THE The New Zealand Herald. SPECTEMUR AGENDO. FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 1875.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XII, Issue 4296, 20 August 1875, Page 2

THE The New Zealand Herald. SPECTEMUR AGENDO. FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 1875.

Spurred on by tho moro reckless of their supporters on eitlior side, tho Government and the Opposition are entering on a now phase of the struggle. The original question is being rapidly lost to view. Instead of tho old I'rovincialist party wo havo on the ono sido a new party, claiming to bo the defenders of tho rights and liberties of the peoplo throughout New Zealand, and looking for recruits to its ranks from every province in the colony. Instead of tho old Centralist party, wo have also a. mixed crowd of Centralists and Provincialists—tho Hon. Mr. Reynolds and many others to wit—who feel themselves in a large majority in the Houso, and are bent on using that majority in opposition to the will of an equally largo majority outside^"Tho blood of both sides, " Highland and otherwise" is rapidly coming to boiling point, and tho colony is threatened with an agitation deep, bitter, and prolonged. We do not hesitate to say that tho bitterness, at least, of this agitation can bo avoided if temperate counsels are allowed to prevail, and that it is timo tho great quiet majority who ultimately decide all political questions should step in to demand that the rancour 011 both sides shall cease. If they would not havo trado paralysed, tho credit of the colony injured and business of all kinds prostrato, thoso whose all is at stake must now come to the front, for it is upon them tho greatest weight will fall.

Tho speech mado on Tuesday evening by the Hon. Mr. iiowon and tho high-handed course which ho lays down for the Government will wo fear intensify tho feeling on both sides. People are tired of arguments. Each side has fully [studied the question from its own point of view and nothing that can now bo said will alter those opinions one jot. Mr. Bowen seems to havo felt this, for he was reduced to falling back on that wretched " Heptarchy" business which we had thought pretty well exploded by this time, when every student of history knows that tho Heptarchy in its old sense is a myth— that the great Alfred only ruled tho country soutli of Watling-street, and that lie was glad enough to make frionds with the rest of tho peoplo by leaving to them tho fullest powers of self-government. It was only when these powers were interfered with by aggressions of Centralists that England, tlirownintocivil discordand confusion, becamo a prey to tho invaders, Danes and Normans, by whomslio was in turn subdued. The knowledge of history displayed by tho Minister of Justice is assuredly less profound than we should havo expected from a statesman of his mark and position, and we can only account for the display by tho supposition that ho found it necessary not to go above tho level of his hearers. Mr. Bowen also tells us that" we require to be united by a law which would cause tho colony to be easily governed by one Government and one Parliament." Surely ho does not mean to infer that wo aro not united" now—united, too, by bonds many millions strong. Again, what are we to say to tho argument that " it were more easy to govern Now Zealand witli one Government now than it was during tho time of our grandfathers for ono Government to govern England 1" Who wants to go back to the time of his grandfathers, and to be governed, as they were, with Corn Laws unrepealed, Catholics unemancipated, Dis- I sentors kept down, tho francliise restricted, rotten borotighß ruling the oountry, and the high-handed Toryism of our grandfathers in everything

and everywhere ? We cannot and do ; j not believe that Mr. Bowen and his colleagues themselves see the way In which their arguments will 'assuredly bo used against them by the large and growing party who depend as much on appeals to the feelings as to the reason of the people. His peroration we regard as by no means the least noteworthy of the speech :—'' There were two courses open to the Government; they must either carry out the expressed wish of the Souse or else retire into obscurity, covered with the ignominy which was the fit punishment for cowardice."' We should bo very sorry to see the Government retire into obscurity, if only because there is really no other party Btrong enough to take their place. But we cannot recognise for one moment the necessity of their violently adhering to a certain course because a majority of the House may wish it, while a majority of the people is as certainly crying out fQr time to think over the proposals made to them. If Ministers are bent on making tho passage of the bill a point of honor, how can the Opposition leaders avoid looking at the policy which boars them down, and bears down tho great masses at their back, in any other light ? Between the two, what prospect will there be of peace and quietness in matters political for the next few years 1 The Colonial Treasurer calculates upon an increase to the revenue of a quarter of a-million in the year to come. He calculates also on borrowing at least half a million on debentures, if we may judge by the £30,000 provided in the estimates to pay interest on the loans not yet negotiated. How can either of these prospects be realised if the country is to be plunged into bitter strife, with the paralysis of trade which it will be sure to i produce. We believe, therefore, that the time is come when tho Government should "gracefully give way, and after carrying the second reading hold over the bill till the now Parliament meets. They must remember that their project is not the only constitutional change proposed, and that tho idea of two soparate and independent Provincial Governments with a Federal Government in Wellington has many ardent supporters. With Auckland a3the capital ofthe North Island Province, and Christchurch or Dunedin that of the South, and with the Upper House elected by tno two great Provincial Councils : this project will run in formidable rivalry with that now before the country. Let them both bo discussed calmly and fully, and whichever the people may deliberately approve will command tho assent of the minority. Not so with , t any measure passed in a high-handed way, ' ■ that must leave the seeds of bitterness and lay tho foundations for long and injurious strife. Again then, we sincerely trust tho Government will not allow themselves to be pressed into intemperate courses by intomperate supporters. They will shew more greatness in resisting than in giving way to this pressure, and keeping a steady, calm, and statesmanlike moderation in view. They may depend upon it that nothing but the hope of their doing so, nowstays the hands of the quiet thousands who will eagerly sign petitions to his Excellency the Governor to withhold his assent to tho bill, if the reasonable demands for time to think be stubbornly resisted.

