Daily Southern Cross

Daily Southern Cross, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4585, 4 May 1872, Page 2

Daily Southern Cross

LTJCEO, NON TJ^O. If I have been extinguished, yet there rise A thousand beacons from the spark I bore.

SATURDAY, MAY 4, 1872.

Now more than at any time before should the Harbour Board realise the duty of prompt and vigorous action. The present prospects of this city in relation to the commerce of tho Pacific might have been hoped for, and even anticipated before, but now they have a tangible reality. There can be little little doubt that postal ai'rangenients so eminently ad?anta£eous to New Zealand will receive the approval of the Legislature, and as little doubt that those charged with the interests of Victoria will see the advantage of promptly ratifying a scheme so beneficial to the commercial interests of that colony. The colonists of New South Wales and Queensland will feel it to be to their advantage also to unite in the service, and for the lines of steamers converging in our waters it will be incumbent on the Harbour Boaid to use every effort to make immediate and efficient provision. Not only should our wharf accommodation be of such a character as to berth these steamers, not only should arrangements be made for coaling in the shortest possible space of time, but the long-talked-of graving dock should be removed from the sphere of talk, and become a reality as rapidly as the means can be provided and the work completed. Itis not merely for the local advantages to be derived from the possession of a graving dock -fcha/fc this -rrork should be pressed forward, but there is a fitness in a great central workshop being situated at the point of convergenco of so many lines. It is true that both at Port Chalmers and at Melbourne there will be the longest stay of the steamers generally, j but it is after the long voyages across ocean that repairs are most likely to be j required, and the point at which four j large steamers are to be periodically assembled will surely be the point most convenient for providing a substitute for a steamer disabled or requiring an overhaul. It is not improbable that arrangements will be made at one or another of the stations in mid-ocean, Honolulu, the Navigators, or elsewhere, for the establishment of workshops and locating workmen capable of effecting repairs ; but the limited population, and the small number of skilled workmen other than those specially engaged for the work, must at all timeß make such a site for workshops invested with difficulties. Here the thoroughly efficient foundries in operation, the large number of skilled workmen consequently available on a sudden emergency, in addition to any special arrangements made for the refitting of the steamers, afford a vantage ground not to be overlooked; and if those charged with the interests of our harbour only show themselves equal to the occasion, the result will be no less beneficial to the mail service than to our local interests. We sincerely trust that the members of the Harbour Board will be animated by a new spirit of energy and progress in view of the prospects now presented, and that not a day will be lost in urging forward the various intended' works of harbour improvement.

Several correspondents hav#,\pithinthe past fortnight, drawn our attention to the subject of the new Hospital designs, and to the necessity for circumspection

