THE The New Zealand Herald. SPECTEMUR AGENDO. SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 1875.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4291, 14 August 1875, Page 2

THE The New Zealand Herald. SPECTEMUR AGENDO. SATURDAY, AUGUST 14, 1875.

A meeting is convened for this evening, to be held in the Mechanics' Institute, the object of those convening it, as stated in the advertisement, being " to consider the recent proposals of the Governor as to the changes in the Constitutional Government in New Zealand." For the word " Governor" should have been substituted tlio word "Ministers," his Excellency the Marquis of Normanby having about as much to do with tho question as the President of the American Republic. We do not know what view the meeting may take with respect to the proposed constitutional changes, but wo trust that those who may como forward to discuss the matter will tako a calm and dispassionate view of this great question in all its probable and possible bearings. The first thing to bo asked and answered is, do the people of this province clearly understand what is meant by tho Abolition and Local Government Bills ? We do not mean whether they comprohend the broad meaning of the names given to them, but whether they really understand what is intended, and what would bo the outcome if they were carried. Tho sweeping away of Provincial Governments to be followed by one central representative power which is to legislate for the whole colony, not favouring one portion more than any other, would meet with general approval we certainly believe. But the duty of all is to carefully inquire whether, in accepting the present proposals of Ministers, we are giving away privileges we already possess for something more visionary and less substantial. Are we being dealt with as a child might be by its nurse—promised that if we are only good and do not make a noise we shall havo a golden carriage to ride in drawn by silver horses 1 Are Ministers sincere in their professions, and do they really see their way to fullil their promises I Or is it just possible Ministers are over-rating their powers and deceiving themselves ( These are matters we hope those who may take part in the discussion to-morrow evening will consider. In the multitude of councillors there is wisdom. So said a wise king. The bills submitted to tho Parliament must in their very nature involve grave consequences. Let the meeting lirst understand all that is meant by them. This being ar rived at, let it consider whether tho main provisions substitute something really belter than the provinces at present possess. Do not let us, because a change is desired, accept any change which may bo offered. Let it bo seen

it is a change for the better. To enable the electors to ascertain this, time is required, and -no sufficient time will have been allowed in 'the present Parliament. Lot it go before a new one, which will be better prepared to deal with the bills after having maturely discussed them. Wc believe that a somewhat different feeling exists among tho constituencies throughout the colony since public meetings have been convened and the subject matter of tho bills has been discussed, than when they came suddenly along the telegraph wires. People were .tempted by the baits, and did not sufficiently consider whether they concealed anything which should induce them not to bo tempted. Not a day now passes but brings with it some new light beari. 0 on the proposals, and the more light the less tempting appear to be the oirers comprised in the bills. We trust to the meeting of this evening being fully impressed with the importance of the measures before Parliament, and that they will neither reject nor accept them before giving full consideration to the subject. "W'e think public feeling was well and truly expressed by one of the speakers at Wellington, on Tuesday night, at a meeting which had been called by the Mayor, the object of which was to give by resolution sanction to the Government proposals, tho speaker said " he liad been for fifteen years a strong Abolitionist, and therefore should support the amendment. The Government bill was a mockery. It did did not give local government, but created what practically were French departments, and instead of electing Superintendents they would have nominated Prefects. At present no one really understood the Government measure, and it was absurd that they should be asked to approve what they did not understand. If tho matter was considered at the coming election they would get a better measure in tho next Parliament. They needed one code of laws and one Statutebook for tho whole colony, but this bill provided that all existing, laws should remain in force. The bill-wit- a mockery, and he hoped they wdnld- riot be foolish enough to approve of it."

Universal surpriso was expressed a fortnight ago when tho telegraph flashed the news that all tho Auckland undergraduates of the University, without distinction, failed to pass the necessary examination. The surprise was mixed with regrot and indignation at the very unusual course taken by the University authorities in thus publishing the names of those who had failod to pass. We have at last received the Gazette containing the results in detail, and aro exceedingly glad to find that Auckland undergraduates and Auckland educational institutions do not in the least deserve tho slur, thus impliedly cast upon them.