It will bo seen by the report given in another column that the Education Board decided yesterday to examino the returns of the University examinations held in May last, in which we pointed out some palihble absurdities in a leader a few dajW ago. We aro glad to find the Board do not intend narrowing their enquiry to the ease of the students of the Auckland College, but will endeavour, as far as they can, to protect the interests of others not connected with tho alliliatcd institutions. Some curious anomalies were mentioned at the meeting, in addition to those already noted in our leader. Thus, Hat tray, who belonged to a higher class, and as a second year's had more difficult papers to answef, is classed only by the number of marks made, and is.thus made to rank below many of tho first yeir's students. So also, both Kattray and Moss are down as candidates for provincial scholarships, and classed accordingly, although neither had the least idea of trying for a scholarship, and both were ineligible to hold one, as the regulations require that candidates shall be attached to an alliliatcd institution, while these young fentlemen are studying under private tutors, n dealing with the scholarships, similar anomalies arc presented. Barnicoat, of Xelson, lost tho classical scholarship held by him last year, because he did not make 2000 marks in all kinds of physical science and other subjects this year. Yet, as he came out first in classics in tho colony again, the University was obliged to accord him a new classical scholarship in lieu of that they had taken away. Tho whole thing has evidently got into a muddle, but the question which appears to us the real point at issue, is this : Should wo blindly follow the precedents of Oxford and Cambridge and compel students to " keep terms" of any kind ? Or shall our University boldly strike out a course for itself and bestow its honours on all who can pass a rigid examination—the more rigid the better; —let them get tho preliminary training how, where, and when they may T

It is with pleasure we refer to the progress made in ono of the best managed departments of tho public service. We find in the sixteenth annual report on the Postoffices of the colony Mr. Reynolds, Acting Postmaster-General, states in his presentation that receipts are largely in excess of tho anticipated revenue; and that Sxpcnditure has not exceeded appropriations, although several additional mail services have been established during the year. There are 625 Post-offices in the colony, the total number of officers employed being 735. Tho number of inland mail services m operation during tho year was 283, performed as follows 83 by coach and mail cart, 137 on horseback, 13 on foot, 43 by water, and 10 by railway. The distances to bo travelled for the 253 services were 7319 miles ; and the total number of miles travelled during tho year was 1,443,988. The cost to the department for tho above services was £25,203 Is 7d, or about 4.02 d per mile. The extension of railways has enabled tho department to accelerato tho exchange of mails', and several districts formerly enjoying but limited postal communication, have now the advantage of daily mails. The number of letters and newspapors received and despatched during the year 1874, as compared with the number during 1873, is given in the statement below. It will bo seen that the increase is not only large, but is one also considerably above the average : — 1874. 1873. Increase. Letters—Received.. 4,339,105 4,221,677 Despatched 4,719,201 3,604,008 0,058,4.16 7,915,985 1,142,471 Newspapers— Recelvotl .. .. 3.872,608 2,903,170 Despatched .. 2,434,021 2.300.025 6,300,002 5,209,195 1,037,497 The following shews tho increase of the postal revenue during tha last four years :— 1871-72, £47,054; 1872-73, £50,556; 187374, £60,535; 1874-75, £72,037.

Tiie Post-office money-order department for last year shews a largo increase of business. The numberof money-orders issued duringthe year was 62,712, representing a sum considerably in excess of a quarter of a-million sterling. Tho money-orders issued and made payable iu the colony include nearly ten thousand. which wero sent long tho telegraph wires.