in selecting the one to be adopted. The matter is, undeniably, of great importance. It behovos the authorities, on whom devolves the responsibility of deciding in this instance, to consider well the eniii'o bearings of the whole question before committing (ho province to thi) carrying out of the work. Next to the preliminaries of site and locality the main condition, to be attended to in the erection of a laige ft ospital is that tho grand requisites of classification and ventilation shall be thoroughly cared for. In this case the site and locality have been already determined, and it only remains that the style and character of the ediHce itself, with respect to the laws of health, and the accommodation to be provided, shall be such as to fulfil the objects for which the building is to be erected. Here the question of architecture is of secondary consideration. Not that appearances need bo sacrificed altogether to utility, bub preference must be given to the design which shall best serve to secure to the province substantial and commodious Hospital premises, constructed after the best models, and on the most approved principles. The question therefore arises — Are the persona to whom the duty of deciding this question is remitted the best that could have been chosen for such a purpose 1 And, what special qualifications may our Provincia) Executive be supposed to I possess for determining this matter 1 We must confess that we are unable at present to answer these questions satisfactorily, but we would suggest that, before any decision is arrived at in the case, the several designs sent in to the Government should be exhibited for a short time, in order that the public may have an opportunity of judging for itself how far any of the plans submitted are really adapted to the purposes for which they are intended. Those whose professional training and experience qualify t-hem to speak authoritatively in the matter should be heard, before the decision is given, so that the combined result of the multitude of counsellors may give to the province the most complete establishment to be obtained for the money available for the purpose. We subjoin the remarks of a correspondent who has devoted considerable attention to this and kindred subjects :—: — * * At tho present time grave doubts are expressed as to the ability of the Executive, without previous study, to decide ou a subject of such great importance, and the fear is entertained that after their long deliberation they will at la3t decide on some design which will only serve to display their want of judgment. This was tho case with the Victoria Hospital at Netley. The decision as to the best kind of building was left to the Assistant-Quartermaster-General, the Deputy Inspector of Fortifications, and other officers totally incompetent to decide on such an important matter, the result being, a hospital for 1,000 patients is erected, to be condemned by practical men after its completion for several reasons, but especially for ill-ventilation and want of convenience for attendance. The subject of ventilation has long occupied the attention of medical men conuected with hospitals. It has been found that badly ventilated wards have not only retarded the convalescence of the patients, but have actually been tho means of spreading d'sease, adding to the patients' sufferings that of hospital gangrene or erysipelas. Numberless instauces can be quoted in which it has been discovered that the impure air of ill-ventilated ;warda held all kinds of organic matter in suspension. Drs. Frank, Hewlett, St. John Stanley, Baines, Heed, Do Chaumont, McCully, Parkes, and others, of the Army Medical Staff, have made many experiments on the impure air of the military hospitals and barracks, and they have detected large quantities of epithelium from, the akin, dried pus, and other impurities floating in the air. Eiselt found pus cells in the air of an ophthalmic ward, and Chalvet found ia one experiment made of tho dust collected when the wards of the St. Louis Hospital were being cleaned, no less than 30 per cent, of organic matter, and at another time 46 per cent., consisting of epithelium cells, which, when burnt, gave out an odour of horn; and when moistened and allowed to decompose, it gave out a fcetid putrid smell. These facts led to tho serious consideration of better ventilation for the wards of hospitals, the French being the first to take the lead on this subject; and the result, after a long investigation by a number of skilful medical men, was the complete isolation of each ward, as well as an easy communication by covered corridors round the building. Acting upon the conditions we find the Bordeaux Hospital; the new Lariboisi6re, and the Beaujon Hospitals, at Paris ; the St. John's Hospital at Brussels ; and later still I the Valetta Hospital at Malta, and new Herbert Hospital at Woolwich. : all these ' modern edifices, not forgetting tho St. Thomas's Hospital at Westminster, are built on the same plan — namely, the "pavilion ward" system. In other words each ward ia under a separate roof, built parallel to each other, with a space between each, ward for a grass-plot of about twice the width of the height of the wards, the whole being connected with lorg corridors communicating with each ward. In this system the important subject of ventilation receives full consideration, for each ward has several large windows reaching nearly from the ceiling to the floor, and situated directly opposite to each other, so that a free and uninterrupted current of air passes directly through the ward. Another point for consideration in the hospital wards is the amount of square and cubical [space given to eaoh patient. The amount of square feet as laid down in the Army Hospital Regulations is from 100 to 120 square feet for each patient, and the amount of cubical space from 1,200 to 2,000 cubic feet, according to the climate ; in the tropics it is 1,500 to 2,000 cubic feet. This is a matter however that that is usually left to the medical officer to decid. In conclusion, I may just call attention to the importance of corridors, open or enclosed, verandahs, &c, for the use of the patienta. To this sabject very little attention has been given, although it is one of the utmost importance both to the patient and the Government, for it is the means of the rapid recovery of the patient to health and strength, and by that means a saving of money to the province, In alluding to this subject of open-air exercise, corridors, &c, Dr. Parkes, M.D., F.R.S., Professor of Military Hygiene in the Army Medical School, &0., in his "Manual of Practical Hygiene," saya :— "This ought properly to be considered as medical treatment. As soon aa a patient can get out of his ward into the open air he should do so; therefore, open verandahs on the sunny side of the wards, and sheltered gardens, are most important. For the same reason hospitals one storey are best, as the patients easily get out. In a foot-note he says ; — "I had never properly estimated the importance of one-storeyed buildings for this purpose till I served at Renkioi, in Turkey, during the Crimean war. The hospital was composed of two-storeyed wooden buildings connected with an open corridor. As soon as ft man' could crawl he always got into the corridor or between the houses, and the good effects were manifest. Some of the medical officers had their patients' beds carried out into the corridor when the men could not walk. In winter greatcoats were provided for the men to put on, and they were encouraged to go into the corridor."

