The evening Post

Evening Post, Volume IX, Issue 253, 9 December 1873, Page 2

The evening Post

;uS{ \'t\ alt *w. iH i* ,-■/ r * .«» Resuming .consideration' of Colonel Russell's suppressed report on' native schools, We . find chat he represents vevy J strongly th&:evih of ibtemp&r.ance amongst ,ttie natives, ,, There icems to be no limit to the facilities for obtaining drink in native districts, and Cololiei / ltttyen ( iita'teW : 'ehat;Jbf^ ' "militates so gr^tttfv against j" our| tt) effbrjts forjiativje in- "" vofves usitt such t»m»&>*ical action, and in men ihcotttprehettsible-absmrd-ities^ as mtist mrfkW ' iKe governing instnutionsiof New^ealrtnd^conteniptiblein.thV eyes of an imt»il\e'r" ProDstr>ly,,thi» was one of the paragraphs which^ledf W tfte : «rtp|«'es«idn of. tlie report -Atrbne of the schools which Colonel Russell iospectpd, and found in excellent condition,' he expressed a desire to see the, Committee. , The reply was, that if the Committee were culled %gether, some ofWeWwdttJd ineyitablr,, be drnnk,. a» .they; i^ere 'ne^a^ fchiff conclusion. At another place he found thd Chairman 'of the Committfb to be ! tf^ k^ep#r of afi aceommo^Attoo house, and the holder of* pnblican^s license, Tlits t jp*4f^i^al , na«t , been drnnk for fortnight^ and , the Inspector was infe/rnied that he 1 was hardly ever sbber,' , 'At a third place, Colonel RuMdl^My* ;— [ „ ;,■■,•! I foond th« n»tive» in » state of ihook* log ioto^icAtiofi. A drankeo woman had bjflf mord^red her hasband,, wbolM bead, »d<{ face werf covered vritb blood ; the bas> tmnrf , «'»f>, (tnxnk, bad* R9* .b^rr down, and teemed bent B|><m 'fttr*ngtittg. be>, . Upott my rf)tf««n'g her- and going ioto tbeaccom* f modation botuw f I founcUhe Native Aaswor (v^ry rfrttnk) |i«atio2 tbn bost^ ao oM/tnaa of tenjnty^bre^^wbowaf sot sober^ and wb<r, latf r in tfie e^v«nipg, per«»ted ojn»ia»t tnr remonstrance laseilipgmore 'turn to the natives, 'tne gain opoo tbe ram bavin^ apparentty, more weigbt triib him than ther fearof another bealtDg^- J' " „ ,' . * Colonel Itttssell moralises on this a* follows:—- ti ' i * * I Socbare tbe Native AsselaortspoD wbote racommendntiens grog tel Hog licenses are, m I nndertcatHf , in fatar* io be imttmi; It appears to he a profitable trade, for T wm informed tb»t twenty applicatitfoV tootle