The .programme ,f<5K the next Auckland' ft 11*1 published in another column, lairo are several alterations in *the programme' 'from' last year, which will' no doubt give: satisfaction. One thing is certain, that by the early .publication of the programme there is plenty of time to make: any amendments to the same, should such be found advantageous upon proper representation. Amongst the improvements made in the programme, we notice that a race has been introduced for trading vessels of any rig, licensed and registered, which have not been built for yacht 3, under 25 tons. There are also to be three yacht races, namely, for yachts under six tons; for six-ton vessels and under ten tons ; and a race for yachts above ten ions. This should give satifaction. Amongst the rowing matches will be a race for four-oared outriggers, open to all comers; a race for four-oared gigs (no outriggers), open to amateurs,- members of any rowing club : and a separate race with similar boats for lads under twenty-one years of age. The thirteenth race for scullers, introduced, we believe,'at the suggestion of Mr. Waymouth, is an important one. The race is to be competed by lads under twenty years, open to all comers, and will be rowed in skiff's of not less than 20 feet long with a beam of 4 feet G inches and 13 inches deep inside amidships and 16 inches deep plumb forward with a rise of floor not to be inside of the straight. The object of these restrictions are, that tho lads may row in a safe boat without fear of accident. This is intended to be a standing race on the programme, the reason being that lads may be induced, during their spare time, to build their own boats according to the dimensions lad down, and under which circumstances the cost of the boat would be trifling. If taken advantage of by the Auckland youth, it would have the effect of adding greatly to their health by engaging in invigorating exercise in practising the art of rowing.

The Prince of Wales Theatre was again crowded last evening to witness the marvellous entertainment given by the Fakir of Oolu. Notwithstanding this being the third week of his being here the attendanco does not seem to fall off, in fact, it is a long time Bince any public entertainment has had such a successful run. We understand that Saturday evening will be the last appearance of Dr. Silvester, so that those who have not yet seen him should avail themselves of the opportunity. On Saturday afternoon the last day performance will be given, on which occasion the programme will be specially arranged to suit the juveniles. The boys' drum and fife band will be in attendance, and all those present may expect to be highly delighted. Mr. H. J. Wittington, the highly-respected business secretary for the Fakir of Oolu, has been tendered a complimentary benefit previous to his leaving the colony by- several gentlemen of this city, as a token of regard and esteem for the bnsi-ness-like and gentlemanly manner in which he has acted during his stay here. AYe are only sorry to hear that previous arrangements will prevent Mr. Whittington taking that benefit. But he can rest assured that when he i 3 far away from here he will always be well thought of by the public of Auckland, and it is to be hoped the time will soon be when he will visit us again, on which occasion he may be sure of a hearty welcome.

The immigrants recently arrived by the ship Alumbagh from London were disembarked yesterday from the ship, and proceeded to the immigration depot, where they are open to engagement. There are several useful tradesmen amongst the number, besides farm labourers, and there is no doubt that they will all find employment in course of a few days. One of the married men, named Thomas B. King, died from heart disease last night on board the vessel. He has left a widow and five young children to mourn their loss. He had been ill for some time. The deceased was no stranger to the colony, having served through the Taranaki war, in which he was wounded, in the 14th Regiment. At one time he held the post of groom to General Cameron, and afterwards t» Colonel McXeil. He proceeded home a few years ago, with his wife and family, but being unsuccessful, determined to return to the colony. The children left fatherless by this sad calamity are aged respectively eleven, seven, five, three, and one year. The family are, unfortunately, left unprovided for.

The usual weekly meeting of the Gleam of Sunshine Juvenile Temple, 1.0.G-.T., was held in the Industrial Home, Howe-street, last evening, for the installation of ofiicers : —The following were installed by Brother C. Atkin, G.W.S. "f J.T.: —Chief Templar, KateMacdonald; Vice-Templar, Rosa Knox; Past Templar, Michael Breen; Chaplain, Alexander McDonald ; Secretary, Bernard Morrow ; Treasurer, Henry Morris ; Financial Secretary, A. Palmer ; Marshall, Antonio Nicholson ; Guard, James Fowler ; Outer Guard, Charles Galway ; Assistant Secretary, Sarah Hay ; Deputy Marshall, Selinc. Morgan ; R.H. Supporter, Ellen Mews ; L.H. Supporter, Elizabeth Wickley.