This, I think, speaks with better authority thau I c in my a "'f.

The effort now being made in various places, especially in tho province of Hawke's Bay, to teach the natives the English language, ig one worthy of notice. The policy of the missionaries on this particular point has by many been regarded aa a blunder, and the principal cause of the miscariiage of their well-intentioned design of civilising and Christianising the native race. It was a fulse step at the very ' outset of their noble enterprise, the evil effects of which have not ceased to be felt throughout the colony to the present day. The natives, from being shut up to the resources of their own language, wore more slow to apprehend and understand tho inevitable consequences to themselves of the introduction amongst them of a civilised race. Their self-importance was flattered by the isolation that secured them ; but that was not all. Their ignorance was perpetuated, and they were not prepared in any way to accept the change in habits and ways of life which, sooner or later, the presence of Europeans in the country would be sure to force upon them. At no time were they permitted to realise the fact, that to dwell at peace with the new-comers they must embrace j their ideas and ways of thought, conform to their laws and manners, and become one with them in government, morals, and material progress. This view of the case was never fairly set before the natives, nor could it be impressed upon them successfully so long, as they remained separated from us by language. Had it been intended to shut out the European altogether, and try a new experiment in civilisation, by attempting to wean the savage from his barbarism under a system of precept alone, then it may be supposed it would have been desirable to perfect him in his own tongue, and furnish him witb a sepui'ato written language ; but if he was evor to mix. with the outer world, such a step becomes almost inexplicable. Nevertheless, this was the course pursued in tho ease of the aborigines of New Zealand. They were shut up to their own language and ways of thoughts ; the insurmountable barrier of an unknown tongue was studiously and pcrsistcutly placed between them and the people whose laws they were expected to obey, and whose superior civilisation they were instructed to i imitate and follow. It will be well for the natives, and the colony at large, when this fatal error is rectified, and we are I glad to see that, at last, something is being attempted in this direction. The more ! intelligent among tho natives themselves are becoming fully alive to the desirablcj ness of acquiring the English language, I and especially that it may bo taught \ their children. The growing desire on this subject was frequently given expression to, in the addresses delivered before the Governor by leading chiefs in his Excellency's recent tour through the native districts. They asked i for "roads, steamers, and schools to " teach their children English." This I is so far gratifying, and the request, we are persuaded, will be readily and [ cheerfully responded to as far as the Colonial Government is concerned. : Funds are required for this object out of the aunual grant for native purposes, and already steps have been taken to increase I the moans of education in all native districts. Schools have been established at Pakowhai, Maketu, Taupo, and other I places, in which it is a main feature that all information shall be conveyed exolueivoly in tho Enql iok language ; and the j results are spoken of as most encourag- ! ing. The greatest aptitude is manifested by the native children for acquiring our language, to prove which, we may quote i Jrora the narrative of Sir (ieorge Bowen's " Journey from Wellington to Auck- " land," which has just been published. "It is f ound by experience fiat the " readiest method of instilling European " habits into the natives is by teaching " thorn the English, language, and en"lprgiug their understanding by acquainting them with the nature " and geography of other countries, "in addition to the usual routine "of daily school life. In many " cases the result has exceeded all "anticipation, the children being execs- " sively quick in picking up the language " of tho palccha, and ve/y apt at figures " and penmanship." Nothing but success can be anticipated from the experiment thus being entered on, and we trust it will receive the cordial support and assistance of oil true friends of the natives. It is. the duty alike of the Government and the people, tho missionary and the settler, to unite in countenancing a movement which, more than any other, is calculated to ensure peace to the country, and permanent prosperity to the people of both races.