Provincial Govern iaeafc afc Auckland were \ going in fi\>w Peverty Bay alone.. I used not debate farther npon this subject to illustrate tlia itwongraottg action 'which is going on to eivtlfae and elevate the native face vft the one hand, and to demoralise sod brtUaliue it off the other. This paragraph, coupled with, the praise of Mcfßichtnoncli to which, we alluded in 9. previous article, no donbt catwed-Mr M'Lean to 'iMiticlt fffiE desirable that Colonel Russell's report should fee published, Th«se higbly- : paid, drunken, native assessors are part of M/i great native policy, and it is nO6 oi' eo.urse desirable that any- > thing should ' bfe breathed against 'thetn* Oofonel Russell very strongly urges* that facilities should be afforded for carrying on. the higher education of the besf. and ablest scholars, of the village schools so as to " qualify them for assessorships, interpretersbips, Brtrveyorships, clerkships, or other situations '-under Government or of a commercial character." He alludes to his former representations on this subject nob haring been fortunate lenprtgh'to receive the Native Minister's attention, but convinced ,of its great importance, he again 'brings it forward, and says, that ;-r / , , ■'. '• Thete-,wiH be fotiad in. bhribskevery village school one or more highly intelligent youths of keen perception! and aspiring mind, quick to recogDise oar superiority 39 a race, bat coascioas bl his own geniality I with/tt»a*an individaal. KeeniyWffie to 'the disadvantage of race under which he fabors f and anxiona to escape from them, he' is witting to join m with the dominant race, even by the acceptance of subordinate offidff^provtrfed to reaiove him (rotn the low level rtf hf» own; " Cdlonel Kns.-'ell very pertinently asks:— f Should not such youths be encouraged, educated, guided, and made valuable mem; hers of the community, and will they nob, if neglected, become the moat dangerous ? On the subject r/f endowments, Colonel Russell's report is far from satisfactory. Valuable endowments seem t€pbxi«fc in various localities, but they . are either altogether neglected, or, in some cases, the proceeds misapplied. He €|notes a variety of instances, and for the second or third time, calls attention to the recommendation contained in the third report of the Commissioners appointed in ISG9, and nrgf» prompt enquiry into the past as well as present ,tnariagertten& of school endowments, and the settlement <ft outstanding claims against them. With regard to the qnestion of religig&s instruction, usually the stnmblrag block in the way of all^gystems of primary education, Coloflm Russeft says that, on the matter being referred to him, he Suggested that access to the pupils of all denominations should he permitted to their respective pastors, which, however, should be so arranged as not to interfere^with^he working of the school, Ifc has, nowever, as regards native schools, been hitherto a purely theoretical question, as 1 have not heard of any instance in which religious in* attraction has beg ft imparted. ■ We hare^now noticed most of the salient points, of this suppressed re'porVaticl we think that Colonel Russell acted- -rightly in refusing to be a party ,tq the suppression^ of such an interesting and valuable paper. By resigning *hir office he acted in a jßiaiilyj jtndependent - manner/" which excites admiration ; and by publishing the report on his own responsibility, he has done good service to the causeof native education — a cause irt which he evidently takes a warm interest.

Oar telegrams a.day or two,- ago $antiounced that Colonel Cargili Baa hdn'ded over the command of fehe Ofcago volunteers to Captain CopelandfJ * Although no reason has, so far. as we are aware, ,been fciven for ' Colonel Cargill's retirement^ It, does nob,require much. penetration to find one, 'Major Gordon, oV Auckland, has recently been appointed Itispector of Volunteers, and is now on his tour of inspection. As Inspector he takes precedence of all other officers, and Colonel Cargtll no doubt very properly objects to serving under aa offiedrof inferior rank to himself. As Colonel CargiU's services have' always been honorary he is, Of course, in a position to retire rather than yield to y the jfovouritism of the " Defence Minister.' ir Probably a' good J many other officers of superior rank would similarly resent Major dforaonV appointment if they; -Were in annually independent y&itiqn tip thafc occupied by Colonel CargtlL ' Tne volunteer force, however, will sustain & most serious less by Colonel Cargill's retirement, for much of the success which has S attended .the volunteer movement in Otago is undoubtedly due to his unwearied exertions. . > : The Veteran and Cadet Volunteer Corps were inspected by Major Gordon, the new Inspector, lact night.' After a number of movements had been gone through, Major Gordon ctimpfitoedted the Veterans on their rffceadidesVbufc remarked on a number of imperfections in their drill The Cadets were drilled for a short time, and after-.! wards informed that unless they had im' j . proved very smoch by. the time he returned ' from the South, in about a month, he : would order tbeco^tp return their arms into store, : MajirOonfon also took occasion to deny the. Correctness' of the report which ascribed to him the expression of an opinion thai the Wellington Artillery was the best corps he had seen in the colony. We remind our readers of the entertain* ment to be /siren in the Odd Fellows' Hall ibis evening by the Ethiopean Seren* aders, in aid of the 1 Organ Fund 'for 86 Mary's Roman Catholic Cathedral The object is a most deserving one, and we trust the entertainment will be well supportedr We tadentand a very attractive programme ha* been prepared. Steam was gofc tip yesterday for the first time iHlhe locomotive just put together in the railway shed at Pipitea, As the engine was still rfuspendeU in mid- sir, it could not exhibit its locomotive powers, but it steamed away with most impressive effect, making alt the proper orthodox-noises, and for the tirft tints in. the province the rait' way, whistle was beard. A number, ; of iMaori* gazed on the unwonted spectacle with speechless amazement and awe. The engine looks very small, compared with those isjttse in Canterbury and Southland. The Cboral Society's practice meeting last night fo/ the grand Christmas festival was well attended, all the soloists being present and an orchestra of fair average