It is necessary to state, for the information of those who do not understand the general position, that there are two parties in tho University of New Zealand. Tho one party hold that it should bo purely an examining body giving its degree to all who can pass a certain examination, never mind where or how long they may have studied for the purpose. Thero can be no question that this view is in accordance with colonial society and colonial life, but tho party holding it is in a minority at present. The other party are anxious to reproduco in New Zealand the organisation of Oxford and Cambridgo rather than that of the more modern London University. They desire to see affiliated colleges, in which all the preliminary work shall bo done, and they desire that no one shall be admitted to a degree, whatever his real qualifications, until he shall have kept certain " terms" and passed certain preliminary examinations. Affiliated institutions are to be treated, according to one of the regulations, like the Colleges of Oxford and Cambridge. All tho preliminary examinations are to be conducted by each Head of the Institution, leaving on him the responsibility of preparing his undergraduates for final examination by the University examiners when they go up for their degree. Undergraduates not attending the classes of these affiliated institutions are tc go up before examiners appointed by the University for the preliminary, or " little go" examinations as they are generally termed. The University has also a certain sum for scholarships at its disposal, and the authorities decided that the Examinations both for Scholarships and "little go" should take place together in May last. The students attending the affiliated institutions had been examined by the heads of the institutions some months before, and some of the students were passed by them. It was considered, and, according to the rules with perfect reason, that their examination for the first year as undergraduates was thus over, and only those went up in May who desired to compete for scholarships. Those undergraduates who were studying privately, and attached to no affiliated institution went up for examination as undergraduates only. The distinction is very important, because, to go in for scholarships, any single subject might be selected in which the scholarship was sought. To go in as undergraduates without seeking a scholarship (which could only bo gained and held by those attending the classes of an affiliated Institution) it was necessary to take at least three subjects. Thus, R. H. Reid, an Auckland student, was first among all the under-grad nates of the colony in mathematics, and J. H. Haultain, another Auckland student, ranked as second. In both cases only two subjects were selected, tho other being physical science. Though both theso young gentlemen took a good place in physical science also, their names were published as having "failed to pass"as under-gradu-ates, simply because they had only taken up two subjects. They had not entered for the degree examination, and ought not therefore, to have been included in the list. G. A. King, of Auckland, was third in mathematics and is in the same category, yet he too is Hashed through the colony as having " failed to pass." Others trying only for scholarships and attached to affiliated institutions, might bo mentioned, such as It. 11. Rattray, who (examined among the second year students) took a second place in mathematics and a second in physical science, yet " failed to pass," because simply ho had never intended doing so, and therefore did not take up the three subjects required to go through the preliminary under-graduate's examination.

Turning from the students attached to afliliated colleges to those studying privately and going up simply as undergraduates for their first and second year examinations, wo find anomalies of the most extraordinary character. Thus, F. Fitchott, of Canterbury, was first in classics, second in history, and fourth in mathematics among the second year students, yet " tailed to pass" among the first year students of the colony E. G. B. Moas, of Auckland, is down as fourth in classics, seventh in history, and tenth mathematics, yet he also failed to pass. In hi'j case it strikes us as more extraordinary, because he has evidently beaten,

in each branch, others who have passed. The following will illustrate our meaning :— Classics. Mathematics. History. Physical Science. Be»eridg6 .. — 11 9 18 Willdotan 7 13 — IS Moss.. ..4 10 7 — Yet with these respective ranks in the several subjects the two first have passed sheeir -first year's exomination, and the latter is down as having-failed to do so. We have not space to go further into the matter at present, but it is very clear if the University is not to be an institution for the discouragement of students, instead of the encouragement of learning, some very different management must be adopted. The Auckland students labour already under sufficient drawbacks. Last year Thucydides was laid down as a textbook, and for a long time no copies were to be obtained in Now Zealand. Livy was also difficult to get, and the text-book laid down for history examination was not used by the examiners at all. This year the subjects and text-books have only just been received for the April examinations, and the students in Auckland will have but eight months to work them up, wliile they ought by the regulations to have twelve. Wo trust, however, that this matter will not be allowed to drop. Some effort should be made to get the evident muddle put right, and the reputation of our educational institutions and of the undergraduates vindicated. It was in the first place exceedingly wrong and unusual to telegraph or to publish the names of those alleged not to have passed. It is now very gratifying to find the excellent positions some of them have really taken. The sooner the blunders are remedied and the confusion cleared up by the University authorities, the better will it be for themselves and for these students to whom they owe speedy reparation as an act of simple justice.

