust then that all our fair friends will receive lots of valentines on Monday, and that the senders may be recipients of similar favours. It is always a pleasant task to us to notice the productions of local artists, and we therefore gladly draw attention to a prettilyexecuted view, by Mr. E. Bartley, to be seen in the shop of Mr. Leech, Shortland street. The view has been taken from the North Shore, and the prospect takes in a great portion of the harbour as far as the Watchman. The drawing is really tasteful, and the colouring is subdued and natural. The peculiar tint which accompanies all New Zealand summer scenery is well represented, and there is an absence of that gaudy and florid colouring which is so often found in colonial paintings. The artist has also so chosen his scene a? to avoid harshness of outline, and one unacquainted with the neighbourhood might well imagine that this pretty and animated little picture represented a scene in the Mediterranean. With care, Mr. E. Bartley will, ere long, make his mark as an artist. It is to be hoped that now the municipal authorities have undertaken the task of widening the footpath between Victoria and Wellesley-streets, aad carrying out the kerbing to the full width, the owners of the shops who will benefit by it will perceive that it is their interest to alter their verandahs, so that the droppings may fall outside the edge of the pathway ; otherwise, the pavement ' will soon be in a worse state than ever. The edges of all these verandahs or sun shades ought to be provided with guttering — as we are glad to perceive is being done in most cases, where new ones are being put up. The annual meeting of the trustees of the Auckland Savings Bank was held yesterday. The trustees in the estate of J. M. French give notice that all accounts due to the estate are to be paid to Mr. F. Gr. Ewington, and that such debts as are not paid within seven days will be handed to a solicitor for recovery. A meeting of members of the Auckland Rowing Club will be held at the Royal Hotel, Eden Crescent, at 7.30 o'clock this evening. For the convenience of passengers who j desire to arrive at the Thames early on Monday, the steamer ' Duke of Edinburgh ' 1 will leave Auckland at 5.30 a.m. She will make a second trip also from Auckland at 10 o'clock at night. The members of the Auckland Troop R.C.V. are requested to parade in uniform, in front of the DrDLshed, on Monday evening, 1 at 7 p.m. After the parade, a special meeting of the members will be held, on business of importance.

■ We have received tlie following fi'om Mr. ' A. Campbell, master of the steamer ' Bluenoso': — "Sir, — -In your issue of the Ist in- ; stant, your 'own correspondent. ' 'Lower Waikato, asserts that ' it must be fvom>vant of arrangement' that the steamers f recently disappoint the flax-mills in not keeping them regularly supplied with coal. For his better information, and the information of others whom his unfair representation is likely to mislead, I beg to state that many of the flax-mills here have been kept in a supply of coal ; others have been disappointed, owing to certain flax-mill owners not discharging, within reasonable time, barges of coal delivered alongside of their landing-places, till in some instances those barges were submerged by heavy rains and floods ; in other instances left high and dry, the river having fallen — which delays and neglect on the part of steam-mill owners have proved a considerable loss to the steamer owners, they having been thereby put to the expense of raising, hauling off, and repairing those bargea, and deprived of the use of them for the time — in some cases weeks, in others months — in carrying coals to other mills and places. It would be to the interest of the steam flaxmill owners to have the barges of coal discharged, in readiness for the return of steamer ; by so doing they would remove the principal cause of disappointment in keeping the mills regularly supplied with coal. If this is not done a larger number of barges will be required, which will make it necessary for the steamers to impose a heavy fine for detention of barges." At about two o'clock yesterday morning a daring attempt was mode to break into the premises of Mr. H. P. Kirkwood. The thief or thieves succeeded in carrying off several bottles of wine. We give in another place x report of the j inquiry held at the Police Court yesterday into the wreck of the cutter ' Maxwell.' The Bench decided that the certificate of John Austin, late master of the cutter, should be cancelled. A charge of larceny against Austin was, after investigation, dismissed by the Bench. We learn that "Rangitoto Jack" has gone down to bring up the body found on the beach between Mr. Daere's and the mouth of the Okura river, and which is supposed to be that of the mate of the cutter 'Marwell.' An extraordinary general meeting of the shareholders of the Australasian Quartzcrushing Company is convened to be held at the company's office, Queen-street, on Wednesday, Ma *eh 2nd, at noon. It is notified that application will be made on the 18th instant for a declaration of the complete execution of a deed of composition filed m the estate of Alexander Eastgate. Thomas Scanlan, of Shortland, has filed a declaration of inability to meet his engagements with his creditors. Cornelius O'Leary has been adjudged a bankrupt, and the first meeting of his creditors is appointed to take place at the office of the Provisional Trustee of the Supreme Court, on the ISth instant, at noon. James Bridges, of Shortland, wheelwright, has hied a declaration of insolvency . We observe that the whole of the timbers of the new steamer now in course of construction by the Messrs. Duthie, at the foot of Albert-stieefc, have been set in their places, and the process of planking is being proceeded with. A yood idea can now be framed as to the unusual fineness of her lines, and the beautiful curve of the hull, which evidently show that if propelled by proper engines slie will he faster than anything in harbour.