The meeting held yesterday at the Chamber of Commerce for theformation of aFi-eight Company fully bore out the anticipations which we had formed, and to which we gave expression in yesterday's issue ; and wo rejoice at the manner in which our mercantile community have responded to the appea made to their public spirit. Few projects could be launched with better prospects of success. The occasion demanded action, and the crowded meeting at the Chamber of Commerce shows our merchants animated by right sentiments with respect to the common interest, and prepared to acb with promptness when promptness is demanded. The meeting comprehended almost all the merchants and principal people of the city. The whole question was considered, and little credit was given to Messrs. Shaw, Savill, Jand Co. for the manner in which they had hitherto conducted the trade. It was resolved to form a freight company for the whole of Zealand, and a committee was appointed to draw up a prospectus, &c. It is expected that the committee will have their labours finished in less than a week, when another meeting will be called, and the company floated. A large number of letters to the Editor aro unavoidably hold over. His Honor the Chief Justice did not ait in Chambers until one o'clock yesterday, when he took up the banco cases on the list. In the case of Reid v. Horsfall, in which defendant, through his counsel, had moved for a new trial, his Honor discharged the rule. The application made by Mr. W. L. Reea, on behalf of the Commisaioner of Crown Lands, for an injunction to restrain miners from working on the foreshore at Coromandel, was refused. Mr. Rees had leave to take a rule nifii. In the case of Gow and Another v. Prazer, the defendant was allowed an. appeal. The application to dissolve the injunction issued against the Bright Smile Qoldmining Company was refused. Other matters of minor interest came before the Court. The proceedings will be found reported elsewhere. The late Bishop Patteson, by his wili, dated June 22, 1869, has bequeathed the whole of his private fortune (some £10,000) to the Melanesian Mission, in which he laboured incessantly for upwards of 16 years, and in which he has lost his life. He also left his books, plate, furniture, chronometer, &c, in Norfolk Island for the use of the mission. Bishop Patteson left England in March, 1855, and never returned,