The following notification appears in the Gazelle-.—" Confusion having arisen owing to misdirection of letters intended for the Registrar-General of births, marriages, and deaths, and the Registrar-General of land, whereby letters intended for one officer are frequently left at the office of the other, any persons having occasion to correspond with either of the above-named officers are requested to see that their letters are addressed in such a manner as will insure their reaching their intended destination."

A man named Robert Thompson was arrested yesterday evening by the police upon a charge of passing a counterfeit halfsovereign. The man came out to this province in the ship Dunedin, from London. The coin which he had succeeded in uttering is an imitation of a spade half-guinea. He had attempted to pass the same coin upon Mrs. Edwards, at the Waitemata Hotel, but in this was not successful.

A very great in the city has been supplied by Mr. Jame3 Howden, watchmaker, Shortland-strcet, in the shape of an illuminated clock, placed over the door of his shop. This will enable the public to discern the time of day during any hour of the "night." Mr. Howden will deserve the thanks of the community for supplying a want that for a long time past the City Council have failed in with the town clock.

A correspondent of the Otago Daily Times at the Arrow writes " The discoveries at Skippers will eclipse anything yet in Otago. I never saw anything like them before—not even in Victoria. The Phcenix tributers have between 30 and 40 tons of stone out that will yield at least, if crushed, alone from 60 to 100 oz. to the ton. I really believe it will realise the latter."

A curious incident happened when the Governor laid the foundation-stone of the Presbyterian church, at Wellington, lately. The benediction was scarcely out of the clergyman's lips when a prominent member of the congregation cried, " Three cheers for the Governor !" making the religious portion of the ceremony seem to involve cheering.

The critics (says thoTehgraph't correspondent) are pretty severe on DarreU's Hamlet. The Guardian makes it very warm for him, so far as the new points introduced by him in the third act are concerned. There was £126 in the House. There are no signs of the new theatre, and the general impression is that no new theatre will be bnilt.

The gang of young larrikins who have been sent to Dunedin gaol, is said to have been formed shortly after witnessing "Oliver Twist" at the theatre under the May Howard regime.

A recent despatch from Lord Carnarvon announces that the privilege of nominating yearly candidates for seven naval cadetships has been granted to New Zealand.

We learn that in the latter end of September about 800 tons of machinery and pipes for the Corporation waterworks -will leave London for Auckland.

The Hobson Company and Bandmaster, in undress, -with arms and accoutrements, will assemble at head-quarters this evening, at 7 o'clock, for a march out.

, The Auckland correspondent of the Olago Guardian, writing opon. the proposals contained in the Financial Statement for the special benefit of Auckland, remarks :—The ideas are so charmingly romantic, the sentences so full of. promise, the picture so exquisitely tinted,' 'that it is a profanation to entertain, in the same day, even the thought of "Where's the money to come from?" But there are those who are so dreadfully practical in their ideas that they can't even think of going to church without money in their pockets. It is suchlike miserable wretches who cannot sit down and enjoy Mr. Atkinson's gloriously-conceived romance without allowing worldly thoughts to intrude ■upon them. As a little mud -htll sully a large pond, so one or twoof these sordid individuals suffice to disturb the minds of their fellowmortals just when they would allow their thoughts to carry them exactly whither the Hon. the Colonial Treasurer would leadthem. Sir George Grey is one of these disturbers of the political peace. He is unromantic in pecuniary matters, and he can't s;e it quite in the light the erstwhile Colonel Fakir has put it. He is so "deucedly" particular, that he wants to '' know, you know," ere he is content to rest and be thankful. Between Sir George Grey, who " can't see it," and Mr. Atkinson, whom we would fain believe, the position may appropriately be described by the lines, I Oh ! how happy could t be with either, Were t'other dear charmer away. However, the faith is very great in Sir George, and he is growing in favour - day by day, because it is felt that he at least is honest in his opinions, and it is quite certain the Government can't buy him at any price— neither with a judgeship nor a superintendency, and the desire is almost universal in the Province, that the measure should not under the present Parliament be carried further than its second reading.