Since our leader was in type we have received a letter calling attention to the regulation prescribing the "Course of Study and Annual Examinations" referred to in the report of the Chancellor, who says, " It will be seen by a reference to the regulations bearing upon this subject that two methods are prescribed, whereby terms may be kept and students may prepare for the B.A. degree. First, under the regulation numbered XX. in this year's calendar, applicable to the case of students whose names are on the books of an affiliated institution, by passing the prescribed annual college examination. Second, under regulation numbered XXIV., prescribing the course of study and annual examination applicable to the case of students whose names arenot upon the books of an affiliated institution." This extract illustrates more fully on the remarks we have made on the undergraduates from affiliated institutions who had already passed the undergraduates examination, and who 011I3' entered on two subjects at the May examinations, in order to go in for scholarships. We cannot believe that the Chancellor, Mr. Tancred, or the Vice-Chancellor, Mr. Carleton, were aware of this very important distinction, and that the students referred to did not enter for only two subjects because fearing their capacity for a [third, but simply because the third was in their case unnecessary.

TnE sharpest passage of arms which has taken place this session occurred last evening, when Sir George Grey asked for leave to introduce a bill to enact that all Orders in Council in relation to confiscated lands which may hereafter be issued by the Go vernor, or which may have been issued since the 20th July last, shall be null and void. The object Sir George Grey has in view is to obtain information relative to the sale of certain blocks of confiscated land. After the Native Minister had stated that the Government would oppose the introduction of the bill, Sir George proceeded in most unmistakable language to state his reasons for asking to introduce the bill. He charged the Government with perpetrating illegal acts and of secret dealings iu the disposal of these coutiscated lands, and denounced the practice of covering over these misdoings by Orders in Council, in asking to introduce this bill, lie said he wanted it to pass through the House as far as the second reading, and then relegate the matter to the next Parliament to finally decide as to what was the best means to correct these abuses. They would be a new, unprejudiced, and impartial body, and let them consummate the work begun now. These harsh expressions " ris " the blood of Sir Donald and Mr. Stafford, while Mr. Fitzherbert backed up the leader of the Opposition. Sir Donald protested against the suggested relegation of the matter to the next Parliament, lie wanted an inquiry as much as the hon. member, but he did not want to wait for another Parliament for it, because no Government in the world could afford to sit quietly down under such imputations as the hon. gentleman cast upon them. Let the inquiry be held by all means, and he had no hesitation in saying the lion, gentleman would lind that the Government had not acted unconstitutionally or illegally, as he would make out. The Government (he said) would accord every assistance in obtaining the most ample investigation, but there had beeu no back-parlour work, and no scandalous dissipation of public money. Mr. Fitzherbert expressed himself dissatisfied with the conduct of the Government now and heretofore, and declared that anything that had fallen from the Minister at the head of the Government did not remove suspicions from his mind that these improper transactious had taken place. Mr. Stafford took the authoritative staud that might be expected from a Premier rather than an ordinary member of the House. He asserted that the step taken by the member for Auckland City West practically amounted to a vote of want of confidence. He was surprised at the cool manner in which that gentleman insulted the House and referred to it as a partial and incompetent body, and he indignantly resented also the imputations made by Mr. Fitzherbert that until lately the House had displayed apathy or cowardice n not daring to bring charges against the Goivcrnmeiit for improprieties known to exist. Had Sir Geo. Grey asked for an investigation, he should have had his support, "but instead of that he burked inquiry and insulted the House by telling them, you are not worthy to examine this matter, but relegate it to a new officer and impartial tribunal. Imagine such a charge hanging over the heads of any Government without an opportunity for repelling it,—imagine any Government sitting dowu quietly under these imputations, and allowing them in filter into the minds of the people and go with them to the hustings and confront them at the next election ! The idea was ingenious, but ho trusted the House would not allow such tactics." There were some sharp blows exchanged by other speakers on both sides, but the result we are not in possesion of, as the debate was to be resumed last evening after the Telegraph Office closed. Our "special," however, believed that it was the intention of the Opposition members to declare a defeat in the manner indicated in his message, resting content with having stirred the matter up. It is a very common practice, but not by any means a satisfactory one, for a strong Ministry, when they have some special purpose for relieving themselves from a responsibility, or to avoid making disclosures which are demanded, to declare the matter as put, one of a want of confidence.