Wo understand that au important meeting of the committee of tho Chamber of Commerce was held yesterday .tfternoon, for the , purpose of. making preparations for laying b/ore the Government the requirements} ot . the .New Z aland cul.misls with leference to the Customs diawlncks. It is thought that New Zealand ought to be able to compete on eqiul terms with Australian colonies for tho tiade of the South Sea Islands; and also | that every facility ought to be given to our merchants for relieving the markers here when overstocked with imported goods. Tho Government has expressed its intention to introduce a bill to meet the requirements of the case, and arrangements have been made by the Chamber of Commerce for supplying them .vith all the local information that can assist them in their plans. : Judge Kogan returned from Coromandel last night, where he has been to preside at the Native Lands Court. The business was quite unimportant, there being but two claims, and these were re-hearings : one was for a section of land at Cabbage Bay (about 600 acres), the other a small allotment of G acres at Manaia. Tho claims were j>llowed to the original grantees. Yesterday his Worship the Mayor presided at the Police Court. A woman charged with theft was discharged from custody, on condition of being sent to Tasmania, whence she came to this city. A. charge of wifed9sertion was withdrawn, the wife stating that she and her husband had made it up again. Colonel Baluoavis made a complaint respect* ing the prizes offered at the late races in tho the Albert Barracks not having been paid. During the meeting which was held yesterday for the purpose of forming a New Zealand Freight Company, some discussion ensued respecting the delay vessels sustained herein the discharging of their cargoes. Somo would have it that little delay was occasioned, and that vessels such as the Caduceus could not be discharged in from three to six days. Mr. Thomas Henderson gave his experience in the rapid discharging of vessels, and stated that he had seen at San Francisco 1,700 tons of cargo taken out of a vessel aud 600 tons of ballast put on hoard within 37 hours. Phis is indeed a degree of celerity which would have considerable influence in reducing freight charges. Tho Harbour Board ought to see that ample appliances are at the disposal of the shipping for the rapid discharge of their cargoes. Tho Napier Telegraph gives the following particulars concerning the supposed goldfield in the Waikato district :—": — " On tho other or Tarauaki side of the Tuhua, there is an extensive district containing some of tho finest country in Now Zealand. The Mokau river rises there aud falls into tho sea about half-way between Port Raglan and New Plymouth. The Tuhua range is only from 3,400 ft. to 3,600 ft. above the level of tho sea. The whole of the country extending from tho western shores of Lake Taupo to Taranaki and the coast is in the hands of Maoris who, previous to Mr. Locke's visit iv IS7I, wero staunch Kingites and were hostile to Europeans. They, however, with tho powerful chiefs Matuahu Whareraugia and To Tuhi lakuru, attended a meeting at Tapuaeharuru in April last year, and expressed their intention to fight no more, Matuahu throwing down his gun in front of Mr. Locke as a pledge of his having given up all idea of taking up arms, and as the formal surrender of the Ngatituwharetoa tribe. The opening up of a goldfield in the centre of the island would effectually put an end to the 'native difficulty.'" The following prisoners are to bo removed from the Mount Eden Stockade and forwarded to the Dunedin gaol, by tho ' Nebraska' :— Johnston, for murder ; Elcock, arson ; Hemi te Hara, murder ; Muirhead, murder j Haley, shooting with intent, Tho above prisoners are all under life sentences. Dolan, for burglary, 14 years ; Plummer, burglary and escape, 12 years ; and Bryant and Goldsmith, for gavotting, each 10 years. Somo of these prisoneis are notoriously desperate characters, for tho safe retention of whom our gaol is not considered sufficiently secure. Wo understand that tho follo\v ; ne rnvvptt poudence has taken place between the Chamber of Commerce and the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer, respecting au increase of facilities for transmitting telegrams henco to Australia. The letters speak for themselves :—": — " Chamber of Commerce, Auckland, 30th April, IS72.— Sir,— l have the honour to request, on behalf of the mercantile community of this city, that you will be pleased to cause to bo notified, with tho Post-office notices, the time up to which telegrams for tho Australian colonies may be received at the Telegraph Office here for transmission to either the Bluff, Nelson, or Hokitika. I would mention that the notice posted outside tho Telegraph Office gives 1 ) the time for receiving the telegrams for Australia, but this I consider hardly sufficient, and a notice through tho papers would be much greater benefit to the public. — I have, &c, G. Yon der Hkyde, uhairman. — The Hon. Postmaster-General." — "New Zealand Telegraph Office, Auckland, May 1, 1872.— Sir, — I have the honour to inform you that the Hon. the Telegraph Commissioner and Post-master-Genei'al has instructed me to notify in the public journals, with the Post-office notices, the time up to which the telegrams for the Australian colonies may be received here for transmission to either the Bluff, Nelson, or Hokitika.— l have, &c, Alvjred Sheath, District Inspector." Tn our issue of yesterday, in stating the matters cominj; before the Court in re Machattie, we had it that the rule was granted in both cases, whereas the rule was allowed only in tho last, his Honor reserving his judgment in the first application. A correspondent sends us the following school statistics of Whan^arei :—"lt: — "It is now rather more than two years since the Whangarei day-school was re-opened, after having been shut for some time for want of Cfoverament assistance. The number of scholars who attended soon rose to upwards of iifty. The subsi \y granted is i'3o per annum, i'lo of which is paM for teaching the girls to sew. About 18 months ac;o another school (chiefly for beginners) was opened by a young lady in the village ; tho attendance is about twenty ; the fee, sixpence a week. About 12 months ago a third school was opened, attended by a like number ; fee, one shilling a week. The original day-school (fee, lOd. a week) has now dwindled to an average of about twenty-four. The assisted teacher has a school-room free of rent (although it seema the withdrawal of that advantage is threatened). The two unassisted teachers have to provide accommodation at their own expense. I leave it to political economists to determine which principle is applicable to education in this settlement — free-trade or protection. It may be alleged that the decay of the original school is not on account of protection. Perhaps not." Mr. Harry Koch, who, from being a sailor, was smart enough and lucky enough to realise £100,000 for his Bendigo mining properties, was a passenger home from Melbo iime in the 'Northumberland.' A writer in the Australasian asks :— -" Couldn't the agent-general get hold of Mr. Koch and turn him to useful account as an unanswerable emigration inducement ?" To the Editor : Sir,— Ye see I warf just a Glasgow chappie, and in the year 1812 I enlisted in the 92nd Gordon Highlanders; faithfully served their Majesties George 111. and IV., William IV., and her most gracious Majesty Queen Victoria, God bless her ; was discharged in 1840 on a small pension ; joined the local force in Scotland ; aud in 1847 volunteered my services in the New Zealand Fencibles, and was under arms during the whole time of the last Maori war. On coining to Auckland I brought my wife and four daughters, and one son born in New Zealand. My four eldest daughters are married to small farmers in the district, and have born 15 boys and 13 girls. Two boys and one girl died, and one of my own boys died j so you will see, Mr. Editor, that my produce consists of 22 females and 15 males, or 37 all told ; and I have three daughters still left to dispose of in holy wedlock. What I want to know is, is it likely that any Scandinavian, German, or Greek will beat this ? — I am, &o, f An Old Soldier but a Good Colonise*.