A correspondent at Noumea has kindly dropped ns the following information from that place :—" Fresh nickel mines have been discovered at Kauba and Ouilau, whioh give evidence of being very rich, and several prospecting parties are out in different localities. There is every reason to look forward to a prosperous future for this colony, as regards mining. We have been shewn by Captain Jackson samples of both copper and nickel—one from two of the principal New Caledonia mines—each of which has the appearance of being very rich. Extensive Government works and the reclamation of land are now being carried on with rapid progress at Noumea, and a very great change for the better may be observed by people visiting that place. Fresh detachments of .soldiers and convicts are continually arriving out, and it is roughly estimated that the French have about 15,000 convict 3 and deportees in New Caledonia, which, together with between 4000 and 5000 military, will make nearly 20,000 mouths maintained at the cost of the French Government. The new Governor is resorting to very stringent measures for the prevention of the escape of prisoners, and every foreign trading vessel has to be in custody of a French military official, who resides on board for the last 48 hours before she leaves the port, when the custody of the vessel is vested in the pilot (also a Government sfficer), who is responsible until the vessel is outside the main reef."

From Norfolk Island a correspondent writes: —"The whaling season, although delayed some weeks at the opening by stormy weather, promises to be this year a very productive one, as the whales are very numerous, and come very close to land. They have already ten tuns of oil. The community have quite got over the measles, but the natives (some 200 in number) of the Melanesian. Mission are now more or less down with that malady. The -Mission schooner Southern Cross is expected back at Norfolk Island about the beginning of September, with the Revs. Mr. Bice, Penny, and Still, who are now away at the field of their labours. The foundation of the Memorial Church is now rapidly approaching completion, and will be finished in the course of a month or two, when the remainder of the building will be proceeded with. Mr. William Kendall has resigned his post as head carpenter of the Melanesian Mission on account of ill health, and his loss will be much felt, both individually and-practically, at the Mission, he being a very highly esteemed and much respected servant of that society. He returns to Auckland by the Kenil worth."

Some of the Otago swamps seem to be deeper than the railway engineers supposed, and the Bruce Herald says that the subsidence of the railway line where it passes through the swamps near Sterling is very serious, and will probably .involve a great deal of further trouble and expense. The posts by which the levels are indicated shew that the line has sunk between three and four feet in places, although it has been several times made up to the required level. The swamps seem to be almost bottomless, and in one case a wooden culvert, that was built some months ago, is said to be 12 feet down in the mud.

A committee in New York, consisting of A. V. Tenney, J. M. Pettingill, Dr. Cornant, Professor Sprague, E. A. Tatt, W. R. Davis, Judge A. G. Hall, and B. E. Hall, has been appointed to make arrangements for a public meeting and social reception to Henry Ward Beecher early in the fall, during the week preceding his resumption of preaching. The meeting is intended as a public expression of confidence and love for the pastor of Plymouth Church. A number of the clergy and many eminent citizens of Brooklyn have signified their intention to participate in the movement.

A correspondent, with an arithmetical turn writes to the Southland JVews to say that, as the result of a careful calculation, he finds that the long string of titles attached to the present Governor of New Zealand raises the cost of preparing Crown grants to the extent of Sd each above those issued under the authority of any previous Governor. Remembering the number of grants to be issued, this apparently trivial difference will amount to a good round sum in the course of a year.

A terrific rain storm, accompanied by hail, has visited the Canton of Geneva and the French frontier. The hailstones were of unusual size, killing several persons, destroying crops, and damaging other valuable property.

Sergeant James Elliott, of the Thames Police Force, has been appointed to be the Inspector for the Thames Slaughter-house District, under the Slaught-house Act, 1866.

The Sons of Freedom mine was sold by auction yesterday. Mr. C. J. Stone was the purchaser, at £165.

We observe that Mr. R. Arthur, owing to liis increasing business, has disposed of his interest in the weekly poultry, fancy bird, and dog sales to Mr. R. C. Greenwood, which gentleman will continue to hold them at the Market-h«use every Friday, at 11 a.m.

The Town Clerk notifies that the City Council will be prepared to license competent tradesmen as plumbers, under the Waterworks Act, 1872, subject to certain regulations and conditions.

The first ordinary general meeting of shareholders in the Caledonian Gold Mining Company will be held at Mr. Totbill'sf office •on the 31st inst. * 1 * A special general meeting of the Loyal Orange Institute will be held in the lodgeroom, Y.M.C. A. Room, this evening, at 7.30 o'clock.

A public meeting of electors of Papakura to consider the Abolition of Provinces Bill, will be held in the Papakura Public Hall, today, at 3 p.m. The assessment list for the Grafton Road Highway District is open for the ratepayers' inspection. The assessment list for the Highway District is open for the ratepayers' inspection. The assessment "list of the Whaingaroa Highway District is, according to announcement, open to the inspection of ratepayers. A bankruptcy notice re Thos. Cheeseman's estate appears elsewhere. A bankruptcy notice re H. M. Jervis appears elsewhere.