Strength. The overture and thirteen solos — five soprano, two contralto, one tenor, and three bass — were rehearsed very satisfactorily. Another similar practice is Bpecially arranged to take place on Friday. A special westing of tne City CotiiMfl was h»ld yesterday afternoon to elect ah Inspector of Nuisances for the eifcy. The fifteen eligible candidates were gradually filtered down to six, and lastly to one, Mr appointment, by six votes to one, , , , * At the meeting of the Ipbrneymen painters last night ifc was formally announced thai the itfasfcers had consented to* the proposed compromise of Us per dayfsf an advance of Is on the wage 3 hitherto paid. Accordingly, nearly all the journeymen have returned to their work, and the strike may be regarded at an end. At the meetirigfof cricketers held last evening at the Empire Hotel, it was resolved that the matches with Wanganui, Nelson, and Napier should take place, the first on the 30th inst, and the others on such dates as may suit the Nelson and Napier cricketers to come over to Wellington. Messrs Evans, Knapp, J. A. N. Salmon, and Russell were chosen as the match committee, and Messrs Evans and Dees appointed secretaries, .the former for the Wangsnui match, and the latter for the two others, Mr J, W. A- Marchant occupied the chair. We hope an effort will be made to arrange matches both with Canterbury and Otago during the present season. At the inquest held at Karori yesterday afternoon, on the body of; John M'Mana* way, it was proved that deceased was not intoxicated when he left the inu where he last was seen. When picked up in the road hi* insensibility was piesumed to proceed from that cause, and hence no steps were taken, it being supposed he would sleep off the effects of drink tinder which be was conjectured to be laboring. He did not recover his Senses, how ever, but died nest day. Dr Diver attributed hi 3 death to rupture of some vessel of the brain, caused by a fall from the horse, and the jury accordingly returned a verdict of accidental death. * An apparatu».termed KingjfePatent Hydraulic Gauge; has been aOTced to the water works air chamber in front of the Court House, and lately it was an object of curiosity to a large number of passers by. We presttme i 6 is intended to cover id the air chamber, as otherwise, we fear the large tribe of the guage will not very long escape breakage. A tea meeting, in celebrefcßJn of the anniversary of the Wesleyan uhapel, Thorndon, will be hold in the C'tiapel this evening at 6 o'clock, AJfapior paper states that in reply to the petition recently presented to the General Government on behalf of the prisoner Doreen, now undergoing sentence in the Napier gaol, the Government states it has come to the determination to liberate Doreen in 12 months, provided he maintains his present good character. He would have obtained his release at once, but owing to Doreen having attempted to escape from piison some two years ago, it was felflfcneceasary to give the prisoner further time for reflection under Mr Miller's tutelage. At a recent Agricultural Society's dinner, at Ellesmere, in Canterbury, the hon Colonel Brett -was called upon to respond for the Upper House, He said he felt proud to be a member of that House, as he was sure they had done their duty to the country. Daring the last session there had been an attempt to 3Wamp and assassinate — [Cries of •• Oh J'']— the UpperJjtpuge. but thank goodness it bad no 'i beenWcceasful. If that House were taken|fco its last resting place, it would be calamity for the country, as the gentlemen composing it had a large interest at stake. They kept in check the J rash— *[Oh I oh rj^and insane — [uproar, amidst which the expression used was lost! — of the Lower House. An exchange states that the Postmaster of German Bay, Akaroa', has, for the public convenience, a letter box placed alongside the public