It is certain that no time should be lost in passing a law for the better equipment of vessels sailing and Bteaming between interprovincial and inter-colonial ports. The statements made by members in the House shew the state cf things in respect to the precautions taken for the preservation of life

to be very bad indeed, and call for immediate legislation. One member stated from his place in the House, that he had travelled a good deal along the coast of New Zealand during the last few years, and also between Australia and this colony, and in nearly every case where he had been at sea he found that the boats were not properly equipped, and were in such a state that they could not have been lowered at a moment's notice if any accident had occurred. One boat on the starboard would be destitute of oars or sails; one ou the port side would probably be without a plug, or partly filled with lumber, and the others also unfit for immediate use. Wliat he aimed at was, that regulations should be made giving power to impose heavy penalties on masters and owners of vessels for neglecting to have a sufficient number of lxjats which could be lowered and made lit for sea at a moment's notice. He thought this object could be carried out easily by a proper system of inspection at each port ; and although additional expense in connection with the Marine Department would be involved, still the importance of the subject would justify the House in passing a vote, to any reasonable amount, which would gain the object he desired. H-j had heard of a case which occurred on this coast where one of the steamers had sent two boats ashore with cargo, and before they had got a hundred yards away they commenced to sink. When the master of the ship was spoken to, he said the boats had not been in the water for six months, and were on that account very leaky. .Now, there should be no excuse whatever for boats being in such a condition; masters were to blame. When they bore in mind the large number of shipwrecks that had taken place on the coast—he had learned from enquiry that about forty-four steamers had been wrecked within the last seventeen yearsit was their duty, and it was the duty of the Government, to see that every precaution was taken, and every means adopted to provide for the saving of life in the event of shipwreck.

From the appendix to the Public Works Statement, we learn that the total estimated cost of railways is £0,091,981, and that of the total expenditure during the year £702,739 was for rails, rolling stock, and charges in England, leaving £1,154,290 as the work done in New Zealand. " Considering," says the Engineer-in-Chief, " the small population of the colony, the works are certainly being pushed on as fast as advisable. Economy in first cost would be increased i f a somewhat slower rate of progress were adopted." The following is a statement of the mileage and cost, &c., of the several lines authorised in this province : —Kawakawa : Appropriation, £42,500; estimated cost, £42,500; length, eight miles, not yet begun. Kaipara - Riverhead : appropriation, £05,000 ; estimated coat, same amount ; length, 15 miles 63 chains ; under construction. Auckland-Riverhead : Appropriation, £127,500; estimated cost, same amount; length, 22 miles 48 chains ; not yet begun. Auckland-Mercer : Appropriation, £344,000 ; estimated cost, £364,000 ; total length, 45 miles 56 chains; total length open for traffic. Mercer-Newcastle : Appropriation, £170,000 ; estimated cost, £175,000 ; length, 30 miles 36 chains ; under construction. Newcastle-Puniu : Appropriation, £200,000 ; estimated co3t, £150,000 ; length, 29 miles 30 chains; under construction, 10 miles 14 chains ; length not yet begun, 19 miles 10 chains. Total appropriation for North Island, £2,096,000; estimated cost, £2,155,400; total length, 350 miles 51 chains ; open for traffic, 78 miles 35 chains; under construction, IS2 miles 65 chains ; not yet begun, 89 miles 31 chains. The following ligures will supply a comparison between the North and the South Island railway works and expenditure :—

North. South. Grand tl. Appropriltion .. 3,681,900 2,096,000 5.777.900 Estimated cost .. 3.903,581 2,183,400 0,091,951