Tlio Superintendent of Dunedin, in his speech ou the opening of the Otago Provincial Council, stated that the duty on the gold shippod during the" year amounted t0£2',41() lGs. -11. .against C19,0(>9 2s. 9d. the previous year. The c;old exported for tho year ended Match 30 amounted to 156,()2G0z. There was a. slight decrease as compared with tho previous year, in tho revenue, o\\ ing to the drought. Pending 1 the establishment of a mint ho recommended the institution of an assay and melting department in. connection with the School of Mines : miners to be allowed to bring their gold for assay, and the melting arrangements being made by Government, so as to have the gold minted in Melbourno or Sydnoy. A bonus for the discovery of new goldfields wag recommended. Weekly Statement' of the Provincial Lunatic Asylum, for the week ending April 27, 1872 :— .Remained at last statement, 113 ; admitted since, 0 ; discharged since, 1 ; dead since,Jo: remaining at present, 112 (73 males, 39 females). Distribution of cases • Epileptic mania, 9 ; idiocy, 4 ; imbecillitas, 17i; mania, 48 ; melancholia, 15 ; dementia, 17 ; monomania, 2. The Iraaaurer of the Home for Neglected and Destitute Children begs to acknowledge the liberal donation of £50 from a friend to the institution, through W. Hattray, Esq.

Mr. Brock, solicitor, request 3 that all claims against the estate of the late Edward Norman shall be sent to him without delay, and all persons indebted to the same estate are requested to pay to him their respective debts without delay. Notice is given that Messrs. Hague Smith and Walker are now agents in Auckland for the Nonpareil Goldmining Company, iv place of Mr. Brame. A call of 3d. per share in the Number One Goldmining Company has been tnade.payablo at their office, Owen-street, Grahamstown, on or before May 23. An extraordinary meeting of the shareholders in the Coromandol Beacb Goldmining Company is advertised to be held, at the company's office, on Friday, the 24th May. Mr. i homas Macflarlane, the trustee in the 'estate of John Southcote, deceased, requests that all having claims against the estate shall lodge the srrne on or bolore tho 14th instant. A call o" threepence per share has been made in the Conquering Hero Goldmining Company, payable by the 16th instant The monthly meeting of the New Zealand Agricultural Society is advoifcised to be held at the Criterion Hotel, Otahuhu, at three o'clock on the afternoon of Tuesday. The business will be the election of officers for the cuiveut year. Settlers in the neighbourhood of Otahuhu aro requested to meet at tho Criterion Hotel, Otahuhu, at six o'clock on Tuesday evening, for the purposo of urging upon the Provincial Government the necessity of at once talcing steps to improve that portion of tho Great South Road near Otahuhu which is now considered unsafe for traffic.