road. A vagrant swarm of bees 'tine (day" Isfst week thought the box. would suit their convenience, and without consulting either Postmaster or public took up their abode within. The astonishment of the Postmaster, and the trouble of dislodging what were not her Majesty's mails, can be better; infagined than described; Under the heading of "A nice state' of things" a Canterbury' paper states ' that at thV'lasi meeting 'of the Waitnate Road Board another telegram from the Secretary for Public Works, complaining of the working of the Waitaki ferry, was read. It stated that information had been received that the ferrymen were constantly drunk, and that the Jives of the passengers were endangered, and asked if something could not be done~to~remedy the evil. As the Waitaki is, one of the most rapid and dangerous riveYs iri"the colony 5 , we' should certainly think it was desirable that something should be done. , The ( writer of /'Scientific Gossip " in, the tsader says :— '* Mr Cooper, fche gentleman who recently improved upon the old plan of laying the dust in London by the substitution of watervans for carts, has been on a tolerabfy large scale, the 'use of j a solution of 'chloride of sodium and cal- , cium wherewith to water the Streets. The j proposition to dp , this has been made reI peatedly, but never seems to have been previously adopted Chloride of calcium haw an especial aptitude lot attracting water from the atmosphere, so that streets watered with a solution of this salt, or of this salt mixed with chloride of sodium) common table salt or the salt of sea-water) are pretty certain to remain always moist. , In addition to this quality of attracting 'j moisture, the salts are at the same time j disinfectants. As a result, not' only the , dust, bat also any disagreeable odor, will I be effectually got rid of "Men of the Time" furnishes the following particulars regarding Mr Vernon Har court, who, after years of badgering of each and every Government, has been made Solicitor-General, in room of Sir Henry James who takes the Attorney-Generalship, vacant by the promotion of Sir John Coleridge to the chief place in the Common Pleas, He is son of a clergyman, and grandSon of the lake Archbishop of York, Bora in 1827, &r Veruoa flarcoart was educated : in Trinity College, Cambridge, of which he was a scholar, and graduated in high honors •in 1851. He was called to the bar in the Inner Temple in 1834, goes the Home Circuit, and in December, 1863, conducted the defence of Colonel Crawley, tried before a court-martial at Aldershot. Mr Harcourt was appointed a Queen's Counsel in 1866 ; was returned to the House of Commons for ; the city of Oxford in the Liberal interest in 1868 ; and was elected Professor of International Law in the University of Cam-. | bridge, 2nd March, lB69. He was, one of : tUe' original contributors to the Saturday JReriewY atKi|b&s written various political 1 pamphlets, and letters on international law in tbe Times, under the pseudonym "His* jtoriens." r -, „ A <•;,'■»} „ : It is better to be born lucky than rich. ;A writer in a Melbourne paper !s»y» :*— "Mr George Lansell, Sandhurst, ha? had

many an experience of the changes of fortune, but none so great as the last. A few montha ago Garden Gully Tribute No 3 shares went begging, andwere sold for the non-payment of the aall. Mr Lansell bobgnfc 16,000 on thafc condition for a mere trifle, some £425, I belieVe, and the result is that lately he receiVed as his share over £6000 of the dividend declared, while the shares are worth over £30,000. Not bad, is it, for aninyestment. Who said the days of mining eXcitemen"fc were over ? {Stranger still, some years ;.agB when the Garden Gully line Was dead, Mr Lansell gave away 5000 in the Garden Gully United, and the fortunate person took them off hia hands net^d in consequence £00,000. FatSfcis Btraager than fictioa."