Alls. ch*. Mis. chs. Mis. chs. Total length .. .. W0 2 350 61 990 S3 Open for traffic .. 199 34 78 33 277*09 Under construction 351 IS 182 C 5 534 3 Not yet .. 89 30 89 31 173 01

We have had forwarded to us from Wellington the "Proposed Estimates for the General Government Services for tha year ending 30th June, 1570." In this voluminous State document we have at the close of it what is termed " Explanatory Estimate of Provincial Services for Eight Months, from Ist Xovember, 1575, to the 30th June, IS7OV' The estimates for Auckland for the eight months are under separate heads. The first head is "Administrative," which' includes accountant, assistantaccountant, clerks, messenger, and contingencies, £1000; administration of justice for Thames, Coromandel, and Ohiuemuri, £4050 ; police, £7744; gaols, £15,537; Hospital, Lunatic Asylum, relief of destitute, and other charitable aid*, £14,000; encouragement of arts, science, and industry, (which includes analyst, laboratory, and for tobacco manufactory), £475 ; for ports and harbours, £4235. Under the head of "Miscellaneous," which includes steam services, &.C., £5523. The estimated provision required for the eight months is £31,564, which is to be charged against the consolidated revenue of the colony. The expenditure for the Provincial District of Auckland, to be charged upon the land fund for eight mouths, is £3024, which is for the purchase of land, land purchase commission, refunds, &c. The contingent expenditure for local public works for the province is—roads, £7SO. Of this sum £500 is to be expended for a track to Tairua goldfield. Ferries and bridges, £660; Tokatea tramway, £ISIS. Departmental for Auckland, Thames, Coromandel, engineering expenses, and miscellaneous, £2625. For liabilities outstanding, £10,300. Ports, harbours, docks, wharves, Grahamstown Wharf extension, £300. Slaughter-house, £2731. We shall have to refer at greater length to the estimates. The above merely relates to the proposed expenditure of the province out of the consolidated revenue and land funds.

The following table, which appears in the " Estimates," is an explanatory estimate of the Provincial Services for eight months, from Ist November, 1575, to 30th June, 1576. It will be seen that the whole amount Auckland will receive from the consolidated fund, from the land fund, and for expenditure for public works is £60,113; while Canterbury will receive £931,206, and even " Sleepy Hollow'' £55,354. The table, however, speaks for itself. We have omitted the shillings and pence :— Chargeable on Land Fund. = 3 - 11 S ■§ B H g-2 g s s! I sTi « o u = a a 3 "3 £ u 55 S Auckland .. £31,564 £3.024 £25,529 £60 115 Tar*naki .. 3,764 4.556 1,099 "4\j4q Wellinßton .. 20,035 70.021 113,059 °00'31G Hawke's Bay 7.102 7.166 23,030 37V9 Nelsoa .. 17.001 11,473 26.550 5 5'3i4 Marlborough 3,030 2,726 5.490 11*17 Canterbury .. C 0.953 54,996 815,221 93i'??6 ■\Vestland .. 16.053 8,308 22.252 46'651 Otago .. .. 70.003 99,264 555,006 724,334 Total .. £230,322 202,178 1.G05.163 2,100,663 Our Xorthern friends, who have anxiously and patiently waited for some evidence of the intention of the Government in regard to the Kaipara railway, will be glad to learn that in reply to a question from Mr. Sheehan in reference to the same, Mr. Richardson said the Government had not yet decided when the work should be commenced ; but the hon. member need not be alarmed —the railway would be constructed. There was plenty of money for it Sir Julius Voc.el has made one more liberal appointment. - He has offered Capt. Walker, who is at present in Madras, an appointment of £SOO per annum, with travelling allowances, as head of the State Forests Department. Our telegram does not tell us whe- * Of this totU length IJS miles were opeutd during the current year.

ther the offer has been accepted under th conditions stipulated by Sir Julius Vo»] But if Captain Walker does not accept th appointment, it would be proof presumptive that he does not know when he has a cood offer made to him, or that his services at Madras must be very highly estimated in. deed. la it quite certain that some intelli gent, well-informed man in forestry could not have been found in the colony, at onefourth of the salary ?